Veez English Global Illustrated Weekly e-Magazine. Published from Chicago, USA.

Illustrated Weekly

Vol: 1 No: 2

January 13, 2022

Vaibhav Kamat, Sonal Monteiro Bag Top Honors at ‘SOAD-5 MANGOA

Editorial:

People are scared to live!

God gave us this beautiful world to

creatures on this planet enjoying

live with love, harmony, and peace

God’s

as human families.

advantage of of our surroundings.

But what we

creations

and

taking

humans did?

Caste and creed, rich and poor, First we created religion in God’s

educated, and uneducated, these

name just to separate us from one

are some special groups in every

another. Created groups based on

religion. Only one motto we have

these religions and created our own

in our mind is, how to make money

Gods to worship, confuse people

and become rich by using any

and make money to grow our own

means and methods.

treasury.

We started competition

amongst us by claiming our religion

Descrimination has become the top

is superior to all, only our God has

act in human life.

heaven to enjoy eternal life, rest will

peaceful, sharing and caring one

go to hell, and they will be fried and

another in the olden days. Now we

roasted there just like barbeque!

are separated just because we

India was so

belong to one religion. We don’t Now we have thousandss of Gods,

care who is doing good, help the

hundreds of religions and very few

less fortunate and to the needy.

people know how to live with love

Even St. Teresa’s good work get

and peace,

how to help our

reducled, falsified, insulted, and

neighbors, give food to the hungry,

blamed for conversion. Because of

water to the thirstly, shelter to the

her today thousands of Indians live

homeless. Because we are selfish

a better life; but we are blind!

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Vaibhav Kamat, Sonal Monteiro

Bag Top Honors at ‘SOAD-5 MANGOA’

Mangaluru, Jan 2: After a few nail-

Daijiworld 24x7 channel.

biting final rounds and some topquality singing, Vaibhav Kamat, Goa

The result of the two-year long

was

(King

Konkani TV singing contest, organized

Nightingale) and Sonal Monteiro,

by Mandd Sobhann, was announced

Shaktinagar

at 'Kalaangann' in Shaktinagar here on

crowned

'Rai

'Rani

Kogull' Kogull'

(Queen

Nightingale) in MCC Bank Ltd SOAD-5

Sunday January 2, 2002.

MANGOA', the Konkani television singing contest powered by MCC Bank

The top four chosen from the final

Ltd and telecasted exclusively on

ten were Vaibhav Kamat (Goa) and 3 Veez English

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Jason Lobo (Mangaluru) are the finalists in the male category and Sonal Monteiro (Mangaluru) and Treeza Lopes (Honnavar).

Vaibhav was crowned 'Rai Kogull' with 266 points while Sonal and Treeza secured 269.5 each. Based on the result of super six as a tie

breaker, Sonal was crowned as 'Rani Kogull'.

Apart

from

bagging

the

title,

Vaibhav and Sonal received a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each and a chance 17 Veez English

to perform in an event at London to

understood

be organized by SKA London.

communities use Konkani as their

Treeza

popular

mother tongue and they come

contestant award, a cash prize of Rs

under a single community called

10,000.

Konkani

received

the

that

so

speaking

many

community.

Language and life always goes

The awards and prizes were given

together

away by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha,

speaking,

bishop of Mangaluru, Ashok Patki,

personality, behaviour and culture

eminent music composer, Anil Lobo,

of a person. That is why our elders

chairman of MCC Bank Ltd, Walter

always used to say to use good and

Nandalike, managing director of

polite terms in whichever language

Daijiworld

Pinto,

we speak. The usage of language is

president of Mandd Sobhann and

very important and sometimes it

Eric

should be on some parameters. I

media,

Ozario,

Louis

gurkar,

Mandd

Sobhann.

and we

by

the

can

way

of

judge

a

congratulate the organizers for conducting such an entertaining

Legendary Konkani singer Lorna

reality show. I also congratulate all

Cordeiro was conferred with the

the winners for their success."

lifetime achievement award for her contribution to Konkani music and

Speaking after being crowned as

culture.

'Rai Kogull', an elated Vaibhav said, "I thank God for the crown. I am

Wishing

the

and

grateful to my family and wife. I

organizers, the bishop said, "In our

thank the organizers of SOAD-5. I

childhood, we all used the word

am really grateful to the viewers and

'Konkani' as an alternative for

fans for the support. I request

'Christian'.

everyone to support new talents in

But

contestants

later

on,

we

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the coming years."

Rodrigues and Prajwal Fronterio backed the contestants with music.

'Rani Kogull' Sonal, expressing her

Team members of Nach Sobhann

joy with tears, said, "It is a great

performed mind-blowing dances

moment for me. I cannot express

while members of 'Sumel' sang a

the happiness in words. I thank my

song dedicated to Lorna.

father for being my guide and critic and

helping

me

improve

my

Kejtan Dais, Nithin Kootungal and

singing. I thank my family members

Sonia Shirsat were the judges for

for the support and all the viewers

finals.

and fans for choosing me as 'Rani Kogull'.

I

also

thank

Mandd

Sobhann."

Arun Raj, Mona Mendonca and Prithuma Monteiro comered the programme.

Roshan

Crasta,

Bela,

Roshan

Angelore, Sachin Sequeira, Sanjay

Source: DaijiWorld.Com

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SEND YOUR ENGLISH WRITINGS (POEMS, STORIES, ARTICLES, JOKES,

NEWS, ETC., TO: veezkonkani@gmail.com 19 Veez English

End of an Era – Basti Vaman Shenoy Mangalore's Konkani Icon

Mangalore's eminent and dynamic Konkani cultural mega-activist and founder of World Konkani Centre, Shaktinagar - ‘Vishwa Konkani

Sardar’ Basti Vaman Madhav Shenoy is no more. A golden era of Konkani language and culture around the world has ended it seems, with the arrival of 2022.

"Basti Maam' as he was popularly known, passed away on January 2, 2022 at noon in Father Muller Hospital, Thumbay due to agerelated illness. His health had been deteriorating in the last few weeks and he had been hospitalized for the last two days. He is survived by two sons, Madhav and Dinesh, and a daughter Vidya Kini. His wife Savithri had passed away a few years back. He was earlier an employee of Syndicate Bank and had been residing at Thumbay after his retirement after thirty years of banking service.

He was the Co-Chairman Emeritus of Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti

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Prathistan, the parent body of World Konkani Centre. Earlier he had served as the President of Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti Prathistan since its inception in 1996 till 2021. He was known by the title ‘Vishwa Konkani Sardar’ and was a recipient of the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 2010.

Throughout his life, Basti Vaman Shenoy was known as an exceptional community leader with outstanding organizing abilities and a great capacity to bring people together.

The mortal remains of the Konkani doyen was kept for public homage at World Konkani Centre, Shakti

Nagar, Mangaluru January 3, 2022 the multicolored folks who were present, spoke volumes of the charismatic value that this great personality commanded. Cremation took place at noon in his hometown of Bantwal, which he loved to the core and which loved him greatly.

Noteworthy 'Shradanjali' aired by AIR Mangaluru on Jan 3, 2022 was a quickie but it did convey lofty sentiments as a tribute to the 'Vishwa Konkani Sardar'. Several stalwarts of the konkani community of traditional Kanara expressed their heartfelt sentiments which highlighted the durable, long and extraordinary services of 'Basti maam' as Sri Vaman Shenoy (BVS)

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was lovingly called. It brings to the fore one pertinent question as will naturally at such times - will younger stalwarts replace the loss.

Surely the stature of the future leaders will be of a different mold, it is sure that the old caliber may not be found.

Eulogies for BVS were deeply moving, enlightening listeners to the great esteemed, respected contributions of the dear departed konkani doyen. A cross section of leaders truly felicitated with unabashed affection and admiration this 'Konkani Premi' of language and culture. In difficult times, he toiled through decades at various levels and his yeoman success is unimaginable and impossible to match, he leaves

behind a strong foundation for future building up. Basti maam's all around meticulous visualization, planning and materialization is of the highest kind. It is a selfless tribute to his sincerity and integrity.

The 42 dialects of Konkiani, equally owe him a gratitude that can never be met - he balanced each and everyone and carried them beautifully, which will be his landmark for ages doig his 87 years of life total justice. The words spoken by the well-known figures reflected the admiration he earned generally. His ability to carry along all sections, guide and peacefully solve mutual problems is extraordinarily acknowledged.

World Konkani Centre has issued a media release with expression of condolences by its Chairman

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Emeritus R. V. Deshapande, Chairman Dr. P. Dayananda Pai, President Nandagopal Shenoy , Chief Mentor T. V. Mohandas Pai, Ramadas Kamath U., Ullas Kamath, K.V. Kamath, Madam Grace Pinto, Pradeep G. Pai, B. R. Bhat, Giridhar Kamath, Dr. K. Mohan Pai, K. B. Kharvi, Narayan Naik, Ramesh Naik, Gilbert D’Souza, Melvyn Rodrigues, William D’Souza, Allen C. A. Pereira and all the Trustees of Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti Prathistan.

Brief Life & Contribution :

Basti Vaman Shenoy was born on November 6, 1934 in Bantwal to Basti Madhav Shenoy and his wife Gowri. He passed out of Tenth Standard (SSLC) in 1952 from the SVS High School in Bantwal. He was a protégé of T. A. Pai, former Chairman of Syndicate Bank and Union Minister for Railways, and on his advice, joined Syndicate Bank as a clerk in 1962. Due to his dynamic nature, he was promoted to officer cadre within just 20 months and continued to serve the bank as Manager until he took voluntary retirement in 1992.

Basti Vaman Shenoy had been associated with Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnataka since 1980 and after his retirement from banking career in 1992, devoted his time completely to Konkani cultural activities. He was made the organising secretary of the Konkani Jatha Movement for organising people to demand establishment of Konkani Academy. In 1993, he became the president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal Karnataka. Because 23 Veez English

of his efforts in 1994-95, the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy came into existence. He had also strived for the recognition of Konkani Language and inclusion in 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India, which was a success.

In 1977, Manager, Syndicate Bank His most memorable contribution to Konkani cultural revival was the First World Konkani Convention 1995, which he had organised at Mangalore as its Chief Convener from December 16 to 22, 1995. The seven-day event which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Deve Gowda, was a spectacular success drawing more than 5000 delegates comprising speakers of all Konkani dialects from across India and the

world. Due to this effort, he was conferred with the title of “Vishwa Konkani Sardar” (World Leader of Konkani).

The convention also gave him the mandate to establish the World Konkani Centre in Mangalore and the financial surplus generated by the Convention was devoted for this project, which materialized a decade later and was inaugurated in 2009. The World Konkani Centre is engaged in wide ranging cultural and academic activities, including providing full educational scholarships to hundreds of students to take up professional education. In honour of his lifetime contribution to Konkani culture, the Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti Prathistan has instituted Shri Basti Vaman Shenoy Vishwa Konkani Seva Puraskar recognizing outstanding public service by Konkani people.

In 1996 Basti Vaman Shenoy inaugurated the First North American Konkani Convention at

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New Jersey, USA. He toured North American cities promoting the cause of Konkani during his visit. In 1997 Basti Vaman Shenoy became the President of the newly formed Karnataka Konkani Saithya Academy. He served two terms as President of the Academy till 2001.

During his tenure as President of the Academy he initiated a process of lobbying with the Government of Karnataka to introduce Konkani in the Schools of Karnataka as the optional third Language. In 1998, the Academy organised a 3 Day "Konkani Kala Utsav" in New Delhi and he led the 130-member cultural team to showcase Konkani Culture at the Capital City.

In 2002, he organised the 20th Adhiveshan of All India Konkani Parishad in Mangaluru. In 2004, he became the president of All India Konkani Parishad. In 2008, under the banner of KLCF, Shenoy initiated Vishwa Konkani Abhiyan aimed at creating opportunities of interaction between Konkani Writers and Scholars with their

counterparts in other languages of the country. Scholars from Panjabi, Hindi, Persian, Urdu, Kannada and Konkani Languages participated in the seminar ‘Integration Through Languages’. In December 1999, he had also organised another mega event, the Vishwa Saraswat Sammelan in Mangalore to bring the dispersed Saraswat community together.

He joined Rotary International in 1972 and rendered his service to the society as Rotarian in various capacities. In 1974 he organised Eye Camps and Dental Camps in Bantwal Taluk. For his humanitarian initiatives in providing relief to the Flood Victims of 1974 Flood of Netravati River in Bantwal Taluk he received Special Significance Award in Rotary Dist. 318 at Mysore. He became the president of Rotary

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Club in Moodabidri and organised Eye Camps and Dental Camps along with other social initiatives.

Basti Vaman Shenoy was involved in

On his 80th Birthday in 2014 Indian National Congress and its trade union wing INTUC Activities in Bantwal between 1954 and 1962.

Basti Vaman Shenoy was instrumental in founding Saraswathi Kala Prasarak Sangh and Saraswathi

Sangeeth Shala Bantwal in 1958. He was also an active member of Yashvanth Vyayam Shala. He used to take part in Konkani Dramas and Theatrical activities during festivities in Bantwal.

His colorful and multifaceted abilities, talents and contributions to the world Konkani community will be difficult to match and his place difficult to fill - the caliber and stature of this giant human will always remain a lofty inspiration to the generations to follow. May the memory of this ‘Vishwa Konkani Sardar’ be always a rallying point for the great Konkani community worldwide.

- Compiled: Ivan Saldanha-Shet.

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The Best Medicine for Humans is Love Hope your New Year has begun well, and you are still enjoying the Christmas gifts of love, joy, hope and peace. Christmas is not just one day event but a season. In fact, we must experience the joy of the birth and presence of Jesus every day in our life. Harlan Miller says: “I wish we could put some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.” In other words, Miller wants the spirit of Christmas to last right through the year – every month, every day, every hour. I wish and pray that all of us may experience the spirit of Christmas especially love, joy, hope and peace all through the year.

A physician once said: “The best medicine for humans is love.”

Someone asked him: “What if it does not work?” He smiled and said: “Increase the dose.” Indeed, the best medicine for humans is love. It is a panacea for all ills. In fact, where

there is love there will be no headaches and stomach aches. Pain and sufferings will be bearable. For the sake of love, and with loved one is ready to endure any hardship, suffering and pain. If the present dose of love is not enough, we must increase the dose. Where there is love there will be joy, happiness, hope, peace and every other blessing.

Bible is a story of God’s love. God is love. He has made us for love. St. John exhorts us: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1Jn.4:7-8). What causes pain and suffering to self and to others is lack of love, hatred, revenge, and pride.

Many a suffering in humanity is manmade. It causes untold harm and suffering due to our selfish

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behaviour, revengeful attitude, and violent hatred. Many sicknesses are psycho somatic. They are caused by our negative feelings and pent-up anger and hatred.

When asked by a lawyer what is the greatest commandment in the Law, Jesus said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

On these two commandments depend on all the law and the prophets.” (Mt. 22: 36 40) Jesus also gave us a new commandment: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another”. (Jn. 13: 34-35) Love is perhaps the most used and abused or misused word in the world. St. Paul teaches us the true meaning of love. He admonishes us to put on all virtues like compassion,

kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, gratitude etc., and goes on to say: “And above all this put-on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony”. (Col.3:14) In his first letter to the Corinthians St. Paul explains the importance and pre-eminence of love: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong and a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic power and understand all mysteries, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing”.

(1Cor.13:1-3) He goes on further to explain to us the qualities of genuine love: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Cor. 13:4-7) If only we were to follow the Lord’s

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commandment and love God and our neighbour; if we were only to follow St. Paul’s advice and give prime importance to love, the crown of all virtues and have all those qualities in our love as described by him above, then the world would be very different. It would be heaven on earth!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has this wise piece of advice for our leaders: “We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity.” It is indeed difficult to find leaders today who are really in love with justice and humanity.

What they love are money, power, and publicity. If all our leaders follow the advice of Martin Luther King, again the world would be different.

In the New Year then let us put on love and bind everything in perfect harmony. If it does not work, simply increase the dose. And it will work.

Happy New Year!

† Gerald John Mathias Bishop of Lucknow

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MHA restores FCRA licence of Missionaries of Charity, can receive foreign funding again PTI : Jan 8, 2022

New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry has restored the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of the Missionaries of Charity, days after revoking it following some “adverse inputs”.

A home ministry official said that with the restoration of the FCRA licence, the Kolkata-based famed organisation will be able to receive foreign fundings and can also spend the money lying in the banks.

The Missionaries of Charity (MoC) is a Catholic religious congregation established in 1950 by Nobel laureate Mother Teresa to help the poor and destitute,

The Missionaries of Charity did not officially comment on the report when asked about it, but a top official, who requested anonymity, confirmed to PTI that the MHA indeed restored FCRA licence from January 7 and “we are happy with the development”.

“Our service for the poor and distressed continued with the help of our donors and well-wishers in the country when the FCRA registration was not renewed. In the early parts of new year the news comes as a relief, no doubt,” the official told PTI in Kolkata.

On December 27, the home ministry had said that it cancelled the FCRA licence of Missionaries of Charity after receiving some “adverse inputs”.

It also said that it did not freeze any account of the Missionaries of

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Charity but the State Bank of India informed it that the NGO itself sent a request to the bank to freeze its accounts.

Saturday after the government restored the FCRA registration of the Mother Teresa-founded Missionaries of Charities.

After the matter became public, the Opposition, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Congress, slammed the government for the alleged “freezing” of the MoC’s bank accounts.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) restored the registration on January 7, just days after it issued a statement that the licence was not renewed as “some adverse inputs were noticed”.

Following the home ministry action, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had directed to all District Collectors to ensure that no unit of the Missionaries of Charity, operating in the state, should face any financial crisis and if necessary use the chief minister’s relief fund to help them.

Patnaik had also released over Rs 78 lakh to the Missionaries of Charity to run over a dozen institutes in the state.

TMC MP Derek O’Brien took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on

Tagging a screenshot of the list of FCRA-registered associations, O’Brien tweeted, “The FCRA registration for Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity is back. The ‘adverse inputs’ harassed so many and then disappeared in two weeks.”

“The POWER OF LOVE is stronger than the power of 56 inch,” he added, taking a swipe at Prime Minister Modi.

The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration is mandatory to receive foreign donations.

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UK Parliament slams India for ‘blocking’ FCRA licence of NGOs

Jan 07, 2022, 02:09PM ISTSource:

Mother Teresa. Peers called for the

TOI.in

UK to engage with India to reverse the

decision.

Lord

Ahmad

of

Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia,

representing the UK government, said the UK was raising these issues in a constructive manner with the

Indian high commission in London, and the Indian government directly.

The UK Parliament on Thursday

slammed India for ‘blocking’ FCRA licence of more than 6000 NGOs including the charity founded by 33 Veez English

HOUNDING CHRISTIANS! - *Fr Cedric Prakash SJ

warning in clear words, if something like this is attempted again, we will deal with you properly. This time, we didn’t say anything to you, but next time, we wont spare you!” Strangely

‘The Quint’ (3 January 2022) has an article ‘Events on Christ will end with “Jai Sri Ram”: Behind Church Attacks in Haryana’. The article speaks about the slew of anti- Christian attacks in Haryana during the Christmas Season. It details a Christmas Celebration of some followers of Jesus in Kurukshetra which was disrupted by the goons of the local Bajrang Dal. The article goes on to quote the threat of the so-called convenor of the Bajrang Dal who says, “consider this Bajrang Dal’s

enough that inspite of the group disrupting the event, tearing down the decorations and terrorizing the people present (especially little children) the local police have nothing about the incident – conveniently stating that “no one

has filed a complaint!”

Christians in India were looking forward to Christmas 2021 after being unable to do so in 2020 due to the pandemic! However, instead of being a Festival of love and peace, of joy and harmony – the Christmas festivities – both spiritual and other were disrupted in several places and particularly in BJP ruled

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states. The Christians of India have always been a 'soft target’. In their ascent to power since the late 1990s the BJP and their ilk in the Sangh Parivarhave systematically hounded the community in different ways. Some media have now carried stories which include, the 'bogey' of forced conversion, Karnataka Legislative Assembly passing an anti-conversion legislation with plenty of false allegations against the Christians, the desecration of sacred objects, the attacks on Christians and their places of worship and institutions, the myriad threats, intimidation and harassments, the spreading of canard. All these are part of a wider game plan to polarize the majority community and put Christians in bad light! This past month of December - just before, on and after Christmas - has seen a surge of this orchestrated campaign against the Christians The Year 2021 will certainly go down in the annals of Indian history on several counts. From the second wave of COVID-19 which took a toll on lives and the livelihood of the poor and the marginalised to the

Omicron that is already creating havoc. From the worlds biggest and longest protest by the farmers (they were victorious in the end) to the skyrocketing prices on every front.

From the incarceration of human rights defenders to the death of Jesuit Fr Stan Swamy. From the systematic pillaging of our fragile eco-systems to the wanton looting of our forests and other natural resources. From the mainstreaming of corruption to the exclusion of vast sections of the population.

India has seen it all – plummeting to unbelievable depths in every global survey on the social, political and economic front!

The worst, however, was the way religion was abused and minorities, particularly the Muslims and Christians, were hounded throughout the year. The last two months saw an increase on the attacks on these two communities.

Any thinking citizen of India would wince even at the thought of these attacks. India today figures in the ‘Hall of Shame’ in the international arena with some of the top international print and electronic media reporting the happenings.

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For a democracy wedded to a secularism, for India the year 2021 is a painful reality with an uncaring and callous Government at the helm!

What is happening in India to Muslims and Christians is on face value, an attack on minorities. In reality it is much more than that. It is primarily the polarisation and the consolidation of majoritarianism.

These attacks also defocus from the real problems which the country faces: abject poverty, rising prices, growing unemployment, suicides by farmers and casual labour, pollution, environmental degradation, an economy in the doldrums, lack of governance and much more! Falsehood, half-truths and ‘feku’isms are lapped up and propagated by the godified media, the crony capitalists and the ‘bhakts’ who have very little intelligence and objectivity. This however pays rich dividends at the polls. We have seen this happening in Gujarat and in several other states. In typical Goebbelsian manner “tell a lie a

thousand times, and people will start believing in it!”. The perpetrators of these heinous acts

always do so with impunity, knowing fully well that their mentors from the Prime Minister below will give them the immunity and security they need! In the end the road is clear for the destruction of the Constitution and the total establishment of a fascist state!

A very convenient and effective strategy of fascists and dictators from time immemorial is to denigrate, demonize, divide and destroy the other! The targets are always the minorities and other vulnerable sections of society. These groups just do not have a place in their scheme of things. This is also true when the 'other' are those who dissent, those who do selfless work which they are unable to do or simply those they are unable to deal with! At times, they are ignored and at other times, they are made to feel as though they are a major burden in the country, they are incarcerated and even killed. The Muslims are regarded as “terrorists” and those who indulge in “love jihad”. The Christians “are out to convert you” are the familiar false platitudes that are dished out. They are ‘antinationals’! It does not matter if there

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is no evidence to prove their point; their lies sell! Sadly, even so-called ‘intelligent people’ fall in this trap and of such ‘bogeys!’ It is exactly the way Hitler exterminated the Jews, the Catholics, the gypsies, the nomads, the homosexuals, the writers and the poets of his times.

The Missionaries of Charity (MCsthe sisters and Brothers Congregations founded by Mother Teresa) are high - up at the receiving end of this viciousness and vilification!

and least, irrespective of one's religious belief! False cases are now foisted on the Sisters like that of ' forced conversion’. The latest has been the many twists and turns regarding the FCRA (Foreign) accounts of the MCs. Initial reports state that their accounts were frozen.

However, an MHA communique states that their FCRA was 'not renewed due to noncompliance' (whatever that means).

Both National and International media has given wide coverage to this.

Mother Teresa is an icon today all over the world; an embodiment of charity, a Saint – revered today by millions all over. Her legacy which is continued selflessly today by her Missionaries of Charity is the highest of Christian Charity, reaching out to the dying destitute, the poorest of the poor, the orphan and widow, the unloved and rejected, the lost, the lonely, the last

The MCs care for thousands of the rejected of India: day-in and dayout without counting the cost.

Stopping or even temporarily suspending the flow of funds to the MCs, in simple terms, means, depriving the poorest of the poor in India- humans whom no one cares for- the basic humanitarian needs of shelter and food- not to mention the acceptance, warmth and love which they desperately need and which the Sisters and Brothers give them so ungrudgingly.

The Government needs to reconsider this inhuman decision and restore the good name and work of the

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MCs. They may certainly be some laxities or shortcomings (no one is contesting that). If so, the authorities must help the MCs must to rectify/ address them; and above all, to ensure that those who are cared for in the MC institutions are not deprived of this basic humanitarian assistance! The good work of the MCs is there for all to see! It is an open fact. They do the nation proud!

Celebrated media personality Rajdeep Sardesai in an article (dtd.

31 December 2021) ‘In 2022, a prayer for a better year for India’ which is going viral says he prays for

, “An India where no religious or political leader from any community is allowed to get away with hate speech or incitement to violence; where the atrocities of Aurangzeb in the 17th century should not determine the fate of the Indian

Muslim in the 21st; where scars of past animosities can’t become the template for an India of the future; where the electoral battle shouldn’t be over who rebuilds how many places of worship, but who builds how many quality schools and hospitals; where mobs who break into church halls are seen as criminals who must be prosecuted; where the real battle is not between Hindu and Hindutvawadi but between constitutionalism and anticonstitutionalism; where the State stops intervening in personal freedoms; where what we eat and drink, who we marry, how we pray must remain a matter of fierce individual choice”.

Sardesai hits the nail on the head.

What is happening in India today is not merely about Christians and Muslims but it is about the heart and soul of India: our Constitution.

It is about our pluralistic fabric wedded to secularism. It is about justice, liberty, equality and fraternity! About the values and rights enshrined in our Constitution particularly in today’s context Articles 19 and 25! It is about democratic space which is shrinking

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day by day. Ordinary citizens are made to become reactionaries! Fear creeps in – as people wonder if they will be the next targets! This will not help in the long run: for the future of the country and for generation next! We the people of India must come out: take a visible and vocal stand at all the rot happening in the country. We owe this to our children. Fascists thrive and succeed when the majority are silent!

The Catholic Church authorities in India (barring a few exceptions) has been ‘officially’ very silent on these recent attacks This is very unfortunate. It is imperative that the Church shuns all ‘diplomacy’ and demonstrates the prophetic courage to speak out for the Constitution and for the people of India. In his message for the 55th World Day of Peace( 1 January 2022) Pope Francis reminds us that, “As in

the days of the prophets of old, so in our own day the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth constantly make themselves heard, pleading for justice and peace,” He also gives a directive, “To government leaders and to all those charged with political and social responsibilities, to priests and pastoral workers, and

to all men and women of good will, I make this appeal: let us walk together with courage and creativity on the path of intergenerational dialogue, education, and work. May more and more men and women strive daily, with quiet humility and courage, to be artisans of peace.

And may they be ever inspired and accompanied by the blessings of the God of peace!”

The words of the German Lutheran pastor and theologian Martin Niemöller come to us as a powerful reminder so often:

First, they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out

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Because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for the Jews And I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew Then they came for me And there was no one left To speak out for me

But are we listening? Do we have that prophetic courage to act now?

3 January 2022 *(Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ is a human rights, reconciliation, and peace activist/ writer. Contact (cedricprakash@gmail.com)

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SHISHU BHAWAN TO SHISHU MANDIR? of Charity’ (MC) sisters handed over their Nirmala Shishu Bhawan, Kanpur, to the Indian Army. Will Shishu Bhawan now become a Shishu Mandir, the term that the RSS uses for the schools it runs?

# Chhotebhai 2022 dawned bleakly. Not just because of the resurgent Covid, but because of the events of 3rd January. On that sad day Mother Teresa’s “Missionaries

The million-dollar question (literally) is, why did the MCs vacate Shishu Bhawan? It was a sad, shocking, and totally avoidable situation. It was my mother Lady Florence de Noronha, who had convinced Mother Teresa to establish a home in Kanpur in 1967. Through the

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different choirs sang the same hymn, “Whatsoever you do for the least of my brethren”, based on Mathew 25. From Laburnum the house was now renamed Shishu Bhawan.

good offices of my father Chev Peter de Noronha, one of our relations, Don X de Souza, agreed to sell his bungalow in the Cantonment, for half its actual value. It was a major sacrifice for the deSouza family.

Bp Raymond D’Mello of Allahabad diocese paid the sum of Rupees One Lakh and the sisters moved in there in June 1968.

I remember the day because I had compeered the inauguration. Two

Later, through the Legion of Mary we did the painting and white washing the house and planting trees in the garden. Those days adoptions were rare, so most of the abandoned girls continued in Shishu Bhawan till they were of marriageable age.

My younger brother Neville and I were Godfathers to most of them. My wife Meera tutored them at home.

At some of their marriages we were the witnesses in lieu of the parents they had never seen.

One may now understand my agony at the way the MCs meekly surrendered before the Defence authorities that “own” the Cantonments. Apparently this was a leasehold property and the lease had expired in 2019. The Defence Estates Office now demanded an

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annual lease rent of 1 Crore amounting to 2 Crores. We were informed that Sr Prema, the Superior General, was advised to surrender the property in the expectation that the demand of Rs 2 Crores would be waived. It would also weigh in their favour for the renewal of their FCRA licence that the Government had rejected. Even the most unlettered person would agree that this is wishful thinking.

Six months ago, Rev Walter D’silva of my parish apprised me of these developments.

I immediately advised Sr Amrita, the Regional Superior in Lucknow, to seek legal redress. I simultaneously contacted our Metropolitan Abp Raphy Manjaly of Agra. I contended that there were sixty-two cantonments in India and there would be many churches and institutions therein. If not today, then tomorrow, it would be their turn. I therefore pleaded for a pan India approach at the highest level.

Thereafter I heard nothing. Just two

weeks ago, I perchance came to know about the abject impending surrender. I was shocked. Faced with a fait accompli, I felt helpless.

Two days later a sister from Kerala phoned to ask me why I was not helping the MCs. That got my goat.

How could I help people who did not deem it fit to consult or trust me? Nevertheless, I immediately got back to Abp Raphy seeking an urgent intervention in the Supreme Court. The next day he replied that he had spoken to the sisters, and since they didn’t want to “fight the government”, there was nothing more that he could do.

Unfortunately, this is not just about Shishu Bhawan, Kanpur. This is the thin edge of the wedge, the dam bursting. Willy-nilly, the Defence Estates had identified soft targets

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and moved in for the kill. We cannot entirely blame the government if we ourselves didn’t stand up for our rights. I am told that the MC house in Meerut is next on the chopping block, as also a school in Belgaum.

Here in Kanpur, there were other properties whose leases had expired.

When faced with exorbitant demands they sought and obtained relief from the Allahabad High Court. Apparently Sr Prema did not want to fight the government. Convoluted logic.

They were fighting for their rights and that of the voiceless children in their care. They did unsuccessfully try for an appointment with the Defence Minister. The million-dollar questions are: Who was advising the MCs? Why were influential persons in the media and parliament not brought into the picture? What was the role of the CBCI? Why doesn’t the hierarchy trust the Laity and seek its influence and involvement?

Horrible as this may sound, is this God’s way of teaching all of us a

lesson? Are we too complacent?

Are we insulated from reality? Do we have too much property that we got too easily, and therefore do not value? Were the sisters unaffected because they could be easily relocated to another house? Yes, the remaining eleven children were also relocated. Perhaps their feelings and attachments don’t count.

I will share another experience that had a happier ending. At the same time as Shishu Bhawan I had driven Mother around looking for a plot for a home for the destitute. Again, thanks to my mother’s influence, Sri B.R. Vohra, the Municipal Administrator gave the sisters a plot at a huge concession. For years the land remained unutilised. I pleaded with Mother Teresa. She said she had nobody to start it. Finally, I met Sr Agnes, her first disciple, at Bangalore, and she prevailed upon Mother to start it as Snehalaya.

Troubles didn’t cease.

The Municipality levelled a fine of

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several Lakh Rupees for non utilisation for so many years.

Fortunately, the sisters told me about it. Through the good offices of Subhashini Ali, ex MP of the CPM, the demand was waived. Sri A.K. Bit the Commissioner even got the potholed approach road repaired.

Subsequently I prevailed upon the Congress Mayor, Sri Anil Sharma, to have the arterial road named after Mother Teresa. The point simply is; where there is a will there is a way, based on trust of course.

Why are the MCs repeatedly landing in trouble? There is still no clarity on why their FCRA accounts have not been renewed. Earlier a sister in Jharkhand was arrested for an illegal adoption. The MCs had surrendered their adoption licences because the new law passed in 2015 was “against their religion.” In Vadodara they are being harassed for conversions just because some of the girls had Bibles and rosaries.

Now let me take you back to 1990.

On 25/5/1990 the Washington Post broke a story of a major scam in

food distribution in India. It was run

by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) under the auspices of the Catholic bishops of India. Renowned audit company Price Waterhouse detected a mismatch of $ 25 million for the period 1986-88. I called it Bofors in the Church, as the sum was equivalent to the alleged Bofors payoffs. This was published in the New Leader (Madras) on 1/8/90 and the next day in the Herald (Calcutta).

Together with the Dalai Lama and Baba Amte the MCs were also major beneficiaries of this food project.

The audit company had accused CRS and the beneficiaries of using “short weighing devices” to cover up the shortage of 15% to 20% allegedly lost in transit or handling.

Here again it is not so much a case of corruption as of gross ineptitude.

Summing up the case Allen Johannes of Patna wrote in the Herald on 3/8/90 that “The tragedy of the whole affair is that the Church in India still does not trust or does not want to trust the laity who may be better qualified for the job”.

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There are million-dollar questions arising for the church in India, not just the MCs. In a recent debate on India Today TV Rev Valson Thampu, former principal of St Stephen’s College Delhi, stated that we didn’t need foreign money as the Indian Christian community could generate its own funds.

As National President of the AllIndia Catholic Union (1990-94) I had strongly opposed foreign funding, other than for calamities like floods or earthquakes. Easy access to foreign funds, completely controlled by the hierarchy, has made the church a fatted calf and the laity totally redundant. Many among the laity may also be loath to finance church projects because they lack transparency. I follow the principle “No account, no amount”.

Not just the MCs, most priests, religious and bishops are not trained in management, public relations, media, accounting, stock keeping, etc. So, they easily run into trouble. There is also a tendency to

recruit only docile persons as having true “vocations”. The Regional Superior told me, “We are simply obeying orders from Kolkata”. As the Jesuits learned some time ago – blind obedience is not a virtue.

At the closing ceremony of Shishu Bhawan on 29th December, we were matter-of-factly told that when one door closes God will open another!

My question is – who closed the door, or as the song goes, “Who let the dogs out?” The MCs may not be affected because they still have more houses with many doors. I hang my head in shame and sorrow.

Surely my parents and the donors of the house, now settled in Australia, would be sharing those feelings, as also the hundreds of erstwhile beneficiaries of Shishu Bhawan.

When will our eyes open to reality?

Who will breach the trust deficit?

Will these Shishu Bhawans one day become Shishu Mandirs under the present political dispensation?

• The writer and his family have been closely associated with the

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MCs for the last 45 years.

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JANUARY 2022 -----------------------------------------

Dancy D’Souza was awarded for demonstrating a commitment to volunteering and giving back to the community through the Do-Good Program in 2021.

Truly said; you make the difference by volunteering. Dancy D’Souza a native of Mangaluru, India has exemplified the epitome of what common ladies are challenged to accomplish during this pandemic.

Thinking about how you want to benefit from volunteering is a good start to finding an opportunity that’s right for you. Volunteering can help

you gain confidence by giving you the chance to try something new and build a real sense of achievement. Volunteering can have a real and valuable positive affect on people, communities, and society in general.

Tim Ballinger, President and CEO of General Electric Credit Union presented the prestigious award to Dancy D’Souza.

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appointed by President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump.

This humble lady Dancy spoke; “It brings joy to help those less fortunate than ourselves. I volunteer because it makes a difference in the life of our community members”.

Volunteering can help you meet different kinds of people and make new friends. It helps you feel part of something outside your friends and family. Through volunteering you can challenge yourself to try something different, achieve personal goals, practice your skills, and discover hidden talents.

Dancy D’Souza born in Shirva, Mangaluru is the wife of international motivational speaker Harold D’Souza, former member on US Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, at The White House

“Volunteering in our family took birth with the passion cultivated by my wife Dancy over a decade ago.

Today, community service is a part of our family life. It’s a blessing to see our two sons Bradly and Rohan accomplish new heights volunteering their time happily,” said Harold D’Souza President of Eyes Open International.

Two things that defines Dancy D’Souza is her attitude when she had nothing and her gratitude when she has everything.

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Catholics in Mangalore hold Eucharistic

Procession with devotion and discipline Report by Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes, CCC

Pics by Stanly & Jostan

MANGALURU, JAN 02: After a long gap of two years, Catholics in

Mangalore partook in a solemn Eucharistic

procession

held

on

Sunday January 2, 2022, from

government.

Milagres

Church

Rosario

Prior to the procession, mass was

Cathedral

observing

Covid

offered by Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul

guidelines

laid

the

Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore at

to

down

all by

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Milagres Church, after which the

Eucharistic procession was held. The

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procession

led

by

the

bishop

culminated at Rosario Cathedral

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with adoration.

The Eucharistic procession was held 51 Veez English

on the solemnity of the Epiphany

also called Feast of the Epiphany,

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Theophany, or Three Kings’ Day,

commemorating

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the

first

Gentiles, represented by the Magi, and the manifestation of his divinity.

In his homily, the bishop said, “The three kings from the East who came in search of Jesus, succeeded in finding Him through the Scriptures,

as unfolded to them by the Scribes.”

He further said, “The Word of God in our hands is our Star pointing

towards Jesus. The Gospel itself becomes our star which draws us unto Jesus. Our hearts will burn with the Word of God when we read and reflect on it. The Word of God will make us realise that Jesus walks with us,” he added.

All the faithful participated in the procession with utmost devotion and discipline following the Covid

guidelines. The procession went in two lines limiting the number of people in a group to 250.

Due to the pandemic the annual procession was not held for two years. This year too, due to Omicron Virus, the Church authorities were informed about the protocols. The manifestation of Jesus Christ to the 54 Veez English

organising committee followed all

Church. “By listening to the Word of

the guidelines faithfully.

God, we become the ‘insiders’ in the

Rev. Dr Vincent Sequeira, Director of

family of Jesus-his brothers, sisters,

Diocesan Biblical Commission and

and mother”, Fr Vincent said.

the Assistant Director of Mangala

Christian family draws its strength

Jyothi, preached a homily at the

and source from the Bible, and it is

Rosario

He

deeply rooted in it. “We are invited

elaborated on the theme, “Families

to heed to the word of God and fall

burning with the love of the Word

in love with it so that we may be

of God” and brought out the close

wise people who build their house

relationship between the Word of

on the rock,” he added.

God and the Christian family.

Rev. Fr Vijay Machado, Director of

He stressed that tuning one’s ears to

Mangala

the word of God is rooted in the

ceremony. The bishop thanked all

sacrament of baptism itself, where

for making this procession a great

one becomes the child of God and a

success amidst all uncertainties.

Cathedral

grounds.

Jyothi

animated

the

member of the larger family, the -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

M JESSY DSOUZA MUTTON BIRYANI

GREEN

MASALA

One of my family favourite, mouth watering green masala biryani prepared with fresh greens & other aromatic ingredients.

INGREDIENTS:

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1 kg mutton medium size pcs. {I have used Bannur Mutton which available in Mangalore}.

1 bunch fresh coriander leaves 15 - 20 mint leaves 1 onion 1 full pod garlic 2" ginger 1 tbsp full cumin seeds 3 - 4 green cardamom 1" cinnamon stick 5 - 6 green chilli 2 - 3 cloves Few pepper corns Pinch of turmeric 1 tomato Make fine paste of all above ingredients.{this masala will give you nice green masala biryani}

MARINATION:

METHOD:

Wash, clean mutton pcs and marinate with 1/2 cup thick curd, 2 tsp ginger garlic paste, 1/2 tsp red chilli powder, little salt, lime juice as required and pinch of turmeric powder. Keep aside at least for 30 1 hour or overnight is the Best.

1: Take 1 - 2 tsp oil, 1 chopped onion and fry until light goldn brown. Add marinated mutton pcs and stir very well. Close lid and cook on medium flame, no need to add extra water as mutton leaves its own water. Cook until tender.

B: FOR PASTE:

2: Take another deep kadai, add 1 2 tbsp ghee or butter and 1 tbsp oil, heat, add 1 - 2 bay leaves, 3 - 4 small

A:

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layers with above mutton masala, some mint leaves, fried onions, saffron milk mix, lime juice etc.

OR

cinnamon sticks, 3 green and 1 black cardamom, 1 star anise saute well. Add 1 chopped onion fry until golden. Add ground paste and keep stirring, fry until its colour changes little darker and oil seperates. Add salt as per taste.

Even you can add 1 chicken cube (optional) which gives more flavour for biryani.

3: Add cooked mutton pcs mix well with fried masala and cook well on low flame for 10 - 15 mins until all masala well coated to mutton pcs.

Once you see oil seperates from sides of masala its well cooked. Take it off.

--------------------------------------▶️FOR BIRYANI RICE⬇️ You can prepare normal basmati rice or simple pulave and make

▪︎Take 3 - 4 tbsp fried masala and for 2 cups rice use 4 cups water and cook rice until all masala water dry out. Keep this kadai on hot tawa on slow flame with closed lid few mins.

▪︎Later mix masaledar mutton as layers or directly mix with rice.

Sprinkle half lime juice. Keep another 5 - 10 mins on hot tawa for final mixture of flavours and nice aroma.

TIPS:

▪︎Adjust all ingredients as per your taste. Increase or decrease 🌶🌶 its your own choice. You can skip

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any ingredients which do not wish to include.

▪︎I mostly use India gate Classic basmati rice or Kohinoor Charminar Long grain rice. You can use any as per you choice.

▪︎With same green masala you can also prepare Chicken, Egg, Prawn,Fish or Veg biryani.

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Canada: Maxim D’Mello, Vijay Dante

elected to lead MAC in its 20th year Daijiworld Media Network - Toronto Toronto, Dec 28: Maxim D’Mello, one of the highly acclaimed Mangalurean leaders in Canada and outside India, has been unanimously elected as the president of ‘The Mangalorean Association of Canada' (MAC) for the fourth term during its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) held on November 21 at Petrescue Hall, Carmen Corbasson Community Centre, Mississauga, Canada. Maxim D'Mello, proud son of the late Antony D'Mello and the late Lucy D'Mello, hails from the famous St. Lawrence parish, Attur, Karkala, Dakshina Kannada. He is happily married to Prescilla Lobo with three well settled children. After his graduation from Sri Bhuvanendra College, Karkala, he left for Kuwait for employment and worked for The Bank of Kuwait and the Middle East, KSC, Kuwait for over 25 years. He was actively involved with Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA) since its inception and served as a President before immigrating to Canada in 2002. From then on, he is

part of the Mangalorean Association of Canada and serves the community.

In 2006 he got elected as its president for the first time.

Maxim D'Mello (left) and Vijay Dante

In addition MAC is fortunate to get yet another dynamic leader Everest Vijay Dante popularly known as Vijay Dante to its fold as the vice-president. Vijay, a philanthropist is a well-focussed, dedicated and a family-oriented business professional. He is the proud son of the late ‘Sridanti’ (Francis Dante from Udupi, Karnataka, India), a renowned writer, poet and a religious leader who is also one of the founders of Catholic Sabha, Mangaluru. Vijay is well educated, a post-graduate who completed MSc, in Medical

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Microbiology from Manipal University, Karnataka, India. He worked in Abu Dhabi, UAE for a decade and moved into Canada in 1995. A ‘Hands-On’ person coming from a humble background as an immigrant to Canada almost twenty-three years ago, Vijay Dante has faced many struggles and challenges which has helped to build him up as a upright, honest and hardworking Canadian. He is owner of ‘Udupi Madras Café’ (UMC) one of the prestigious business houses in Toronto. The UMC has won the prestigious ‘2021 Mississauga News Readers’ Choice Award’ for the successive 2nd time in a row. Serving the international community in Mississauga, Canada for 15 years, UMC specializes in fresh, wholesome, and nutritious South Indian vegetarian food.

The MAC AGM started with a prayer followed by the welcome address by the incumbent president Manohar Pais, one of the dynamic and highly talented Konkani personalities inside and outside Canada who led the MAC for five successive years. He extended a warm welcome to the members who attended in large numbers. He

expressed his joy on the completion of the successful tenure and applauded exiting members of the executive committee for their dedication and hard-work.

Manohar Pais

MAC exiting EC Despite Covid-19 pandemic catastrophe, during Manohar’s tenure the MAC had very fruitful years during 2017-2021, a real drive towards unity among Mangalureans in the GTA and within Canada and a keen passion to keep the flame of Konkani culture and traditions burning brightly especially through the most cherished Nativity Feast (Monthi Fest). The members owe

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a huge debt of gratitude to the incumbent president, Manohar Pais and the executive committee, who have served the Mangalurean community tirelessly by promoting MAC in the GTA and within Canada.

Under the leadership of the able, energetic, talented president, Manohar Pais, working in unison with the elected EC, the community members and the dedicated volunteers, MAC had stellar years of successful events and accomplishments. While speaking to Daijiworld at the venue Manohar said, “We take pride in what we have done in the last five years and we believe that we have lived up to the expectations of our members. While we promise our full support to those who take over the responsibilities from us shortly, we boldly say that MAC is on solid footing, the pillars are strong, and the flag is flying high.”

A few highlights MAC Social: MAC’s annual Family Social was held at Payal Banquet Hall, Mississauga on the May 5, 2018.

Response from the community was

excellent and the event was attended by over 550 people which is a record in ‘MAC Social’ history.

MAC Picnic: MAC annual picnic was held on June 23 at Meadowale Conservation Park, Mississauga. There were games for all age brackets – from the young ones to the young at heart.

Games like tug-of-war, water balloon toss, ring toss, volleyball, throw-ball and gather the card were well appreciated.

There was great enthusiasm all around and people enjoyed the potluck lunch followed by watermelon and tea.

Monti Fest: MAC’s signature event, Monti Fest was held on Sept 9, 2018, at Maximilian Kolbe parish.

Proceedings started with the Novena and Mother Mary was venerated with flowers by the children of the Mangalurean community in an offering ceremony, after which the entire congregation held a procession towards the church hall for a liturgical celebration led by Fr Edwin D’Souza, and co-celebrated by Fr Roshan D’Souza, Fr Andrew Lewis and Deacon Sarfraz Pinto. Cultural event followed at the Pope John Paul II hall with over

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350 guests present. That year’s highlight was the cultural event presented by MAC’s talented youth.

From emceeing to dance and songs, they kept everyone enthralled.

Scholarships of $1000 and $500 were awarded to, Aaron Mathias and Vivek Pereira, children of the members in good standing, for their academic excellence and voluntary services to the community.

tree by the side of Santa’s igloo, and the children were thrilled by the big man in Red himself, as he gave away candies and gifts.

Prior to Covid-19 pandemic with the guidance and support from the spiritual director, MAC has been able to celebrate Konkani mass every second Saturday of the month. During the Holy season of Lent, the Mangalorean Association of Canada held Stations of the Cross every week, and arranged for renowned preachers such as Fr Henry Alva, Fr Roshan D’Souza and Fr Edwin Gonsalves, who preached and held retreats after the Stations of the Cross. MAC also trained children and youth of the Mangalurean community to conduct a special way of the cross and to do the mass readings. MAC organized the Christmas tree event on the December 9, 2018 following the Konkani Mass.

Carols were sung under the Christmas

Rs 1,00,000 has been donated to Sneha Sagar Society, Malwani, India. Sr Martha Mondal and her congregation are doing a great job taking care of the orphans and the needy. MAC is proud to contribute to this worthy cause.

MAC’s website has been revamped with the efforts of MAC president Manohar Pais and the web master, Leo D`Cunha.

MAC's charitable contributions

MAC has donated cash and nonperishable food items to Mississauga food bank. The collection for the canned food was done at our fun trip to Casino Rama and also at the Christmas event.

MAC activities from December 2019 to date The Children's Christmas party was held on December 14, 2019, following the 6pm Konkani mass, for which Fr

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Henry Alva was the main celebrant.

Children's tableau (short skit) was put together under the guidance and leadership of Nina Crasta. Christmas carols were sung under the directions of Merlyn Rodrigues and Wilson D'Souza.

Activites for the year 2020 In the month of February 2020, a donation Rs 25,000 was made to a boy in Mangaluru who was suffering from cancer.

The Lenten retreats were planned for five consecutive Saturdays starting February 29, 2020. Two of them were held as per plan, but the remaining were cancelled due to Covid restrictions.

MAC Social 2020, MAC Picnic 2020 and the Monthi feast 2020 celebrations were called off because of rising Covid-19 cases around the city and the fear of facing fines and the consequences in case it turns out to be a super spreader event.

As winners Student Scholarship for the year 2020, Jake Pereira received the

first place award of CAD 1,000 and Aidan Mathias received runners-up award of CAD 500.

Activites for the year 2021 In February 2021, MAC Donated Rs. 57,600 i.e. equivalent amount of CAD 1,000 to Vinol Saldanha of Mangaluru who was suffering from cancer.

Due to the efforts of MAC EC to restart the monthly Konkani Mass that was stopped temporarily due to Covid-19 pandemic, and the first Konkani Mass in person after the Covid restrictions was offered on August 7, 2021.

In July 2021, the winners for 2021 were declared under the supervision of Suneetha D’Souza.

Accordingly, Seneca Rego received the winner’s award of CAD 1,000 and Jane D’Souza received runners-up award of CAD 500 during Monthi Fest celebrations.

Monthi Fest was celebrated on September 12, 2021, at the Maximillian Kolbe parish church.

Nearly 300 people attended the Holy Mass. The flower offering ceremony

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outside the church followed by the procession were cancelled at the last moment, basically to maintain social distancing and to avoid spread of virus among the young and unvaccinated children. However, the ceremony held inside the church under the leadership of vice-president Vidya Alvares, was executed well and was appreciated by many of those present. The cultural programme at St John Paul II hall could not be held due to government restrictions. The formation of the new executive committee for the upcoming year was the main highlight of the day. The members of the new Executive Committee for the year 2022–2023 are the following:

Seated (L to R): Cynthia Lewis (General Secretary); Fr Roshan D’Souza (Spiritual Director); Maxim D’Mello (President); Pamela Soans (Public Relations & Web Master); Carol D’Souza (Cultural Secretary). Back row (L to R): Ivan Lobo (Treasurer);

Reginald Fernandes (Auditor); Ronald D’Souza (Spiritual Secretary), Ronald Fernandes (Youth & Sports Secretary); Vijay Dante (Vice-President).

Ivan Lobo, one of the most committed, dedicated members and only one to serve in the executive committee from the inception of MAC, as an auditor approved the financial accounts of

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MAC. 65 Veez English

And so, the formation of the new executive committee for the upcoming year was the main highlight of the day. Janet D’Souza, Pamela Soans and Ronald Fernandes, the experienced returning officers, conducted the formalities with aplomb and savior-faire!

The members of the new Executive Committee for the year 2022 – 2023 are the following: Spiritual director - Fr Roshan D’Souza CSC Honourary spiritual director - Fr Edwin D’Souza President - Maxim D’Mello Vice president - Vijay Dante General secretary - Cynthia Lewis Treasurer - Ivan Lobo Cultural secretary - Carol D’Souza Youth & sports secretary - Ronald Fernandes Public relations / Web master - Pamela Soans Auditor - Reginald Fernandes

support he rendered from the time of its inception and the commitment he showed to the association despite his ill-health. He attended most of the services without fail until the pandemic separated us and compelled him to move to the Senior Home. MAC wished him good health, peace, and happiness in the years to come. Since he is unable to support MAC due to his ill-health, MAC during AGM appointed him as the honorary spiritual director and Fr Roshan D’Souza CSC as the spiritual director of the Mangalorean Association of Canada.

Incidentally MAC, the pioneer Mangalurean Association in Canada completes two decades of service to the community in the year 2022. The new EC has already planned to host their Signature Event ‘MAC Social 2022’ on May 6, 2022 (more details to follow). The MAC members are looking forward for exhilarating postpandemic events organized by the energetic, talented, and vibrant EC team under the dynamic leadership of Maxim D’Mello and Vijay Dante.

The MAC immensely thanked Fr Edwin D’Souza for the strong spiritual -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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CHARITIES done by MAC TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE WORLD

2005 The Canadian Red Cross Society 2006 Pedmale Church Construction 2006 Fr. Joe Mary (Ashram) 2006 St. Joseph's Engineering College Development 2006 Sr. Ferdinand, Disciples of Divine Master, Canada 2006 MicMax Charitable fund to manage funeral expenses 2007 Simla-Chandigarh Diocesan Society 2008 ArchBishop Albert D'Souza 2008 Fr. Mullers Hospital 2008 Trillium Hospital, Mississauga 2009 Society of St. Vincent De Paul 2010 Share Life, Canada 2010 Fr Mullers Charitable Institute 2010 Manndd Sobhann Cultural Association 2010 Trillium Hospital, Mississauga 2013 St. Charles Borromeo, Tanzania 2013 Philippines Typhoon Relief 2014 Allwyn Fernandes, to manage Funeral Expenses, Canada 2016 Fr. Joe Mary (Ashram) 2016 Fort McMurray Cause 2016 2016 Missionaries of Charity, Canada 2017 St. Josh Church Development 2017 Sneha Sagar Destitute Ashram 2019 Cancer Patient-(lady) Daijiworld Appeal 2019 White Doves, Home for the aged and destitute 2019 Sneha Sagar Destitute Ashram 2020 Daiji world Appeal for sick boy 2021 Cancer Patient (boy) -Daijiworld Appeal

67 Veez English

----------------------------------------68 Veez English