Udupi/M’Belle: Lions Clubs District 317C Celebrates Christmas and New Year 2021 at Lions Seva Bhavan

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 04 Jan 2021: Lions Clubs International District 317C celebrates Christmas and New Year 2021 at the Lions Seva Bhavan, Moodubelle on Monday 4 January 2021 from 6.30 pm. District Governor Ln. Neelakantha M. Hegde was the chief guest who inaugurated the celebrations. Other dignitaries included Fr. Rohan Dias-Assistant Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, Ln. Shridhar Shenva, Past District Governor (PDG) and District Mentor and Ln. Tallur Shiva Ram Shetty (PDG).

 

The programme was organized by Ln. Henry C. D’Souza and Ln. Michael D’Souza-District Chief Coordinators of Christmas and New Year Celebration along with Christmas and New Year organizing committee comprising of Ln. Stephen Castelino, Ln. Melwin M. Aranha, Ln. Gerald Fernandes and Ln. Anil Jude D’Mello. The event and celebration team comprised of Lions Club, Udyavara Sunshine, Lions Club Udupi Sangama, Lions Club Manipal Valley, Lions Club Moodubelle, Lions Club Shirva Manchakal, Lions Club Brahmagiri, Lions Club Belman and Lions Club Subhashnagar.

 

 

The programme commenced with the prayer song presented by the choir from Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi followed by the welcome address by Ln. Michael D’Souza.

 

Lions District Governor Ln. N.M. Hegde inaugurated the programme along with the dignitariesby cutting the Christmas and New Year cake.

 

The choir from the Mother of Sorrows Church presented Christmas Carols at regular intervals.

 

In his inaugural address, Ln. N.M. Hegde conveyed the greetings of Christmas and New Year 2021 to all the Lion members of Lions District 317C. He said that the only international organization that recognizes and follows unity in diversity is the Lions Clubs International which celebrated festivals of different religious communities as it believes that humanism is the supreme religion of humankind. He further said that 2020 had taught us many lessons due to Covid 19 pandemic and one such lesson is that all the people suffered in the same way and fought against the pandemic united. Looking forward to 2021, he said that yesterday is dead , today is live and tomorrow is the future. Sufferings bring good things in life. Ln. N.M. Hegde said that many religious leaders including Jesus Christ had to suffer to achieve greater goals. He complemented Ln. Henry D’Souza and Ln. Michael D’Souza for organizing such a beautiful and meaningful evening and the Lions Club of Moodubelle for hosting the Christmas and New Year programme.

 

 

The arrival of Santa Claus to the dance of the youth and joy of the children added aura to the Christmas and New Year celebration. Santa Claus distributed gifts to the children and posed for pictures with the dignitaries.

 

Delivering the Christmas message, Fr. Rohan Dias narrated the importance of the Christmas celebration. He said that all the festivals of different communities bring joy and happiness to all the members. Christmas is the festival of love, light and truth.

 

On this occasion Fr. Rohan Dias as well as a number of dignitaries and presidents of organizing Lions Clubs were honoured by the District Governor Ln. N.M. Hegde.

 

The chief attraction of the Christmas and New Year 2021 celebration was the short musical skit on the birth and life of Jesus Christ presented by the Leo members of the Lions District 317C under the leadership of the District Leo President Leo Inesh Miranda which was appreciated by all.

 

PDG Ln. Shridhar Shenava appreciated the entire programme and complimented the organizers.

 

Ln. Henry D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks and Ln. Devdas Hebbar and Ln. Melwyn Aranha compeered the programme.