Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
With Inputs from Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 29: Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha offered condolences over the death of former defence minister George Fernandes on Tuesday, January 29.
In his condolence message, the Bishop said, "I am extremely saddened by the death of our beloved George Fernandes, who strived for the upliftment and development of labourers and suppressed class and successfully completed various development projects while he was the railway and defence minister of the nation.
“I recall his special and immense contribution to the Diocese of Mangalore. May his soul rest in peace and may the good Lord give the strength to his family members and scores of well wishers to bear the pain of his death,” he said.
Condolence meet held at St Aloysius College
St Aloysius institution where George Fernandes completed his high school education organised a prayer service along with a condolence meeting on Tuesday, January 29.
Prof A M Narahari, the registrar while speaking about George Fernandes recalled that he was a proud alumnus of the institution by upholding the highest level of integrity, morality, simplicity and commitment.
George Fernandes was instrumental in making the two Presidents, Neelam Sanjiv Reddy in 1980 and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in 2003 visit the college. He was a trade unionist, committed social worker and a model politician. The 1974 railway workers strike and the fight against emergency under his leadership are the testimony for his concern for the workers and the marginalized. He set a model as a great parliamentarian while winning the election to the parliament nine times. He was a link between the right and left thinkers.
He donated his entire valuable library collections of more than 3,500 books to St Aloysius College library.
Fr Praveen Martis, the principal, read the condolence message.
Father Muller Charitable Institutions condoles demise of George Fernandes
"Father Muller Charitable Institutions is deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of former defence minister George Fernandes on 29th January 29. He has held several ministerial portfolios including communications, industry, railways, and defence. Mr. George Fernandes was the among the most effective voices for the rights of people. He was a great leader, philanthropist and epitomized simple living and high thinking.
"A familiar personality among the Mangalorean community, George Fernandes has done a lot for the people of Mangalore. He was a great well-wisher of Father Muller Charitable Institutions and had love for our Institution. Father Muller Charitable Institutions remains ever grateful to him for his contribution in the commencement of Father Muller Medical College. With great insight he assisted and encouraged the Management in taking up the mammoth task of the starting the College, way back in the 90s’ and ensured that the College got recognition and affiliation at the right time.
"In the recent past i.e. in 2007, George Fernandes along with his family members made a generous contribution for the poor and needy patients of our Hospital by establishing “Mr Lawrence Fernandes Memorial Foundation”. Late Mr Lawrence Fernandes was the ex-Mayor of Bengaluru city and elder brother of Mr George Fernandes. Mr George Fernandes inaugurated this foundation on the occasion of Institutions Day cum graduation ceremony on 13th March 2007 and ever since then has helped us serve our Dialysis patients. The Management is thankful to him and his family for this philanthropic and benevolent contribution to our Hospital and its patients.
The Management, staff and students of Father Muller family mourn this great loss and offer his family our heartfelt condolences. He will always be remembered by us as an able administrator, a distinguished politician, an eminent leader and for his immense contribution to our Institutions. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. May his soul rest in peace," it said in a release.