Source:Alamy(Google)
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Paavs
Thembethembepaavsa dhartekyedemvon thanddkarunprathvi pachvikarghaddyen! -Maachchaa,Milaar
The Saldanha Sisters Shining Stars Making Mangaluru Proud!!
From our little town in Mangaluru, we have two young girls who have made us proud of their academic excellence. Winona and Alisha Saldanha, daughters of proud parentsVernonandPatraSaldanha, have proved that with hard work and determination, no goal is too hard.
Alisha, who graduated from St Agnes College in May 2024, has recently attained the prestigious status of an ACCA affiliate. But that is not the feather in her cap…. She didthiswhilesecuringAllIndiaRank 1andGlobalRank2intheFinancial Managementpaper,AllIndiaRank1 and Global Rank 6 in the Audit and Assurancepaper,andAllIndiaRank 3 and Global Rank 8 in the Advanced Financial Management paper. Securing these high ranks in the toughACCA global examsis no mean feat, and she has made her family, her college, and her town proud!
Alisha has demonstrated exceptional academic excellence
right from her early school years at St Agnes School where she has consistently topped right through. She was the second highest topper inherClass10examandthetopper in her Second PUC exam where she attained100%.
Alisha has actively participated and excelled in various competitions and sports events right through school and college. She is a longtime member of the Milagres SundayandWeddingchoirs.
to any of her classmates who need it. A reliable, innovative leader who we can trust to take up any responsibilityinsideandoutsidethe classroom.”
As quoted by her teacher “Alisha is a bubbly girl who spreads laughter andjoyeverywhereshegoes.Sheis alwaysreadytogiveahelpinghand
Winona, in a completely different course from her sister, has shone equally brightly in her field. Having excelled in school and at the PU level,shewentontodoherBPharm and M.pharm at the world-
renowned Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences. She completed her M.Pharm in 2024 withapharmaceuticsspecialization, scoring a brilliant *9.98 CGPA*. At the awards ceremony held in February this year at the MAHE campus,shewas awardedthe*Best Outgoing Student of the Pharmaceutics specialization* and the *Best Outgoing Student of the M.pharm Course* (from all 7 specializations). She also received the *M/s Medreich Ltd. Award for the Best Project Work* in the entire M.pharm course. Earlier she had won the most coveted *Lupin Award* for topping the First Year Pharmaceuticsexams.
Winonahasparticipatedinandwon many cultural and sports events in school and college. Her passion is music, and she loves recording her instruments on the guitar and keyboard. Her professor says, “If Winona has excelled, it is only because of her hard work and focus. Though she gives the impression of being a quiet, reserved person, she actively participatesinthelectureroomand lab and is very innovative in her project preparation and demonstration.”
Winona is currently working as Associate Analyst at Novartis in Hyderabad and is already receiving praise and accolades for her performancethere.
The outstanding achievements of Winona and Alisha are a testament to their dedication, hard work, brilliance, and commitment to excellence. It serves as inspiration and encouragement to their peers and juniors. We are very proud of themandwishthemtheverybestin alltheirfutureendeavours.
Brandon Colaco: Mangalurean wizard
redefining didgeridoo in Indian music
ByWilliamPais
Mangaluru, May 20: In an increasingly noisy world, the earthy hum of the didgeridoo stands as a grounding force—ancient, elemental, and transcendent. One Indian artist has embraced this rare instrument,breathednewlifeintoit, andisnowtakingittoglobalstages.
Brandon Colaco, a Mangaluru-born didgeridooplayer,engineer,farmer, visual artist, and music producer, is capturing hearts across India and
beyondwithhisuniquesonicvision.
EarlierthisMay,Brandonperformed at the prestigious World Audio Visual Summit (WAVES) 2025, held at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. A winner of the Create in India Challenge 2025, Brandon was selected to represent India’s emerging talent and performed three high-energy sets on what he describes as "some of the biggest stages I've ever seen." With his didgeridoo in hand—a rare sight in
Indian music—he delivered a
soundscape that was earthy yet futuristic,rootedyetexperimental.
But WAVES 2025 wasn’t the only highlight of Brandon's year. Back in January,heparticipatedinaone-ofa-kind national music reality show, Symphony of India – “Bharat Ki Goonj.” This landmark TV show brought together over 250 musicians from across the country, offering a platform that evolved from solo performances to collaborative bands of up to ten members. Brandon stood out from theverybeginning not justfor his mastery of the didgeridoo, but for his ability to fuse seamlessly with diversemusicalstyles.
Throughout the show, he received high praise from a distinguished panelofjudgesincludingPt.Rakesh Chaurasia, Pt. Taufiq Qureshi, Pt. Dinesh, Pt. Tanmoy Bose, Leslie Lewis, and Shruti Pathak, among others. His adaptability and originality earned him a "Star Performer" award during the semifinals, personally bestowed by Pt. RakeshChaurasia.
Brandon’s band, named G# (G Sharp) featuring a drummer,
pianist, Mohan Veena player, didgeridoo, and seven female vocalists—delivered a powerful finale performance based on the nine forms of Goddess Durga, known as Navadurga. Their electrifying act won them the first runner-up title for the show Symphony of India. The group was later felicitated at WAVES 2025 by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, cementing their place as a rising forceintheIndianmusiclandscape.
Brandon’s journey into music was far from conventional. Born and raised in Mangaluru, he completed his schooling there before graduating as a mechanical engineerfrom NIE College, Mysuru, in 2009. He then worked in Bengaluru with top-tier companies like General Motors, Toyota, and Deloitte.
But in 2017, feeling the need for a deeper purpose, Brandon left his corporate career behind. Hemoved to Chikmagaluru to support his father, a coffee planter, and to reconnect with nature. Inspired by the Western Ghats' serene environment, Brandon built his first music studio and began exploring
thedidgeridoo—apathfewinIndia hadtakenseriously.
Immersing himself in sound, rhythm, and nature, Brandon launched his music project Two EyedWizardandreleasedhisdebut album TUWAKITUWA in 2022, collaborating with several musicians from across the country. As “Two Eyed Wizard,” he began performing across India and slowly gained recognition for his distinct blend of tribal rhythms, Rich Synthesizers and Indian classical influences along with various world musicinfluences.
His big international break came in 2024, when he was invited to perform at some of the world’s biggest didgeridoo festivals, including the Tribal Elek Festival in France and the FATT Festival in Portugal. These performances were a resounding success, introducing global audiences to his Indianinfused didgeridoo style. His performances earned some high praise and features in some of the most established music magazines inthecountry.
Since then, Brandon has been
exploring Carnatic music, folk traditions, and world rhythms, continually blending the ancient sound of the didgeridoo with newage sonic landscapes. His return to Europe is already being planned, as demand for his unique style continuestogrow.
Brandon is not only a musician—he is also a visual artist and professional video editor. His creativity spans mediums, and he believes that all his passions are interconnected. “I love creating,” he says.“Whether it’s sound, visuals, or storytelling, they all feed into each other and keep me inspired.”
Currently, Brandon is working on a new music single, set for release later this year, promising some big surprisesandcollaborations.“Iwant toputtheDidgeridooontheIndian Musicscene,andIwanttodoitwith style’ he says. Taking up challenges of creating a cross-cultural fusion throughmusic.
Brandon also is one of the Pioneer andadminfor theDidgeridoo India Community. Since the past 5 years he has been trying to connect didgeridoo players across the
countryandhascreatedaspacefor them.AsapartofDidgeridooIndia, he holds several community gatherings and workshops across India with an intention to spread this beautiful instrument to a larger crowd and to educate them about the same. Brandon Says “we have approx. 1000 members in our community and it’s just going to grow more in the days to come”
Brandon Colaco’s story is one of bold reinvention and artistic courage. From the boardrooms of Bangalore to the forests of Chikmagaluru, and now to the
global stage,he hasredefinedwhat it means to be a musician in India today. With every breath into the didgeridoo, henotonlyhonoursan ancient tradition but also creates space for its resonance in modern Indianmusic.
That a Mangalurean has brought this ancient instrument into the limelight of India’s vibrant music sceneisamatterofpride.Brandon's journey serves as a reminder that music, in its purest form, is a universal language one that transcends geography, tradition, andtime.
Memories of Mangaluru Air Accident - May 22, 2010.
In the last many years, we hear Mangaluru folk speak about accidents - on the road, in cities, homes, institutions .......you name it and it is there. Our media, electronic and print eachday is filledwithsadandgrislydetailsthat aredistressingandcauseemotional stressandstrainswithpeoplebeing sick, out of control and unproductive in every way. And after Corona at least 3 generations at present are facing all sorts of drawbacks. Y et no real steps and remedies are being put in place to bring matters online and in control sufficiently. Take a relook at theMay22,2010, AirIndiaExpress Flight812 Therewasascheduledinternational flight from Dubai International Airport, Dubai to Mangaluru International Airport, Mangaluru. On 22 May 2010, the Boeing 737800 passenger jet operating the flight crashed on landing at Mangaluru. The captain had
continued an unstabilised approach, despite three calls from the first officer to initiate a "goaround", resulting in the aircraft overshooting the runway, falling down a hillside, and bursting into flames. Of the 166 passengers and crewonboard,158werekilled(all6 crewmembersand152passengers); onlyeightsurvived.Thiswasthefirst fatal accident involving Air India Express and, as of 2025, the deadliest. The crew consisted of Captain Zlatko Glušica, First Officer HarbinderSinghAhluwalia,andfour flightattendants.CaptGlušica,aged 55, was a British and Serbian national with over 10,000 hours of flying and over 7,500 hours of command experience (including 2,440hoursontheBoeing737),and Ahluwalia, aged 40, was a former employeeofJetAirwayswhojoined Air India Express in 2009, having logged3,620flighthourswith3,319 of them on the Boeing 737. Both pilotswerebasedinMangaluru.
TheaccidentinvolvedaBoeing7378HG(SFP), one of the few 737s with a short-field performance package for landing at airports with short runways, with theaircraft registrationVT-AXV and manufacturer'sserialnumber36333 line number 2481. After touching down on the 8,033-foot (2,448m)runway 24, the plane overranandcrasheddownthehillat its far end.The final conversations betweenair traffic control(ATC) and the pilot prior to the landing showed initially no indication of distress,but the final report revealed that First Officer Ahluwalia said, "go around captain," unknowingly transmitting this on theATCfrequency.
India's then Civil Aviation Minister, said that the aircraft was following aninstrument landing system(ILS) approach for landing on the newer, longer runway, which was commissioned in 2006. The pilot reported to ATC that it was 'established' on an ILS approach about 4.3 miles (6.9km) from touchdown; landing clearance was then given at 2,000 feet (610m) from touchdown. The aircraft concluded its ILS approach on
runway 24, touching down 5,200 feet (1,600m) from the start of the runway, leaving 2,800 feet (850 m) in which to stop.It overran the runwayandploughedthrougha90metre (300ft) sand arrestor bed, whichdidnotstopit.Astheaircraft passed the arrestor bed, its starboard wing collided with the concrete socket of the ILS localiser antenna; it finally plunged over the edge of the table-top about 790 feet (240m) beyond the end of the runwayanddownthesteephillside, coming to a stop 660 to 980 feet (200 to 300m) past the top of the slope.
Television footage shortly after the crash showed the remains of the aircraft on fire andlyingon itsbelly with smoke rising from the wreckage. The minister also stated that weather conditions were normal with a visibility of 3.7 miles (6.0km), and said wind conditions were calm with no rain at the time of the crash. A drizzle started only aftertheaccident. With158deaths, the crash, at the time, had the highest number of fatalities involving the 737 family, which wouldlaterbeoutnumberedbythe crash ofLion Air Flightwhich killed
189 people aboard.The crash of Flight 812 remains the third deadliest air disaster in India's historybehindAirIndiaFlight855. Inadditiontothesixcrewmembers, 160 passengers were on board at the time of the crash.Although 169 names were on the original passenger list, nine did not board the flight.All the bodies recovered from the wreckage.
KarnatakaHome MinisterV. S. Acharyasaid eight people were initially reported to have survived, although one later died of his injuries this was, however, refuted by an Air India spokesman, who confirmed that all initial survivors were alive.The confusion arose after firefighters rescued a young girl who died on the way to hospital.The airport manager at Mangaluru, Peter Abraham, confirmed that difficulties existed whentryingtoreachtheplane.
Final Tally: Total -158 dead. Survived 6.On 27 July 2010, the names of all the victims were inscribed on a memorial installed near the crash site,which was destroyed by vandals on 5 October 2010.
Memorial: The district administration on 27 May 2010 buried the remains of 12 unidentified and unclaimed victims at a plot on the banks of the Phalguni River belonging to the NMPT on Tannirbhavi Road, just after the exit of Kulur Bridge. A memorial for the victims of the disaster was built by NMPT and the AAI on this site along with a park and was opened for the annual memorial service on 22 May 2018, the8thanniversaryofthecrash.This memorial replaces the one built soon after the crash near the crash siteon27July2010butdemolished by persons unknown a few months later.
The inscription on the memorial reads
***Thismemorialisdedicatedinthe fond and loving memory of demised passengers and crew of flight IX 812 which crashed at Mangaluru International Airport on 22-05-2010. (in English on the right panel).
Long live in Memory our heroic Sisters and Bothers.....Shanti Shanti Shanti........
Compiled: Ivan Saldanha-Shet. With input.
WHEN DID GOD DIE?
#chhotebhai
TIMEcoverpageof1966
Another startling headline? It isn’t aboutHolyFriday.Itwasoccasioned by a Special Edition (100 pages) of Time magazine totally dedicated to Pope Francis, on his death. Strangely, there was no mention of this in the Catholic media. A soft copy was sent to me by a young Methodist pastor, to whom I am eternallygrateful.
I then started hunting for a hard copyandmydaughterinlawfound itonlineandsentittome.However, this was the Indian edition dated 12th May,thatdidhaveanimageof Pope Francis in a sombre black outline. It wasn’t quite what I wanted so, again with great difficulty, I was able to download the special international edition. I shallsharemyfindingsonthatlater.
Fornow,Irestrictmyselftoanother issue of Time magazine, probably America’s most famous,established about200yearsago.On8/4/1966it had a cover story “Is God Dead?” As a departure from the norm, this issue did not have any graphic or pictureaccompanyingtheheadline.
I have always been intrigued, challenged and even inspired by that.
Theironywas notloston methat a magazine that questioned the very existence of God chose, 59 years later, to dedicate a special issue to commemoratethelife,notdeath,of Pope Francis. What brought about this dramatic transformation? Again, with great difficulty, I was able to download the original story and take a printout of its 6000 wordsforstudy.
After doing so I couldn’t but laugh atitssuperficiality,becauseitwasan assortment of opinions of vague contemporary theologians, loosely stitched together. However, it did quote some noted philosophers and theologians like Nietzsche, Soren Kierkegaard, Dietrich Bonhoeffer,StThomasAquinas,Karl RahnerandAveryDulles.
The biggest flaw in this article, considering the ramifications of the query, “Is God Dead?” was limiting itself to Christian orthodoxy or orthopraxis in the USA. It had not taken into consideration the
perception or experience of God in other religions, notably Islam and Hinduism. American Christians may have had doubts about God’s existence; but ask the millions of Muslims that go to Mecca for the Haj pilgrimage, or the 640 million (as claimed by the government) pilgrims that flocked to the MahakumbhatPrayagrajthisyear.
As an investigative journalist, writer and author on Christian issues I felt it necessary to study what occasionedthatarticle59yearsago. Timeevenrevieweditafter50years in 2016, saying that the original “article was far more nuanced than thecover might suggest”.
The article is just a startling question, far from reality and finality. It begins by saying that “believerssecretlyfearthatyesheis dead, and atheists suspect that the answer is no, he is not dead”! What aconundrum.
The article distances itself “from the ageoldassertionthatGoddoesnot and never did exist”. Some thinkers felt that “God sitting in heaven is dead” seeking rather to “imagine
and define a God who can touch men’sconditionsandengagemen’s minds”. Hence, they are not questioning the existence of God, perse,butitscommonperception.
The cover story is titled “Toward a Hidden God” which echoes the Old Testament anguish that “You are a hiddenGod”(Is45:15).Itwouldtake reams to counter that doubt with the revelation of God incarnate in Jesus.
The article also errs in equating the existenceofGodwiththepracticeof Christianity. Kierkegaard had warned that “the day when Christianity and the world become friends, Christianity is done away with”. There is much truth in the statement that the “worldliness” of the Church has robbed it of its true message. The anti-Nazi Lutheran pastor Bonhoeffer wrote from his Berlin prison cell that “we are proceeding towards a time of no religion at all”.
What contributed largely to this declineinthebeliefinGod,religion and Christianity was the “casting of a cold eye on the complacency of
Christianity before such evils as slavery, poverty and the factory system”. This was further exacerbated by “Dachau’s mass sadism and Hiroshima’s instant death, that there are all too many real possibilities of hell on earth”. This was the abject failure of Christianity to counter the mass annihilation in the Jewish concentrationcampsandtheuseof theatomicbomb.Sowhoareweto blame if not ourselves for Time to ask the question “Is God Dead”?
Among other contributory factors was the rapid development of science that challenged established biblical beliefs, the most infamous ofwhichwasthatofCopernicusand Galileo busting biblical narratives. There was also the Big Bang theory that countered the seven-day creation narrative. It is another matter that it took centuries for the Catholic Church to apologize to Galileo. Fortunately, it was quicker toacknowledgetheBigBangtheory of “how” creation took place, while scripture was primarily concerned with “why” creation occurred.
Togetherwithsciencetherewasthe evolution of the secular State, first during the French Revolution and the subsequent dwindling powers and influence of the church hierarchy. Congregations were also no longer afraid of sin and damnation that thundering preachers had belched out ad nauseum.
The reaction was that “some believershavedesperatelyturnedto psychiatry, Zen or drugs” in search for meaning in their lives. This was the time when the Beatles also became the disciples of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Cassius Clay converted to Islam as Muhammad Ali.
There were other secondary causes for the question to be asked. “The great American proposition is that religionis goodforthekidsthough I’m not religious myself”. Other voices were “Churches on Sunday are preaching the existence of a God who is nowhere visible in their daily lives”; and again “I love God but I hate the church”, while “A girl said to me the other day – I don’t know whether I’ll ever believe in
God, but Jesus is my kind of guy”. Echoes of Jesus Christ Superstar! I have writtenextensivelyagainstthe pedestalization of Jesus, the awesome God up there without identifyingwiththefrailhumanSon ofMandownhere.
Thearticlesuggeststhatthe“church might need to take a position of reverent agnosticism regarding some doctrines that it had previously proclaimed with excessive conviction”. Noted Jesuit theologian Avery Dulles, an expert onVaticanII,alsospokeoftheneed to promote ecumenism “including many of the old disputes that seem pointlessoratleastsecondary”,that havesincebecomeredundant.
Did I mention Vatican II? So does the article. It says that “Along with the new atheism has come a new reformation. The open-window spiritofPopeJohnXXIIIandVatican II has revitalized the Catholic Church”. Sadly, the outside world has recognized the radically changed ecclesiology and missiology of Vatican II more than the insiders – our status quoist hierarchyandclergy.
The article ends on a positive note, “There may well be no true faith without a measure of doubt, and thiscontemporaryworryaboutGod could be a necessary and healthy antidote to centuries in which faith was too confident and sure”. It says that Christians could echo the prayer of that man whose son was possessed, pleading with Jesus, “I believe,helpmyunbelief”(Mk9:24).
Inthefinal analysisIwould saythat the question “Is God Dead?” poised by Time 59 years ago, should be
seen as an opportunity for spiritual growth and not as a threat to a petrifiedorterrifiedfaith.
It is possible that some lay readers may find this article hard to understand or digest. We could learn from the cow with four stomachsthatregurgitatesthefood thatithashurriedlyingested.Lord,I believe,strengthenmyfaith.Amen.
• The writer often comments on Christianthemes. • MAY 2025
Mangaluru: Konkani film ‘Jevan’
premieres grandly at Bharat Mall, receives warm reception
• Sun,May18202509:07:57AM
Daijiworld Media NetworkMangaluru
Mangaluru, May 18: The Konkani film Jevan premiered amidst great enthusiasm at Bharat Mall in city, marking a significant moment for Konkani cinema. The grand event began with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolizing the formal inauguration.
Distinguished personalities graced the occasion, including CA Nandagopal Shenoy, president of Vishwa Konkani Kendra; Walter Nandalike, founder president of Daijiworld; Stany Alvares, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy; Naresh Shenoy, founder of Youth of GSB; entrepreneur
Ramesh Nayak and Suchitra Nayak, owners of Ratna’s Wine Gate; Usha
Nandagopal Shenoy, director of Devagiri Tea Company; Dr Devadas
Pai, CEO of Vishwa Konkani Kendra; Konkani actors Dinesh Prabhu, SatishNayak,andSabitaNayak;and film actor Manju Rai. They joined together to light the ceremonial lampandofficiallylaunchtheevent. On this special occasion, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Stany Alvares lauded the effort of director Koropadi Akshay Nayak, highlighting the rarity of Konkani films in the present day. He stated, “In order for Konkani culture which exemplifies unity in diversity — to thrive, we must nurture its language, literature, and arts. Films play a vital role in this effort, and Jevan is a step in that direction.” Other dignitaries also expressed
hope that the film will win over audiences, become a household name, and achieve great success, offering their heartfelt blessings to the cast and crew.
The film features leadperformances by Santosh Pai, Satish Pai, Radhesh Shenoy,andothers.DirectorAkshay Nayak, in his welcome address, shared that Jevan is infused with humor and portrays relatable dayto-day situations, all while delivering a positive social message through a compelling narrative. He encouraged families to watch the film together and experience its charm.
Jevan will be screened every Saturday and Sunday across all Bharat Cinema theaters. The film was met with laughter and delight from the audience, indicating a warm and enthusiastic reception. SurajBhatcompeeredtheeventand expressed gratitude to all those involved in making the film a success.
The new Indian Flag at Wagha Border: 360 ft high.Itscostis3.5crore. 55 tonnes of steel is used.Rs.60lakhpaidfor the crane to install the flagpole. The flag is 120 ft in width and 80 ft in height. Flag-pole is 360 fthigh.12flagsarekept in spare. This is world record. It is located on our land which is 200 metres inside. The flagraising is admirable for everyIndian.Doshareit withyourgroups.Proud tobeanIndian.Jaihind.
Rishal Melba Crasta
Secured 1 Place in Indias Best Karaoke Singer in Youth Category.
Runner up in
ನನನದು state level Singing
Competition which was held In Udupi Karamballi on 18/05/25. A big Thanks to Viswambhara Friends & R. S. Creations Karmballi Udupi. I would even like to thank everyone for your support and blessings.
Sacrificial lamb
She's the one who had that child, that society deems against the law
She's the one who was fooled, today must pay the price of shame
So, ask not why Father’s Day is not celebrated, in quite the same way
His pleasure jaunts are often hardly addressed, as harshly as a woman's loss
She's the one whose heart is often ripped, to give her child away
She's the one whose shame brings joy to hungry arms somewhere
The one who on her knees besieges the heavens, for her children far or near
To bless, to protect, to forgive but not forget, to keep her children happy
She's the one who steals her heart to let her children be used as weapons
She's the one whose chest is filled with bullets she prayed would deflect
With every breath she sleeps and wakes, for her children whoever they be
The cripple, the rowdy, the ambition, the awkward and the slothful
She's the one who sacrifices all her desires, for her children's
She's the one who stood firm behind the child, society scorned Pushing and prodding to help her lost sheep find their footing
This is why she's Celebrated more, to remind this world of its real strength
- By: Molly Pinto.
Songs to Soothe Your Soul
This Rainy Season
There’s something magical about thefirstrainoftheyear.Itfeelsasif the world receives a fresh coat of life. The dust settles, the air becomes crisp, and memories that werelongburiedinthescentofwet earthbegintostir.
Just like the first rain of the year awakens a sleeping earth, the releaseofanewsinglebreatheslife into the Indian music scene. Indian Music Industry is one of the most important industries in the field of Entertainment, gaining huge revenueandprovidingemployment forlargenumberofpeople.
In the early 2000s, the music industry underwent a significant transformation with the rise of digital distribution and the widespread use of the internet. Despite these shifts, Mangaluruan musicindustryhasnotonlyadapted but also continued to grow steadily
over the past decade. It has played a vital role in nurturing fresh talent and enriching the cultural landscape. We owe much to platformslikeYouTube,Spotifyand Instagram, where a new generation of artists from our community are finding their voice and showcasing theircreativitytotheworld. Returning to the theme of the first rainoftheseason,ithaslongserved as a source of inspiration for musicians around the world, often leading to the creation of some of theirmostmemorableworks.
As you watch the first rains of the season, consider listening to these songs by talented young musicians fromCoastalKarnataka.
1)BindaasMog
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =C2laWeIfZ6o
This four-minute video beautifully captures the scenic charm of Goa, leaving a lasting impression on the heartsofviewers.Thesong,sungby Prajoth D’Sa and Joshal Sweeda, is produced by Praveen Fernandes and features the delightful onscreen pair of Dixon Rodrigues and Merula Pinto. Created especially for today’s youth experiencing the magicoffirstlove,thevideofollows the story of two independent individualsonajourneytofindlove andconnectionintheirlives.
2)BirbiroPavs
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =Ud0Mu30Qjyk
romance, with Prathap Menezes andReyaD’Souzabringingthestory to life in the lead roles. The soulful voices of Shilpa Cutinha and Rynel Sequeira breathe emotion into the melody, while the heartfelt lyrics by ChristopherRoshanLoboadddepth and feeling. Produced by Krisben Music and filmed largely in the picturesquePalace Gardenof Kaup, thissongisdestinedtobecomeone ofthemostcherishedromanticrain songs.
3)Eklonchbosun
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =jqBQIAnrt1g
This music video evokes the nostalgiccharmof80sand90sretro
A musical gem with a rich classical touch, this captivating creation by JM Ragaas Muzik Creations (Jason
& Morvine) stands out as a visual and emotional masterpiece. Shot brilliantly across the breathtaking landscapes of Bulgaria, with select scenes in Kuwait, the six-minute video takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through the innocence and intensity of young love. The sweeping visuals, paired with the enchanting performances of the lead actors, create a cinematic experience that is both moving and memorable.
4)SunMeriShehzadi|KonkaniVersion (Tanntana)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =wfW3KxueAS0
This music video by Konkann Creations, featuring the soulful voiceofJohnnyMiranda,starsNitin Machado and Princita Rodrigues in
the lead roles. It draws inspiration from the Hindi song "Sun Meri Shehzadi,"which is a remake of a well-known romantic track originally starring Ajay Devgan and Raveena Tandon. Alongside its musicalappeal,thevideoisnotable for its well-crafted screenplay and impressive editing, both of which trulydeservemoreappreciation.
5)TuyeAnjaa
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =cKOdzTqHL8k
Set against the tender backdrop of teenage love, this 4-minute 28secondvideobySparkleProduction introduces a fresh voice to the Mangaluruan music world Calvin D’Souza. Not only does he lend his
voice to the song, but healsotakes on the role of the male lead, delivering a remarkable performance on both fronts. Beside him, Jeesa Mendonca shines as the female lead, beautifully capturing the innocence and charm of a shy collegegirl.Theirstoryunfoldswith quiet grace. It leaves behind a feeling as warm and lasting as a sweetmelody.
6) Raaz-Sherulesmyworld
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =guI4cGkm1GQ
Produced by Falcon Trackers, this music video is a beautiful portrayal of love, romance, and raw emotion initsmostheartfeltform.Withlyrics written by Dony Correa, rich in
poetic metaphors, and melodiously renderedbyPrajothD’SaandJoshal D’Souza, the song captures the soul of its theme. The lead pair, Cleaon D’Sa and Shelwyn Mathias, along with a dedicated supporting cast and technical team, have contributed immensely to the video’s success.
Titled “Raaz–SheRulesMyWorld,” the video offers more than just a romanticnarrative.Whileitcarriesa warm and tender love story, it also holds a surprising twist in the climax. The ending leaves viewers thinking, as it can be understood in differentwaysandstaysinthemind evenafterthevideoends.
7) Painzonnam
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =7pTQL25MDcU&lc=UgyBfQA1Hkj T9_yIqC14AaABAg
Released in 2024, this music video produced by APD Music stars the dynamic duo Rohan and Venisha Fernandes, offering audiences both a musical and visual delight. Set against the stunning backdrop of scenic locations across the United Kingdom, the entire video was shot and edited on an iPhone. This is a testament to creativity and skill, as the quality is truly commendable. Thesongfeaturesthebelovedvoice of Mangaluru’s Shilpa Cutinha, with music direction by Grammy award winner Vanil Veigas, making it a heartfelttributetotherichlegacyof theIndianmusicindustry.
8) RityaBotaann
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =L1eCQK9ZClc
Thismusicaljourney,setagainstthe backdrop of the late 1980s, is filled with emotion, suspense, and romance that will sweep you off yourfeet.DirectedbyDJMervinand produced by DL Productions, the playbacksinging byAshwinD’Costa and Joshal Sweeda D’Souza transports the audience to a magical monsoon season in southern India during that era. The star cast features Elton Mascarenhas,WencitaDias,andthe beloved comedian of yesteryear, DollaMangaluru,alongwithseveral othertalentedactors.
9)MaleyaHani
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =c8zpJVwVd98
ThisromanticKannadamusicvideo, presented by Justroll Films LLP and Leo Anup Monteiro, brilliantly captures the beauty of nature alongside the tender emotions of the monsoon season. The story is told from the perspective of the female lead, portraying the innocence and shy awkwardness of first love during teenage years. The performances by Santhosh and Lavisha D’Souza are captivating, while the soulful voice of Thrupthi Rai adds a magical, mesmerizing touchtotheentireexperience. 10) Shuruvagide
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =NOTsHG_Xjpg&list=RDMM&start _radio=1&rv=c8zpJVwVd98
This Kannada music video, starring the lead pair Nikhil Shetty and Aradhana Bhat, is enhanced by the soulfulvocalsofSuvarnaLahariand K. P. Milan Kumar. Produced by Jostin D'Sa and Suvarna Lahari, the video stands out for its meaningful lyrics and heartfelt emotion. It beautifully captures the romantic mood of a couple reuniting after a long-distance relationship, evoking deepfeelingsofloveandlonging.
This concludes our list for the present,butweaffablyinviteyouto shareyourfeedbackandreflections on the articles, as your thoughtful insightsareinvaluableinhelpingus enhance our content and better serveourreaders. Please feel free to send your feedback or suggestions to us at veezweekly@gmail.com. We
greatlyrespectyourperspectiveand sincerely appreciate your involvement.
About theAuthor: Prinson D’lima is an alumnus from Aloysius Institute of Business Management, Mangaluru and currently residing in Doha-Qatar, with 17 years of experience in the field of advertising media in India andQatar.
College Diary: The Untold Story – Part 4
StevenMascarenhas
As college days progress, Ankitha develops a deep affection for Gaurav.Meanwhile,Gauravtakeson a challenging project and successfully builds a drone. Designed for both critical and everyday applications, the drone
presents technical challenges related to payload capacity and efficiency. Despite these difficulties, Gaurav manages to create a fully functional and innovative model. The drone features four rotors for
stability, but to conserve battery life on longer flights, it can fold two of them. When a higher payload is required or during turbulent conditions, it extends back to four rotors. This breakthrough in foldable rotortechnologyearnshim recognition at an inter-college exhibition, where the entire college celebrates his success. His close friend, Saurav, hugs him and pats himontheback,sharinghisjoyasif he himself had won.
Impressedbyhiswork,Ankithajoins him for a drone demonstration. She eagerly grabs his hand, excited to learn.
"Gaurav, teach me too," Ankitha says.
"Sure, you can try flying it with the controller," Gaurav replies, guiding her.
Playfully, Ankitha teases him, "Hey Gaurav, why don’t you build a big drone that can lift you? That way, wheneverIneedyou,Icanjustairlift you and bring you straight to me!"
Astimepasses,Ankithafindsherself more drawn to Gaurav. Coming from a wealthy background,she has always had everything she wanted. Her father ensured, through his influence,thatshegotwhatevershe desired even if it meant taking things from others simply because she liked them. He often advised her, "If you marry, he should be capable of running our entire empire. I don’t want the business to fall into the wrong hands." Ankitha, a strong and independent woman, is confidentinherabilitytomanage the business, but she desires an intelligent partner.
Determined not to lose what she sets her sights on, Ankitha approaches Gaurav more directly. However, she notices that he doesn’t seem to reciprocate her interest.Instead,heremainscloseto Harini, his most loyal admirer. This realization makes Ankitha furious.
Gauravlaughsatherplayfulremark.
Meanwhile, Vishal, the son of a seasoned politician, has his own strategies at play. He follows his father’s advice: "If you want to be a lionandleapforward,youmustfirst
take a few steps back." With this in mind, he stays in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.
He begins by provoking Saurav, encouraging a group of students to compare him to Gaurav. "Gaurav is brilliant, while Saurav is just ordinary," they taunt. Despite the repeated insults, Saurav remains unfazed, even acknowledging Gaurav’s intelligence.
Seeing this plan fail, Vishal shifts his focus to Gaurav, instructing students to tease him about not being as physically fit as Saurav. Initially, Gaurav laughs it off, but over time, the remarks start to bother him. Eventually, he decides to join the gym. Watching this unfold, Vishal smirks, satisfied he knows he is slowly turning Gaurav into a pawn in his game.
One day, during a practical lab session, an attendant misbehaves with a girl. Witnessing this, Saurav immediately intervenes, grabbing the attendant and dragging him to the principal’s office. Harini, seeing his courage, starts to admire him in
a new light. She offers him warm smiles, and unexpectedly, Saurav finds himself drawn to her. Her expressive eyes and kind demeanour suddenly seem like the most beautiful things in the world. Ankitha, unaware of these developments, is enraged. She had been trying to get closer to Gaurav, but he continuously neglected her and instead seemed to admire Harini. Now, seeing Harini and Saurav’s growing closeness, jealousy consumes her.
Determined not to lose, Ankitha begins changing herself again. She abandonsthemoretraditionalattire she had adopted to impress Gaurav and returns to her bold, confident style. She also starts spending more timewithSauravandHarini’sgroup, leading to rising tension. Oneday,duringaheatedargument, Ankitha scoffs, "Hey Saurav, not all girls deserve to be in this college. Some of them have probably never even seen such infrastructure before! They don’t even know who Justin Bieber is!"
Saurav shakes his head. "Hey, hey, don’t assume no one knows Justin Bieber!"
Harini, innocently confused, asks, "Wait... was he an actor?" Ankithaburstsintolaughter."Ha!An actor? You’d probably make him the U.S. President next!"
Harini looks at Saurav for support. "Was he not an actor?" she asks, hoping he will save her from embarrassment.
Loud laughter erupts, and Saurav, amused, takes both their hands and walks with them toward the college, trying to ease the situation.
NowseeingHariniasarival,Ankitha becomes determined to compete withher.She knowsshe couldeasily defame Harini using her father’s influence, However, Harini, in her innocence, remains completely unaffected.
Tobecontinued…
Something in Bed
Recently, after a long and tiring day atwork,myhusbandandIsettledin after enjoying a delicious meal. As we sat together, I initiated a conversation something that’s more of a ritual for me but often feels like a chore for him. While I love unwinding through conversation, he prefers to relax in silence with his gadgets or the television.
emergency,whowouldbetheone toneverleavetheotherbehind?
That evening, our talk unexpectedly turned into a deep discussion. We found ourselves exploring a heavy question:Inamomentofdangeror
Well, you can probably guess how the rest of the conversation unfolded. I launched into a passionate argument, reminding him of all the times I had cared for him when he was sick—how I had nursed him, fed him, bathed him, and looked after him with unwavering patience. I even brought up how I always saved the last piece of cake or the best cut of chicken just for him. I must have gone on for a solid ten minutes,
laying out my case with full conviction.
And then, he simply smiled— quietly,knowingly—andbroughtup an incident from the early days of our marriage. A moment I had nearly forgotten, but one that instantly shiftedthe entire courseof my argument.
A few months after our wedding, as part of our usual vacation routine, we visited Mangalore. These trips usually include stopping by several homes on both my husband’s side ofthefamilyandmine.Aftermaking a few such visits, we decided to stay at my paternal ancestral home.
After a hearty dinner filled with conversations and laughter, we finally retiredfor thenight.Since we were newly married, we were given my cousin’s bedroom she graciously offered it to us for the night, even though we insisted on sleeping in the hall where my parents and other cousins were staying. Despite our protests, she wholeheartedly gave up her room and chose to sleep outside in the large hall, making sure we were comfortable and felt at home.
Afterafewhoursofsleep,Iwokeup and turned over. As I did, I felt somethingsoftandmushytouching myfeet.Atfirst,Iassumeditwasjust the blanket and tried to go back to sleep. But then I suddenly remembered we were covered with a bedsheet, not a blanket.
Curious and a little uneasy, I slid down a bit to feel it more clearly. It felt soft and mushy. I was surprised and puzzled, trying to figure out what it could be. It was too dark to see anything, and I didn’t have the courage to switch on the light. So, I decided to wake up my snoring husband.
Igentlynudgedhimandwhispered, “There’s something in the bed.” Thinking I was talking in my sleep, hemumbled,“Justgobacktosleep.” But I insisted and asked him to slide down a little and stretch his legs to feel it too.
Still half-asleep, he did as I said. Then he muttered, “Maybe someone left some clothes or food here,”andpromptlyturnedoverand wentbacktosleep,leavingmewide awake and more confused than ever.
AsIlaywideawake,wonderingwhat itcouldbe, I slid myleg downagain to feel it more clearly—and that’s when I sensed it was slightly moving. In that moment, it struck me: it could be a snake. Terrified, I screamed, leapt out of bed, and ran out of the room in the dark, waking my husband in a frenzy.
I rushed to where my dad was sleeping and, crawling next to him, woke him up to tell him there was something in the bed. Still halfasleep, he mumbledfor me to sleep beside him and turned over without a second thought.
Meanwhile, my husband now fully awake and realizing the seriousness of the situation—got up and began fumblingaroundforalight.Sincehe was new to the place, he didn’t know where the switches were and softly asked me to come help him. I bluntly refused and insisted he come sleep with me in the hall instead.
By then, our so-called "soft whispers" had woken a few people in the hall. Just as things were escalating, my husband finally managed to turn on the light and there it was, the source of all the
panic: a fluffy, cute, fatcat curled up comfortably in our bed.
He looked at me with sarcastic anger and said, “It was a cat.”
Feeling slightly relieved, I walked into the room. By then, my cousin had woken up and so had my dad. My husband was tugging at the bedsheet, but nothing seemed to disturb the fat cat. After a couple of attempts, the cat finally got up and casually strolled out of the room— as if nothing had happened.
My cousin, having witnessed the entire scene, began to giggle and said, “That cat crawls into bed every nightthroughtheopenwindowand snuggles with me.” Hearing that made me freak out a little, but I didn’t say a word. I just stared at her, feeling a mix of shock and guilt. Ashamed for abandoning myhusband, I quietly lay down next to him.
Recalling this event made us both laugh. Then my husband began questioning who would be more loyal. Sensing a snake and impending danger, I did not think twice about abandoning my husband alone and fled to safety. When my husband questioned my
integrity, that’s when I kept quiet, knowing I had no right to argue. I quietly got up and returned to bed, and that’s when my husband had the last laugh, looking back at his TV, feeling glorious that after decades he had won an argument.
SonalLobo
HOW THE APOSTLES DIED.
1. Matthew. Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, killed by a sword wound.
2. Mark. Died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by Horses through the streets until he was dead.
3. Luke. Was hanged in Greece
because of his tremendous Preaching to the lost.
4. John. Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge Basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution In Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos. The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve As Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey. He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully
5. Peter. He was crucified upside down on an x shaped cross. Accordingtochurchtraditionitwas becausehetoldhistormentorsthat
he felt unworthy to die In the same way that Jesus Christ had died.
6.James.Theleaderofthechurchin Jerusalem, was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple whenherefusedtodenyhisfaithin Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club.
This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation.
7. James the Son of Zebedee was a fisherman by trade when Jesus Called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial.
Later, the officer Walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.
8. Bartholomew. Also known as Nathaniel. He Was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in
Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.
9. Andrew. He Was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony.
Hisfollowersreportedthat,whenhe was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words, "I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it". He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he expired. 10.Thomas. HeWasstabbedwitha spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the Subcontinent.
11. Jude. He Was killed with arrows whenherefusedtodenyhisfaithin Christ.
12. Matthias. The apostle was chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot. He was stoned and then beheaded.
13. Paul. He Was tortured and then beheadedbytheevilEmperorNero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many
epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught manyof the foundational Doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament. Perhapsthisisaremindertousthat our sufferings here are indeed minor to compare to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced bytheapostlesanddisciplesduring theirtimesForthesakeoftheFaith. Andyeshallbehatedofallmenfor my name's sake: But he that endured to the end shall be saved. Pass on to encourage other Christians.WhyDowefeelsleepyin
Prayer but stay awake through a 3hour movie?
Whyarewesoboredwhenwelook at the HOLY BOOK. But find it easy to read other books? Why is it so easy to ignore a message about God, Yet we forward the nasty ones? WhyarePrayersgettingsmaller,but bars and clubs are expanding. Why is it so easy to worship a celebrity, but very difficult to engage with God? Make this message your contribution to the gospel of our LordJesusChrist.
St Aloysius holds the book release of Dr Sylvia Rego
St Aloysius (Deemed to be University)holdsthebookreleaseof “The Fakir's Daughter and Other Beary Folk Tales” - A translation of the collected works in the Beary language by Hamza Malhar. The work was undertaken by Dr Sylvia Rego, Professor at the School of Languages and Cultural Studies, DepartmentofEnglishatStAloysius (Deemed to be University) as a
project under the Kendra Sahitya Akademi,Delhi.
The book aims to bring about the folktales of Beary language availabletothewideraudiencewho would thereby appreciate the cultural richness and nuances that exist in the community and aims to preserve the language and the stories.
TheprogrammewasgracedbyRev.
Dr. Praveen Martis, SJ Vice Chancellor, St. Aloysius, Deemed to be University, Rev. Dr. William D'Silva,eminentscholar,Mr.Hamza
Malhar, the original collector of stories, Dr. Sylvia Rego, the Translator, and Ms. Flora Castelino, headoftheDepartmentofKonkani. FrMartisandHamzaMalarsaidthat translations of this kind are very essential to help preserve and spread regional culture. Other bookstranslatedbyProfessorSylvia Rego include 'The Tree-Spirit and other Konkani Folktales', 'Three Plays of Cha Fra D'Costa' translated from Konkani, and 'Ten Houses around a Church', translated from Na D'Souza's Kannada novel, 'Igarji SuttalinaHattuManegalu'.
The programme was followed by a lecture on “The Structure of Language: The Oral and The Written”, with Konkani as an illustration by Rev. Dr. William D'Silva.
StAloysiusUniversityStudentEntersIndia
BookofRecordsforMathematicalResearch inCancerTreatment
Mangaluru: Stebin Shibu, a postgraduate student of M.Sc. Mathematics (2023–25 batch) at St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru,hasbeenhonouredwith the "IBR Achiever" title by the India BookofRecords2025inrecognition forhispostgraduateresearchtitled: “Integration of Michaelis-Menten Kinetics and Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle for Optimized Chemotherapy Scheduling”. His work has been recognized as a majorcontributionto theemerging field of Mathematical Oncology in India.
The study was officially acknowledged and certified by the
India Book of Records on April 15, 2025.
This research is the India’s first mathematical modelling-based study in the field of cancer treatment, using Control Theory and Mathematical Models to improve the efficiency of chemotherapyprocedures. He is successfully guided by Ms Anupriya Shetty, HOD of Mathematics and Ms Sweety Basil, Department of Mathematics, St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, Besides this, he has also been nominatedintheAsiaBookof
Recordsfortheaboveresearch. Stebin Shibu hails from Kollam, Kerala. He completed his Graduate studies in Mathematics at Dr A.V. Baliga College, Kumta, and is completed his postgraduate educationatStAloysius(Deemedto beUniversity),Mangaluru.
He is a proud son of Mr Shibu Mathew, Evangelist of Mar Thoma Church and Ms Suni Shibu from Kollam,Kerala.
The Management, Vice Chancellor and staff of the University congratulate him for his incredible achievement and wish him a bright future.
Jubilee Celebration and Final
Vows Mark a Joyous Occasion
at Betharram Formation House
May18,Maryhill–Aspiritofjoyand gratitudefilledtheaironMay18as the Betharram Formation House celebrated its Jubilee, coinciding with the solemn profession of final vows by Br. Steven Rodriguez, SCJ. The occasion was graced by the presence of His Lordship, Bishop
Emeritus of Mangaluru, Most Rev. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, who presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
Prior to the Holy Mass, Bishop Aloysius unveiled the monolith commemoratingthe25thJubileeof theFormationHouse—asymbolic
andenduringtributetotheyearsof faith,formation,andserviceoffered by the community.
The solemn Mass brought together a host of guests, including benefactors, teachers, well-wishers, members of neighboring religious communities, and clergy. The ceremony stood as a testament to the enduring mission and commitment of the Betharramite community in Mangaluru.
was held, during which heartfelt tributes were offered to the newly professed brother. A special highlight of the evening was the release of two significant publications: a commemorative souvenir capturing the spirit and journey of the Jubilee, and a new book authored by Fr. Arul, the superior of the community, adding depth and richness to the celebration.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, a felicitation program
The evening concluded with a fellowship dinner, fostering joyful
interaction among the guests and community members. The entire celebration was marked by reverence, simplicity, and joy, leaving all present with cherished memories of a truly meaningful occasion.
Catholic Sabha, Mangaluru Pradesh (R), Bondel Unit hosts thrilling Inter-Parish Volleyball Tournament in Aid of St Lawrence Kannada Medium School Education
The Catholic Sabha, Mangaluru Pradesh (R), Bondel Unit organized an Inter-Parish Volleyball Tournament on 18th May at 9:00 a.m. at the St Lawrence School Ground,Bondel.Theeventwasheld in support of St. Lawrence Kannada MediumSchoolEducation.
The program commenced with an opening prayer led by Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D'Souza, Parish Priest andSpiritualDirectoroftheCatholic Sabha. The tournament was inauguratedbytheChiefGuest,Mr.
Pradeep D'Souza, Deputy Director, Youth Empowerment & Sports, DakshinaKannadaandMangaluru. Mr Sujay D’Silva, President of the Bondel Unit, warmly welcomed the distinguished guests on the dais by presentingthemwithmementosas
a token of appreciation. He also extendedawarmwelcometoallthe peoplegatheredfortheevent.
In his address, Mr Pradeep D'Souza encouraged the youth to actively considercareersingovernment
service,emphasizingthewiderange of opportunities available across various sectors. He highlighted that governmentjobsofferbothstability and financial security. Beyond that, they provide a meaningful platform toservethecommunityandthe
nation. He urged young people to stay informed, prepare with dedication, and take advantage of the various government schemes, training programs, and recruitment initiatives. By embracing these opportunities, he said, they can build a bright, secure, and
purposefulfuturewhilecontributing to the nation’s development.
Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, in his message, commended the Catholic Sabha’s dedicated initiatives towards community welfare and education. He highlighted that last year,theSabhagenerouslydonated desks to the St. Lawrence Kannada MediumSchool.Thisyear,theyplan
to provide school uniforms for the children, further demonstrating theircommitmenttosupportingthe students’ needs. He appreciated their consistent and selfless service and acknowledged the positive impact they have had on the parish community. Concluding his message, he wished the Sabha continued success and blessings in alltheirfutureendeavors.
Other dignitaries present on the dais Mr Pradeep D'Souza, Deputy Director, Youth Empowerment & Sports, Dakshina Kannada and Mangaluru,Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest, Rev.Fr Peter Gonsalves, Principal of St Lawrence English Medium School, Mrs Helen Fernandez, Headmistress, St Lawrence Kannada Medium School, Mr John D'Silva, Vice President, Mr Santosh, Secretary, Parish Pastoral Council , The Chief Guests for the evening prize distribution ceremony were::Rev. Fr William D'Souza, Outgoing Assistant Parish Priest, Mr. Stany Alvares, President, Karnataka KonkaniSahityaAcademy,Mr Arun D'Souza, President, Catholic Sabha City Deanery, Mr Sujay D'Silva,
President, Mrs Olivia D'Sa, Secretary, Mr Manish Mascarenes, Convener of the tournament from theBondelUnit
A total of 16 parishes from the Mangaluru and Udupi Dioceses participated in the tournament. The first prize of ₹25,000 along with a trophy was awarded to Pangla Parish from the Udupi Diocese. The second prize of ₹15,000 and a trophywenttoManiyampareParish from the Mangaluru Diocese. Additionally, trophies were presented for the Best All-Rounder, Best Smasher, and Best Setter awards. The prizes were distributed byRev.FrPeterGonsalves.
The event was compeered by Mr WilfredAlvares,andthevote of thanks was delivered by Mrs Olivia D’Sa. Special gratitude was extendedtoRev.FrPeterGonsalves forgenerouslyprovidingtheschool ground and for his unwavering
support in hosting the tournament. Special appreciation was also extendedtoMrHenryMenezesand Mrs Lorina for their dedicated efforts towards the development of the volleyball court. Special thanks wereextendedtoMrRudyPintofor his leadership in maintaining cleanliness and upkeep of the ground, as well as to Mr Manesh Mascarenhas,MrVinodPinto,Jason Fernandes & Alrick D'Silva and all the Catholic Sabha members for theirvaluablecontributions.
.
At the end of the tournament, Rev. Fr William D’Souza, outgoing Assistant Priest, was felicitated by the Catholic Sabha with a garland, shawl,andmementoinappreciation ofhisdedicatedone-yearserviceto the parish. The tournament concluded with a heartfelt thanksgivinghymn.
PhotographybyJasonFernandes Report:MeenaSerraoBarboza
Bondel Parish Joyfully Welcomes Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha as their New Assistant Parish Priest
A warm welcome was accorded to the New Assistant Parish Priest of Bondel Parish, Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha.OnTuesday,May20,2025, at 4:30 p.m., a good number of Parishioners assembled at the entrance of the church to receive himwithgreatjoyandaffection. TheofficialwelcomewasledbyRev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest, who honored the new Assistant Parish Priest with a
garland. He was joined by Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves, Principal of St Lawrence English Medium School; Rev. Fr William D’Souza, outgoing Assistant Parish Priest; Mr John D’Silva, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council; and Mr Santhosh Misquith, Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, who presented floralbouquetsasagestureofwarm welcome.
Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha was
accompanied by Rev. Fr Walter D’Souza, Parish Priest of Bendur; Rev. Fr Vivek Deepak Pinto, Assistant Parish Priest; Rev. Fr Arun Wilson Lobo, Principal of Padua College; Rev. Fr Denzil Lobo, Resident Priest; Rev. Fr Vincent D’Souza, Director of CODP; and Mrs Patsy, Secretary of the Parish PastoralCouncil,BendurParish.
Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha walked down the aisle to the Altar as the choir sang a welcoming hymn. He proceededto proclaim the Word of God, marking a solemn and
heartfeltbeginningtohisministryat BondelParish.
Rev. Fr Walter D’Souza, Parish Priest ofBendur,gaveabriefintroduction aboutRev.FrLawrence,highlighting his nature and the work he has done. He extended his best wishes to Fr Lawrence on behalf of the Parish clergy and Parishioners of Bendur.
Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza offered detailed introduction about Parish and extended a heartfelt welcome, saying: “Fr. Lawrence, welcome to the loving embrace of our Bondel Parish community. Your presence among us is a divine gift a Guidinglightasyoustepintothis
sacred role of shepherd and guide, know that you are surrounded by a Parish family eager to support and collaborate with you in spreading theGospelmessage.”Heconcluded by quoting the Gospel of John 13:35: “By this everyone will know thatyouaremydisciples,ifyoulove one another,” encouraging everyone to love, serve, and truly livebythismessage.
Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha led the gathering in prayer and imparted his blessings to all present. As a gestureofaffectiononbehalfofthe
Bondel Parishioners, , Parish Priest
Rev. Fr Andrew extended a warm welcometothenewAssistantParish Priest by presenting him with a shawlandafloralbouquet.
Seated on the dais were Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest of Bondel; Rev. Fr William D’Souza, outgoing Assistant Parish Priest; Rev. Fr Walter D’Souza, Parish Priest of Bendur; Rev. Fr LawrenceCutinha,thenew
Assistant Parish Priest; Mr John D’Silva, Vice President,SecretaryMr Santhosh Misquith of the Bondel ParishPastoralCouncil;Rev.FrArun Wilson Lobo, Principal of Padua College; Rev. Fr Denzil Lobo, Resident Priest; Rev. Fr Vincent D’Souza, Director of CODP; Rev. Fr VincentVinodSaldanha-Manager,
Rev Fr Ivan Peter Cordeiro Asst. Manager-CodialbailPress andMrs Patsy, Secretary of the Parish PastoralCouncil,BendurParish.
Rev.FrLawrencethenaddressedthe Parishioners, expressing his heartfeltgratitudetotheBishop,the Parish Priest and clergy of Bendur, PPCSecretaryMrsPatsy,andall
who had accompanied him to Bondel. He warmly acknowledged the love and support shown to him bytheParishionersofBendur.
The Parishioners, along with the Parishclergy,extendedtheirsincere wishes for success and blessings to Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha as he beginshisnewministry.
Rev. Fr Peter thanked the Bendur Parish clergy, PPC Secretary of Bendur, the Vice President and Secretary of the PPC members of BondelParish,theParishioners,and theChoirGroupledbyMrsJasmine and the children for their support andparticipation.
Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves prayerfully led the welcome ceremony, setting areverentandheartfelttoneforthe occasion. The ceremony concluded withaheartfeltthanksgivinghymn.
Photography &Report
Meena SerraoBarboza
Dubai: 'Kavitha Suvad' & 'Kaavy Prayog'
enthrall Konkani poetry enthusiasts
MediaRelease
Dubai, May 18: A soulful celebration of Konkani literature came alive at Al Nasr Leisureland’s Nashwan Hall, as poetry lovers gathered for 'Kavitha Suvad', a Konkani poetry recital featuring renowned UAE-based poets, and 'Kaavy Prayog', an artistic poetry presentation by young Konkanispeakingchildren. The event was organised by
Mangalore Konkans Dubai in association with Team Geet Gazaal and the literature web portal Aankri.com.
Theprogrammebeganwithawarm welcome speech by Stephan Menezes, president of Mangalore Konkans Dubai. He extended heartfelt greetings to the guest of honour, Lancy D’Souza, executive director of Leyton Shipping, along with all poetry enthusiasts. As part of the inaugural ceremony, Menezes recited a poem titled “Kavitha”, penned by poet Avina Miyar, setting a poetic tone for the evening.
The literary session was skillfully narrated by celebrated Konkani poetRobertFernandesUdyavar.He was joined by an impressive lineup of poets including Annu Kulshekar, Ronald Olivera Padukone, Preethi Seema D’Souza Bikarnakatte, Sannu
Niddodi, Melwyn Kalakul, Dinesh Correa, Valerian Almeida, Lancy Noronha Bellur, Sudarshan Hegde, Anil Kardoza Belman, Janet Madanthyar,FabianSanthoshArwa, Kiran Nirkan, and Sannu Monis Boliye.
A special highlight was the delightfulchildren’spoem“Aambe”, written by Kiran Nirkan and presented by young talent Nichole Eva Tauro. Each participating poet washonouredwithafloralwelcome byStephanMenezes.
The second half of the programme featured Kaavy Prayog a vibrant andemotivepoetryperformanceby children that captivated the audience and evoked deep nostalgic feelings of home and childhoodmemories.
Participants included Leora Vevina D’Souza, Shanelle Ashlynn D’Almeida, Delisha Ruth Correa, Deona Rebecca Correa, Anor Teran Mendonca, Amor Manuel Mendonca, and Sianna Ishal Mathais. The script, music, and
direction of the presentation were artfully managed by Melwyn Kalakul, Rohan Kalakul, and Aenstin Kalakul.
The guest of honour Lancy D’Souza presented mementos to the participating children and praised the efforts of all involved. In his address, he congratulated the poets, performers, and organisers for orchestrating a meaningful and movingliteraryevent.
He emphasised the importance of preserving the Konkani language through creative and communitydriven programs such as Kavitha Suvad and Kaavy Prayog and pledged his continued support for futureinitiatives.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Sannu Monis Boliye, chief coordinator of Team Geet Gazaal and editor of Aankri.com.OnbehalfofTeamGeet Gazaal, he also felicitated Stephan Menezes for his recent election as presidentofMangaloreKonkans. -
Timothy Serrao, voice of Konkani melody
and wit, passes away at 76
Daijiworld Media Network –Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 24: The Konkanispeaking world mourns the loss of one of its most beloved cultural icons Timothy Serrao, singer, composer, and satirist — who passed away at the age of 76.
Born in 1948 in Valencia, Mangaluru,Timothyleftanindelible mark on both Konkani music and literature. What began as a passion
for singing soon blossomed into a prolific musical journey.
Timothy first took to the stage as a vocalist but quickly found his creative calling in songwriting and composition. Over the decades, he composed more than 300 original Konkani songs, captivating audiences through his popular stage events like Timothy Nite, which became cultural staples in Konkani circles. His powerful voice, meaningful lyrics, and deep emotional connect earned him fans across generations.
His songs weren’t limited to the stage. All India Radio Mumbai regularly broadcast his works, bringinghiscompositionstohomes farbeyondhisnativeMangaluru.He also released two audio cassettes, further extending the reach of his music during a time when Konkani contentwasstill strivingforbroader recognition.
But Timothy Serrao wasn’t just a
man of music — he wielded his pen with equal flair. Under the literary pseudonym Timothy Valencia, he contributed essays and articles to renowned Konkani periodicals such as Raknno, Jhello, and Mitr. His literary alter ego, Shimty Valencia, became known for biting satire and sharp observations on society, delivered with humour and heart.
A devoted follower of pioneering
Lt Gen Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, a proud Goan and Roman Catholic from Curtorim, is the current Director General of Army Air
Konkani literary figure JoSa Alvares, Timothy was deeply influenced by Alvares’ work and carried forward the tradition of insightful and thought-provokingKonkaniwriting. Timothy Serrao’s legacy is one of voice and vision a man who sang the stories of his people and wrote with a truth that resonated. His passing leaves a cultural void, but his songs and writings will continue to echo in the hearts of those who love Konkani heritage.
Defence at Army HQ, New Delhi. Son of the late Maj Gen Ivan D’Cunha and Gemma Pinto, he was commissionedin1988andhasheld key commands including a missile regiment, an air defence brigade, and the Madhya Pradesh Sub Area. He served in J&K, Assam, and as Defence Attaché in Iran. Academically, he holds an MSc, MPhil, and PhD, and has received twoCommendationCards.Hiswife, Farah, is the daughter of the late Maj Gen Eustace Fernandez, who diedinKashmirbeforeassuminghis promotion,andMelanieNoronha,a teacher and entrepreneur. They have two children: Arjun, an IIT alumnus, and Anjali, a lawyer and
pianist. His brother, Comm Sanjay D’Cunha, serves in the Indian Navy. Lt Gen D’Cunha’s journey reflects the dedication and excellence of GoanRomanCatholics.
Don’t forget to watch this interview with your family members https://youtu.be/bW1rHFJGNFY?si= sod5iV_qRLiFYLkM
Over 13,000 trains run daily across India, carrying more than 2 crore passengers. But only one train quietly stands out. Not because of speed,luxury,ortechnology,butfor something humane. This train, known as the Sachkhand Express, is the only train in India where passengers are served free
-John P.Mendonca
breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout a journey that lasts nearly 35 hours from Maharashtra to Punjab. Sachkhand Express (12715) operates between Nanded in Maharashtra and Amritsar in
Punjab, covering around 2,000 kilometers and connecting two of the holiest Sikh sites in the country. If you travel in this train, you’ll be served a fresh home-style meal, without anyone asking for money. You might get kadhi-chawal, sabzi, and fresh rotis, served with a warm smile.
These meals aren’t cooked in a railway kitchen, instead they’re preparedatnearbyGurudwarasand broughtonboardbyvolunteers.It’s all part of the Sikh tradition of langar, where anyone, rich or poor, local or stranger, is offered food with respect and free of cost. This beautiful act of service has been going on since 1995, and passengershavebeenreceivingfree meals for nearly 30 years now. The food is not served at just one place,itisofferedatseveralstations alongthejourney.Whilethereisno official list, many passengers have received meals at stops like
Aurangabad, Bhopal, Jhansi, Gwalior, Delhi, and Ludhiana. And, since the meals are not from the railway’s pantry, you need to carry your own plate or tiffin box to receivethefood.Volunteersusually walk along the platform or get into the coaches with containers full of fresh meals, offering them to whoever is willing to accept. In a time when everything is about to give and take, this train reminds you that kindness can travel thousands of kilometers too. What began as a humble offering by the Sikh community has become a part of this train’s identity. So next time youhearsomeonetalkaboutIndian Railways, tell them there’s one train which offers more than a journey. It’samovingexampleofgenerosity, faith,andsharedhumanity.
HenriettaFernandes,Pune
