Mangaluru: To spread Love, Peace and Harmony among different faith/communities, Fr Muller Hospital-Thumbay organized “Souharda” at the hospital campus on Thursday, 17 December 2015. Seniors, adults, youth and children from the Christian, Hindu and Muslim communities had gathered in large numbers for the function, and enjoyed every bit of the show. Three bus-load of students from Nursing College, and Homeopathy College of Fr Muller Institutions-Kankanady, Mangaluru also joined in the celebration, by performing carol singing, dance and skit.
The invited dignitaries for the occasion were Fr Richard Coelho-Administrator, FMMCH as the Chief guest, and Hemalatha G Poojary-President, Thumbay Grama Panchayat; Praveen B Thumbay-Vice President, Thumbay Grama Panchayat; Ismail Faiki DA- Qatib of Muhuuddin Jama Masjid-Thumbay;Thevu Tharanath Kottari- Executive Board member of Oddiyoor Shri Gurudevananda Grama Vikas Yojane; Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa-Administrator, FMMC, and Dr Kiran Shetty MD- Medical Superintendent-Fr Muller Hospital-Thumbay.
Fr Roshan Crasta-Administrator of Fr Muller Hospital Hospital-Thumbay welcoming the gathering said, ” Christmas season is the perfect time to share joy and peace among people. While our hospital celebrates two and half years of existence, the loyalty that inspires in providing care is a strength which helps to carry on the vision, “Heal and Comfort the suffering humanity with compassion and respect’. As our ministry theme is “Love and Serve the faithful after the example of Christ”, this is a great opportunity to serve the mankind with preventive and promotive health care at the door steps of the community. Rejoicing the coming of Jesus, we at Fr Muller Hospital-Thumbay we would like to share the spirit of Christmas among people of different faith, and everyone is always welcomed at our hospital irrespective of caste and creed”.
The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp and also by cutting the mega-Christmas cake by all the dignitaries on the dais. A audio-video presentation on Swachh Bharath Abhiyan to bring awareness among cleanliness was the highlight of the day, an initiative by Praveen Thumbay-VP of Thumbay Grama Panchayat and Fr Muller Hospital-Thumbay.Qatib Ismail addressing the gathering said, “Christmas is a grand celebration observed by the Christians worldwide. This programme to create peace and harmony among different faith during Christmas season is indeed a unique idea by Fr Muller Hospital-Thumbay, which has brought people of various communities to attend this function. Let’s all look for peace and harmony, by keeping away hate and communal fights and try to bring unity among all faith”.
Praveen Thumbay speaking during the occasion said, “We should know that cleanliness is next to Godliness. Although ‘Swachh Bharath” topic doesn’t suit the celebration of Christmas, but to keep our surrounding clean is a priority during any religious celebrations. While celebrating Christmas we should take an oath to keep our surroundings clean, and join hands together to make Swachh Bharath Abhiyan a success irrespective of caste and creed. Souharda organized by Fr Muller Hospital-Thumbay spreads a clear message to look forward for peace, love and harmony this Christmas and beyond”
Tharanath Kottari addressing the gathering said, “India is a land of rich culture and everyone should work hard towards building India and protecting its culture. Mothers should nurture young minds by filling them with moral values and love. When we work towards educating children, then our festivals find meaning. We are working hard towards destroying humanity by remaining adamant on our views. Patience is most rewarded; when it is lost, society tends towards destruction. We should all work in unity to maintain peace and harmony-in the eyes of God we are all equal and we should never incite communal riots and hatred among different faiths”.
Fr Richard Coelho spreading the message of Christmas said, “Today Souharda Christmas has brought us all together irrespective of religions. Christ gave the message of love to the world and preached brotherhood, and that all are children of God and hence we must treat each other as brothers and sisters. Christmas is the most awaited Holy period in the calendar for the followers of Christ. Christmas means the celebration of God’s incredible love towards mankind. God sent his Son among the mankind to spread the message of peace and love. Sad to note that today the world is drifting away from God and spiritual values. During Christmas season let us spread Christ’s message to the world to love another and maintain peace throughout. Let the light of Christmas shine upon us and take away the darkness and give us peace and prosperity,”.
Fr Richard also announced a good news that he received from the KSRTC management stating that very soon all KSRTC buses plying on the highway will make a stop in front of Fr Muller Hospital-Thumbay-at present only few KSRTC buses stop near the hospital. This decision by KSRTC will benefit people who seek to get treatment at Fr Muller Hospital-Thumbay. Apart from skit, dance, Christmas carols and various other cultural shows were performed by the artists of Fr Muller Hospital Nursing and Homeopathy College, and also Fr Muller Hospital crew added color to the event. Various games and spot prizes were conducted for the adults and kids.
Santa Claus who made the guest appearance thrilled the kids and also distributed candies, even dancing with them. Isabella D’Souza, a staff at Fr Muller Hospital-Thumbay proposed the vote of thanks, while Sylvia Fernandes from Fr Muller Nursing College-Kankanady compered the whole event very professionally with thoughtful Christmas season punchlines
In conclusion, while the management of Fr Muller Hospital-Thumbay aim was to spread love during Christmas “Souharda” , I end this column with lyrics from the song “Season of Love” by Jaci Velasquez/Pete Orta-
Click here for Photo Album
“Where a prayer could be enough
Our hands open up and give a little more
Crowded hearts make room
Kindness falls like the snow
Tenderness like a row of dominoes
[Chorus]
Season of love
A chance to shine in the darkness
To be hope, to give joy
All over the world it’s Christmas
The season of love
Christ is here with us
In our hearts, through our hands
Love is the season
Holy infant Son of God
You are the light inside of every one
of us
Miracle on earth
We see your star, feel your peace
You are why this will always be the…
[Chorus]
Love is the season”
Fr. Muller who began to dispense free Homeopathic medicines at Mangalore under a tree is a
very popular name in Mangalore and history. He did that free care out of love, which was
inspired through JESUS CHRIST who taught the world ” GOD IS LOVE “.
The politicians have created division and friction in between different religious people of
India, but GOD wants us to be united and love each other. Let us take that route of
love and peace to create a better world for us and our posterity.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL.
“GOD wants us to be united and love each other” – AS Mathew
If so, why do you look at everything from your narrow mindset of ‘Christian’ Vs ‘Others’ ?
Oh well, Merry Christmas to you and your family!!