Women should use Opportunities to Wipe Tears of poor – Pramod Madhwaraj
Udupi: “Women should avail the opportunities of leadership in the society and come forward to wipe the tears of the poor”, said Pramod Madhwaraj, in-charge minister of Udupi District. He was speaking during the inauguration of the fifth anniversary of the Convention of Women’s Organization of Udupi Diocese at the St. Mary’s English Medium High School, Kannarpady.
In his address Pramod Madhwaraj said that in the Udupi Diocese, Women’s Organization like the Youth Organization has been serving the community since the last five years. When these two organizations join together there would be much more effect. Along with domestic responsibilities, women are also involved in community service and prayer. The fruit of these activities, no doubt, would enrich the family life. These women should come out of their homes and provide their service in self-help groups and also in the political fields. He further said that the Karnataka State Government has devised many programmes and schemes in the interests of women and it is their responsibility to see to it that these programmes reach each and every woman.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of the Udupi Diocese who presided over the inaugural function said that when a person fails to chalk out a clear plan while holdingcm a programme, he deliberately plans such programmes to fail, so such programmes never succeed and as such the progress of the community cannot be achieved. Appreciating the activities of the Catholic Women’s Organization, the Bishop said that the organization has achieved great success during the last five years. However, women should not slow down but make further progress. In order to strengthen the Catholic Women’s Organization there is a need to increase the membership and fix their priorities. He also pointed out that a plan is afloat to set up a bank controlled and managed by the Catholic Women’s Organization of the Udupi Diocese. Women should manifest their leadership qualities in the social main stream by involving themselves in various social activities. It is not enough for Christian women to be part of the parish organizations alone; they should make a mark in other social, economic and political organizations and also try their hands at business and government services.
The women achievers in social and political spheres as well as former directors, presidents and animators of the Women’s Organization were felicitated during the programme.
The inaugural function was attended by Msgr. Baptist Menezes-Vicar General of Udupi Diocese, Fr Fred Mascarenhas-Dean of Udupi Deanery, Fr Ronald Cutinha-Parish Priest of Kateel Church and Sr Treeza Martis-Director of the Women’s Organization.
Following the inaugural programme a discussion session was held on women related issues.
Irene Pereira-President of the Women’s Organization welcomed the guests, Secretary Cynthia D’Souza read the report of the past year, Vice President Benedicta delivered the vote of thanks, Judith Fernandes and Vinaya D’Costa compered the programme.