MlÄÖPï ªÀÄvÀzÁgï
17.4 PÀgÉÆqï ªÀÄvÀzÁ£ÁaA
Undertakers
For Sale:
Located onMangaloreUdupiHighway(NH66),thisplot is close to Lady of Fatima Church & High School & Pilarkhan Reserve Forest is just across the highway from it. Udupi is only 18 kilometers away. It is ideally suitedfora holidayhomeorhighwayrestaurant.
Photos of the mentioned church and forest are attached.
Those interested may please contact: <panazareth@gmail.com>
https://play.google.com/store/books/series?id=sqM0HAAAABCHvM
Petronet LNGLtd)
Prolific Konkani writer Stany William
Lobo ‘Manu Bahrain’ passes away
Daijiworld Media NetworkMangaluru
SKIPMangaluru, Mar 18: Veteran Konkani writer Stany William Lobo, widely revered by his pen name ManuBahrain,passedaway.Hewas 78.
Born to the late David and Mary Lobo, he was an alumnus of St Aloysius High School. His journey took him from Mangaluru to Bengaluru in 1969 for employment, eventuallyleadinghimtoBahrainin 1979. During his thirty-year tenure
in the Gulf, he became a cornerstone of the expatriate culturalsceneasafoundermember of the renowned Konkani Kutam Bahrain,before eventuallyreturning to settle in Mangaluru upon his retirement in2011.
Manu Bahrain’s contribution to Konkaniletters ischaracterizedbya staggering volume of work that never compromised on quality. Throughout hisillustrious career,he authored 8 full-length novels, 35 short novels, over 500 short stories, 150 humour articles, and 200 poems, alongside a vast array of other literary pieces. His novel ‘Aranyaacho Taalo’ is widely regarded as a classic within the genre, and his creative spark remained active until his final days, evidenced by the popularity of his serial story ‘Sodhnam’, currently being published in the Kutaam weekly.
In recognition of his immense dedication to the language, he was
honoured with numerous prestigious accolades, including the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Award, the late Victor Rodrigues Angelore Literary Award, and the 2014 Daiji Dubai Award. Despite his significantstature in the literaryworld, hewasknown among his peers and readers for his unassuming modesty and polite
nature, standing apart as a mentor andaninspiration tomany. Heissurvived byhiswife,Rosy,and histhreechildren,Sonia,Cheryl,and Steven.TheKonkanidiasporaacross the globe has expressed profound grief at the loss of such a monumental figure, and funeral details are currently awaited by the family.
INDIA BLACKLISTED!
-*Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ
On March 4, 2026, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)
released in Washington its Annual Report 2026. The USCIRF website( www.uscirf.gov) states that, “The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisanlegislativebranchagency createdbythe1998International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), as amended. USCIRF monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) abroad; makespolicyrecommendationsto
the President, Secretary of State, and Congress; and tracks the implementation of these recommendations. USCIRF’s analysisisbasedoninternational standards. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rightsaffirmsthat:‘Everyone has theright tofreedom ofthought, conscienceandreligion;thisright includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, eitheraloneorincommunitywith othersandinpublicorprivate,to manifest his religion orbelief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.’”
In a very detailed chapter ( https://www.uscirf.gov/countries/in dia ) on the lack of religious freedom in India, the latest Report states that religious freedom conditions continued todeteriorate in 2025. The Indian government introduced and enforced new legislation targeting religious minority communities and their houses of worship. Several states undertook efforts to introduce or
strengthen anti-conversion laws with harsher prison sentences. Authorities facilitated widespread detention and illegal expulsion of citizensandreligious refugeeswhile tolerating vigilante attacks against religious minority communities. Hindu nationalist mobs harassed, incited, and instigated violence againstMuslims andChristians with impunity across several States throughout the year.The details on India are scathing – authenticated with hard data and evidence which is incontrevertible. It also held the RashtriyaSwayamsevakSangh(RSS) and Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) responsible for what is happeningtotheminorities inIndia. The USCIRF Report blacklists India and has recommended to the US Government thatitshould belisted in the Countries of Particular Concern (CPC).
The USCIRF has made far reaching recommendations to the US Government, which include • Designate India as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC,
for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act(IRFA);
• Press India to allow US government entities such as USCIRF and the U.S. Department of State to conduct in-country assessments of religious freedom conditions;
• Impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, such as India’s Research and Analysis Wing and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for their responsibility and tolerance of severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals’ or entities’ assets and/or barring their entry into the United States;
• Enforce Section 6of the Arms ExportControlActtohaltarms sales to India based on continued acts of intimidation and harassment against U.S. citizens and religious minorities.
• The U.S. Congress should: Reintroduce and pass the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024 to require theannualreporting of acts of transnational repression by the Indian government targeting religious minorities in the United States
• Besides, the commission also recommended linking future US security assistance and bilateral trade policies with India to improvements in religious freedom.
• Link future U.S. security assistance and bilateral trade policies with India to improvements in religious freedom; and
If seriously implemented , these recommendations would certainly have a profound impact on US –Indiarelationship.
On Monday 16 March , the Government of India finally responded to the USCIRF report. Randhir Jaiswal , a spokesperson fromthe Ministry of ExternalAffairs (MEA)said, "Wehavetakennoteof the latest report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). We categorically reject its motivated andbiasedcharacterisationofIndia. Forseveralyearsnow,USCIRFhas persistedinpresentingadistorted and selective picture of India, relyingonquestionablesourcesand ideological narratives rather than objectivefacts.".He added, "Such repeated misrepresentations only undermine the credibility of the Commission itself. Instead of persistingwithselectivecriticismof India, USCIRF would do well to reflectonthedisturbingincidentsof vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, selective targeting of India, and growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the
IndiandiasporaintheUnitedStates, whichmeritseriousattention,"
Itwas the usualdenial bya regime, which desperately wants to sweep the truth under the carpet. A pathetic response indeed! Every single day there are reports in the Indian media (inspite of it being ‘godified’ !)of how the religious minorities (particularlytheMuslims, Christians and Sikhs) are being denigrated , demonised and even attacked. No one can deny this –even a Government which has sophisticated the art of lying and falsehood!
India has been faring miserably on every global parameter/indicator. The Government has become the laughing stock of the world! The spine we had as a non-aligned nation under the leadership of Nehru, is alllost! OurPM has togo to Texas to canvas politically for Trump; the bhakts gloat over a medal ( a non-existent ‘honour’) given tohimintheIsraelParliament evenastheentireopposition isseen
walking out! What a shame for the nation!
NowtheIndianGovernment cannot bear the shame of the USCIRF report on freedom of religion! The Indian Government would have saved some face if instead of attackingthe messenger:
- had accepted the Report in all honesty, and begun corrective measures immediately! -shown courage by rebutting the report point by point and proving them wrong( obviously in no way theycandoso!)
- invite immediately the USCIRF to come toIndia (as they really want to, since the last several years) and give them the possibility of visiting every corner of the country, meet with religious minorities and others and see for themselves the ‘reality’ offreedom ofreligion inIndia
- tell all the ‘sanghis’ , ‘bhakts’ and other ‘hindutvadis’ who live in the US, to return to India immediately before ICE arrests them and deports themhandcuffed!
Some years ago , Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s hadin his poem ‘Pity the Nation’ these oft-quoted words "Pitythenationwhoseleadersare liars,whosesagesaresilenced,and whosebigotshaunttheairwaves" and for good measure we can add “where freedom of religion is throttled!” The plain truth about Indiatoday!
17 March 2026
*(Fr Cedric Prakash SJ is a renowned human rights, reconciliation andpeace activist.He is also a prolific writer. Contact cedricprakash@gmail.com )
Leo Rodrigues re-elected honorary president of KCO for a 2nd consecutive year
Media Release
From LtoR:LeoRodrigues, ClaudiaLydia Lobo andFranklin D’Cunha
Abu Dhabi, Mar 18: With asincere spirit to serve the community, the members of Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO) came together toelectanewteamofofficebearers attheAnnualGeneral Meetingheld onMarch 5.
Honorary president Leo Rodrigues, honorary secretary Claudia Lydia Lobo, and honorary treasurer Franklin D’Cunha, were elected to leadtheorganization.
LeoRodrigues wasre-elected asthe president ofKCO forasecond term consecutively after successfully steering the KCO Pearl Jubilee
celebrations - 2025 to a grand success.Leo’sre-election affirmsthe trust KCO has in his visionary leadership to lead the organization forward,tostrengthen itsmissionof servingthecommunityandtoguide the PearlJubilee Housing Project to asuccessfulcompletion.
In his address to the members, Leo Rodrigues, expressed his
appreciation for the trust placed in him to lead the team for another term.Herecognized theteameffort of the members who were instrumental for the resounding success of the Pearl Jubilee year celebrations - 2025 and thanked them for their unrelenting support towards thisend.
Leo Rodrigues is the founder president of KCO and served as president for twelve terms in the past. He is renowned for his philanthropic efforts both in the UAE and in the dioceses of Mangaluru,Udupi andShivamogga.
A prominent Mangalurean Konkani community leader, Leo has been successfully managing his business, Amigo Automotive Services Sole Proprietorship LLC,inAbuDhabifor the past 36 years. As a devoted Mangalurean, he has consistently encouraged and supported various organizations, NGOs and fellow community members, regardless of caste,creed,language, orreligion.
ClaudiaLydiaLobohasbeenelected general secretary. A consistently enthusiastic and committed member, Claudia brings a wealth of experience to the role, having
served in this position four times previously and held various other roleswithinKCOoverthepastyears. In 2025, Claudia distinguished herself as coordinator of the KCO Scholarship and Medical Aid Disbursement Committee, overseeing the process with exceptional care and ensuring fair distribution to deserving recipients. Simultaneously, she was instrumental inthesuccessofKCO’s PearlJubilee celebrations. Claudiais widely known and fondly recognized for her selfless service and charismatic spirit within both the Abu Dhabi and wider UAE Konkani communities.
Professionally, she is a senior business development manager withover25yearsofexpertiseinthe insurance industry. Her natural ability to connect with people, combined with her humble dedication tohelpingthoseinneed, makes her a truly beloved member oftheKonkani community.
Franklin D'Cunha is a prominent leaderandastrongpillarofKCO.He is known for his generosity, remarkable organizational skills and calm efficiency.With a keen eye for
details, he has been playing a pivotal role in ensuring the success of KCO events. Franklin has served KCO in the roles of treasurer and auditor in the past. He was coordinator for disbursement of KCO scholarships and medical aid for many terms. He has always ensuredthatsupport reachesoutto the deserved beneficiaries in a fair andtimelymanner. Recognizing his abilities and commitment, most recently he was unanimously chosenasthehonorary convenerof the Pearl Jubilee celebrations. He shouldered this Herculean responsibility with great passion and extraordinary dedication, delivering an event which was a phenomenal success. Dolphy Vas, the election presiding officer, assisted by Chrysil Nonis D’Mello and Prasanna Pinto, conducted free and fair elections through secret ballot and announced the names of the elected members. The elected members in consultation with the KCO Advisory Committee, then nominated rest of the managing committee as follows: Honoraryvicepresident:DolphyVas
Honorary assistant general secretary: Lionel Saldanha
Honorary entertainment secretary: Sandya Vas
Honorary coordinator, scholarship and medical aid disbursement: Vivek Serrao
Honorary sports secretary: Sebastian Pais
Honorary media coordinator: Inez D’Cunha
Honorary auditor: Noel Fernandes
Honorary KCO Trust advisor: CA Amitha Costa
Honorary advisor: Jason Correa Konkani Cultural Organization was founded inAbu Dhabi 30years ago by a group of like-minded Mangalureans under the capable leadership of Leo Rodrigues. It has stayed committed to its mission of ‘Preserving Culture and Improving Lives’. The organization continues tobemindful of theevolving needs of the community and actively undertakes initiatives that support and uplift the needy. It disburses scholarships to deserving students and generously helps people seeking medical aid. It has also helped several NGOs and institutions in Mangaluru who are
associated with various social causesandhelping people inneed. KCOhasalsoservedasaplatformto promote Konkanicultureandvalues in the UAE and has encouraged numerous artists from back home and within the UAE by providing them withopportunities to
showcase theirtalents. Together with its members, the newly elected committee looks forward to continuing its service to the community with even greater commitment in the coming year to makeameaningful differenceinthe lives ofthose inneed.
UAE: ‘Kannadigas Help Line’ emerges as lifeline
for tourists in distress amid crises
Daijiworld Media Network -
Dubai
Dubai, Mar 18: The ‘Kannadigas
Help Line’ has successfully extended support to Kannadiga tourists strandedintheUAEdueto the ongoing war between America-Israel and Iran, ensuring their safe return to the homeland. In addition, it provided accommodation and food for those who hadcome on visit visas insearchofemployment.
Formed during the Covid pandemic and floods to assist Kannadigas in distress in the UAE, the ‘Kannadigas Help Line’ resumeditsactivities onceagainto support those affected by the currentwarandtofacilitatetheir
safereturn home.
Under the leadership ofnoted NRI entrepreneur Dr Ronald Colaco and coordination by Hidayath Addoor, the‘KannadigasHelpLine’ team brought together more than 30 Kannadiga organisations in the UAE. The team reached out to stranded tourists, the ailing, and those without food and shelter, extending assistance and earning appreciation from the NRI community.
Speaking to the media, coordinator Hidayath Addoor said that more than 630 people who were stranded and unable to return home were provided flight arrangements andsafelysentback toIndia.
Duringthecrisis, DrRonaldColaco had assured full financial support to arrange a chartered flight with 180 seats to send back those in urgent need, including the elderly, pregnant women, and the ailing. He had also promised financial assistance for medical surgeries and food for those in need.
Medicines for 22 ailing individuals referred by the Indian Consulate were provided using funds given
by Colaco. Addoor stated that Colaco acted as a backbone by extending all necessary financial support.
Meanwhile, in Dubai, Praveen Shetty and IsaqHaji provided free accommodation and food at their hotels,whileinAjman,DheerajJain arranged similar facilities at his farmhouse for more than 235 people. Additionally, 71individuals received medical check-ups from expert doctors at Rashid Hospital in Dubai, and medicines were provided to32people. At the onset of the war, a total of 1,180 meals were distributed to those in distress, along with 70 food kits. Private transport arrangements were also made to help affected individuals reach airports in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah,andAbuDhabi. Severalorganisations joined hands with the ‘Kannadigas Help Line’,
including KNRIForum UAE,Bearys Chamber of Commerce &Industry (BCCI) UAE, Karnataka Sangha Dubai, Kannadigara Koota Dubai, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Dubai Non-Resident Kannadigas, Hemmeya DubaiKannada Sangha, Vokkaliga Sangha Dubai, Kannada Paatha Shaala Dubai, Sharjah KarnatakaSangha,DubaiKonkanis, BCF, KCF, Manki Community, SKSSF Vikhaya UAE, Noorul Huda UAE Committee, Dubai Bearys, Badriya Friends, Hidaya Foundation, Shamsul Ulama Thodar, RasAlKhaimah & Fujairah Karnataka Sangha, Aim India Foundation, Darul Noor, Gulf Karnataka Kutumba & Gulf Gelathiyaru, Mangalore Konkanis Dubai, Al Khamar Trust Moolur, Okkaliga Sangha UAE, and RAK Karnataka Sangha UAE, among many other Kannada organisations.
CALLED TO BE A ‘JOSEPH’ TODAY!
*Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ
We live today in a world in which war, violence and hate are centrestage. Thousands have been killed and millions of others are affected everywhere indifferent ways.Those suffering most are the poor and marginalised ,thosewholiveonthe peripheries of our society, those who struggle daily to eke out a living, those who have nowhere to go!
It is significant that the Catholic Church celebrates today, the Solemnity of St Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church! St Joseph epitomized and radiated important values which the world so despertely needs today; among
themare:
Justice: Scripture refers to Joseph, as a ‘just man’. From the moment, Mary was betrothed to him he was confronted with making several difficult decisions. Every decision of his would impacton Mary,Jesus,or both in a profound way. He did so with a sense of great responsibility, like the time he wanted to send Mary away quietly. The biblical ‘righteousness’ (justice). was his ‘forte’ . Much needed today when injustice seemstobe mainstreamed everywhere!
Openness: Joseph was anopen and obedient person. Heknewitwashis duty to register himself and Mary when thecensus wasbeingdone. A reminder of our own responsibility in the ‘electoral process; to ensure thatour names are on the electoral
rolls and to challenge a corrupt Election Commission. Joseph wantedthebestforMary,There was ‘no place’ for them in the inn! (reminding us how we treat the ‘other’,refugees andmigrants). Heis open tomake themangerhishome Sincerity:Liesandhalf-truths,myths andfake news dominate today. We are plagued daily with a torrent of misinformation, coming from paid propaganda units who work for those who attempt to control our lives and destinies. Insincerity, bribery, flattery, hypocrisy, fear and ‘diplomacy’ are in charge. Persons whoaresincereandtruthful,paythe price. We are all aware of this plain truth! Joseph was an upright man, who invites us to live lives of authenticityandsincerity, always. Embracing: Joseph never hesitated to embrace others! He began by embracing Mary and Jesus unconditionally and fearlessly! He embraced the shepherds, the Magi, andthetortuous journeyintoEgypt. His embracing life meant that he was available for others, ready to accompanythem.Todayweexclude and kill the ‘other’ of a different religion orcolour, the poor andthe
marginalized. Discriminating rather than embracing, has become our way of proceeding. Muslims and Christians are denigrated in India through hate speeches and with anti-Constitutional legislation Protectiveness: “Protectus” is the relentless and desperate cry of the excluded and the exploited, the innocent and the vulnerable, the abusedandthetrafficked!Sadly,the trust that some of these children and vulnerable adults place on the powerful andwealthyispathetically betrayed. The ‘Epstein Files’ reveal so much of these horrible stories, which make one to wince! Joseph, as the protector of Mary and Jesus and of the Church today, is more than a model to be imitated. He challenges each one of us, to become more like him to be a protector of the suffering, to heal festering wounds and painful memories, which are the lot of so manytoday!
Humility: It is surely not easy for a personwhohasbeenentrustedwith a heavy responsibility, in which oftentimes, one does not have a decisive role. However, for Joseph, that did not matter. He
encapsulatedandradiatedhumility!
Like Job, at times, he was patient andsilent,waiting forGod’s planto unfold. Our world today is overwhelmed with a lust for power and unbridled arrogance. Joseph therefore comes to us as a beacon of strength and fearlessness, motivating ustobecome ‘meekand humbleofheart’,likehim,Maryand Jesus!
For ourlate Pope Francis(he began hispontificate onthisday-theFeast ofStJoseph in 2013) .StJoseph has always been very special in his life. He once said, “Iwouldliketoshare withyousomethingverypersonal.I likeStJosephverymuch.Heisa manofstrengthandofsilence.On mydeskinmyroom,Ihaveastatue of St Joseph sleeping. While sleepinghelooksaftertheChurch. Yes,hecandoit!Weknowthat. When I have a problem or a difficulty,Iwriteonapieceofpaper, andIputitunderhisstatuesohe candreamaboutit.Henowsleeps on amattress ofmynotes. This meanspleasepraytoStJosephfor thisproblem. ThatiswhyIsleep well:itisthegraceofGod!”
St. Joseph was a Dreamer,a
Discerner, and a Doer – always responding whole-heartedly to the will of God! He was a silent person: there isnotasingle word fromhim, that is recorded in Scripture. He demonstrated however, constructive servant- leadership and prophetic courage which our broken , battered , bruised world yearns for today. The world today also desperately needs selfless and inclusive persons(womenandmen) who like St. Joseph can epitomize and radiate
Justice, Openness, Sincerity, Embracing, Protectiveness, Humility! (JOSEPH)
Finding such persons today , is like looking foraneedleinthehaystack, a tall order in these present timea! Butitiscertainlypossible and there ishope!
Inhis Apostolic Letter‘Patris Corde’ (With a Father’s Heart) dtd 8 December2020,Pope Franciswrites this prayer “Hail,Guardian ofthe Redeemer,Spouse oftheBlessed VirginMary.ToyouGodentrusted hisonlySon;inyou,Maryplacedher trust;withyou,Christbecameman. Blessed Joseph, tous too, show yourselfafatherandguideusinthe
pathoflife.Obtain forusgrace, mercyandcourage,anddefendus fromeveryevil.Amen” . We are called to make this prayer our own today! Above all, we are calledtodoourbestandtobecome other‘JOSEPHs’inourworld today!
19 March 2026
Feast of StJoseph
*(Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ,is ahuman rights, reconciliation and peace activist &writer.
Contact:cedricprakash@gmail.com ) (Kindly note: this is an edited, updatedandcontextualisedversion ofanarticleprevioulywrittenbythe sameauthor!)
Let the Dead Bury the Dead
Letthedeadburythedead.Butyou go and proclaim the Kingdom of God. (Luke 9:60) I remembered this verse when I saw the assurance
given by theRevenue Minister,Byre Gowda, on March 16, 2026, in the Legislative Assembly. He said that he will buy private land at three times the market value to provide land for the burial grounds if government land isnot available or cannot be spared. The Minister said
that even in most backward taluks like Aurad in Bidar District, burial grounds are not available in many villages. He also said that government hasspentRs58crorein the last 3 years to buy land for this purpose. Thisshows thattheissueis quite serious inthe State.
Although the Hindu brethren cremate the bodies and some irrespective of religion donate the bodies tomedicalcolleges forstudy and utilization of organs, the issue relating to burials and burial grounds is quite serious. Muslims and Christians as per their belief bury their dead. Christians believe that the bodies of the faithful will
come backtolifewhenthe Messiah comes a second time. Therefore, there is hesitation among the faithfulforcremationordonation of bodies although there is a slow changein attitude.
We, Christians, face two types of problems as far as burial grounds are concerned: one, pressure on existing burial grounds and two, denial ofburial spacefor converted Christians by the non-converted in thecommon burial grounds.
Towards a Common Burial Ground
The Parish Churches, at least in Mangalore, are under tremendous pressure for burial space. Due to various reasons the space earmarked for burial grounds has shrunk.Theselandswerepurchased or allotted during British Period i.e.
prior to 1947. Milagres cemetery was in the news recently when the grave ofThomas de Castro, thefirst Bishop of Mangalore diocese was moved forconstruction of toilets in thecemetery.Theexistingcemetery isaverysmallspaceforabigparish
like Milagres. In Bejai Parish, a part of the erstwhile burial space has beenusedforParishHallandschool building. The original space provided for burial ground has shrunk. Provision hasbeenmadeto buryfivebodies inonegravetosave space. Burials are happening in box type graves. But due to too much rush to build permanent graves even that is becoming scarce. The number of permanent graves is on theincrease,reducingspacefornew burials. Old graves are dug up to make room for new graves. Poor and nameless who lived as tenants during their lifetime do not find a
permanent placeevenafterdeathin the graveyard and their graves are thefirsttobedugandsoldforthose who can afford. Some years ago, a part of the burial ground known as 3rd class was available for the poor. But that system has been given up. Therefore each sq. ft. is sold. Nothing is free. Those who live in Mansions and Bungalows can find spaceforconstruction ofabeautiful grave.
So, the question we should ask is why should we put more pressure on the existing burial space? Why can’t we find alternative space for burial grounds?
Instead of digging existing gravesoldgravesandgravesofthepoor-it is better to find new land for new burials. Hosur Road Cemetery in Bangalore is shared by many parishes and many denominations. There is no burial ground that is exclusive to the Parish. When new parishes like Paldane and Shaktinagarwerecreated,theirright forburial inKulshekar Churchburial ground hasbeen retained. Similarly, Urva graveyard is shared with Ashoknagar Parish. The ancestors
(of the new parishes) have been buried in graveyards of parent parisheslikeKulshekarandthatmay be one of the reasons for accommodating the dead of the new parish which was a part of the parent parish earlier. This shows what is possible: the model of sharingofburial grounds.
Usingthe samemodel, twoorthree parishes of the city should jointly buylandonthe outskirts ofthe city or wherever land is available and affordableandburytheirdeadthere instead of putting pressure on the existingburial ground. Thislandcan be awayfromthe Parishandshould be spacious enough formanyyears to come. Those who want to bury their dead (instead of cremating or donating) should be ready to go to this new burial ground instead of diggingtheoldparishburialground forspace unless the maximum limit ofthefamilygraveisnotexhausted. As funeral arrangers are engaged formostofthefuneralswhoprovide hearse ambulance (vehicle) and other requirements carrying the body to a distant place should not be difficult. Even now, on many
occasions the body is brought from the hospital directly to the Church and then carried up to the graveyard using the vehicle. The samearrangement canbeextended tothenew graveyard. Thismodel of a common graveyard should be started at the earliest. The Parish Priests and the Parish Councils of the nearby Parishes should sit together andtake a decision in the matter.
Burial groundsfor the Converts
In many parts of our country, we have been seeing incidents of denyingspaceforburialtoChristian converts in the ancestorial burial grounds. When there is a dead body, these families of the converted finditdifficult tobury as the government machinery does not come to their rescue. Sometimes bodies are exhumed by the opponents. In Chattisgarh such instances are common. On 10th November 2025 residents of Jewartala village in Balod district of Chattisgarh refused to allow burial of a Christian convert, Mr. Raman Sahu, in the village’s burial ground, purportedly because the family
embraced Christianity. In another incident, a converted Christian in Kodekurse village of Kanker district of Chattisgarh was denied burial in his native village, again allegedly due to his religious conversion. Village authorities had linked burial access to renouncing Christianity, according to police statements. They had to be buried in some other place despite police intervention. In a third case, Tribal villagers prevented Christians from burying the body of Sambai Mandavi who died on February 24, 2026, duetorespiratory andcardiac issues. She was 34. Kamlesh Mandavi, her husband was prevented from using the public cemetery or his private land in Amodi village in Kanker district on grounds for defiling their land and deities. Her body remained in the Hospital while a decision was awaited by the District Collector. Those who convert the tribalsCatholics and others- should keep in mind this requirement and plan fortheirdead.
Conclusion:
Let the dead bury the dead is not
easy to follow these days because the dead are denied land for their burial.InJanuary2025, theSupreme CourtgaveasplitverdictinRamesh Baghel vs. State of Chattisgarh. RameshBaghels fatherwasaPastor and when he died he was not allowed to be buried in the graveyard. The Appellant told the court that his grandfather was buried in theportion earmarked for Christians in 2007 and his other relativestoohavebeenburiedthere in 2014 and 2015. Despite these facts, he did not get relief and had to approach the Supreme Court. Thegram Panchayat took the stand that no space has been earmarked for Christians in the village burial ground. Justice B. V. Nagarathna strongly denounced the refusal as unconstitutional discrimination (Articles 15., 15, and 21) while Justice Satish Chandra Sharma opined that the issue is closely connected to public order and permitted burial at a designated Christian site 20-25 Kms away.Even the Supreme Court was not unanimous on the subject. (Judgement given by Justice B. V. Nagarathna canbe readatthis link.
https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/ 2025/2184/2184_2025_8_1501_588 45_Judgement_27-Jan-2025.pdf )
Whenourtribalbrethrensuffersuch injustice and discrimination and burytheirdead20-25kms away(for becoming Christian) we should be ready to bury our dead at a common (Christian and Catholic) burialgroundinsteadofdigging the same oldgraveyard attachedtothe ParishChurch.
Itishoped thatourBishops andour Parish Priests take note of the seriousness and take initiative in a spirit of co-operation to form common burial grounds for 2-3 parishesatacommon placewithout delay. They should also stop encroachment of the existing cemeteries for developmental projects of the Parish and stop cryingaboutshortageofspacelater.
-Dr. Charles Lob
Are we blessed or lost?
(Philip Mudartha)
Idescribedusasa“lostgeneration”. “Ours is the blessed generation” retorted Thomas. Friends for decades, wewere reminiscing on
our journey through life.Both of us were migrants; we belonged to the milieu of young high school and college educated rural boys, who left their ancestral villages and occupations in search of jobs in citiesandonforeign soil.
Thomas returned to his roots in south-eastern Kerala afterforty-five years. At 63, retired from his industrial employment, he reinvented himself as an innovative agriculturist raising cash crops like
rubber, pepper, cardamom. Helives through fourth stage of life, meaning the golden age as senior citizen aged between 60 and 80 years.
Over mugs of tea, with hills and rolling plains resplendent in their eternal green ensemble, we walked down memory lane and captured the essence of those twenty-some years of struggle immediately following our care-free stage including childhood and
adolescence. We indeed were lost yet did not give up. We did not know who we were, where we were headed,whatwewanted,andwhere we wanted togo; yetwe were on a quest.Likeashipatmidsea,without sight of the shore, without a compass, and without a guiding beamfromanylighthouse.
The quest for identity:
It was mid-1973, and yet it seems likeyesterday.Iwastwenty,justpast the teenage. “Who Am I?” I kept asking myself. I could not think of anything else. Nothing else mattered. I was at a loss to explain the relevance of my studies: I did
not figure in the list of successful candidates to be trained as a scientist by BARC, the premier national institution that I had chosenforadreamcareer.Whatuse was my topping in Advanced Physics and Mathematics? My professors in college were so fond of me and proud of my grasp of complex scientific concepts and abstracts of calculus that they had kept repeating with confidence of mygreatfutureasascientist. Itried by the only means I knew knowledge andmerit. ButIlost.
Why did I fail? I had no answers. Excepttherealization thatacademic excellence alone does not define who I am. There is more than what meets the eye. All that Quantum Physics andHyperbolic Integrations be damned. A network of string pullers would make or mar my identity. Without them, I am an average jobseeker, knocking on doors in vain, for days, weeks and months until coming across my saviour. Hesuredid. There isalways someone out there for everyone. The paths did cross, as destined
shallIsay,to give me an identity of anIron-maker.
The quest for love:
Reason fails in matters of heart. Love happens; blind love; puppy love; mad love. Quantum Physics and Analytical Chemistry doesn’t matter. Like faith.One either fallsin love or one does not. In retrospect, crush is an appropriate description for the naiveté of first love; especially, when it does not lead you down the aislestothe altar.
Blind faith can survive reason. But blindlovedoes not.Thesocialorder
backs blind faith but not reason; often it chooses to crucify those who challenge faith with either reason or a competing theology. Contrarily, the social order backs reason and crushes blind love. Simply put, I loved and lost. Why did I fail? I was given the answers in a package of questions. Whatareyou?Wheredidyoucome from? Do you know your background? How much are you earningandcanearn?Howcanyou makeendsmeetletalonekeep‘her’ happy? Do you know what a room in aBombay chawlcosts?Have you the faintestidea thatwe donotlive bylove alone?
To be honest, I did not. I had blind faith in blind love. True love conquers everything and everyone was my gospel. I was wrong. Be practical; even in true love, only money matters. Show me the money, notyourheart,honey!
The quest for money:
Onahotsummer dayof1977, after long working hours to earn three
pay checks I arrived at the “Vhodlem-Kood” in Byculla. In the kitchen, the last dinner meal was beingservedtoafatoldmanwitha foulmouth. LittledidIknowthathe was drunk and was I prepared for what came on him? As I ate my guest meal, paid with my own money, themantore intomyfamily background, myvainpastglory asa star student, and my being a nobody but a frog in the well, working three stupid jobs for pittance.Shame, accordingtohim,I would amount to nothing. Money baba, money. Go after it. Go to the
gulf, where money is. Go, go, and getoutof mysight!
I must be crazy to heed the advice of a drunkard. But, looking back, I admit he turned my world upside down. He shook me out of my romantic illusion that working hard andlonginthe cityisallIwould do for the rest of my life, and money would come naturally. Money did notcome naturallytohim. Iwillnot be anexception.
That was my Eureka moment! Four months later, I was on board a Gulf Air flight to Doha where I would embark on a profession that took meplaces.
The rat race never ends:
Lifehumbles us all.Itmakes men of young romantic boys. It makes us
into little rats racing to reach our workplace, to meet deadlines, set and achigoalpost (only to see that we keep shifting the goal-post; we came to make some thousand rupees but stayed to make several millions), get married and ‘settle down’ (Ah!, honey, what does it mean?) and make kids. Raise a family, build a home, bring bread andbutter tothetable, educate the kids, and take care of the wants of siblings, elders and parents. You have seen it all, everyone without exception. Perfectly tamed into an average suburban obedient tom, dick and harry, getting up by the clock and running his life by the clock. A rat, who will do anything andeverything toremainintherace and hoping to make itto the finish line for the sake of a home, a wife, kids and a net positive bank balance.
“Wearerats,butluckyrats”reminds Thomas. “We had everything we could hope for. We were exactly where we should be, where God intended us to be”. Ihad heard of doubting Thomas’s, (including the
famous biblical Thomas who would not believe that Jesus, his master,
hastrulyrisen,butmyfriendhasnot ‘lost’ his faith despite all the pain andagony ofthe quest foridentity, love andmoney.
That is how things are put in perspective at retirement and beginning a new chapter like Thomas hasdone.
“Happiness: A Journey, not a Destination"
Article dedicated for International Happiness Day on 20/03/2026.
Importance of WorldHappiness Day
The International Day of Happiness is observed on March 20 to recognize happiness and well-being as universal human goals and to advocate for inclusive, equitable economic growth. Proclaimed by the UN in 2012, it promotes focusing on life quality, mental health and happiness in public policy, rather than just financial progress.
How Happiness comes?
Happiness is not something readymade, itcomes from yourownactions. True happiness is not only measured by wealth, power or technology but by the well-being of the people. All seek happiness including plants and animals. Real happiness is the peace wefeel when wearehonest. Today the world is progressing rapidly. But stress andcomparison aregrowing. Manyare running fast in life, but they aren’t necessarily living happily. They gain status yet loose peace. Happiness doesn’tdependonhowmuchwehave, it’s how much we think. Happiness doesn’t require changes in
circumstances; it requires change in attitude.
Which country is top in the happiness Finland has been ranked the world's happiest country for the ninth consecutive year in 2026,according to the World Happiness Report. Known for its high quality of life, strong social support systems, trust in institutions, and close connection to nature, Finland consistently tops the global ranking.
Health is the main source for happiness
Wemayhavemany problems/issues in our life till we have health problem. Once we have health issues, all other problems will become secondary. So being healthy isablessing andleadsfor the happiness.
Some of the tips for making ourselves happy
Happiness is naturally woven in every minute of ourlife.
1) Start your day with win. Make daily intention in themorning toaccomplish agoal.
2) Regularly exercise and fit yourself. This gives a sense of winning at the start of the day.
3) Have a zero hour for yourself every day or once in a week. Plan and give a special treat for yourself. Spend time lonely with the nature away from sound and disturbance.
4) Give appreciation to yourself, your friends, known people and your relatives. This can shift someone’s entire mood including yours.
5) Make no reason phone call. We often call people for reason. But what aboutcallingsomeone just tosayhello. I was thinking about you. This surprise
moment creates new connection and brings unexpected joy.
6)Final tip is keeping a daily ‘Smile List’eachday.Smile isthesymbol of happiness.
Whoever is happy will make othershappy. Happiness means that everyone should be happy. We are all connected. One can never be truly happy at the expense of another. Let us fight for
social justice for all speciesHumans,Animals,PlantsandNature
-Roshan Dsouza, Kinnigoli
Behind the music:
Kitem
Kitem Zataa
Amid a wide spectrum of musical styles, upbeat songs stand out for their lively energy and engaging rhythm, instantly enhancing any atmosphere and connecting with audiences ofallages.
Upbeat tracks, driven by quick tempos and irresistibly catchy rhythms, carry an infectious energy that is hardtoignore. They havean almost magnetic quality, drawing
listeners in and encouraging spontaneous movement. From daily routines to grand celebrations, these songs bring a sense of lightness andvitality that resonates universally.
One such song, which won the heartsoftheMangaloreanKonkanispeaking community, is from the album TunchMoga , composed by the dynamic duo Nelson Mathias
and Prashanth Sequeira and produced byUSWASShirvain2012.
Celebrated for its heartfelt composition and timeless charm, the song was later reimagined by thetalentedArunDanthyPernaland Zeena Pereira. Released in 2021 by JustRoll Filmsasacaptivatingmusic video, thisversion addsarefreshing modern touch while preserving the original’s emotional essence, making it both nostalgic and appealing to today’s audience.
The video song delicately captures the innocence of young love through a simple yet heartfelt exchange ofemotions between two youngsters, brought tolifebyKevin Shervin Mascarenhas and Pinky Maria D’Souza. Their natural onscreen chemistry, combined with constant playful bickering, has added warmth and relatability to thenarrative.
Complementing this is Wilfred R. Pangala’s thoughtfully penned lyrics, which infuse the story with depth and emotional authenticity. Set against the picturesque landscapes of Udupi and its surrounding regions, the visuals further elevate the experience, lending a serene charm that enhances the song’s overall impact.
Influenced by the vibrant style of Bollywood and Tamil masala films, the dance sequences in the video set a new standard for Konkani music videos. With graceful incorporations of classical Indian danceformssuchasBharatanatyam and Yakshagana, the choreography adds alayerofcultural richness and artistic expression. Marwin Christopher D’Souza’s choreography adds energyandflair to the music video, making it an unforgettable visual experience for viewers, catering to a diverse
audience and offering wholesome entertainment for all age groups.
cast and the technical crew. Managing large crowds and dance ensembles takes extraordinary discipline, andthe team’s execution istrulycommendable.
Catch the full music video on YouTube from JustRoll Films through thislink.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =5omzOWtTatk&list=RD5omzOWt Tatk&start_radio=1
Also, readers andmusic enthusiasts can explore the official website of JustRoll Films to gain a deeper understanding of their creative journey and artistic contributions. https://www.justrollfilms.com/
Don’tmissthefunnybloopers inthe end credits, which also showcase the meticulous efforts of both the
From soulful melodies to energetic tracks and vibrant productions, JustRoll Films has played a significant role in bringing diverse musicalnarratives tolife.Theirwork highlights not only the richness of coastalculturebutalsotheevolving trends in regional music, blending traditional elements with contemporary storytelling across Konkani, Tulu, Hindi, English, and Kannada.
Immense talentexists amongthe
people of Coastal Karnataka and nurturing it is one of the best ways to let it shine. Real talent thrives when given the right guidance and exposure. Your comments on the article are most welcome, as any feedbackisgreatlyappreciated.
By Prinson Agnel Dʼlima
Points to Ponder, April 2026.
Citrini;DrummingUpDoomor aTimelyAlert?
Throughout recorded history sofar, every single advance in technology enhanced and supplemented human ability to achieve objectives determined byhim. Butforthe first time, over the lastfour years or so, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the unravelling of which, is making it increasingly clear that AI, which initially will supplement human effort, might eventually supplant humans altogether. Yuval Noah Harari, a historian and author, has argued that unbridled AI poses an existential threat to humanity,
primarily because it is not merely a tool but an autonomous agent capable of making its own decisions and inventing new ideas. Harari warns that unchecked AI development could lead to the collapseofhumancivilization,social chaos, and the loss of human agency.
But already AI is fuelling fears of devouring jobs, destroying value of software stocks and causing pervasive collapse of the extant economic activity.Citrini report is a, over 7000-word essay titled The
2028 Global Intelligence Crises. (https://tinyurl.com/5mhz4td9). The research is said to be a “Thought Exercise in Financial History from the Future” and is set in an apocalyptic June 2028. It’s a scenariotoocloseforcomfortandit talks ofadystopian world where AI, if left to grow without guard rails, could destroy white collar jobs and bring about the death of intermediation whichcouldgiverise to credit crisis including mortgage crisis.
1. Collapse of white-collar jobs. Citrini reports forewarns of a world where AI systems trained over vast amounts of data, information and knowledge accumulated over aeons, would replace white collar jobs cheaply and more efficiently. One has onlyto look at Anthropic’s Claude family of models and advanced agentic tools whose advent recently roiled the software markets inIndiaandabroadandthe bleeding in the sector continues. The AI agentic coding tools which came into prominence in 2025
could disrupt SaaS (Software as a Service) companies like say, Salesforce. By 2028 Fortune 500 companies,whichareclientsofSaaS firms, would be capable of developing in-house enterprise software powered by AI. This drastically reduces if not destroys thepricing power ofSaaSfirms. But it doesn’t stop there. The business model of SaaScompanies depends, apart from pricing, on the number of licenses they sell to the client company. The client companies having already harnessed AI to perform white-collar jobs, would havesharplyreducedthenumberof white-collar employees requiring fewer number of what are called Slack licenses. With loss of both business and pricing power, it sets off afeedback loop with nonatural brakes:
AI Capable of white-collar jobs -> white-collarjoblay-offsrise->firms investsavinginto AI-> AIbecomes more capable of white-collar jobs andsoon……(see diagram below).
What begins in sectors like SaaS, couldquickly coverlarger swaths of white-collar labour market, in segments such as legal, accounting and auditing. With income levels going down, consumption, particularly discretionary consumption, takes a hit. It is pertinent tonotethat intheworld’s largest economy, namely the US, consumption contributes 70% to the GDP. Even as consumption declines, investment in AI models and subscriptions keep the economy afloat and this Citrini believes will be a sort of “Ghost GDP”,where outputshows upinthe national accounts but doesn’t get circulated/distributed through the real economy. Citrini states it more realistically, albeit ominously: “It should have been clear all along that a single GPU cluster in North Dakota generating the output previously attributed to 10,000 white-collar workers in midtown Manhattan is more economic
than panacea”.
2. Death of Intermediation: In the 1980s or1990s, tobook aflightone wouldhavetovisitseveral agentsto get the best quote. But with the advent of internet this ‘friction’ was eliminated, at least for a while, by onlinetravelagents(OTAs)sites.But the success of this business model was short-lived as it attracted competition with multiple OTAs providing multiple quotes. Given the time and effort required to surf the net and glean relevant information the customer encountered friction again. While aggregator platforms tried to address this problem, theywere no match for AI agents who can scour the netandbring you the bestdeal across services and products you consume. They don’t feel fatigue and multitask with ease. They can crawl through numerous websites of airlines, restaurants, employers, insurance companies, e-commerce platforms and be ready with a bespoke deal.Extrapolate furtherto let AI handle payments. AI agents prefer, as of now, stable coins (say,
USDC) which virtually cost nothing compared toconventional payment through credit/debit cards (see diagram).
This is because cardnetworks (Visa, Mastercard) work on a small fee charged to the merchants for facilitating the transaction. The buyer’s bank (issuing bank) andthe merchant’s bank (acquiring bank) also take a cut. According to Citrini if payments using stable coins become mainstream, payment instruments like Visa, Mastercard, etc., will be a thing of the past. In fact, it could be the end of a host internetbusinessmodelsemploying millions of, largely, white-collar
3. Private Credit Crisis: This couldbe worse than the subprime crisis. The failingofSaaScompanies isjustthe first tile of the dominoes. Private credit firms are often the investors in these companies and that too with LBOs (leveraged buyouts).
Citrini states that Private credit market would have grown to a massive $2.5 trillion by 2026 and a significant part of this would be exposed to SaaSsegment. Many of these deals have been done at exorbitant valuations assuming mid-teen growth in ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) in perpetuity! With AI cannibalizing SaaS companies this model will come unstuck. Andby2027, asperCitrini, life insurers too could become casualties, if Private credit firms’ default. Over the last decade, alternative asset managers have acquired life insurers and turned them into funding vehicles, using policyholders’ annuitypremiums to fund Private credit to acquire SaaS firms. If such private credit firms’
default, itwould put the lifetime of savings and pensions of thousands atrisk.
4. Mortgage Crisis: Sounds familiar?
The 2008 and the likely 2028 crises would be fundamentally different. Back in 2008, the loans were advanced to applicants with low income/credit scores. The loans which were bad from day one was dressed up as prime debt with SPV’s, Credit Default Swaps, clever financialengineering andadubious nexus between debt issuers and rating agencies.In2028 though, it’s the most prime of borrowers who arelikelytodefaultwiththecollapse of white-collar jobs. Banks cannot be faultedforunderwriting loansto this cohort. As Citrini puts it: They were the borrowers that every risk model in the financialsystem treats as the bedrock of credit quality. However, the2028 crisis maytake a little longer to unfold. Laid off borrowers would initially live off their savings, then off their credit
cards and HELOCs (Home Equity Line of Credit). So initially the mortgage payments would be in time,yetthere wouldbebuild-up in creditcardandHELOCdebt.
Quantitative easing may not be effective in addressing this, essentially, a structural problem in the real economy. To quote Citrini “it won’t change the fact that a Claude agentcandothework of an $180000 product manager for $200/month.
Can we avoid this apocalypse? We hope toexplore in thenextissue of Points toPonder.
Norbert Shenoy
Arunanjali Securities
Poonam Anand Nikethan, Ground Floor, 8th cross, Gandhinagar,Urwa Mangalore - 575003
PHONE : +918243552437
MOBILE :9019787658, 8095275933 -
what if....
Oftentimes we go through life, grasping to what's long past Wishing for things we let go of, believing it may have been right
What's right is standing where you are, to embrace it and make it yours
Don't try to understand why and why nots, and make this day yours
What If you choose to smile at the angry fellow passer by And use the pause to plan your day, instead of moaning
What If you choose to listen to a comedy show, while waiting And change your energy, carry it wherever you go
How hard is it, in this media filled world, where the choice is yours
This is the meaning of that statement, not your placement
You hold the deciding factor to choose positivity instead Be bold, be wise and choose what's right in the little things
What If, the secret to achieving success in life was just this Always carried within your grasp, waiting always waiting What If tomorrow is but a game of chance, that we're playing Where everything you do matters, how about we play to win
-By: Molly Pinto.
Zero Harm Kitchen Recipes Episode-4
Subtitle:100%Plant-Powered.0%Oil.0%Dairy,
Raw Carrot Halwa
Thisisabeautifulrecipe without oil,without sugar/jaggery, without milkand fire.Totallynaturalandfulloftaste.
Ingredients
• ½cupfinelygrated, unpeeled carrots
• ¼tspgreen cardamom powder
• ½cupgrated freshcoconut
• ¼cuppittedsoftblackdates, ground between fingers,afewatatime
• 8-10 almonds, slivered
Method
Take carrots,cardamom powder andcoconutinabowlandmixwell. Knead theground dates intothecarrotcoconutmixture. Repeatthisprocess until allthedates arekneaded intothemixture. Transfertoaserving bowland chillinthe refrigerator for2hours. Decorate with slivered almonds and serve.
Source and inspiration: DrNanditha from Sharan with her permission. There are plenty of such recipes available. Website is www.sharan.com. This isasmall effort to aware about thevegan recipes and to live a lifewithout medicines.
“Jesu Ani Bara Apostol”-Biblical Cinematic
Drama Presented at Pangla Church
ByDr. Eugene Dsouza PicsbyJulian DMello
A new experiment in spiritual journey in the form of Biblical
Cinematic Drama titled “Jesu Ani BaraApostol” (JesusandTwelve
Apostles) was presented in the premises of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pangla (Shanerpura) on Saturday, 21 March 2026 from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm. This was a spiritual
journey appropriate for the season of Lent through dramatization, singing and visual effects that kept the houseful audience in full
attention and engaged throughout thepresentation.
Prior to enactment of the Biblical Cinematic Drama, during a brief stage programme, the Parish Priest ofSt.JohntheEvangelistChurch,Fr.
Rolwin Fernandes, Fr. Fr. Jesil
Fernandes, Dn. Shawn Savio
Andrade, John Martis-Vice
D’Souza-Secretary, Mrs. Anita
D’Souza-Convener of 20 Commissions, Anil D’Sa-Organizer of the Event, Maxim Pereira Angelore-Director of the Biblical Cinematic Drama and Glany Fernandes-writer of the Biblical Cinematic Drama felicitated the actors by presenting them memento.
Introducing the Biblical Cinematic Drama, MaximPereira saidthat the first show of the Biblical Cinematic Drama was presented in Dubai and this was the second show and first in the twin dioceses of Mangalore and Udupi. He expressed gratitude to Fr. Prakash Anil Castelino, the Parish Priest,AnilD’Saandallthose who made it possible for the presentation of the unique experiment in spiritual journey during theLentin Pangla.
In his message Fr. Prakash Anil Castelino expressed happiness at the large number of audiences that had assembled to watch and experience the Biblical Cinematic Drama. He said that such presentation would enrich the spiritual life of the parishioners especiallyduringtheseasonofLent.
He further said that the Pangla Churchistheonlychurchinthetwin dioceses of Mangalore and Udupi which is dedicated to St. john the Evangelist, one of the twelve disciples ofJesus.
The Church Choir of St. John the Evangelist Parish presented devotional songs in Konkani and Kannada interspersed between the three acts of the Biblical Cinematic Drama.AnilD’SaandMaximPereira alsosangfewhymns.
The Biblical Cinematic Drama “Jesu Ani Bara Apostol’ was presented in three acts. The role of Jesus was enacted by John Rodrigues. The Twelve Apostles were: Simon PeterAlphonse Mendonsa, AndrewAlwyn Peter D’Sa, Jacob (Son of Jebedee)-Nishan Noronha, John (Son ofJebedee)-Johncy Rodrigues, Philip-Clive D’Souza, BartholomewNoel D’Silva, Thomas-Peter Martis, Mathew-JeevanPereira, Jacob(Son of Alpheus)-Melwyn D’Souza. Thaddeus-Canute Noronha, Simon the Zealot-Patrick D’Souza, Judas Iscariot-Rayan Rodrigues. All these actorsbelonged toPanglaParish.As the entire Biblical Cinematic Drama
waspre-recorded, allthecharacters had to synchronize their dialogues and actions according to the prerecorded script which they did very well after a long period of rehearsals.
The concept, direction and visualization of the presentation was by Maxim Pereira Angelore, Glany Fernandes wrote the story and screenplay, background music was provided by Joel Pereira, Fr. Rolwin Fernandes compered the entire presentation, the keyboard was played by Wedson D’Souza, and the entire show was coordinated byAnil D’Sa.
The background scenes and effective music as actors representing JesusandApostlesput up their acts enhanced the impact oftheBiblicalCinematicDrama.The choir sang relevant hymns in melodious tunes.
At the end of the presentation, Fr. Prakash Anil Castelino felicitated Deacon Shawn Savio Andrade who has been serving in the parish prior tohis beingordained aDeacon and willbeproceeding toSt.Lawrenc
Parish,Moodubelle totake uphis nextministry.
Golgotha – We journey on the path of life, reflecting on the Lord’s Passion and walking in His love
The Catholic Sabha, Bondel Unit, prayerfully organized the Lenten devotion “Golgotha” on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. , invitingthe faithfultoreflectdeeply onthe passion andsacrificeofour
Lord.
TheHolyEucharisticcelebration was solemnly led by Rev. Fr Roshan D’Cunha, Director of YCS Mangalore, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Parish Priest, making the occasion
spiritually enrichingandgrace-filled forallgathered.
In his homily, Rev. Fr Roshan D’Cunha highlighted five essential steps to transform our lives: to acknowledge andaccept ourfaults, to have true contrition, to seek forgiveness through confession, to turn away from sin, and to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. He further emphasized the importance of repentance restoring our relationship with Godthatisbroken by sin, renewing our spiritual life, andleading ustowards salvation. ThisLentenseasoncallsustoadeep inner transformation, inviting us to renew our hearts and lives by walking closer with the Lord and embracing Hismercyandlove.
At 6.00 p.m. Br Prashanth Frank from the Krupabhisheka Prayer Ministry led the faithful in a powerful time of praise and worship, invoking the presence of the Holy Spirit and inviting all to experience God’s grace. He prayerfullyguidedthecongregation through the Stations of the Cross, helping them deeply contemplate
thePassion ofChrist His suffering, sacrifice, and immense love for humanity. Each station brought the faithfulclosertounderstandinghow Jesus endured pain and ultimately gave Hislifeforallofus. During the time of adoration, the Blessed Sacrament was reverently exposed,creatingadeeplyprayerful and grace-filled atmosphere. The faithfulwere drawn intoaprofound encounter with the Lord. Rev. Fr Andrew LeoD’Souza then imparted thefinalblessing andsprinkled holy water upon the faithful. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was also administered by Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha,andRev.FrPeter Gonsalves, bringing healing, strength, and comfort to those in need.
Fr Andrew expressed his heartfelt gratitude toBrPrashanthFrank and histeamforspirituallypreparing the faithful for the Lenten season and theupcomingEaster.Specialthanks were also extended to the Catholic Sabha, Bondel Unit, for organizing such a meaningful and spiritually enrichingprayer service.
Theprayer service concluded witha fellowship meal, strengthening the bonds ofunityandfellowship amongallwhowere present.
Photography : Marvin DʼSilva Report: MeenaSerrao Barboza
Senior Citizen Day Celebration – Honouring the beloved seniors of Bondel Parish with love and gratitude by Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP)
TheSolemn Masswaspresided over by Msgr Maxim Noronha, Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D'Souza, Parish Priest.
Inhishomily, MsgrMaximreflected on the Gospel of John 11:1–45, drawing attention tothe deep faith of Martha even in moments of sorrow. He reminded the faithful thatthe Lenten season is not justa
timeofobservance,butacalltotrue inner conversion and preparation for Easter. At times, we may feel spiritually lifeless,like closedtombs, yetChristcontinues tocallusoutof darkness into new life. Just as Lazarus was raised from the dead, we too are invited to leave behind
our old ways, renew our faith, and walk in the light and life that Jesus offers.
The liturgy wasmeaningfully ledby the senior citizens, and the adult choiraddedbeautyanddevotion to the celebration through their
hymns.Specialprayers were offered forallthefaithful,especiallythesick, andtheSacramentofthe Anointing of the Sick was administered to those gathered.
At the end of the Mass, Rev. Fr Andrew expressed his gratitude to Msgr Maxim for celebrating the
Eucharist and for his inspiring homily shared with the parish community.
After the Mass, a short programme was conducted in the church pendol. Theprogramme beganwith a prayer hymn sung by Mrs Irene Dias and Mrs Jasmine. Mr Prakash Pinto warmly welcomed all the guests on the dais. The dignitaries were honoured andwelcomed with flowers bythemembers ofthe SVP.
Those present on the dais were Msgr Maxim Noronha, Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D'Souza, Rev.Fr Lawrence Asst Priest, Rev. Fr Peter Gonsalves-Principal St Lawrence Eng. Med, school, MrJohn D’SilvaVice President PPC, Mr Alwyn Saldanha-PPCSecretary,MrPrakash Pinto -President, and Mr Gratian Lobo-Secretary, SVP.
Msgr MaximNoronha, the Guest of Honour, in his message expressed his gratitude to the SVP members forinviting him.He appreciated the noble mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, highlighting how, though small, its members render commendable service to the poor andthe needy across the world. He encouraged everyone to continue this spirit of charity and compassion.
He also extended his heartfelt wishes to all the senior citizens, praying for their good health, long life,andadeeptrustintheLord. His message inspiredallpresents tolive with faith, hope, and a spirit of service.
Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D'Souza, in his presidential address, said that seniorcitizensarevaluableassetsof the parish, who have lovingly nurtured and sacrificed for their children. He urged the younger generation to show care, love, and concernfortheirelders,especiallyin their old age, and not to abandon them.
Heexpressedhisappreciation tothe Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP)
for organizing the programme. He also encouraged the faithful to support their upcoming project of building houses for the needy, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations ofSVPatBondel.
Ajoyfulcake-cutting ceremony was held as a token of love and appreciation, as those celebrating their birthdays in the month of Marchwere invited tothedais,with the dignitaries joining in the celebration.
Grace before themealwasledbyFr Lawrence. The programme was compered byDrRoshan Fernandes, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Mr Gratian Lobo, Secretary.
Mr Ronald Lasrado, Mrs Jasmine, and Dr Roshan entertained the gathering with old songs, bringing backnostalgic memories.
Food was served to all gathered, reflecting a beautiful sense of bonding and togetherness. Special carewastakentomeettheneedsof the senior citizens, making the programme well-organized and trulymemorable.
Photography: Hemant Report:Meena Serrao Barboza
‘The
Face of the Faceless’ Screened at St Anthony
Ashram, Jeppu; A Cinematic Tribute to Forgiveness
MANGALURU, MARCH 22: St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, in association with Canara Communication CentreandTriLight
Creations, hosted a special screening ofthe critically acclaimed film ‘The Face of the Facelessʼ on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The event, heldattheAshrampremises,drewa
significant audience moved by the film's powerful portrayal ofthe true storyofBlessedSrRaniMaria. Introducing the film to the gathering, Rev. Fr Anil Ivan
Fernandes, Director of Canara Communication Centre,highlighted the movie's global recognition. He notedthatthefilm,whichdepictsan "incredible true story of forgiveness," has not only been named the Best Christian Film for 2024 butalsoqualifiedasanofficial entryfortheOscars2024. Withhigh ratings across platforms like IMDb (7.5/10) and BookMyShow (9.3/10), the film serves as a profound medium forspreading the message ofpeaceandreconciliation.
The program was hosted and coordinated by Rev. Fr J.B. Crasta, Director of St Anthony Charitable Institutions, Jeppu. Speaking on the occasion, Fr Crasta emphasized the relevance of the film’s theme in today’s world, stating that the life and martyrdom of Sr Rani Maria continue to inspire selfless service andthecourage toforgive.Directed by Dr. Shaison P. Ouseph and produced by Sandra DʼSouza Rana, the film has garnered over 125international awards.
The screening was attended by a diverse gathering, including priests, religious sisters,formers,layfaithful, andtheresidentsoftheAshram.For theattendees,watchingthefilmwas a significant spiritual activity, offering a deep meditation on mercy and sacrifice during the Lentenseason.
Widespread Reception Across the
Diocese
The screening at Jeppu Ashram follows a series of successful showcases across the Diocese of Mangalore, including St Sebastian Church (Bendur) and St Lawrence Church & Shrine (Bondel) coordinated by Fr Walter Dsouza and Fr Andrew Leo Dsouza. These screenings have been exceptionally well-received and widely appreciated by the faithful. In the reflective spirit of Lent, many attendees expressed that the film served as a visual "Way of the Cross," challenging them to embrace the Christian call to unconditional love and second chances.
Final Screening in Moodbidri on March 29
For those who have yet to witness this transformative journey of faith, the final screening in this series will be held at Corpus Christi Church, Moodbidri Town, next Sunday, March 29, 2026 (Palm Sunday), at 06:00 PM. The organizers invite everyone to join this concluding Lentenprogram.
For all Veez issues old and new, click below link to read: https://issuu.com/austinprabhu
Fuddar Prathisttan (R) organized 'Fuddar
Prathisttan Puraskar-2026' for the special achievers of MangaluruandUdupidiocese on
Saturday 21 March atMCC bank Mangalore
For the last 20 years Fuddar Prathisttan has felicitated over 3000 academic achievers from the catholic community andforthe lasttwo years sports achievers at the international, national and state level were also addedtothelist.Thisyear as another milestone, Fuddar Prathisttan (R.) under the aegis of MCC bank Mnaglore, for the first time recognized and felicitated 65 special achievers in sports, literary arts, performing artsandPhDawardees,to give special recognition to the top achievers of our community on a separate platform.
Sahakaari Rathna Mr Anil Lobo, Chairman of MCC Bank inaugurated theprogramme bylighting thelamp. Nigel Pereira, president of Fuddar Prathisttan presided over the programme. ChiefGuestandkeynote speaker, advocate M P Noronha, Principal district government pleader of Dakshina Kannada, Catholic sabha Mangalore Pradesh and Udupi Pradesh presidents Santhosh DSouza and Ronald D’almeida, Secretary Vivid DSouza and management committee memberRobert Menezes, President of Karnataka Konkani sahithya academy Stany Alvares, renowned writer and journalist H M Pernaladwellknown Konkani Singer VincentFernandes were present.
Anil Lobo in his inaugural address, congratulated all the awardees and their parents on receiving the recognition. He urged the awardees to stay in the country and stay connected with their families; live a
value-basedlifeandserve thesociety in allpossible ways.For the firsttime Fuddar prathistaan hascomeupwith a thought of separately honouring the specialachievers in various fields and MCC bank supports recognizing these special talents who have brought laurelstoourcommunity,he added.
MPNoronha, inhiskeynote address, congratulated Fuddar Prathistan Trust for organizing a beautiful programme tofelicitatetheachievers and for motivating them. In his keynote address he emphasized the need to choose a career through which you remain grounded and connectedtoyourroots andthatwill help you to serve mankind. It’s not the achievements ormedals that will make you valuable, but the empathy and richness of heart will make the place around you beautiful forwhich the present generation must focus on,headded.
The management committee members anddonors whosupported generously for the success of the eventwerehonored. Thesupportand suggestions of Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh and Udupi Pradesh were greatly acknowledged. Nigel Pereira, president of Fuddar Prathisttan welcomed the gathering. Vivid DSouza,the secretary rendered the vote of thanks. Norbert Misquith andIdaFurtado compered theevent. The programme concluded with fellowship meals.
IRAN & USA:
On behalf of the felicitated students
ReubanMachado,RoshvithaDSaand Vinitha DSouza shared their success storyandexpressedtheirgratitude to the organizers of the felicitation programme.
Trump Draws Hard Line on Iran:No Nukes, No Enrichment, Hand Over the Uranium
President Trump laid out crystalclear terms for any deal with Iran during remarks at the airport. The United States will accept nothing
less than total denuclearization.
Keyconditions: Iran musthavezero nuclear weapons. No enrichment whatsoever. The regime must surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium. Missiles stay limited. And realpeacemusttakeholdacrossthe Middle East.
Trump made it plain the mullahs get one shot to comply or face the consequences.Thisisn'tnegotiation theater.It'safirmredlinetoprotect Americaandouralliesfromarogue regime thathaslongthreatenedthe region and beyond.
By demanding the uranium back and shutting down enrichment entirely, the President is rejecting the weak deals of the past that let Iran creep toward a bomb. This approach puts strength first, backs Israel,andkeeps oilflowingwithout Iranian blackmail. The message is simple and unapologetic: disarm or be disarmed. Americaisplayinggames with Tehran.
Trump Proven Right Again: Iran’s Missiles Now Threaten Europe –White House Confirms
The White House just dropped the receipts. Back on February 24, President Trump warned the nation in his State of the Union address that Iran had already built missiles capable of hitting Europe and U.S. bases overseas – and they were racing to develop ones that could soonreachtheAmericanhomeland.
Today, March 21, 2026, the official White House account posted the exact quote and declared: Trump was right – again.
Iran’s latest missile launches, including the failedattempt toward Diego Garcia, exposed the regime’s true range. European capitals like London,Berlin,Paris,Munich,Rome, andOsloarenowclearlyinplay.The
mullahsliedabouttheircapabilities, just as Trump said.
While the U.S. and allies hammer Iran’s missile sites, drone factories, and power infrastructure under Operation Epic Fury, the regime keeps proving thepresident’s point.
Europe ignored the warnings. Now reality hits hard. Trump saw it coming. The world is catching up – fast. America First leadership delivered the truth when others looked away.
St Aloysius University holds
National Conference
on “Chemical Innovations for Sustainable India”
The Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, St Aloysius (Deemed to be University)
successfully organized a one-day National Conference on “Chemical Innovations forSustainable India”
on 16 March 2026 at Eric Mathias Hall,MaffeiBlock. Theinauguration ceremony commenced with an invocation by Departmental choir, seeking the blessings of the Almighty.
The conference was formally welcomed by the staff coordinator, Ms. Jyothi Simav Vaz, who greeted thedignitaries andparticipants. The Chief Guest for the event was Dr. Beeraiah Baire, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras, who pursued Ph.D. from
IISc Bangalore and post-doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota. With88publications, an H-index of 23, and several patents, his research focuses on sustainable organic synthesis of alkynes and total synthesis of natural products. He is arecipient of the CRSIBronze and Silver Medals (2026). He was accorded a green welcome by Dr. RonaldNazareth.
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Bhaskar Naik, Managing Director, Petropath Fluids Ltd.,isknown forintegrating
chemistry with industry through innovative approaches. An environmentalist and multifaceted personality, hewaswelcomed byDr. Rachel Natasha Mary, Head, Department ofChemistry. The programme was presided over byDr.RonaldNazareth,Registrar,St. Aloysius (Deemed tobe University). Other dignitaries included Dr. Asha Abraham (Director, LCRI Block), Dr. Aruna Kalkur (Dean of Physical Sciences andDirector,Xavier Block), Dr. Vinola Z. Rodrigues (Assistant Dean of Physical Sciences, PG Program Co-ordinator) Dr. Rachel
NatashaMary(Head,Departmentof Chemistry), Ms Jyothi Simav Vaz (Staff Convenor) and Dr. Roshan D’Souza (Staff Convenor).
The conference was formally inaugurated with the lighting ofthe ceremonial lamp, followed by the release of the Book of Abstracts by theChiefGuest andthedignitories. In his address, Mr. Bhaskar Naik emphasized the importance of sustainable industrial practices and the role of chemistry in ensuring environmental protection. Drawing from his experience, he highlighted the need for a shift in societal mindset to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
The Presidential Address by Dr. Ronald Nazareth emphasized the role of chemistry as the central science and the importance of research culture in addressing global challenges.
The Keynote Address by Dr. Beeraiah Baire focused on sustainable chemistry and the twelveprinciplesofgreenchemistry, stressing waste prevention, atom economy,safersynthesis,renewable feedstocks, catalysis, and energyefficient processes as essential strategies for environmental sustainability.
TechnicalSession-I wasdeliveredby Dr. J. Judith Vijaya, Associate Professor, Loyola College, Chennai, recognized among the world’s top 2% scientists in Materials Science. Hertalkonbiomass-derived carbon nanomaterials highlighted graphene-based materials andtheir biomedical and sensing applications. She discussed sustainable synthesis usingbiomass sources and emphasized their role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Technical Session-II was conducted by Dr. Sudhakar Prasad, Professor, Yenepoya Research Centre. His session focused on innovative diagnostic sensors forearly disease detection, including paper-based and thermal sensors for leptospirosis. He also discussed
sustainableenergysolutions suchas electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen production. Theconferencealsofeaturedposter presentations with participation from around 30 teams. The posters were evaluated by Dr. Sudhakara Prasad (Professor, Yenepoya University) and Dr. Richard Gonsalves (Former Head, Department ofChemistry).
The valedictory session was held at Sanidhya Hall at 3:30 pm. The conference concluded successfully, providing a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and promoting research in sustainable chemistry.Allparticipantsexpressed that the conference was highly enrichingandinsightful.
Israeli Airstrike Eliminates Key Iranian General in Tehran Heart
General Afshin Naqshbandi, the critical liaison between Iran's
General Staff and the Basij paramilitary forces, has been eliminated in a precise Israeli airstrike deep inside Tehran. The strike, confirmedbymultiple Iranian opposition sources and reported across regional intelligence channels, underscores Israel's ongoing campaign todismantle the regime's command structure.
Naqshbandi served as a vital link coordinating regulararmyelements with the Basij, the regime's enforcers used to suppress internal dissent and support proxy operations. His removal follows the recent deaths of other senior figures, including Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani just days earlier, further weakening Iran's ability to project power ormaintain domestic control.
Theoperation demonstrates Israel's determination to target high-value regime assets directly inthe capital, delivering a clear message amid escalating conflict. Tehran now faces mounting pressure as its leadership ranksthinanditsgrip on power slips.
Putin's Worst Fear Is Here: Ukraine SHUTS DOWNIran'sBiggest Strikes
In The Gulf
#Ukraine #Iran #SaudiArabia
#Ukraine #Iran #SaudiArabia
#Geopolitics #ShahedDron
#StingDron #Patriot #MiddleEast
#DefenseIndustry #Russia
Iran's massive "Shahed Drone" strategy, whichheldtheMiddle East hostage,collapsedovernightthanks toUkraine's clevermove! Insteadof spending millions of dollars on Patriot missiles against Iran's cheap drone swarms,GulfgiantslikeSaudi Arabia,theUAE,andQatarturnedto Ukraine's battlefield-tested technologies. Aramco's negotiations with Ukrainian companies for "STING" and "P1SUN" interceptor drones created a seismic shock in the global arms market.
This move not only ended Iran's asymmetric warfare doctrine; italso effectively wiped Russia and China outoftheMiddle Eastarmsmarket!
In this video, we analyze how Ukraine's "Eye for Eye" strategy rewrote thebalance ofpower inthe Gulf:
TECHNOLOGICAL ASYMMETRY: How Ukraine's $3,000 "STING" drones neutralized Iran's "Shahed" swarm doctrine?
THE DEFEAT OF CHINA AND RUSSIA: Why did Saudi Arabia and the UAE choose Ukraine's trenchtested weapons over China's labgrown systems?
BARTER DIPLOMACY: Why are Gulf countries sending Ukraine massive Patriot missile stockpiles in exchangeforthedrone shields they purchased?
THE PROTECTOR OF OIL: How did Ukrainian engineers protect the global energy supply and Brent oil prices with aninvisible shield?
Trump Delivers Knockout Blow to Iran's Oil Lifeline
Senator Lindsey Graham is hailing PresidentTrump's decisiveairstrikes on Kharg Island as a gamechanging move that could end the conflictfastandcrippleTehran'swar machine. Graham called the operation bold, highly effective, and necessary. He described Kharg Island as Iran's crownjewel thehubhandlingover 90 percent of its crude exports. By hammering military targets like bases, missile sites, and defenses while sparing the oil terminals,
Trumpsentaclearmessage:reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face total economic devastation. Whoever controls Kharg controls the destiny of this war, Graham declared. The strikes devastated Iran's ability to fund its aggression, slashing potential billions in oil revenue andbringing the regime to its knees without needless escalation. This is strength with strategy— Reagan-levelleadershiponsteroids.
Trump met the moment, protected American interests, andshowed the worldthatthreatstofreenavigation and U.S. security will be met with overwhelming force.
Iran's blockade attempt just backfired spectacularly. The path to peace runs through American resolve.
hardened former Navy SEAL now representing Montana, delivered a no-nonsense takedown of Iran on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle, backing President Trump's decisive military strikes.
"Iran started this war. And Trump's going to finishit,"Sheehy declared.
"Three generations of Americans havebeenfightingthisterrorthreat, these savage barbarians, and he's not going to kick that can to a fourth generation."
The senator laid out Iran's long rap sheetofaggression againstAmerica since 1979: embassy bombings, attacks in Lebanon, proxies killing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, and Houthi assaults on shipping lanes.
"WhatPresident Trump didinthese lasttwo weeks is he degraded their abilitytoprojectpower.Hetookout theirnuclearcapability. Hetookout their naval capability. And now they're on theirheels,"Sheehy said.
THREE GENERATIONS OF
TRUMP FINISHES WHAT IRAN STARTED: NAVY SEAL SENATOR BLASTS
WEAKNESS
Senator Tim Sheehy, a battle-
He called on the Iranian people to seize the moment: "And now it's timefortheIranianpeopletoriseup and take their country back from
this theocratic, authoritarian regime."
Afterdecades of half-measures and appeasement that only emboldened the mullahs, Trump is finally hitting them where it hurts. No more endless wars were managed from Washington. Real leadership meansending the threat forgood. America First is back, and Iran's days of terrorizing the world arenumbered.
---------------------------------------
US Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli Steams Toward Persian Gulf
The USS Tripoli, an America-class amphibious assault ship, has transited the Malacca Strait and is heading to the Persian Gulf region. Carrying the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit roughly 2,500 Marines—the vessel functions as a light carrier with over 20 F-35B stealth fighters capable of vertical takeoff, plus helicopters, landing craft, and a destroyer escort.
Tracking data from MarineTraffic and reports from CNN, USNI, and Reuters confirm the high-speed passage near Singapore on March 17, 2026, enroute fromits Okinawa base. The deployment bolsters U.S. options amid rising tensions with Iran, following Israeli strikes and threats to key waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.
This move adds expeditionary muscle air support without runways, rapid Marine insertions, and littoral response where current carrier groups fall short on mineclearance,boarding actions,or
securing chokepoints. While public statements emphasize restraint, the swift redeployment of combatready Marines signals firm resolve to protect American interests and keep vitalsea lanes open. Arrival in theaterisprojected forlateMarch.
"U.S. Strikes Tehran Iran’s Shocking Attempt to Surrender Unveiled! What’s Really Happening in the Capital?"
Tehran is burning, and Iran is in chaos. As drones rain down on the capital, the Iranian leadership is
scramblingtosecuretheirsurvival offering a surrender that no one expected. The once proud nation, known fordefying the West,is now on its knees, and the world is left asking: What caused this stunning collapse? U.S. military officials confirm that the strike was just the beginning, with Iran's secret surrender attempt already in motion. What are they willing to give up? And what will the U.S. demandinreturn? Isthistheendof Iran’s nuclear dreams, or is there something even more sinister at play? Tehran may be burning, but therealfireisonlyjuststarting.
BREAKING: America's B-52s Roar Off from Britain to Hammer Iran
Video footage captured today shows multiple U.S. B-52 Stratofortress bombers thundering down the runway atRAFFairford in
the United Kingdom before lifting into the sky. These massive, longrange bombers are now actively engaged in Operation Epic Fury, launching strikes against Iranian missile sites and other military targets.
The deployments to Fairford, approved by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, allow American forces to conductrapid, sustainedoperations froma secure forward base beyond Iran's reach. B-52s joined B-1B Lancers already there, giving U.S. commanders unmatched firepower todegrade Tehran's ballistic missile threat and enforce air superiority.
This escalation reflects a firm U.S. commitment to protecting allies and deterring aggression in the Middle East. The iconic Stratofortress, a Cold War veteran still proving its worth, delivers a clear message: America will defend its interests with overwhelming strength.
BREAKING:Iran'sForces Reject NewSupreme Leader -Thousands Surrender toJESUS
PEOPLEofIran,Jesushascometo reign inIran.
Thatwasme with 3,000ofmy brothers, soldiers whoswore to fightJesusandChristianity fallon theirfacesbefore Jesus.
Idon'tknowhowtoprocess whatI justwitnessed.
Myname isColonelRazaAmadi.
Until4daysago, Iwasa commanding officerinIran's IslamicRevolutionary Guard Corps,
For18years,Iservedthe Islamic Republic.
Iledoperations.
Ienforcedtheregime's will.
Ibelieved intherevolution.
Buton March3rd, 2026, something happened thatshattered everything IthoughtIknew. Thisismytestimony.
Ineedyou tounderstand whoI wasbefore Itellyouwhat happened.
Iwasn'tsome low-level conscript.
CHAOS IN MECCA: After Khamenei's Death: Grand Imam's WARNING Goes Viral - "GREAT REVIVAL IN ISLAM"
I know that 1.8 billion Muslims will be confronted with evidence thata fundamental belief of their faith is demonstrably false.
Iputmyheadinmyhands,mymind reeling. I could see it.
Icouldseethechaos,theconfusion, the crisis of faith.
1.8 billion Muslims told that a core belief of their religion is wrong.
The Quran, which we believe is the perfect, unchanged, errorless word of God, proven to contain a historical error about one of the most important prophets. What would that do to people's
faith?
How many would abandon Islam entirely?
How many would become atheists, deciding that if Islam is false, then there must be no God at all?
Howmanywouldturntoviolence in their confusion and anger, lashing out at the archaeologists, at the universities, at Western civilization, at Christians, at anyone they could blame for destroying their faith?
How many would go into denial, insisting it was all a conspiracy, refusing tolook atthe evidence, no matter how strong?
How many Muslim scholars would issue fatwas declaring the documents to be forgeries without even examining them prioritizing the protection of Islam over the pursuit of truth?
Why are you telling me this? I asked looking up at him through my tears. Whycome tome?
South Korea Weighs Warship Deployment to Strait of Hormuz After Trump Call
South Korea iscarefullyreviewing a callfromPresidentDonaldTrumpto deploy naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has attempted to choke off vital oil shipments. Seoul relies on the Gulf for roughly 70percentofitsoilimports, making secure passage through this critical chokepoint a direct national interest.
Trump urged allies including South
Korea, Japan, the UK, France, and others to send warships and join U.S. efforts to keep the strait open and safe. He stressed that nations heavily dependent on the route should help share the burden of protecting it, especially as U.S. forces continue strikes to degrade Iran's naval andmissile capabilities.
A South Korean presidential official confirmedthegovernmentisclosely monitoring Trump's remarks and willconsiderthematterprudently in close coordination with Washington.Noformaldeployment decision has been made, and officials emphasize a cautious approach to avoid unnecessary escalation.
The Republic of Korea Navy possesses capable destroyers, including advanced Sejong the Great-class vessels shown in recent footageoperatingatsea.Expanding operations fromexistinganti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden to the Straitof Hormuz would markastep toward greater responsibility in safeguarding global energy security.
Seoul faces a clear choice: stand with allies to defend shared economic lifelines orriskprolonged disruptions that could spike fuel prices and threaten domestic stability. With 20 percent of world oil at stake, free navigation in the Straitof Hormuz is notoptional, it's essential.
Practical Demonstration on Fire Safety and Disaster Management
TheYouth RedCross Unit (YRC) and the Agnes Towards Community (ATC) of St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru organized a Training Programme
withPracticalDemonstration onFire SafetyandDisasterManagement on Saturday, 14 March 2026 at the Open-AirStagewiththeobjectiveof creatingawarenessamongstudents
about fire safety and disaster preparedness.
The training session wasconducted by officials from the Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services, Pandeshwar Fire Station, Mangaluru. Mr. Jaya, Assistant Fire
Station Officer,along with his team, served as the resource persons for the programme. Theyexplained the common causes of fire accidents, preventive safetymeasures,andthe
importance of quick response during emergencysituations.
A practical demonstration was conducted where the fire officials showedthecorrectmethodofusing different types of fire extinguishers tocontrol small fires.Students were
also explained the PASS technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) used while operating fire extinguishers. The demonstration further covered safety precautions, evacuation procedures, and the steps to be takenduring fireemergencies.
Students actively observed the demonstration andgained practical knowledge about handling fire safety equipment. The session was highly informative and helped students understand the importance of disaster preparedness, safety awareness, and responsible action during emergency situations.
Theprogramme wascoordinatedby Mrs. Nimitha K.,Programme Officer
– YRC, along with Dr. Shailaja H. G., Co-ordinator –ATC.Mr.DanCharles, FinalYearB.Com student,servedas theemcee forthe programme.
The training programme was a meaningful initiative that equipped students with essential knowledge and practical skills to respond effectivelyduring fireaccidents and disaster situations. The session
concluded successfully with active participation from students and volunteers.
Annual Catechism Day
Celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, Hirebile
The Sunday School of St. Joseph’s Church, Hirebile celebrated the Annual Catechism Day on the 4th Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday,the JoyfulSunday.
The Holy Mass was offered by the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. David Prakash. Inhis homily, he explained the importance and meaning of catechisminthelivesofchildren.He emphasized the need to nurture faith, especially during the teenage years.Through theCatechismofthe Catholic Church, children learn
prayers, begin tocommunicate with God, and grow in their spiritual journey bywalking with Him.
Fr. David Prakash encouraged parents to guide and support their children in growing up in faith. He reminded them that faith helps people face daily life and its challenges with courage andhope. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Rev. Sisters and catechist teachers who dedicated theirtimeandeffortthroughout the year to teaching the children. He appreciated their cooperation and commitment in strengthening the parish catechismministry. On this occasion, 31 catechism students were awarded certificates and prizes in recognition of their excellenceandachievements.
After the program, the students were served food and enjoyed fun party games, making the celebration joyful and memorable foreveryone.
Longest Tunnels of Iran in Flames! 250,000 Iranian Troops STUCK Helplessly!........."
Iran's longest tunnel networks and largest underground missile
arsenals were destroyed in seconds by the brutal brute force of American B-52 bombers. Massive 30,000lb bunker buster bombs sealed off all entrances and exits inside the mountains in seconds. Those massive tunnels hundreds of meters below ground are now burning fiercely.
Thousands of elite Iranian soldiers and tens of thousands of tons of missile ammunition are gone. They have nowhere to run. They cannot fire a missile, receive reinforcements, or communicate withtheoutside world.Theregime's most powerful weapon, the famous missile cities, has become the greatest death trap in modern military history.
The epic fury operation which began on February 28th, 2026, was a rare display of force in American aviation history. And the most devastating moment of this operation tookplaceon March2nd, 2026. The targets were the massive ballistic missile complexes carved intothemountainsnearKoramabad inLorestan province andTre inEast Aabaijan province which cost billions of dollars to build. The firsttarget was the Kuramabad underground facility known as the ImamAlibase.ThisfacilitywasIran's largest ballistic missile complex. A massive underground city consisting of tunnels ranging from 36 to 50 km in length. A labyrinth wherehundreds ofShahab3variant missiles were stored, launchpads were concealed, and ammunition depots were lined up. This was the backbone of Iran's regional deterrence. The operation was nearlyimpossible forabomber like the B-52. However, Iran's air defense network, which relied on early warning radars based on copyingtechnologies, wasrendered blind in the first hours of the operation by simultaneous cyber-
attacks and electronic warfare elements.
This initial phase prevented personnel hundreds of meters below ground from grasping the scale of the danger on the surface. With the radar screens blacked out, the Iranian military could not see the impending destruction and its defense systems were disabled. When this window of complete vulnerability inthe airspace opened for just 48 hours, the US Air Force deployed the B-52 Strato Fortress, the heavyweight of its strategic bomber fleet, to strike Iran. On the night of March 2nd, bombardment salvos from B-52s descended like a nightmare upon the largest underground missile arsenal in Kuramabad. The operation's core architecture was based on a layered destruction strategy. Inthe firstphase, B2Spirit aircraft silently infiltrated Iranian airspace and dropped 30,000lb GBU57 bunker busting bombs on the targets. These bombs penetrated deep into the mountains, destroying the main doors and critical support columns inseconds.Theaerodynamic design
of the GBU57 munitions combined with gravitational acceleration generates extraordinary kinetic energy. This energy capable of penetrating 60 m of reinforced concrete and hard rock creates a seismic shock wave upon impact that causes irreparable structural cracks within the tunnel systems. Immediately afterwards, B1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress aircraft arrived in the area. The B1 Lancer aircraftwiththeirsupersonic speeds entered and exited the battlefield, hunting down mobile air defense batteries one byone. Subsequently, the B-52s blasted surface support buildings, ventilation shafts, communication antennas, and power transmission lines off the map with thousands of pounds of JDAM smart munitions. More than eight main tunnel entrances were crushed in seconds by bunker busting bombs. GBU57s plunged into the mountain, collapsing key passageways. The innerparts ofthetunnels collapsed. Massive explosions ejected huge fireballs from the mountains to the outside. Heat signatures from NASA's firm satellite systems
recorded extraordinary temperature increasesintheareaaftertheattack.
The chain reaction explosion of ammunition depots inside the mountains created massive heat waves that reached the surface. Hermabad fell. Iran's largest missile depot is now a pile of rubble. As
poinnari Com
Editorial | WAR - 'Profit & Loss'
Hermabad burned, the Tbre silo complex in East Azabaijan province shared the same fate. This facility withits100kmlongtunnelnetwork was the main source of Iran's retaliatory missilesfiredatUrbil and theregion.
Warisnotnew;history books are filledwith accountsofcountless conflicts.Since thedawn ofhumanity,war hasexistedalongside it.Overtime, wehavemoved through different eras the radio era,the television era,the digital era,andtheage of social media. Today, however, wefindourselves inwhat canbecalledthe era of propaganda. Falsehoods areincreasingly disguised astruth,while thepaths todiscovering genuine truth grow evernarrower. Hasanywartruly benefited humanity?Time andagain,itishumanity itselfthatsuffersthe
most. Thepoor and especially children bear thegreatest burden ofthese conflicts.Arational editorial by Valley Quadros.
READ
Poetry | Hiroshima Child by Nazim Hikmet
Wardoes not merelyresult indeaths on thebattlefield; itgenerates layers of sufferingthatextendfarbeyond it.Thegrief ofsurvivors, the lossofthe
innocent, andthesilent deaths ofthepoor and children caught inconflicts theyneitherinitiatednorunderstood often remain underrepresented. Thisraises animportant question: who documents theseinvisible tragedies? Whogives voice tothose rendered voiceless? Inworldliterature, several poets haveundertaken this role. lfred Owen (World War I), Mahmoud Darwish, Carol Ann Duffy,and Nazim Hikmet (World War II),amongothers, havearticulated thehumancostof war,foregrounding themes ofloss,innocence,anddisplacement. Such poetry endures across time,functioning asboth testimony andmemory, demonstrating howliterature preserves humanexperience beyond historical events.
READ
Poetry | Prime Time by Andrew L Dcunha War,riots, andallforms ofviolence arefundamentally incompatible with the idealsofacivilsociety,irrespective ofthejustificationsofferedforthem.While many remain fortunate not to have directly experienced war, others have endured its devastating realities, as seen during the Gulf War in Kuwait. However, suchlivedexperiences findlimited expression inKonkani literature. Among the few writers who engage with these themes, Andrew L D'Cunha occupies asignificant place. His poetry andshort fiction sensitively
document the suffering and deaths of innocent individuals through characters like Munni and Ameena inthecontextoftheIraq-Kuwait conflict,thedeeply reflective Pennu Beka Pennu during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the socially aware Prime Time. His work demonstrates a profound engagement with human vulnerability, andthis poem onceagain exemplifies hisabilityto portray such sensitivity with depth and nuance.
READ
