The Secular Citizan Vol. 32 No. 18 dated 1st May 2022

To Sir With Love

By PACHU MENON

The other day I noticed a decently dressed, elderly couple in the market!

The gent appeared familiar and his gait and that prominent slouch of the shoulder to the left every time he walked brought back memories of an old friend.

He too was stealing surreptitious glances at me, as one does while trying to recollect faces from the past. My curiosity got the better of me and I finally decided to accost the couple.

Of course it was Albert! How could I ever forget him! We studied together in school – in fact shared the same bench – and were the noted mischief mongers of the class.

After matriculation he went to UK. A stream of letters for the first few months, trickling down to birthday and New-Year greeting cards, was how I would describe our contacts thereafter.

And now after all these years here he was, standing flesh and blood before me, with that unmistakable toothy grin of his! He was now in the States and was here with his wife for a family function.

After a brief round of niceties over a cup of tea we went about ‘catching’ upon the news of all those lost years, our school, teachers and other classmates - a trip down memory lane as one is wont to call it.

If seeing each other after so many years could rekindle thoughts of our joyful times together, I wondered what meeting each other on a regular basis would be like!

That is precisely why I am always charmed by the idea of school reunions!

Managing to turn the clock back many years to re-enact scenes of the school days, unique ways are planned to celebrate the grand reunion!

But a class reunion is more than a social event!

(Contd.. on p. 3)

What If God Was One Of Us….!

character so to say was appreciably relatable, Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denials making powerful impact. Not to be missed was the winning docility of the gentle Jesus as contrasted with the convincing yet losing abrasiveness of Satan! Isn’t what we see played out in Jesus’ case and reflected in Reuben’s, seen in action at our places of work, study and play, not to mention our own family?

Dwelling on “the duty that has been imposed” on all the baptized “of bringing back to the discipline of the Church human society, now estranged from the wisdom of Christ,” Pope Saint Pius X asserted exactly 120 years ago that, “if We, through the goodness of God Himself, bring this task to a happy issue, We shall be rejoiced to see evil giving place to good, and hear…. "a loud voice from Heaven saying: Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ" (Apoc xii, 10)” [Encyclical E Supremi…(n 9) 04 October 1903]. That duty a parish named after none other than Pius X himself gave flesh to when some 80 parishioners of varying ages, lead by the ebullient Merlyn Fernandes, treated a 3000-strong audience to the drama of witnessing God as really being one of us: walking our streets, drinking chai by the wayside, travelling by our trains and BEST buses, showing the way to courier delivery boys— and yes, accompanying youth on their efforts at facing life’s destiny head on!

[Shaun Alvares], through his paces across a life laced with injustice visà-vis the injustice Jesus himself faced during his last days on Earth.

Notably, the crucifixion act was in a genre of its own, its symbolism impossible to be overlooked. The selective use of dancing to complement

by Ladislaus Louis D’Souza

The sheer novelty of the entire production was as uplifting as it was fascinating, to say the least! The presentation of the miracles was somewhat reminiscent of the passion play I witnessed at Oberammergau, Germany, in September 2022. However, the contrast concept evident in the Pharisees travelling incognito by Mumbai’s public transport and the import of Pontius Pilate aka ‘kind-hearted’ College Principal’s hand-washing act vis-à-vis Jesus’ foot-washing exercise was significantly palpable. The attitude of hostility on their part is evidently root-

certain scenes was a delight so refreshingly different from the outlandish gyratory and pelvic thrust moves that have become de rigueur in most modern day stage productions.

Meticulously scripted by Merlyn, the two-hour power-packed show that included classy oratory and acting, music and dancing, lighting, screen media et al had an edge-ofthe-seat touch to it! And witnessing it on Palm Sunday proved an appropriate preparation for the celebration of the Sacred Triduum.

The highlight of this one-of-a-kind Passion Play was the way Jesus led its protagonist, Reuben D’Souza

ed in the irony of Jesus being envied, despite being just one of them (and us). To sum up, they are scandalized by his commonness and pedestrian ‘roots’ and refuse to place their faith in him. Notably, the detailing of each

Evidently, Merlyn’s heart was a hub of ideas and emotions that lucidly spelt themselves out in every facet of the production, realism manifesting itself in the doorbell ringer and the distribution of the loaves of bread (with enough to spare after the closing!) among other things, the lab fire scene taking the cake. The coordination between the various teams involved was so flawless as to ensure that the evening began on time and concluded on time. No wonder then that, not only did the Parish Priest Father George Athaide voice the cast’s sentiments as to “what will we do tomorrow night” but the audience for its part, despite comprising not merely parishioners and people from neighbouring parishes but also from places as far as Orlem, Malad, seemed in no hurry to leave!

All in all, what cannot be taken for

(Contd..

on p. 4)

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(Contd.. from p. 1)

For friends who have not been seen or heard from for ages, it is a chance to take some time away from the grinds of their personal lives to come together and relive the past.

It is a time to remember and celebrate those glorious years in school where our teachers were our friends, philosophers and guides.

If Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan could request his students to observe his birthday on the 5th of September as Teachers Day, the significance behind the strong ties, as conceived then, that exist between the teacher and students cannot just be overlooked as just one of those emotional attachments associated in the period when childhood passes into adolescence and the child comes of age.

For those who consider the teacher essentially as a tutor guiding the students along with their schools curriculum; who then should take the responsibility for grooming their wards, tap their hidden potentials and turn them into upright citizens the nation can one day be proud of!

As Irish poet, dramatist, writer and politician, William Butler Yeats said, “Education should not be the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

Student mentorship is an expansive role of a teacher. Teachers are known to influence a whole generation through their thoughts and actions; the students merely reflect the persona of their teachers.

At such tender ages, when the whole world is like a classroom for them, the onus is on the teachers to mould their protégés and bring out the best in them.

In those formative years, for the children, their school is a home away from home, and the teachers, their guardians, their parents so to say.

A teacher inspiring awe and respect among the students is an accepted fact. But more than this gratuitous attitude, it is that special bond of love that exists between them that sets apart this unique relationship.

A student making it big in his life is the greatest wealth his teacher can treasure!

But how many of us have genuinely longed for those years gone by, those carefree, reckless years of school buffoonery!

Perhaps in passing, in fleeting moments of evocative sentimen-

tality when one gives into bouts of nostalgia, the mind rewinds those wonderful years as though they happened just yesterday.

Even those years of adolescence, daring to call oneself mature, when one trudges the corridors of the college and university, the childish innocence of a youngster barely into his teens, indulging in tomfoolery in the school campus, can never be completely erased from one’s memory. The countless convent schools, various public schools and the aristocratic resident schools; all these are distinguished by the students and the teaching faculty there.

For some schools that stand out as stellar examples of academic excellence and for their brilliance in sports and other extra-curricular activities, these educational institutions across the country can claim an inheritance built purely on a legacy of all-round students who have done their teachers proud in the classrooms, as also on the play fields and other cultural stages.

Given these opportunities and circumstances, would a student passing out from the by Pachu Menon (Contd.. on p. 5)

granted is the kind of push given by the Parish Priest who came through as a true Pastor to Mulund. The journey with Jesus that Merlyn initiated with his gracious support and encouragement in January 2023 cannot but have contributed immensely to the Parish’s Lenten preparation for Easter. Further, such a spiritually beneficial outburst of talent cannot but mollify its patron’s concern as regards bringing back human society to the discipline of the Church. May the ensuing Season of Easter trigger in the lives of all who either presented or witnessed What If God Was One of Us…., a fresh outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, filling all and sundry with the conviction that God not only is one of us but walks with us big time!

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EVaNGELIZaTION: The commission God Bestowed On Us

When Second Timothy in the Holy Bible comes to an end, Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus writes, “preach the Word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke and exhort, be unfailing in patience and teaching.” 2Tim.4:2.

Evangelization should mean a lot to Christians. The Commission God endowed us with to preach the Word, to spread the Good News, to be the torchbearers of the faith- and to all this is the reassuring Sunday-school hymn, “Jesus loves me, yes I know/ for the Bible tells me so”.

Commenting on the above, it was once said, evangelization is preaching. It would be a total rupture of the Word of God if we misinterpreted the command of Jesus. The Lord also gave us the unambiguous precept to pity the poor, feed the hungry, care for the old and the weak. Thereby making evangelization a humane cause for redemption and the preservation of the human body through preaching and caring.

cate the work of the Lord; to convince disbelievers and clarify the doubt in their heart and minds.

The tradition to exercise the Catechism of faith, and to believe that evangelization means preaching, has been a transporting vision of spiritual commitment for generations in the past.

A woman believes that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. The preacher understands that the way to a man’s belief is to care for his mental and also mundane reservations first. Win his trust in the Word and God gains his soul.

By MELVyN BROWN

As we contemplate life, God offers us effusive praise, especially when we reach out to glimpse the hidden lives of non-believers and delve with them into their odyssey they never question, yet follow with a stout heart.

When we Christians reach the razors’ edge to winning a soul for Christ, we should pause in evangelization and let God do the rest; a root from the Christian conscience.

Our spiritual journey through life, in a sense, sins like a sycamore seed hurling towards the end of our existence.

The laity seldom find the time or thought to assist the poor, the hungry or the weak. And should they hear a sermon on one of the days of obligation or at Sunday service, they envisage the talk with a skeptical sentiment.

I have often spoken about a Christian conscience which is simply to understand the needs of the community in a state of sincere awareness of our encounters and to reach out with our individual gifts for a common good. All this radiates the Will of God through our actions that non-believers may be inspired by our evangelization and better comprehend the meaning and demands of the Christian Faith.

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Tel.: +91 9820485389 / 9820473103

Email: secular@sezariworld.com

Christians do not, normally, acquiesce to destructive dictates outside the faith. On this side of Paradise heaven has the placebo effect. It also reassures the people of God not to abdi-

The Church must proclaim the Gospel because Christ has given the command. (CCC 172.)

Origin of covid-19 virus remains a mystery

Even as the deadly Covid-19 virus has started to raise its ugly head once again with an alarming rise in the number of daily Covid cases and deaths in the country, and other countries, comes the startling revelation from the former Head of Chinese Disease Control ( CDC), that there is no evidence to show that the Covid -19 virus emanated from animals. China has even denied any leak of the virus from its high security laboratory in Wuhan for the testing of dangerous pathogens.On the other hand, The World Health Organisation (WHO) which has all along vacillated on its earlier prognostications on the origins and measures to contain the spread of the virus and a delayed declaration of an emergency, is still tight lipped about the origin of the virus and preventive measures. Earlier, Doomsday charlatans were spreading the canard that it was God's punishment and the end of the wold was nigh. So, in such a bewildering situation which has now started to emerge as another pandemic, what are we helpless individuals expected to do and what is the solution, when even vaccines and booster doses are proving to be ineffective and even life threatening at times?

— A. F. Nazareth, Alto Porvorim, Goa

Keep malaria at bay

World Malaria Day is celebrated on April 25 every year. The World Health

Organisation (WHO) celebrates the day in order to emphasise the need to utilise collective energy and commitment of the global community as it moves towards its goal of a world free from malaria. The theme this year for World Malaria Day 2023 is: “Time to deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, innovate, implement”.

Malaria has always been a major disease in India till today. Large pools of stagnant water left behind by heavy torrential rains and ignored by the authorities have become the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease that spreads when an infected mosquito bites a person. The mosquito transfers parasites into that person’s bloodstream. Symptoms of malaria include fever and chills. It is learnt that among all communicable diseases, malaria is the third largest killer of children between the ages of one month and five years after pneumonia and diarrhoea. Malaria occurs mostly in poor, tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In the year 1953, the Government of India had launched the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) with a focus on spraying of DDT. Within five years, the programme reportedly helped in dramatically reducing the annual cases of malaria. In the present day, the measures to control the spread of malaria focuses on reduction of contact between mosquitoes and humans, destruction of larvae by fogging and the use of mosquito larvae predators and destruction of adult mosquitoes by indoor spraying and using insecticide-treated bed nets. The two major malaria species affecting humans are Plasmodium Falciparum and Plasmodium Vivax. India has reportedly made considerable progress in reducing its malaria burden. The risk of acquiring malaria as a tourist to India is low. In-

portals of these educational edifices ever shrink from being in touch with the Alma Mater, teachers and batch mates!

A school achieves its glory because of the effective involvement of its alumni. The most determining years of one’s life spent in the school, forming the strongest of bonds, makes every student like coming back to his/her Alma Mater.

Coming together to exchange reminiscences about the school times, active past-pupils’ associations initiate a process of bridging and sharing memories amongst the alumni. Every informal re-union aims to strengthen the bonds between the school and the students.

So ye guys, if you have not made up your mind already, do it!

Spare a thought for your Alma Mater; call up all your schoolmates, dig up their whereabouts and plan a grand reunion in the school. Let it be a memorable day, a day kept aside for all old memories to come flooding in. After all, as a thing from the past, one can only yearn for that life!

And let us not forget our teachers! They truly deserve our appreciation!

dia happens to be the only endemic country which has reported a decline in the numbered cases of malaria. Chloroquine is the preferred treatment for any parasite that is sensitive to the drug. Some parasites are resistant to malaria drugs. The type of medication and length of treatment depend on which parasite is causing the symptoms. Early diagnosis makes treatment more effective. It is also important to seek treatment right away to stop malaria from spreading to others.

— Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai

Modi’s Politics at Play with christians

by Don Aguiar.

Life is chaotic, so many things to do, so many places to go. And in all the outer activity we lose our sense of balance, be that ecological, health or the topic of the day, work-life balance. In our logical minds, balance happens between opposite things. In reality, balance means disappearance of the opposition, the two becoming one, their diametrically opposite ways merging into one, melting into one reality. That is balance, true balance.

Metropolitan archbishop of the archdiocese of Thalassery Joseph Pamplany had said christians would vote for BJP if it ensured Rs300 per kg for rubber, i.e. selling Christian votes for a hike in prices of raw rubber. Kerala Rubber plantation owners and workers are largely Christian.

Cardinal George Alencherry, the major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, did not pull up the erring Bishop. Instead, in a bizarre newspaper interview, the Cardinal said that – Bishop Pamplany was echoing the sentiments of farmers. It is for the faithful to take a call and admitting that these days the people don’t blindly obey bishops when it comes to voting in political elections and further praising the BJP saying that Christians do not experience insecurity during the rule of the Hindu nationalist BJP in the country.

Many Christian leaders and the community disagree with this statement. The Cardinal should visit the states of Maharashtra, U.P, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat etc., and get the information from Christians of those states. Then he will realized if he is making a blunder by such a false statement. Or was the false statement because of the setback from the Supreme Court Dismissing his Plea to Quash Criminal Cases over Land Scam for alleged

irregularities in the sale of properties belonging to Ernakulam-Angamalay Archdiocese. The Court dismissed the Special Leave Petition filed by Cardinal George Alencherry against the judgment delivered by the Kerala High Court...

With this petition dismissal there is every possibility that there is going to be an ED raid on the Cardinal. By making this false statement, has the Cardinal enrolled in the Great Indian Saffron Washing Machine? Modi’s politics at play managing to change one person (Cardinal Alencherry) and make him lose his true balance.

The saddest thing is that our Clergy gets carried away by gimmicks with no voice which is good for the community, neither does the Laity play any role either, other than a few outspoken people who can call a spade a spade. The community and its leaders gets so engrossed into religious activities and forget the real issues happening around them. It's time to defend themselves and its leaders need to think of a strategy to make it happen.

And after the Kerala visit, Modi looked at doing a repeat in Delhi with his sudden visit to the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church in New Delhi. He joined a select group of worshipers as they offered prayers on Easter Sunday 9th April 2023 and also planted a tree on the premises. Was anyone smiling in the photos – either the four Delhi bishops or Modi. He looked as if he was at a funeral.

Notice the colour, symbolism and meaning of Grey Mr Modi chose to wear –

In colour psychology, grey represents neutrality and balance. Its colour meaning likely comes from being the shade between white and black. However, grey does carry some negative connotations, particularly when it

comes to depression and loss. Its absence of colour makes it dull. Grey is the colour of intellect and of compromise. It’s a diplomatic colour, negotiating all the distance between black and white. We typically consider grey to be conservative, elegant, and cool, though it can be a bit mysterious.

After the visit, Modi tweeted, “Today, on the very special occasion of Easter, I had the opportunity to visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi. I also met spiritual leaders from the Christian community.”

Modi’s rare visit to the Cathedral is imbued with political significance, as the ruling BJP has been actively wooing Christians, especially in Kerala.

The rare visit turned out to be an all media opportunity that comes with the Catholic Community, good for the politician only. May not necessarily be good for the people that the politician is meeting. Could be good too, who knows. Only time will tell.

And while Prime minister Modi crafts his photo opportunity at Easter at the Sacred Heart Cathedral at New Delhi, BJP ministers preach ‘Death to the Christian’s’ Other party leaders prioritise extermination of Muslims a little before that of Christians with instances of assaults and atrocities against Christians pouring in from across the country, which is a stain on its secular fabric.

And as Easter Sunday ended with Mr Modi at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the question is ‘Can Christians be safe if Muslims are not?’

It is quite clear that both communities continue to live in fear of their lives, limbs and property in every state outside Kerala, Nagaland, and Lakshadweep where there are not many Christians.

(Contd.. on p. 7)

Mr Modi was not expected to articulate a reassurance when he visited the Cathedral which had been site of massive protests in recent months. The highly visible Jantar Mantar agitation of 19th February by laity and clergy had followed a candlelight protest at the Cathedral. Bishops, clergy and common people of all denominations had participated.

A similar highly visible Azad Maidan agitation of 12th April in Mumbai by Christians from all denominations and from all over Maharashtra came together for a similar common cause, despite the personal differences and diverse backgrounds. It proved the way they presented themselves as a community.

One thing we must take away from this recent activity. The Christians are organised yet not united while the tribals are not organised yet united.

Other than in Kerala where the tussle for political and economic supremacy between Hindus, Christians and Muslims continues unabated, the rest of the country sees religious minorities making common cause for no other reason than the identical source of the hate and targeted violence they face.

Christians and Muslims must be cautioned not to give BJP and its affiliates more opportunities to consolidate the secular Hindus who are still against the BJP by organising such protests which do not make any difference to the situation.

The best way to tackle the problem is to silently work with the secular forces as Indians and not flouting the religious or communal badge and bring the change they desire through the ballot which democracy is all about. A protest on religious grounds and by a particular community in fact helps the BJP agenda of mobilising protests under the Hindu banner by quoting Christian and Muslim examples.

It’ll be too much to expect that vio-

Pleas from an Unborn

Dear Mom, I was so happy and excited When god blessed you and planted me in your womb.

Dear Mom, I started growing slowly, protected tightly in your bosom Your womb my warm blanket, your care my happiness

Dear mom, I slowly began to see and feel I heard the things you spoke and loved to hear you talk.

Dear Mom, how long should I wait I wish to come out and cuddle up in your arms.

Dear mom, it's been a while and you seem sad Why is it that you hardly seem to smile?

by Sonal Lobo Bangalore

Dear mom, are you feeling difficult to carry me around? Or do you feel I am not worthy enough? Dear Mom, I am waiting to hear dad talk I wish to feel his hands on your bosom, and speak to me with love.

Dear Mom a few more months and I will be in your arms I will lie in your arms and grow up to become the best daughter and love you all.

Dear Mom, is it true you have agreed to kill me? Mom please don’t do that It’s going to hurt me Please save me, and give me chance to live amongst all

Dear Mom I am sad to leave you But the creator loves me and welcomed me with open arms I shall pray to him to forgive you Because I shall always love you Dear loving Mom.

lence against Christians will end now that Prime Minister Modi has planted a tree and lit a candle at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in the bosom of New Delhi. The electoral fires are smouldering everywhere. It is not such a thick fog as to blind the entire population to the double game of the BJP, and its minders in the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh on the eve of the general election in 2024.

Modi has to keep in mind the political and electoral calculations to ensure more votes: Not discouraging the hounds of the Hindu nationalist Sangh Parivar and deepening the polarization; or reassuring the hares, the Muslim and Christian religious minorities, that together make up perhaps 20 percent of India’s population.

Just as hunters use snares to catch animals and armies set traps to misdirect or eliminate their enemies, BJP deploys the same tactics against Christians and Muslims. As Christians, we must be prepared for the schemes of the hunters. And so we seek God’s wisdom, which gives us discernment to spot temptation, deceit, and other traps that catches us.

aNDh BhaKTS aBOUND

dry. Short sighted policies for short term electoral gain will backfire in the long run. As the Prophet Hosea says, “Those who sow the wind shall reap a whirlwind” (Hos 8:7). Do the ABs see this?

Let me give another example. The Government talks of attracting foreign investment, to make in India that is atmanirbhar (self-reliant). But our Minister for External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar made a statement in the Rajya Sabha on 10/2/2023 that the number of Indians surrendering their citizenship went up from 163,370 in 2021 to 225,620 in 2022, a 38% jump. Is this not a mockery of the government’s claims and propaganda?

For the benefit of those not familiar with Hindi let me clarify that “Andh Bhakt” (AB) means a person who is a blind follower of his/ her idol.

Election season is upon us again; for the State Assembly in Karnataka, where political analysts claim that the Congress has a possible edge because of the corruption charges and dissent in the ruling BJP. The latter seems to be imploding with desertions. We also have municipal elections in U.P., the country’s most populous State. It is said that the gateway to Delhi is via Lucknow, and the gateway to the south is via Bangalore.

Hence these are not ordinary elections and merit serious attention. There seem to be only three national parties now, the BJP, Congress and AAP. All three seem to suffer interminably from the AB syndrome.

The BJP has been ruling at the Centre for nine years now. I have no intention to do a detailed analysis of its functioning as there are far more competent persons than me to do so. I shall just touch on a few points. Sometimes at the micro level as they have touched me, or some at the macro level that impact all of us.

I begin with a statement in the Hindustan Times (15th April) by Parshot-

tam Rupala, Union Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairying. He said that, contrary to media reports, the country will not be importing dairy products. The previous day’s paper claimed that from 2022, though milk production was up 3.1%, milk powder was down by 8.2% and butter by10.8%. The reports claimed that this was because of loss of 300,000 cattle in 2022 from lumpy skin disease.

On the other hand there is a report in India Today dated 17th February from Gujarat that accounts for 7.75% of the country’s milk production. It now has an excess of non-productive bovines and has decided to immediately castrate 50,000 bulls; as stray cattle have surged by 17.5%, while milch cattle have gone down by 3.5% since 2012. Gujarat is synonymous with Amul and the White Revolution ushered in by Padmavibhushan Dr Verghese Kurien. India then prided itself on being the world’s largest milk producer. Today we are talking of importing milk!

Another little experience. I will be going on a family vacation next week so I sent my man to the bank to withdraw Rs 25,000/- in Rs 2000/- currency notes. The cashier reluctantly gave 12 notes as a personal favour saying that though the bank receives Rupees Two Crores in cash everyday, it gets just about 200 notes in the Rs 2000/denomination! So where has all the high value currency gone? Remember how we were told that demonetisation would be the death knell of black money. Now that it is election season, the next time my man goes to the bank he may not get any high value currency notes. A note of caution to the ABs.

by chhotebhai * (Contd.. on p. 9)

Why blame lumpy skins? Why not blame the lumpen elements, the cow vigilantes that threaten and kill livestock owners? One can safely say that over time dairy owners will stop rearing cows and switch over to buffaloes that fetch a remunerative price from abattoirs after they have gone

Also remember how somebody said “Na khaoonga na khane doonga” (I won’t take bribes and won’t allow others to do so, either). That’s the joke of the season. Ask anybody about the ease of doing business or interacting with government agencies. The going rates have shot through the roof.

About a month ago a young man known to me was arrested for alleged “forceful conversion” to Christianity. His mother informed me that he finally got bail after the family coughed up Rs 70,000/-. Another poor young man, who fills air at the petrol pump, told me that he too had been arrested for becoming a Christian, but got off “cheaply” by paying a bribe of Rs

5000/- to the cops. “Na khaoonga na khane doonga”; tell that to the victims of corruption and extortion.

The breaking news is the gunning down of mafia don Atiq and his brother Ashraf, while in police custody in Prayagraj. The jury is still out, if this was stage managed for religious polarisation of votes for electoral gain. Remember Pulwama and Balakot just before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and the resultant wave of righteous indignation and nationalism? Very recently the then J&K Governor, Satpal Malik has raised serious questions on the entire episode, including the role of former master spy Ajit Dobhal, now National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister.

The ABs are not limited to the BJP. The Congress too has its fair share, because it is enamoured of “fair complexions”. After the Congress debacle in the 2014 elections under the leadership of Raga I had written an article “Why Rahul Should Quit”. He did; the office, not his officiousness. He continued to control the levers of power in the party, the pivot around which everything rotates.

When I tell some of my AB Congress friends that Raga should leave not just the party, but even the country for a two year break, they are aghast. They insist that the Gandhis are the glue that keeps the party together. The facts are to the contrary.

Mamata Banerjee, Jagan Reddy and Conrad Sangma are powerful Chief Ministers who quit the Congress in the Gandhi era, to form their own regional parties. Ex-Congressmen like Himant Sarma. Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jiten Prasad are now important ministers in the BJP government. Gulam Nabi Azad has jumped ship and Sachin Pilot seems ready for take off. A.K. Antony, the Gandhi’s trusted aide, has the consternation of seeing his son join the BJP. So are the Gandhis the binding gum or the solvent that disintegrates the parts?

There is much talk of opposition unity before 2024. While many parties agree in principle, they are allergic to the principal contender to the throne, Raga himself. Almost all senior opposition leaders have burnt their fingers interacting with him. Yes, his Bharat Jodo Yatra was a phenomenal success, but his Oxford utterances negated it all. It was déjà vu of hugging Modi in parliament and then winking; again a case of self-destruct. Raga today is the greatest stumbling block to opposition unity and the best guarantee that the BJP will triumph again in 2024. The ABs cannot see this.

Now to the third national party – AAP. Conceived in Anna Hazare’s India Against Corruption, it had an array of illustrious leaders from various fields, other than politics. Just as the BJP claimed to be a party with a difference, the AAP was even more so. Then the cookie began to crumble. Gen V.K. Singh and Kiran Bedi joined the BJP. Others like Medha Patkar, Prashant Bushan, Yogendra Yadav, Capt Gopinath and Ashutosh parted company with Kejriwal.

He and his ministerial colleagues are now embroiled in Delhi’s liquor scam. Is there any truth in the allegations, is it political vendetta, or a bit of both? Time will tell. Kejriwal has often been described as the BJP’s B team, playing spoilsport for the Congress in Goa and Gujarat. At the same time one cannot grudge any political party pursuing its own ambitions, nor can one dismiss the good work that AAP has done in the education and health sectors in Delhi.

However, the problem with these three parties is their affinity to individuals rather than any ideology. Even the BJP sings a different tune when it goes to the Christian dominated North East – Mummy and Yummy as Asaduddin Owaisi describes it. Raga too, for all his emphasis on the Constitution and secularism, misses no opportunity to go temple hopping. So where does all this leave us?

As a citizen I have over the years

‘Monday of the angel’!

On Easter Monday the Catholic Church celebrates ‘Monday of the Angel’! It is also known as ‘Little Easter’! – From Easter Monday until the end of Easter at Pentecost! And the Church prays the Regina Caeli, instead of the Angelus at the noon hour:

“Queen of Heaven rejoice, Alleluia! For He Whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia! He has Risen as He said, Alleluia! Pray for us to God, Alleluia! Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia! For the Lord has truly Risen, Alleluia! – Let us pray: O God Who gave joy to the world through the Resurrection of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech You, that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen!”

After reciting the Regina Caeli, Pope Francis wished everyone a Happy Monday of the Angel! – Revealing that Christ Himself gives testimony: The angels in Heaven always see the face of My Father! - (Matthew 18:10).

—Dr. Trevor Colaso, Bandra (W), Mumbai. voted for different parties like the erstwhile Janata Party, Janata Dal, CPM, Samajwadi, Congress and AAP. I am now on the horns of a dilemma as we approach the municipal elections in U.P. where I live. I am nobody’s AB, so I am studying the ABC of the various parties and their probable candidates. It will be a delicate balancing act to choose between a party and its candidate. Come what may, I shall vote with my eyes wide open.

• The writer is the Convenor of the Kanpur Nagrik Manch

Zero Waste Day at TajLands End

explained that the kids were called divided into groups based on colours depending on which low income area of Bandra West they came from. There were seven such areas.

The excited kids were then taught to make pretty cards, bags and wall hangings from the waste material. When the session ended, each child was presented a tuck box with deli-

Friday, 31st March 2023 was a memorable day for forty sixstudents offour schools in Bandra West –St. Catherine’s, Mt. Mary Convent, Fr. Agnel’s and St. Joseph’s. The ‘rainbow’ kids were accompanied by four teachers and a few older students. They were invited by TajLands End hotel to take part in Zero Waste Day as a part of the hotel’s CSR activities. The main purpose of this activity was to impress upon the kids the importance of recycling by engaging them in fun activities.

by Monica Fernandes

The participants received a warm welcome from MsFerozaKhambatta, Learning & Development Manager, TajLands End. MsKhambatta told me that since the attention span of young children is limited, they were first shown short videos of how waste could be transformed into decorative and useful items. The hotel staff had already collected waste material such as newspapers, ribbons, trimmings, paper and cardboard for the session.

cious goodies. Forty six beaming children left, proudly holding their handicraft.

MsKhambatta enjoyed her interaction with the rainbow kids. She was touched on seeing how thrilled the kids were with their experience. No doubt TajLands End will reach out to them in future as well.

I was somewhat intrigued by the moniker ‘rainbow’ kids. Mrs. Patricia Furtado, Trustee of St. Catherine’s,

“Beautiful culture”: apple’s 25 Years in India!

News items, Articles, Stories, Opinions, interviews, Poems, etc. may be sent in -

on WhatsApp: +91 9820485389

Via Email: secular@sezariworld.com news@sezariworld.com seculardivo@gmail.com

by Post

The Secular citizen 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai 400001

Apple iPhone-maker on Monday, 17 April 2023 revealed that its first two Stores in India are to be opened this week in Mumbai and in Delhi; as it celebrates 25 years; on 18 April 2023 in Mumbai and on 20 April in Delhi. “Both the Stores have been designed to resonate and to reflect the local look and feel. India has such a beautiful culture and an incredible energy, and we are excited to build our long-standing history, by supporting our customers, investing in local communities and working together to

build a better future with innovations that serve humanity!” – Apple CEO Tim Cook said – “Apple exports from India are estimated to have crossed USD 5 billion in the financial year 2022-23, which are about half of the total exports of ‘Make in India’! India’s vibrant community of app developers now supports more than 1 million jobs; and app Store payouts to developers in the country have more than tripled since 2018!”

Dr. Hazel Colaso, Bandra (W), Mumbai.

Service and Sacrifice

The 20th century saw millions of young men enter the armed forces to serve their countries during the World Wars. For patriotic Allies, the call came soon after the Nazi invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. Millions more from the United States joined them after the bombing of Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941. With faith and courage veterans today recount their stories of service and sacrifice. The Industrial revolution as well as these events dragged thousands of the working classes who contributed their services in factories, mills, rail workshops shipyards and ammunition stores, all labouring and sacrificing their time energy and strength under great pressure for their country.

After Peace had been established the armed forces dedicated their lives defending the countries to keep them safe, but what about those who worked hard behind the scenes to make the wars a success? Many of the workers were still toiling under great stress and strain to meet the constant demand made by consumer countries. The pressure of a 16-hour day was draining their energies, the workers now wanted an 8-hour workday. There were protests, and several workers were killed in the confrontation and many were left wounded. After several years of resistance,constant struggles of working people, and the demand for fairness the United States finally recognised an 8-hour workday. This was a significant victory, and the event came to be known as Labour Day. It was to champion the cause of the labour class emancipation. It is an annual holiday to celebrate the

achievements of workers, the accomplishments of the labour movement and the benefits of having a union at work. It acknowledged the workers’ struggles and their subsequent empowerment. Specifically, the eighthour day movement advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. It was in 1886 in the United States, when workers announced a general strike against a draining 16-hour workday. Americans celebrate Labour Day with parades, picnics and parties – festivities very similar to those outlined by the first proposal for a holiday. It suggested to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps” of trade and labour organizations.

partners and supporters.

by: Dr Jeanette Pinto

Labour Day also known as May Day is celebrated in more that 80 countries, including India, Cuba and China. In India Labour Day was celebrated for the first time in 1923. It was organised by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan on May 1, 1923 in (then Madras) now Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Labour Day here is celebrated under different titles including “Kamgar din” or “Antarrashriya Shramik Diwas’ in Hindi, “Uzhaopalar Naal’ in Tamil and “Kamgar Diwas in Marathi.

Tens of thousands marked May Day calling it Workers’ Day or International Workers’ Day. It is the day that commemorates the struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement and it is observed by many countries. Events are organised wherein speeches rallies and honours are awarded to leaders among the working class. Tens of thousands mark May Day as Happy Labour Day! We pay tribute to all of them their hard work, contributions, achievements and for making our world a better place to live and work in. Also compliments to all employees, customers, activists,

To celebrate Labour Day, we thank God for the blessing of work. Let’s pray to complete each day and ask for rest when we are weary. Does not the Bible say that six days you shall labour and do all your work,but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. Work is a key to full joy in the plan of God. If our motive is to serve God where we are, then our labour “in the Lord is not in vain,”if we are righteous, we will return to live with our Heavenly Father, and we will have work to do as we become like him, our work will become like His work.

It would be fitting to remember dear St. Joseph the earthly father of Jesus, and a person of solid conviction. He was a carpenter by profession who hailed from Bethlehem before he married Mary, Mother of Jesus, and settled in Nazareth. He was a simple man of powerful silent witness, humble and obedient to God’s plan. He listened to God and then made his life one of service and sacrifice to Jesus and Mary. St. Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, as well as of craftsmen, engineers and working people among others.

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity." — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Just try answers for these

1. If Poison expires; is it more poisonous or is it no longer poisonous?

2. Which letter is silent in the word "Scent," the S or the C?

3. Do Twins ever realize that one of them was really "Unplanned"?

4. Why is the letter W, in English, called double U? Shouldn't it be called double V?

5. Maybe Oxygen is slowly killing you and It just takes 75-100 years to fully work.

6. Every time you clean something, you just make something else dirty.

7. The word "SWIMS" upside-down is still "SWIMS"

8. 100 years ago everyone owned a Horse and only the rich had Cars. Today everyone has Cars and only the rich own Horses.

9. If you replace "W" with "T" in "What, Where and When", you get the answer to each of them.

Well Try this now Vagaries of English Language! Enjoy.!!!

•Wonder why the word "Funeral" starts with FUN?

•Why isn't a Fireman called a Waterman?

•How come Lipstick doesn't do what it says?

•Why are goods sent by *Ship* called CARGO, and those sent by *Truck* SHIPMENT?

•Why do Doctors "Practice" Medicine? Are they having practice at the cost of the patients?

•Why is it called "Rush Hour" when traffic moves at its slowest then?

•How come Noses run and Feet smell?

•Why do they call it a TV 'set' when there is only one?

•What are you vacating when you go on a "Vacation"?

an attorney was working late one night in his office when, suddenly, Satan appeared before him. The Devil made him an offer. “I will make it so you win every case that you try for the rest of your life. Your clients will worship you, your colleagues will be in awe, and you will make enormous amounts of money. But, in return, you must give me your soul, your wife’s soul, the souls of your children, your parents, grandparents, and those of all the your friends.” The lawyer thought about it for a moment, then asked, “But what’s the catch?” *****

A 50-year-old lawyer who had been practicing since he was 25 passed away and arrived at the Pearly Gates for judgment. The lawyer said to St. Peter, “There must be some mistake! I’m only 50 years old, that’s far too young to die.” St. Peter frowned and consulted his book. “That’s funny, when we add up your billing records, you should be at least 83 by now!” *****

Speaking Ill of the Dead …

One day the phone rang at a law office and when the receptionist answered a man asked to speak to Mr. Dewey. “I’m sorry, sir,” the receptionist said. “Mr. Dewey passed away yesterday.” “Oh, is that right? Goodbye.” But everyday for the next two weeks the same man called back and the same exchange occurred. Finally, the receptionist said, “Sir, I have told you repeatedly that Mr. Dewey died, why do you keep calling and asking for him?” “Oh,” the man replied, “I just like to hear it.”

Sunstroke Deaths In Mumbai

It is sad to note people are dying due to sunstroke. And, the 14 reported deaths at the Maharashtra Bhushan Award event held in Kharghar in Navi Mumbai on April 16, although the figure could be much higher, was very unfortunate. Can the one-member probe committee set up by the Maharashtra government bring back those lives which are lost? It could prove to be a meaningless exercise, a wasted effort. On the contrary, the authorities and the general public need to think seriously about the reality called, 'Climate Change'. Why are temperatures soaring in Mumbai and in the rest of the country and across the world? The authorities need to ask themselves, what can they do to stop these adverse effects on our lives. As a first step, they ought to rethink Infrastructure projects which play havoc with the environment. The metro car-shed at Aarey for instance, must be scrapped. Thousands of trees have been cut down, without giving a thought to the impending ecological disaster. Destruction of wetlands and mangroves must stop. We are destroying our 'Green cover' and we wonder why temperatures are rising?

What about the general public, what are we doing to stop this climate change? Can we take small steps like growing more trees in our own surroundings and avoid generating unnecessary garbage. April 22, we celebrated 'Earth Day', how much do we care for the Earth? Let's do something concrete.

Climate change is for real, if not taken seriously, brace for more uncertain weather! We can continue to ignore all warning signals from Nature, to our own peril!

Melville X. D'Souza Valnai (Orlem), Malad West.

Political Opportunism!

‘Opportunism’ is normally defined as “the practice of using situations unfairly to get an advantage for yourself without thinking about the consequences, of how your actions will affect other people”. At a different and far serious level is ‘political opportunism’ which is based on the political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli, as described in The Prince and which is often regarded as a classic manual of opportunist scheming; a Machiavellian is nowadays ‘a cunning, immoral, and opportunist person’; today, several of our politicians very easily fit the bill. Political opportunism therefore refers ‘to the attempt to maintain political support, or to increase political influence, possibly in a way which disregards relevant ethical or political principles. At the top, are those who have mastered the art of political chicanery- and we all know who!!

By FR. CEDRIC PRAkASH Sj

So, when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi on 9 April 2023, Easter Sunday, it definitely raised several eyebrows and more! Not that it was unique in any way. Prime Ministers and Presidents of India have visited Churches and participated in Christian religious events before; besides, it is within their legitimate right to visit and even pray not only in a Church, but also in a mosque, in a gurudwara or in fire- temple! We have that classic image of Pope Francis praying in the Blue Dome Mosque in Istanbul. There is the fact that once the Prime Minister expresses his desire to visit a Church, the Church authorities would certainly do everything within their means, with the ceremony and protocol. to accord a welcome befitting of the office of the Prime Minister,

The reality in India however, is different today. Given the constant attacks on the miniscule Christian population today, no one is willing to accept (with the exception of the gullible, the naive and the ‘bhakts ‘) that the visit of the Prime to the Cathedral was but one of

sheer ‘political opportunism’. The attacks on Christians in India today (and also on other minorities, particularly the Muslims) take place with frightening regularity. These are not aberrations or isolated instances, as even some of the Christian prelates have the spinelessness to make them out to be. Christians in several BJP - ruled states are hounded and harassed; prayer services are disrupted; places of prayer and worship are demolished; false cases are foisted on pastors and Christian worshippers. The votaries of the Sangh Parivar spew hate and instigate violence on the Christians. Then we have the draconian and unconstitutional anti -conversion laws that have been promulgated in several states that denies one the Fundamental right to legitimately preach, practise and propagate one’s religion. The Constitutional provisions of rights to minorities are downscaled and are even being scrapped altogether. There is substantial documentation to evidence all of this.

It is important to note that those who indulge in the attacks against Christians, do so, because they know that nothing will happen to them! They have all the protection and immunity they need from their political bosses. They attack with impunity because they know they have the immunity! FIRs are not registered against these goons as we saw in the blatant intimidation of a couple of Catholic schools in Gujarat a few weeks ago. Many Christians are certainly not ready to accept second - class citizenship in a country which belongs to them and are fighting for their Constitutional rights. There was a massive protest in Delhi against the persecution of Christians in mid- February and one in Bombay as recently as 12 April!

The Prime Minister is in the know of all this! If he has any genuine concern for the Christian citizens of the country he should first openly and directly stop his regimes and ilk for all the irreparable

harm that is being done not only to the Christians, but to the Constitution of the country, and particularly to its pluralistic fabric. He should be publicly stating, over and over again, that no one would be spared for demonizing, denigrating, discriminating against the minorities particularly the Christians and Muslims; and ensure appropriate action on them!

Visiting a Church, lighting a candle before the statue of the Risen Lord, listening to an English hymn are all good, if done in the right spirit and attitude. Otherwise, they are mere ‘theatrics and this Prime Minister, the world knows, is high on drama. What did he say when he visited the Cathedral? Did he assure the bishops and the others present, that he would abide by the Constitution and would protect their Constitutional rights and freedoms at whatever the cost? There is absolutely no record in the print or electronic media of what the Prime Minister said - just visuals: photo- ops for all! The fact is that the elections in Karnataka and Kerala are due shortly and that General elections will take place in 2024 - is not lost on concerned citizens of the country and particularly on discerning political analysts.

It is also interesting to see what the Bishops who welcomed the Prime Minister had to say to him? Were there only pleasantries and small talk (and some ‘prayers’) exchanged? Could not the Bishops have made it an occasion to highlight and in writing, the abysmal depths the country has fallen to in every sphere - and particularly the lot of the poor and the marginalised, the small farmers and the migrant workers, the excluded and the exploited? Should they have not made a strong statement on the plight of the Christians (and the Muslims) in India? Here was certainly a golden opportunity which was badly missed; a real opportunity which cannot be compared with the political opportunism of the Prime Minister!

Interestingly it is good to be reminded that Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi who was the main prelate to welcome the Prime Minister to the Cathedral, wrote a letter to his diocese on 8 May 2018. At that time the country was burning

with several issues as it is today. The modified media instead of taking on the Government on its lack of governance took on the Archbishop and made his innocuous letter prime time news. In his letter. Archbishop Couto requested special prayers until the General Elections of 2019. The letter was a call for prayer beginning on “May 13, 2018 which marks the Anniversary of the Apparition of the Blessed Mother at Fatima, consecrating ourselves and our nation to the Immaculate Heart”. At that time most thinking citizens had the following conclusions to make:

- As an Indian citizen, the Archbishop has every right to voice his opinions/ views

- As the Archbishop of Delhi, it is his duty to be a Pastor and instruct the Catholics under his care both on spiritual and temporal matters

- It is an age-old practice for Bishops all over the world to send out Circular or Pastoral Letters before any major event (including elections) which could affect their people in any way!

- The letter clearly does NOT take sides; does not name any political party; does not tell people whom to vote for

- The letter is addressed to a particular group of people (that is the Catholics of Delhi) it is directional in nature; a request and certainly not mandatory

- The letter is a call to prayer! (anything wrong with that?)

Archbishop Anil begins his letter with the words “We are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere which poses a threat to the democratic principles enshrined in our Constitution and the secular fabric of our nation.” There could not be perhaps a better opening statement, so down-to-earth, so contextual- which sets the tone of why one needs to pray and fast. Can one deny the fact that what we witness in India is not ‘a turbulent political atmosphere’? When a ‘few’ decide what one should eat and wear; see and write; or whom to worship; when the very core of the country’s secular and pluralistic fabric stands to be destroyed; when all that is sacred in the Constitution is being eroded – how can one ever abstain from making such a statement? It is a sin not to do so.

It would be appropriate at this juncture that Archbishop Anil and in fact all the Bishops of India should write another relevant pastoral letter (in the lines of Pope Francis) and in the context of the realities which today have gripped the nation. Can the Church take a visible and vocal stand on the brutal murder of Atique Ahmed and several others in encounters by the State of Uttar Pradesh? Should we not speak out about the thousands of Christian and Muslim names missing from the Electoral rolls in Karnataka? What is the stand of the Church on corruption –and on the manner in which the likes of Adani have looted the nation? Can we dare accompany the likes of Bilkis Bano in her relentless struggle for justice? Many issues and many more unanswered questions!

Mohan Bhagwat, the Supremo of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is very clear of his agenda: to make of India a state based on the ‘Hindutva’ ideology. He has been using every possible occasion to lambast Christianity, missionaries and foreigners. On 17 April, addressing a gathering in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh he slammed the missionaries saying that the missionaries took advantage of the situations wherein people feel the society is not with them, in an apparent reference to ‘religious conversions. On Ambedkar Jayanti (14 April) addressing a gathering of RSS workers in Ahmedabad, without decrying the caste system he said, “we were once united, but we created divisions in the form of castes which were later widened by foreigners. For the progress of our country, we must strive to become one again.” On Good Friday (7 April) at a three-day Rashtriya Sewa Sangam of the RSS in Jaipur, once again took on the Christians, saying that, “when we talk of services, common people mention the names of missionaries who run schools and many organizations across the world. However, the service rendered by Hindu saints are no less. It came to my notice that the services of the saints who are engaged in spiritual works in four states of south India are many times more than the service of the missionaries put together.”

St Osca ero was a bishop of and for his suffering people. He was brutally gunned down by the brutal regime of his country El Salvador on 24 March 1980. The day before he was killed in his Sunday homily, he called out to his government saying, “In the name of God, and in the name of his suffering people; those who have suffered so much and whose laments cry out to heaven with greater intensity each day, I implore you, I beg you, I order you in the name of God: stop the repression immediately! ” The Christian hierarchy and clerics have much to learn from Romero; in India today, we desperately need to emulate his prophetic courage based on the person and message of Jesus.

The American poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti in his poem ‘Pity the Nation’ puts it incisively

“Pity the nation whose people are sheep

And whose shepherds mislead them

Pity the nation whose leaders are liars

Whose sages are silenced

And whose bigots haunt the airwaves

Pity the nation that raises not its voice

Except to praise conquerors

And acclaim the bully as hero

And aims to rule the world

By force and by torture

Pity the nation that knows

No other language but its own

And no other culture but its own

Pity the nation whose breath is money

And sleeps the sleep of the too well fed

Pity the nation oh pity the people who allow their rights to erode and their freedoms to be washed away

My country, tears of thee Sweet land of liberty!”

His poem is truly worth reflecting upon given the reality we are gripped with today as a nation Succumbing to sheer political opportunism will be the death knell of our nation. We need to awake now- before its too late!

(Fr Cedric Prakash SJ is a Human Rights, Reconciliation and Peace activist/ writer. Contact: cedricprakash@gmail.com)

Royal christian Family MaTRIMONIaLS - GROOMS

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(Contd.. on p. 16)

(Contd.. from p. 15) yeslincacademy@gmail.com

7226. caNaDa : Canadian Citizen Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, (Born in August 1990), Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 59 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. M.Sc., in Environmental Science and in Energy Management postgraduate degrees from the University of Toronto. Working for a reputed company as Energy Management Analyst in Totonto. Contact email : francisper@gmail.com

7385. U .K. : East Indian Roman Catholic Bachelor, (Born in September 1988), Ht. 5’ 8“, Wt. 70 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. Computer Science Artificial Intellengence & MBA, working as a Manager Date Analytics with a MNC. Contact email : n.dsouza2022@outlook.com

7401. USA - GOA : Goan RC Bachelor, (Born in October 1982) Ht. 5’9”, Wt. 68 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. High School + Catering, working as a Chef in USA based yacht. Contact email : ortizsouza@gmail.com

7283. MUMBAI : Alliance sought for RC bachelor, good family background, (Born in March 1988) Ht. 5' 8". Owns an apartment in Bandra west Mumbai. No loan or mortgage burden. Financially sound and strong. Only child. - for RC Spinster born between 1990 - 95 coming from a respectable RC family. Must not belong to any religious sect not recognized by the Catholic church. Preferably working for Bank / Insurance / MNC. Must have good family values. Kindly respond with full details and recent photo. Contact email : stephniejoseph@gmail.com

Mumbai based Respected, affluent family Mangalorean Catholic parents invite alliance for their handsome son 42 years, fair, tall, well built, well placed & highly qualified (PhD, etc.) Director and managing in family owned group of businesses. (Innocent Divorcee)1st marriage annulled by the church. Girl should be slim, fair, well educated, God fearing having good values and of a good family background and status. To connect with this proposal contact : Royal Christian Family (ID No. 6369) Tel.: +91 9820485389 / 9820473103

or Email: royalchristianfamily@gmail.com

7391. MUMBaI : Goan RC Handsome Bachelor, (Born in February 1977) Ht. 5’10”, Wt. 78 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Sc., PG, MBA, working as a Sr. Manager in US IT Company. Contact email : trinidade.franco@gmail.com

7417. BANGALORE : Mangalorean RC Divorcee, (Born in February 1965) Ht. 6’, Wt. 93 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn.B.Sc., Government Employee. Contact email : seabirds24gmail.com

7386. CANAdA : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, (Born in March 1993), Ht. 5’ 10“, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA Marketing, at present Manager in Ontario. Seeks Fair, Graduate, min. 5’ 4” and willing to settle in Canada. Email : rosylex@yahoo.com

7185. MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, (Born in October 1984) Ht. 5’ 10”, Wt. 72 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working for Bank.

Contact email : shaun.neo00@oulook.com

7313. MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic bachelor, (Born in November 1984) Ht. 5’ 11”, Wt.85 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn.M.Sc., in Petroleum Technology, working as a Drilling fluids Engineer. Contact email : braganzakyle@yahoo.in

7388. USA : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, (Born in January 1993), Ht. 5’ 10“, Wt. 62 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. Masters Data Analyst & BE (Electronics & Telecom), working as a Data Analyst. Contact email : nunesmct@gmail.com

7464. SPAIN : Financially secure Catholic widower, (Born in March 1960), Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 55 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. CIA (Accounts), residing in Spain seeks match - spinster/ widow/ divorced willing to live in Spain. Contact email : keiththomas326@hotmail.com / keithdsouza326@hotmail. com / keiththomas418@yahoo.com. WhatsApp : (UAE) 00971 55 6220 542 / (Spain) 0034 7474 65707

Royal christian Family MaTRIMONIaLS - BRIDES

7470. NEW DEL h I : Protestant Christian Spinster, (Born in February 1994), Ht. 5’ 9”, Wt. 90 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.A. Hons (Sociology), working as Sr. Process Lead, Geogle HRO. Contact email : rkliddle@gmail.com

7456. aUSTRaLIa : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in January 1990), Ht. 5’ 1”, Wt. 53 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Smart and goodlooking, Edn. MBA, working in Australia. Contact email : pearlshells@gmail.com

7448. MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in January 1989), Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 53 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. T.Y.B.A., working as a HR. Contact email : beatrz@rocketmail.com

7446. MU MB a I : Guj arati Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in January 1990), Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 50 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.A., Economics, working for Private firm as Executive Level. Contact email : celine.philip1990@gmail.com

7435 MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in December 1980), Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 75 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA-HR - B.Com 1st class, working as an Asst. to Vice President. Contact email : rodrigues2631@gmail.com

7433 MUMB a I : Keralite Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in July 1987), Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 65 kgs, Very Fair Complexion, Beautiful, Edn. B.A., working in MNC Company as an AVP in Compliance Department. Contact email : prescillathomas123@gmail.com

7431 MUMB a I : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in January 1993), Ht. 5’ 1”, Wt. 60 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. M.Com., B.Ed., Teacher by profession. Contact email : lenna408@gmail.com

7430 caNaDa : East Indian Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in January 1991), Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 75 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. Master of Management studies in Finance, working as an Accounting Clerk. Contact email : yaanadz@outlook.com

7422 PUNE : Goan Roman Catholic Divorcee, (Born in July 1984), Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 62 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., employed in Private Firm. Contact email : pdaguiar@yahoo.com

7419 MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in October 1990), Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 75 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. Post Graduate Media and Ent. Working as a Group Account Manager. Contact email : veenalobo@gmail.com

7410 MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in December 1993), Ht. 5’ 8”, Wt. 70 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.Com. / Inter CA, working. Contact email fernandeseloma@gmail.com

7406 MUMBaI : East Indian Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in June 1990), Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 61 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. MA., BMM and Masters in Electronic Jouralism, working for Invedio Pvt Ltd, content Manager. Contact email : lillianluis21@gmail.com

7383 J a B a LPUR : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in July 1991), Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 56 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. M.E. M.Tech., working as a Research in Accenture. Contact email : robinvincentborges1212@gmail.com

7376. MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in January 1994), Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 67 kgs, Very Fair Complexion, Edn. BMS Graduate and diploma in import - Export. working as a Sr. Executive. Contact email : ramyyap@gmail.com

7368. USa : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in February 1995), Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 60 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. Maters in Computers - USA., employed in MNC as Product Manager (Finance). Contact email : kvn_menezes@yahoo.com

7366. MUMBaI : Anglo Indian Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in November 1990), Ht. 5’ 9”, Wt. 85 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. M.A., B.Ed., Teacher by profession. Contact email : alexjimmy2210@gmail.com

7362. MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in December 1994), Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 68 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.E.& M.B.A., working as a Senior Consultant with a reputed MNC. Contact email : malliance94@gmail.com

7360. MUMBaI : East Indian Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in March 1996), Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 52 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. Chartered Accountant, Master of Commerce, CA by Profession. Contact email : adv_lferns@yahoo.in

7347. MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in May 1990), Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 75 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M. Fin., working and well settled in Mumbai. Contact email : ferns3590@gmail.com

6033 aBU-DhaBI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in May 1979), Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 58 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.A. Eng., Literature, working as a

Copy Editor. contact email : barretto. lorraine@gmail.com OR 9730454857

6528. DUB a I : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in April 1985) Ht. 5’ 7”, Beautiful and Fair Complexion, Edn. Masters in Health, Care (MHA), Employed as a Manager in MNC Dubai, is looking for a suitable alliance between the ages of 32 to 36 with a height 5’ 10” and above. Kindly respond directly to the party by email : aara8185@gmail.com with your photograph.

7081 MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in April 1993), 5’ 3”, Wt. 55 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. Masters of Dentistry (MDS), Dental Surgeon, Doctor by profession. Contact email : carlferns93@gmail.com

7014. MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in September 1992), Ht. 5’ 1”, Wt. 45 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. MMS (Finance) working as a Finance Executive in Limited Company. Contact email : eva_hpereira@rediffmail.com

6860 MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in October 1991), Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 55 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.M.M. (Mass Media), working for IT in MNC. Contact email : lgp1891@gmail.com

6642 MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Divorcee, (Born in September 1979), Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 65 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Customer Service professional. Contact eamil : sav_mon@yahoo.com Tel.No. 8291001606

6831. MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in April 1991), Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 54 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as an Senior Associate in Insurance Company. Contact email : denisdsouza854@gmail.com

7070. MUMB a I : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in March 1992), Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 48 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.Com., CS., working as a Company Secretary in Private Firm. Contact email : smile9920@outlook.com

7064. MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in May 1988), Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 50 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA, working for Private Company as an Accounts Executive. Contact email : cecrc19@gmail.com

7105 MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in November

(Contd.. on p. 18)

1991), Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 62 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.Sc., Microbiology, (Pursuing Ph.D.,) Assistant Professor. Contact email : 1991divine@gmail.com

6871 MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in January 1989), Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 56 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.A. Teacher by profession. Contact email :andreaandrade310@gmail.com

7240. PUNE : East Indian Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in October 1987), Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 65 kgs, Very Fair Complexion, Edn. MBA, working as a Finance Executive. Contact email : angelina0134@gmail.com

7332. MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in November 1983), Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 68 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.Com.,(Part-II), Working as an Asst. Manager Accounts. Contact email : slobo2283@yahoo.co.in

7372. MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in March 1984), Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 58 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. P. Phil / Ph.D, Neuroscience / Biomedical Sciences, employed in Pharma Company. Contact email : monteiro.ingrid@gmail.com

7381 aUSTRaLIa: Goan Roman Catholic Spinster (Born in February 1994) Ht. 5'.1", Wt. 50 Kgs, Fair, Edn Masters in Professional Accounting & Finance, Working in Melbourne. Contact email: confer777@rediffmail.com

7409 MUMBaI: Mangalorean RC spinster Born in July 1988 Ht 5' 2" EducationMBBS, MS, FMAS, DMAS. Employed as Consulting Surgeon in 3 reputed hospitals- 1 in Bandra, 2 in South Mumbai. Approved Medical Examiner Director General of xShipping. Contact 9920375857, Contact email : hmparanha@rediffmail.com

7416 MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in August 1994), Ht. 5’ 9”, Wt. 62 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. MBA., Working as Asst. Manager. Contact email : ccwd01234@gmail.com

7315. MUMB a I : Mumbai born and broughtup Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in September 1992), Ht. 152 cms, Wt. 48 kgs, Fair Complexion, Beautiful, smart, coming from decent well educated family, Edn. Graduate, working as a Art Director in reputed Designing Company in Mumbai. Contact email : jackraj1668@gmail.com

7314. DUB a I : Mangalorean Roman Ctholic Spinster,(Born in August 1991), Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 55 kgs, Fair Complexion, good looking, Edn. Graduate, working well established organisation in Dubai. Contact

email : greenfieldyard@gmail.com

7306. MU MB a I : Roman Catholic Spinster,(Born in May August 1989), Ht. 5’.11", Wt. 78 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.B.B.S., M.S. General Surgery, Doctor by profession. Working well known Hospital. Contact email : bianca.william4@gmail.com

7307. MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in July 1993), Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 55 kgs, Fair Complexion, good looking, Edn. B.E. (Biotech), MHA., Working as a Manager in well known Hospital. Belongings to an affluent business family. Contact email : dsouza889@gmail.com

7210. aURaNGaBaD : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in January 1994), Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 50 kgs, Fair Complexion, good looking, beautiful, Coming from business family, Edn. Chartered Accountant, C.A. by Profession. Contact email : putturaurangabad@gmail.com

7271. MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in October 1991), Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt.69 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, smart, active. Edn. B.Sc., in Hospitality Administration and Management, working as a Manager - Administration Facilities. Contact email : allyrocks91@gmail.com

7244. MUMBaI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in August 1992), Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 54 kgs, Edn. Chartered Accountant and M.Com., Employed in one of the Top reputed companies in Mumbai. Well cultured, affluent and well educated family background. Only Child. Contact email : fionadesouza18@gmail.com

7066. MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in June 1987), Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 78 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.E., (EXTC) M.S. (International Business Management), working as a Consulting Manager. Contact email : l2018anselm@yahoo.com

7065. MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in December 1989), Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt.69 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. M.Sc., & Dip. in Clinical Research, working as Business Process Lead in TCS. Contact email : mendonca_luke@yahoo.co.in

7160. MUMBaI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in September 1988), Ht. 5’ 7”, Fair Complexion, Edn. BMS, working as a Senior Merchandiser in a Global Retail Company in Dubai. Contact email : prislobo10@gmail.com

7354. LONDON : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in December 1993), Ht. 5’ 3”, Silm, Fair Complexion, Edn. BPT., MPT.,M.Sc. (U.K.), woking as

a Physiotherapist in U.K. Contact Email : nerycornelio@gmail.com

7352. USa : Keralite Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in Mumbai, July 1994), Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt.70 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. Completed Engineering in Dubai and MS in Business Analytic and Data Science from USA, working as Cyber Security Expert in an MNC in USA. Relocating to Canada shortly. Seeks well settled, educated Family oriented professional bridegroom from Medical / Engineering IT / Finance background from India / Canada. Please Contact email : propinfo2018@gmail.com OR Watsapp No 971505093382

7324. aBU DhaBI : UAE based Financially well off and well educated family from Mumbai RC East Indian Spinster (Born October 1992), Ht. 5’ 5”, Wt. 62 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, MBA (studied U.K.) raised up with good catholic values, working in Abu Dhabi for a MNC. Contact email : leteciaprisca@gmail.com

7348. caNaDa : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, (Born in April 1997), Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt.68 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA, working as a Associate. Contact email : linjude21@gmail.com

7245 BaNGaLURU : Gujrathi Catholic Spinster (Born in April 1985), Ht. 5' Wt. 45 Kg, Fair complexioned good looking., Edn : BE/M.Tech., (Bits Pillani) Architect by profession holding high po st in a German MNC at Bangalore. Only child residing with parents. Seeks a suitable match (any Catholic) who is willing to relocate in Bangalore. Contact email : pmcandy1957@gmail.com

7276. MUMB a I-POON a : Christian Protestant Spinster, (Born in May 1989), Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt.60 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. SIM Management, working as a HR Business Development. Working in Mumbai. Likes Cooking, Music, Guitar, Singing. Follows Christian Values and way of living. Contact email : sibloomjs@yahoo.com

7374. NEW ZEaLaND : Mangalorean RC Spinster, (Born in June 1993), Ht. 5’ 9”, Wt. 80 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MA, Master in Business Management. working in an insurance sector. Contact email : serah16@gmail.com

7447. USa : RC Spinster 1994 born, 5’ 6” / M. Phil, well settled, working as Assistant Teacher in the University of California (UCI), Irvine, USA also pursuing PhD from UCI, very fair seek alliance from qualified, simple RC bachelor, 28 - 32 yrs / 5’ 8” and above with good family background, settled in USA. Please forward detailed profile along with recent photograph at pgeorge97@rediffmail.com / 9711204910

anglo-Indian Leaders meet NMc in Delhi

Press Release from Dr.Augustine Roy Rozario. Vice-President/Fed.of AngloIndian Assns in India; informs that the Executive Committee of the Federation of Anglo-Indian Associations in India met Shri. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman, National Minorities Commission (NMC) on April 12, 2023

Forenoon, in New Delhi and submitted a Memorandum seeking the Commission's intervention and recommendation for:-

1) Appointment of a National Commission by the President of India for the Four Lakhs Anglo-Indians as guaranteed under Article 338(10) of the Indian Constitution to protect their rights and privileges,as done in the case of the SC &ST Communities.

2)Restoring the Anglo-Indian Nominations to Parliament and State Assemblies under Article 334(b) discontinued arbitrarily effective 26 th January'2020,on the basis of an erroneous enumeration of a

fraction of 296 Anglo-Indians in the 2011 Census.

3)Award the Anglo-Indian Community the status of a separate Minority as per the NCM Act of 1992 being a linguistic and ethnic Minority.

4)Restore the Job Reservation of 5% in Central Services earlier granted under Article 336 for only 10 years between 1950 and 1960.

by Ivan SadanhaShet

5)Restore the financial grants to Anglo-Indian Schools under Article 337 discontinued in States like Tamilnadu due to change in the educational system.

Thanksgiving

Novena Prayer to St. Jude

O holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition, in return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked.

Say Three Our Fathers, three Hail Mary’s and three Glory be’s.

St. Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen.

—Mrs. Kalpana M. , Mulund

Hopefully the Government will systematically and sympathetically consider the immediate requirements and sanction the due facilities neglected in the recent past.

NOTE : Anglo-Indians are widely resident in India in Kolkata (WB), Chennai (TN), Mumbai, Pune (Maharashtra) , Cochin (Kerala) and many North and North Eastern States.

Their peculiar status and Backwardness due to ethnic impact demands special attention of the authorities/ executive and the exclusive support extended to the Anglo- Indian Community should not be neglected and their hardships and suffering should not be prolonged as statutory encouragement will go a long way in ushering the gifted and cultured community to the mainstream of life in the Indian ethos as per the constitution of India and agreements long time in place.

Prayer To St. anthony

(to find a lost article)

St. Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find... which has been lost. At least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss. To this favour I ask another of you : that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be..

Thanksgiving

Thanks for the favour granted. We have received back our hard earned money with interest, paid to builder.

Mrs. Kalpana M., Mulund

Inter parish Badminton

Mumbai,(RBI) April. 20: In order to commemorate the Silver Jubilee year of the Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the CCCI in association with the Bombay Catholic Sabha and the Salsette Catholic Coop housing society Ltd organized the 1st Inter parish Badminton tournament from the 15th to the 16th of April 2023

Housing Society Ltd and Cornel Gonsalves –Secretary, for all their support and generosity in providing the premises and the badminton court free of cost. Without their support, this tournament would not have been possible at all.

The visionary direction behind the organization of this tournament was pro-

dra West. Ms. Lorraine from St. Blaise was awarded with the Best Lady player of the tournament and John from IC Parish, Borivali with the Best Gent player

The tournament concluded with the prize distribution ceremony on 16th April 2023, that was graced by Vin-

at the D’Monte Park Recreation Club, Bandra West, Mumbai.

Teams from 13 parishes in Mumbai such as Mahim, Thane, Mira Road, Borivali, Orlem, Bandra, Vile Parle, Andheri West, participated. The level of participation was very competitive and intense.

The CCCI expresses its appreciation and gratitude to Mrs. Blossom Coutinho, Chairperson - Salsette Catholic

vided by Advocate Raphael D’Souza, along with the professional and organizational skills of Ms. Sybil Miranda(tournament Executer Salsette Society), Bernard Benevides (Convenor and Chairman Sports, Media and Entertainment Committee of the CCCI) and Kevin D’Souza(BCS)

The 1st place was awarded to the IC parish, Borivali, with St. Blaise (Amboli) as the runner up. The 3rd place was awarded to Mount Carmel parish, Ban-

cent Mathias-Founder Chairman of the CCCI, Henry Lobo, past Chairman of the CCCI, Advocate Pius Vas, Vice Chairman of the CCCI, along with President of theBombay Catholic Sabha, Dolphy D’Souza and its Vice Presidents Norbert Mendonca, Bento Lobo, Kevin D'souza and its Secretary General Vinod Noronha and Mrs. Blossom Coutinho, Chairperson - Salsette Catholic Housing Society Ltd and Cornel Gonsalves –Secretary. — Ronida

1ST

tournament in association with the cccI, Bombay catholic Sabha and the Salsette catholic co-op housing Society on 15th and 16th of april 2023