Mangaluru: Decennial celebrations of ‘Naman Ballok Jesu’ Konkani monthly held

By Fr Steven Pereira, OCD
Pics By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru, 04 Mar: Infant Jesus is educating people to find spirituality in their own walk of life,” said Msgr Maxim Noronha, vicar general of Mangaluru diocese stressing on the need of finding spirituality in every activity that one does.

 

He was presiding over at the decennial celebrations of ‘Naman Ballok Jesu’, the popular Konkani monthly, organized March 3 at Carmel Hills, at the premises of Infant Jesus Shrine at Bikarnakatte.

 

He said, “Hill has been a place of spirituality in every religion and especially in Bible. So Carmel Hill too has been a source of spirituality. Spirituality here doesn’t mean only spiritual things but it takes different forms as different rivulets take birth at the hill. ‘Naman Ballok Jesu’ a monthly magazine run by the Carmelite Fathers has been successful in educating people to find spirituality in their own walk of life and has also honored such people especially youngsters and social workers who have lived their spirituality to the full.”

 

Eminent poet Andrew L’ D’Cunha, released two books published by Dhyanavana Publications, Bengaluru on the occasion. ‘Kajule’ a collection of Nano stories by young Carmelite priest Fr Joseph Cyril D’Souza widely known by his acronym Jocy Siddakatte, the editor of the magazine and ‘Porajit’, and a collection of articles by Fr Alwyn Sequeira, the assistant editor of the magazine.

 

Releasing the books, poet Andrew L’ D’Cunha said, “The year 2009 was a time of digital revolution and it was indeed a challenge to venture into print media by starting Naman Ballok Jesu. Though digital media has its own impact, it has not been successful in diverting the attention of the readers of the magazine. NBJ has been faithful to its motto.” He further added, “Naman Ballok Jesu bears the name of Jesus, who was not just a spiritual leader, but also a social reformer. The editors of Naman Ballok Jesu have been social reformers by moving among the people as Jesus did and raising their voice through social and print media. The magazine has also created a vigilant group of writers. A vigilant writer is a custodian of values. These have been successful ‘encounter specialists’ in encountering the issues through their writings. And alongside, the magazine has also created a mature readership.”

 

 

Another event that formed part of the decennial celebrations was presenting the ‘NBJ – Amulya Akash Yuva Pratibha Puraskar– 2018’ to Jaison J Sequeira, Konkani poet, singer/composer from Gurpur and Venizeia Carlo, power lifting champion from Bajjodi. The award is instituted by Mavis and Calvin Rodrigues in the name of ‘Amulya-Akash’. Writer Richard Alvares and Fr Prakash D’Cunha read the citations in their honor and were felicitated with a shawl, citation, memento by the guests on the dais. Sponsor Mavis Rodrigues handed over a cheque of Rs 20,000 each to the winners.

 

‘NBJ – Godwin – Sushma Rasquinha Great Achievers Award -2018’ was also handed over to Shamitha Rao and Renita Lobo. Renita and Shamitha, after obtaining degrees from a college in Mangalore University started providing education to the deprived classes in a village named Shankarnarayana by the side of Siddapur road – Kundapur. The school, named after Mother Theresa, which started off in 1998 with 4 students, has now grown into an institution running classes from LKG to PU class where 1,050 students are getting education.

 

Poet Wilson Kateel read the citation and the Achievers of the Year 2018 were felicitated with a shawl, citation, memento by the guests on the dais. Sponsor of the award Sushma Rasquinha handed over a cheque of Rs 30,000.

 

The album named ‘Sambram II’ by Fr Alwyn Sequeira was released on the same occasion. It comprises songs in Konkani for various occasions. He has 12 devotional albums to his credit.

 

The special issue of the decennial year was released by Praveen Patrao, a great supporter of the magazine and the proprietor of Prasad Printers.

 

On this occasion young writer Ria Vithasaha known by her pen name Muddu Teerthahalli, who had shot to fame through her book ‘Ondu Chandrana Thundu’, a collection of essays distributed prizes to the first ever ‘NBJ – online Konkani poetry recitation challenge competition’.

 

The grand celebration culminated with the staging of drama, Mammy Maka Zai, written by Walston D’Sa and staged by Panglache Kale.

 

Provincial superior of the Carmelites Fr Charles Serrao, Msgr Maxim Noronha, vicar general of Mangaluru diocese, Ronald Anil Fernandes, KPSC member, eminent writers Muddu Thirthahalli and Andrew L D’Cunha, as well as Fr Wilfred Rodrigues, superior of St Joseph’s Monastery and Fr Joseph Cyril D’Souza, editor were on the dais. Alwyn Danti compered the programme.