Kundapur, May 14: Sacerdotal jubilee celebration of Fr Antony Lobo, parish priest of Kundapur varado was held at Holy Rosary Church here recently.

Fr Antony was felicitated on the occasion by the devotees Holy Rosary Church. The celebration was held on a grand scale to mark 25 years of his service and three years in Kundapur.

Speaking on the occasion Fr Antony Lobo said that the occasion had a special significance for his life. 'The Almighty has been kind to me and has bestowed on me the good fortune of participating in the silver jubilee celebration of my priestly ordination,' he said.

He further said that he had the satisfaction of serving the parish with sincerity and simplicity. He thanked the members of the varado for their cooperation, affection and for the honour bestowed on him.

Tallur parish priest Fr Benzamin D’Souza presided over the function while Fr Benjamin Lobo and Sr Ida were present on the occasion. Convener of the jubilee celebration committee Ronald Rodrigues welcomed the gathering. Fr Ronald Cutinho made a brief introductory speech on Fr Antony Lobo while Basil D’Souza, vice-president, administrative council of the church read out the certificate honour. Ronald Rodrigues presented a cheque as a gift to Fr Antony Lobo. Secretary Diana Almeida proposed the vote of thanks.

Brahmavar: May 6: Konkani drama “Mataro chorbela” written by Francis Fernandes Cassia was staged in Brahmavar on 4^th May. The event was arranged by CAP cell Kallianpur Varado at St. Mary’s Syrian College Hall Brahmavar .

During the occasion in small stage function the Catholic Sabha Kallianpur varado felicited Francis Fernandes Cassia and Dr Jerry Niddodi(Gerald Pinto) for receiving the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy awards recently.

Catholic Sabha Varado President Felix Pinto welcomed the gathering. Secretary Avitas Carnelio introduced the awardees. Fr Marcel Saldanha the Vicar Forane Kallianpur and Rev Fr. Ramban G M Scaria the parish Priest of SMS Cathedral felicited the awardees.
Fr Victor D Souza the parish priest of Petri proposed the vote of thanks.

Kundapur, May 9: Bishop of Mangalore Fr Aloysius Paul D’Souza ordained Br Manoj Braganza and Br Venil D’Souza to priesthood at Holy Rosary church here on Wednesday May 7. 

Speaking at the Eucharistic celebration he said all religions preach the same truth and the more we know the truth the wiser we become. It is the duty of every parent to make their children believers and faithful. It is said that good parents get good children and good children are blessed with good parents. He said in this regard, 'The parents whose sons were ordained were really fortunate for they had given up their offspring for the service of God. The offer made by these blessed parents would certainly strengthen our religion.'

Br Manoj Braganza, son of Michael and Mabel Braganza and Br Venil D’Souza, son of Robert and Delphin D’Souza were ordained priests of Carmelite. 

Parish priest Fr Antony Lobo felicitated the newly-ordained on behalf of the parishioners of Kundapur. On the occasion parents of both newly-ordained priests were present.

Provincial Fr Archibald Gonsalves and the former chief George Shantumayar of Carmelite [OSD] gave introductory speech. Malcolm Braganza welcomed the gathering. Fr Stany B Lobo blessed every one. Former minister Jayaprakash Hegde was also present on occasion.

Udupi, May 2: Sri Laxmiwara Swamiji of Shiroor Math inaugurated the summer roller skating classes on Friday May 2 morning. The classes have been organized by Upadhyaya Roller Skating Academy, Ambalapady, with a view to popularize the outdoor sport among students.

Pramod Madhwaraj, RTO Omkareshwari, Raghavendra Upadhyaya, roller skating instructor Laxminarayana Upadhyaya were the chief guests for the inaugural ceremony. 

On the occasion, academy student Bhuvi Kiran Kumar and other kids displayed amazing roller skating skills which earned much applause from the audience.

Udupi, May 3: A massive protest was held by the fishermen representing Malpe fishermen association on Saturday May 3 morning, at Malpe Fisheries Port, urging the port authorities to relocate Tebma Shipyard at the earliest. 

Malpe fisheries port was set up with the assistance of both union and state governments during 1965. The first phase of works at the port were held from 1975 to 1983 on 56 acre plot while 10 acre plot was earmarked for constructing slipway at the port, for parking the fisheries boats. The state government had leased this 10 acre plot to M/s Tebma Shipyard during 1999, in order to build the slipway, as it was included in the master plan of port.

Accordingly, the state government assured better infrastructure facilities to local fishermen after executing the slipway works by Tebma. However, Tebma Shipyard had the lucrative plan to undertake building and repairs to trawlers, barges and median sized ocean going vessels, while Tebma authorities never bothered to go back to the agreement that they had signed to build the slipway, thereby cheating the local fishermen and the government.

The protests by local fishermen were held to draw the attention of the plight of fishermen in the wake of Tebma’s aggressive plans to go into further expansion into ship building at the existing facility.

The delegation of fishermen met the chief minister reigned during 2005, managed to convince him of the injustice meted out to fishermen at Malpe fisheries port by Thabma and ordered to construct the slipway at the earliest.  However, Thabma seems to be functioning keeping all its operation secret from the fisheries community and the government alike.

The fisheries community of over 25,000 people is engaged in the age-old profession of fishing in 1000 mechanized boats, 1500 country boats. The people who are directly or indirectly dependent on fisheries for their livelihood have urged the state government to relocate the shipyard.

Malpe fishermen association president Hiriyanna P Kidiyoor, trawler owners’ association president Sudhakar Kotian, Gurudev Bangera, country boat fishermen association president Dejappa P Kunder, Malpe fishermen association Rama Kanchan, Somappa Kanchan, Sadhoo Salian Radha Suvarna, Janardhan Tingalaya and a large number of fishermen from the neighbouring fisheries colonies were present at the protest.

The delegation led by the fishermen leaders submitted the memorandum to the state government through deputy commissioner Hemalatha Ponnuraj.