Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Dec 26: Hundreds of people witnessed 'Christa Janmotsava – 2017' at Malpe beach here on Monday, December 25, which was organized for the first time by District Full Gospel Pastors Association Udupi.
Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLA, Kaup inaugurated the programme by releasing a bunch of balloons.
Speaking on the occasion Sorake said, "Christmas symbolizes peace, love and harmony. It is the feast that people of all communities celebrate together in the entire world. Recollecting the memories, a programme was conducted with the motto 'Love your enemy'. Everyone should pray God to get a peaceful mind,"
"We brought nothing while we came into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out from here. Nowadays people are living a luxurious life. Good works always count at the last breath of our life. Those who will do good services will certainly get closer to God. One will get peace only when he will do service for the sake of God," he added.
Continuing his inaugural speech Sorake said, "Let Christmas brighten everyone's life and share the joy with each other."
Another chief guest Yashpal Suvarna, president, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District Fisheries Marketing Federation addressed the gathering and said, "This is such a meaningful programme organized by Udupi District Full Gospel Pastors Association. Students from more than 50 countries come to Udupi to get a quality education. Fishermen from other states also come to Udupi for fishing. Thousands of tourists visit Sri Krishna Temple of Udupi every day. This shows unity in diversity. Let this harmony continue in the same way in future also. Let people come here even more in numbers,"
Prashanth Jathanna, director, Christian Minorities Development Corporation said, "Angels gave the good news of the birth of Jesus. Jesus Christ is a reflection of love, sacrifice, peace and harmony. Let us all live in his path and treat each other as brothers and sisters,"
Veronica Cornelio, secretary Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) gave her Christmas message by saying, "It is a good programme that is organized by Gospel Pastors Association. People from all religions are witnessing this celebration. Let all of us have a healthy life. Christmas marks brotherhood and harmony. Jesus was born in a crib to show his humbleness and love towards poor. Let us all follow Christ’s message throughout our life,"
Pastor T V Gopinathan of New Life Church Udupi, presided over the function.
The stage function was followed by a colourful cultural programme, which included dance, singing and skit, performed by the artistes of the association to spread the messages of Jesus. This is the first time a mega Christmas event is organized in Udupi. The artists also enacted the history of Jesus.
Joseph Jamkhandi, Bethel Protestant Church, Ajjarakad, Rayappa, chief officer, Kaup town municipality, Pundalika K FDA (SRO), Sudesh Shetty, management in charge, Mantra Tourism Development Company and Malpe beach were present.
The programme began with an invocation by pastor Selva Kumar.
Robin Pinto welcomed the gathering.
Daijiworld was the official media partner of the event.