Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Oct 23: Vidhana parishad chief whip, Ivan D'Souza, is all set to attend the Deepavali festival along with people of various faith, on the Kadri Manjunatha Temple premises, on Saturday, October 29.
Addressing the press at his office here, on Sunday, October 23, Ivan D'Souza said, " District in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai will inaugurate this occasion by distributing 5 kg rice bags to people. On this occasion, 1000 rice bags will be doled out overall. 400 free spectacles will be handed out to the poor who underwent eye tests and are in need of them. An elocution competition will be organised for students of class 8 to 12 on the subject 'Deepavali and Integrity'. Goodudeepa (deepavali lamp) competition and drawing competition will be held. All competitions will have prizes for winners, and certificates for participants . The competitions will be held from 3:00 PM through 9:00 PM".
"The festival will comprise a stage programme at about 5:00 PM. Bhramananda Sarswathi Swamiji of Ramkshetra Kanyadi, Dr Alyosius Paul Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese and Maulana Jafar Sadik will be a part of this programme. This is a message to the society that festivals must transcend the boundary of the faith that celebrates it" he said.
Condemning the assault on principal of Milagres College, Fr Michael Santhumayor, by a BBA student of the same college, Mohammed Shahnawaz, on Thursday, October 20, Ivan said, " This is a heinous offence and an insult to a civilised society. It discredits the learned society. I have asked the police department to arrest the culprit very soon and take stringent action against him. In our culture, a teacher held in high regard. Continuing to treat this as a heinous act, no advocates must defend cases such as this. Everyone must condemn this shameful act."
Regarding Tippu Jayanti, Ivan said, " The government has decided to observe the Jayanti, and it will go on as any other jayanti. No one can take the law into their own hands. In such a case, the police and government will take proper action about it."