Media Release

Pics: Stanley Bantwal

Mangaluru, Nov 1: Mayor Premananda Shetty Cut the ribbon and inaugurated the Bus Shelter on Father Muller Road in presence of an august gathering on Monday November 1. MLA Vedavyasa Kamath, Mangaluru South and bishop of Mangalore Dr Peter Paul Saldanha were among various other dignitaries gracing the occasion.

A prayer for protection and blessing of the shelter for those who will be using it was blest by the Bishop of Mangalore. MLA Vedavyasa Kamath unveiled the plaque of the median garden which will be maintained by FMCI or the city corporation.

The Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI) have been in the forefront of healthcare since 141 years and has been a reputed Institution in the field of Health services, Homeopathic Care, Medical/Nursing/Allied Health education and has always been in service of the general public with its motto of “Heal and Comfort” for the past one and a half century. Even though with its charitable banner it has become a source of inspiration by collaborating with governmental agencies in imparting awareness and aiding in pro people measures, one such being on this day of developing a bus shelter for the
convenience of those using public transportation.

November 1 in Catholic Traditions has been celebrated as All Saints Day world over and is the 111th death anniversary of the founder of FMCI Rev Fr Augustus Muller SJ. With these the Institution also observed the first ever Kannada Statehood day (Rajyotsava) Day in its campus at Kankanady.

The Karnataka Flag was unfurled by MLA Vedavyasa Kamath with the melodious rendition of the Naada Geethe by the Father Muller College of Speech and Hearing. In his address, he thanked the service of the Father Muller Charitable Institutions in bringing about quality in every aspect of its doing. He thanked the management for helping beautify the city by designing the bus shelter. He spoke on the various projects the government has proposed in the Smart City project, thus which will make Mangaluru a still beautiful city.

Mayor Premananda Shetty too thanked the management for their selfless service in healthcare and education sector. He lauded the institutions efforts in aiding the public by beautify the area with its bus stand and median garden. He willed to help the institutions in developing the area and help the public at large. The services rendered by the hospital in leprosy care have been commendable efforts in helping eradicate the disease in the region.

Dr Fr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore and president of FMCI in his presidential address spoke of the very nature of the Christian community which in the region through its sacrifices have been able to run such an institution. Many of the Catholic religious or lay, through selfless sacrifice and dedication for all, irrespective of caste and creed have made a difference to the whole society. Money donated through churches and through donations of its faithful has been able to run such a massive hospital setting.

The welcome was delivered by Fr Richard A Coelho, director FMCI and the Vote of thanks was proposed by Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa, administrator FMMCH. The master of ceremony was Prof Dr Shivashankara AR (FMMC) who compeered the event par excellence. The members of the governing board, management committee, Father Muller Charitable Centenary Society, faculty, staff and students were present in full strength for the event. Everyone gathered were sent with sweets on behalf of the management in celebration of the Kannada Rajyothsava Day.

The day began with a liturgical celebration early morning with bishop of Mangalore as the main celebrant. The blessings of the departments of Paediatric and OB-GYN were carried out after the formal function with small prayer service by the bishop. The heads of the departments with their faculty and staff were present. Gifts given to the dignitaries were the work of the in-house rehabilitation centre which focuses on khadi and handicrafts.

The further plans of the Institution will be in developing the Kankanady circle and a developing a new bus shelter on the entrance side after the city corporation’s approval. The bus shelter will be having proper lighting facility with easy seating arrangement and also drinking water facility.

Note worthy thanks to the police (Law and Order and traffic) for managing the security situation and easing with the traffic flow.