Udupi: Christian Women’s Association felicitates Women Grama Panchayat Candidates

Udupi: The Christian Women’s Association (Stree Sanghatan) of the Diocese organised a programme to felicitate all the Christian women candidates who had contested in the recently held Gram Panchayat elections at the Don Bosco Hall here, on Saturday, July 18.

The programme began with a welcome dance by Brahmavar unit members. The members of the Barkur unit performed the prayer service. Jennifer Menezes, president of the Diocese, welcomed the gathering.

In their felicitation address Fr Reginald Pinto (director of the association), Fr Valerian Mendonca (former director, Chancellor of the diocese), Shirthadi William Pinto (renowned advocate) and Sr Lucy Martis appreciated and complimented all the candidates for their efforts in contesting in the GP elections. They made an appeal to all the winners to work in their respective GPs for the benefit of all, especially the poor and the downtrodden. Veronica Cornelio, Chairperson of KSDL, delivered the keynote address.

All the candidates who had contested the GP elections but unfortunately lost, were felicitated for their efforts with mementos and flowers. Similarly, all the winners were honoured with a shawl, certificate and mementos.

In his presidential message, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo (Bishop of the Diocese) said that the newly elected Gram Panchayat members should work for the welfare of the downtrodden. “They should set aside caste, party and community, and should work for the overall development of the society.” He suggested the members to be an example to everyone as good representatives of the people.

A total of 240 candidates from the Christian community had contested in the Gram Panchayat elections, of which 107 had won the election and 67 of them were women candidates.

Association Secretary Shaila Lewis delivered the vote of thanks. Genevieve D’Souza and Lucy Pinto compered the programme.