Mangalore: Bishop Advises GP Christian Candidates to Serve Sans Religious Bias
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SR/SP)
Mangalore June 15: International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations (IFKCA), Bangalore, organized a felicitation programme for the winning Christian candidates of the recent gram panchayat (GP) elections. The programme was organized at Milagres Hall here, on Monday June 14.
Bishop of Mangalore, Dr Aloyusius Paul D’Souza, was the chief guest the programme. In his inaugural address, the Bishop said he was happy that a number of Christian community members had participated in the Gram Panchayath elections. Congratulating the winning candidates, the Bishop advised them that as leaders and representatives of the society, they have a duty towards the people to fulfill the promises they had given to the people, and to remain honest in discharging their duties. The leaders should make it a point to help people from all the religions without any discrimination, so that the people will repose trust in them and elect them again in the next election, he advised.
J R Lobo, executive director, Pilikula Nisarga Dhama, who participated as the guest of honour, said that the participation of the community in politics is very important. “We see people losing the elections just by a margin of single digits. In such cases, the defeated candidates have every reason to nurture hopes for success in the next election. If we have to fulfill Gandhiji s dream or Ramarajya, we have to start working from the gram panchayat level itself. Former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, contributed enormously towards strengthening the gram panchayats. Being members of a cultured section of the society, we should know how to shoulder the responsibilities and fulfill the needs of the people,” he felt.
Ronold Colaco, chairman of IFKCA, speaking on the occasion, expressed concern at the fact that the Christians are not being represented properly in politics, and that only 0.1 percent of their population is active in politics. He noted that the missionaries imparted education to all the sections of the Indian community, helping the people of different religions to prosper. He wondered why the Christians are lagging behind in politics, reminding them that renowned Kannada poet, Kuvempu, had once said, ‘Gurukulas never made me a great poet, as that system of education was reserved only to some castes, and Christian missionaries really helped me to rise to such a great height’. “When we can create opportunities for others to grow, why cant we grow in all the fields, especially politics?” he questioned.
Valentine D’Souza, deputy superintendent of police, Panambur, who won the gold medal from the Chief Minister for his bravery, was also felicitated on this occasion with others at the programme.
Hannibal Cabral, principal, Karnataka Theological College in the city, IFKCA chairman, Ronald Colaco, Dennis D’Silva, convener of IFKCA, president of Catholic Sabha Mangalore (R), Walter Cyril Pinto, and president of Catholic Women’s wing of the local diocese, Leena Roche, were present.
Stany Alvaris proposed vote of thanks.