Catholic Sabha Udupi felicitates all Catholic Gram Panchayat Contestants in a glittering cere

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 14 Jul 2015: All the 107 Catholic winners of recently held Gram Panchayat elections were felicitated in a glittering ceremony by HE Bishop Dr. Jerald Lobo on Sunday the 12th July 2015 at the Don Bosco hall organized by Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh. Also honoured on the occasion were all those contested the Gram Panchayat Elections. In total 240 catholic candidates participated in the elections out of 107 emerged winners and from the winners list six candidates are elected as Presidents and four as Vice Presidents of Gram Panchayat.

 

The grand event began with a a warm welcome by Elroy Kiran Crasta, Convener of Political and Government Schemes Committee. He said it’s a proud moment for the Catholics that out of 540 candidates contested in Gram Panchayat Election 107 Catholic Candidates won the election. He welcomed all the dignitaries on dais and the gathering and congratulated all the winners.

 

 

The Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves in his address said that there is a general perception that the Christian Leaders are lacking or behind to take active role in elections or politics is wrong. The number of candidates who participated in the recent Gram Panchayat proves that and more and more leaders to come forward and participate in all type of elections and involve in service of the people. Addressing the winners he said: “You are the light of the world” and hence please follow Christian Values and obey the rules of the constitution and work for the betterment and uplift of the people.

 

In his keynote address, Hiriyadka Jayanth Rao, member of the Abdul Nazeer Rural Development Organization asked the winners “What is the purpose of your contesting the elections? He further said first and most important is to understand your responsibilities first and work seriously for the people of your area you have contested.  The people have voted you and they expect you to bring change and solve their daily problems and that is your responsibility. He also said that the winners should keep in mind some very important points (Kivi Mathu in kannada) to be successful leaders that 1) Time and Patience 2) Be good Listeners and Speakers 3) Be Transparent 4) Finance Management 5) Service Oriented 6) Manage and sort out Appeals from people effectively and as quickly as possible 7) Have and teach Value based education. He said merely fixing electrical lights and repairing the roads inyou’re your job or service but having and acquiring good knowledge and education and work for all out development of the people should be Core Value of a candidate 8) Provide Service with a smile 9) Do not blame others but learn from errors 10) Make Mother Teresa your role model and work tirelessly to your people and do not give false promises which you cannot fulfill and finally he said spread your good deeds like a Jasmine as its Scent can be smelled only when it is bloomed and said be a Jasmine to the people. 

 

During the felicitation program, all the people who contested the elections were first honoured with mementos while the 107 winners were felicitated with a traditional shawl, memento and floral bouquets.  

 

A group photo of all the felicitated winners was taken prior to the Presidential Address by HE Bishop Dr. Gerald Lobo. In his presidential address first and foremost he said that winning is not important but contesting the election is very important and that experience of contesting the election counts and helps to work for people with more enthusiasm. Addressing the winners he said that your job is to work for the poor and downtrodden. Jesus is your guide and work on his guidance and based on Christian Values as Jesus said “I have not come to be served but to Serve” and that should be your motto. It’s time to realize the dream of Jesus.  When you uplift the poor and downtrodden you will realize His dream. He also requested to go out and visit all houses as you have visited them prior to the elections.  You are the light of the world and be the light to the poor, lift them from their problems. He further said “Make a model of your Panchayat. Get thorough knowledge of the area/environment and fulfil your duties to the fullest and solve the problems of your people.

 

The President of the Catholic Sabha Mr. William Machado also spoke on the occasion and congratulated all the winners. He also stressed the importance of Catholic Sabha and its support to all the contestants during the Gram Panchyat Elections. He also requested all the contestants to become the member of Catholic Sabha in their respective Parishes.

 

The General Secretary Ms. Alice Rodrigues proposed the vote of thanks. The entire event was effectively conducted by emcees of the day Flavia Menezes and Steevan Prakash Louise.