Mangalore : Catholic Sabha Felicitates Elected ZP and TP Members
Pics by Daya Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - FR
Mangalore, Mar 13: The newly elected Zilla and Taluk Panchayat Members of the catholic community were felicitated by the Bishop of Mangalore diocese Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D Souza in a felicitation programme and convention organized in the city today, Sunday, March 13, 2011.
The convention of Laity Organizations of the diocese and the programme honouring the elected representatives was organized at Milagres Senate Hall, by Catholic Sabha of Mangalore in association with Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK) . The Bishop, who presided over the function honoured 19 elected representatives of undivided Dakshina Kannada district with a shawl and flowers. Along with Zilla Panchayat representatives Stella Ida D Souza and Melwin D Souza, the Bishiop also felicitated young and emerging political leader of the community Dolphy D Souza, who had showed his magnanimity by giving way the ticket given to him to Melwin D Souza, who finally got elected from Bondanthila Jilla Panchayat. Dolphy D Souza gave a keynote address on the occasion. Political leader from Karwar Leo Lewis also addressed the gathering as a response to the keynote address.
In his presidential address the Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D Souza Congratulated both Catholic Sabha and CASK for organizing this felicitation programme saying “where there is unity and organized work it will yield desired fruits aimed at the betterment of the laity”. He also said that joining organizations serves the twin purposes of self growth and the welfare of others. “It is not enough just to hold meetings and give speeches. What good you are doing for the society and for others is more important. Without such achievements to their credit no organizations can survive”, the Bishop declared.
To the elected representatives he said “you have swam against the tide and won the elections by your individual efforts. You have got a place in the society because of your hard work and merit. I have come here to felicitate you as a representative of the community and you should understand that you are our person, our community representative. Our community is known the our service and we have to give our time and service to the society”. He also lamented that our catholic leaders don’t allow others to come up or emerge as leaders. “We need more and more leaders in our community who can make a difference to the society”, he emphasized.
In his keynote address young political leader Dolphy D Souza pointed out that catholic leaders and elected representatives should emphatically defend themselves whenever an opportunity comes. “Catholics formed only 2% of the population of India during independence and even now we are hovering around only 2.1%. So whenever there is an allegation of conversion made against us our leaders should dispute these charges by giving a fitting response with proper details in any forum whenever they get a chance ”.
Dolphy also commended NRI businessmen Ronald Colaco for giving financial help for these representatives of the community at the time of elections and said “when we are electing our representatives we have to give a thought to their financial status also. It is not enough just to encourage them by words and speeches. If bold talks are not followed with some kind of help, there is no value to the speeches made”, he reasoned. He called upon Catholic Sabha and CASK to give some thought in this aspect by providing whatever little help they could to the community representatives whenever they contest elections.
He also lauded the large heartedness exhibited by another young businessman of the community Rohan Monteiro in rendering a helping hand to the people of the community. “Rohan is another leader who has been in the forefront when it comes to providing financial support. When gives something in the right hand he does not make it known to the left hand. The generosity of people like Ronald and Rohan would go a long way in taking our community to greater heights”, Dolphy stated.
Dlophy stressed on the need to avoid contesting against our own community people by voluntarily withdrawing whenever there is such a possibility. He also called upon the various catholic organizations to make use of the facilities available to the minorities under the various schemes of the government. Giving an example of Jews, a miniscule minority who are in fact having a big say in the economy of America, Dolphy stressed the need of our community emerging economically stronger to make our presence felt in the society. He also extended all possible help from his side and asked people to get in touch with him whenever they need any help.
In his response to the address political leader from Karwar Leo Lewis pointed out the need to ponder over the issue of the declining influence of our community. “This is because we have not been able to lead an exemplary life in accordance with the path shown by the Christ. We have failed to be a role model to others in our behavior and actions. We have to lead a life that inspires others”, he opined. Leo also commented on the lack of leadership in our community.
Mentioning the names of some of the politicians of our community who have risen to higher positions in the political scenario of the country, Leo said these politicians have failed to develop a second rung leadership within our community, which exposes their selfishness. He called upon the need to identify leaders at the grassroots level and promote them. Fr J B Crasta of the Laity Organization, also spoke on the occasion.
Dr Derek Lobo, President of CASK and Elroy introduced the speakers Dolphy D Souza and Leo Lewis respectively, to the audience.
Earlier, Fr Vincent Monteiro, Spiritual Director of Catholic Sabha Mangalore inaugurated the website of the Sabha www.amchosandesh.com.
Konkani Prachar Sanchalan President Roy Castelino in his speech commended the efforts of our community leaders which has helped Konkani getting the national status by its inclusion in the 8th schedule of the constitution. “Konkani language has given us an identify of our own. It is our mother tongue and we should not feel ashamed to talk or learn Konkani”, he said. He requested the people to render all possible help to make Konkani children learn the language in schools so that the efforts of our leaders do not go in vain.
The leaders of the various laity organizations of the diocese presented to the gathering the aims and objectives of their respective organizations in brief. Rudolf Tauro (St Vincet Paul Society), Fr Anil D Souza (ICYM), Lilly Pereira (Catholic Association of South Kanara), M P Noronha (Catholic Lawyers Guild), Colin Mathias (Christian Planter’s Guild) Jessy Tavera (Ladies Social Service), Terry Pais ( DCCW) J S Noronha (Catholic Chamber of Commerce) Nigel Pereira (Catholic Sabha) gave a brief account of the work done by their organizations in a nutshell.
Zilla Panchayat members Stella D Souza and Melwyn D Souza spoke on the occasion on behalf of all the felicitated members.
Walter Cyril Pinto, President of Catholic Sabha, Mangalore Pradesh, welcomed the gathering. Marjorie Texera proposed a vote of thanks.