Report: Mervin Dsouza
Pics: Prem Menezes, Mummy Studio
Udupi, Nov 5: Souharda Samithi Udyavar, celebrated the Festival of Lights Deepavali on November 2, at St Francis Xavier Church Hall, Udyavar.
The programme was presided by president of Udyavara Grama Panchayath and also the vice president of the Souharda Samithi, Vijaya Kumar Udyavara, Fr Roque Dsouza, representative for Roman Catholics, Moulana Abdul Rasheed Rehmani representative of Muslim Community, KRK Bhat representative of Hindu Community and George Sammuel representing CSI community.
On the stage they were accompanied by Divakar Kundar, member of Zilla Panchayath Udupi, Ganesh Kumar and Girish Kumar, members of Taluk Panchayath Udupi, Vice President of church parish council Lawrence D’sa, Secretary John D’souza and president of Catholic Sabha Raphael P Monis.
The Souhardha Samithi was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by all the representatives of community and dignitaries on the dais.
Lawrence D’Sa gave an introductory speech on the relevance of this samithi in our village. He also told that Bishop of Udupi Diocese has also taken interest to designing such kind of programmes for maintaining peace and good relationship between
different communities. He also welcomed the dignitaries and all representatives of different association heads from Udyavar village by offering flower.
The celebration of Deepavali started off by lighting the lamps (dia) on the stage by all representatives of different associations of Udyavara. On this occasion Moulana Abdul Rasheed Rehmani addressed the gathering and wished everyone to move from darkness towards the light. KRK Bhat spoke about the importance of Deepavali festival and thanked everyone for celebrating the festival in a different way.
Fr Roque Dsouza gave a short message on deepavali and congratulated the catholic sabha for organizing a beautiful programme.
George Sammuel and Divakar Kunder also gave their message on this occasion and wished everyone. In the presidential speech Vijaya Kumar Udyavara suggested that more and more youths must be the part of such associations so that their power can be efficiently utilized for the well being of the society.
More than 150 people were present for this programme. Netravathi , the joint secretary of Souharda Samithi thanked everyone for supporting the programme. Teena and group sung prayer song and Steevan Culaco was the Master of Ceremony.