Udupi: The Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh organised a unique and meaningful felicitation function for all Christian candidates who had contested in the recently held Gram Panchayat (GP) elections, on Sunday, July 12 at the Don Bosco Hall, Udupi.
The programme began with an invocation. Elroy Kiran Crasta, convener of political and government schemes committee, welcomed the gathering.
Hiriyadka Jayanth Rao, member of the Abdul Nazeer Rural Development Organisation, in his keynote address said that elected representatives should reach out to the needy and our service towards the society should be transparent. “Our leadership skills define our character. First, we should change and then lead others towards change,” he added.
The candidates who had lost in the GP elections were also felicitated for their efforts with mementos, while the winners were honoured with a shawl, certificate and memento. 107 Catholics were elected in Panchayat elections out of the 240. 6 of the elected representatives were elected as presidents and 4 as vice presidents.
In his message, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, expressed hope that all the members of the GP would work for the good of all the people irrespective of their religion and community, and be an example to everyone as good representatives of the people. He said, “The elected representatives should serve the marginalized and poor people in the society with love and compassion. They should understand the needs of the people and address them without fail. When elected representatives serve the people wholeheartedly, their service will be recognized by the society.”
William Machado, President of Catholic Sabha Diocese of Udupi, presided over the programme. Spiritual Director of Catholic Sabha Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, President of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited Veronica Carnelio, ZP member Ida Gibba D’Souza, former ZP Interim President Gerald Fernandes, Catholic Sabha Udupi Zone President Charles Quadras, Benedicta, Valerian Fernandes, Alwyn Quadras, Mudarangadi Gram Panchayat President David D’Souza, Palimar GP President Jeetendra, Katpadi GP President Juliet Veera, Barkur GP President Shaila, Nada GP President Jane Mary Olivera, Anangalli GP President Maria D’Souza, Vice Presidents Antony Louis, Stevan D’Costa, Jeeta D’Silva, Voilet Baretto and others were present.
Alice Rodrigues, Secretary of Catholic Sabha, delivered the vote of thanks. Stevan Prakash Louis and Flavia compered the programme.
Felicitations, Awards, Rewards and Recognitions are all important gifts in the Community that we belong so that the recipients of these felicitations, howsoever small or big, are recognized before the public and appraised of their deliberations. Thanks also to the effective web sites that publish all the events thru wonderful write-ups added with photographs. These are all communal activities that need be published in as many local newspapers and publications so that more and more people regardless of their backgrounds become aware of the benefits they earn by coming forward. Thanks, Bishop Gerald, for your timely interventions in all of… Read more »