Media Release
Bengaluru, Sep 5: Bangalore Malayalee Catholic Association on Sunday, August 2, celebrated Onam in grandeur.
Member of Parliament P C Mohan, was the chief guest at the celebration.
He said he built a railway station at Hoodi from the MP’s fund. This makes him the first MP to build a railway station from the fund received from the centre.
He thanked the organisers and said that he had attended programmes by different communities Odiya and Rajastani, since morning. He was the chief guest at the flag – hoisting ceremony at St Mary’s Basilica, Shivajinagar, on the fifth day of the nativity novena.
Mohan said, "Bengaluru is a cosmopolitan city where people from different cultures and languages reside peacefully. This is my third and final Onam celebration for the day. I go and attend all programmes of all social sections." He was invited for a Kerala Samajam programme and he donated Rs 25 lac for the auditorium of the school. He found the school was collecting reasonable and affordable fees from the students. He advised the Keralite organisations to take up education cause and such activities for the needy. He donated one crore rupees for a dialysis machine for a hospital.
He said, "I was an MLA for two terms and MP also twice. I focus on developmental activities in backward areas and wherever required."
The young and energetic BJP MP said he was ready to take up projects for any worthy cause in his constituency from the Rs five cr he received as MP fund. “Call me at any time and for anything, I will be there either for you or for any community in need,” said the active and agile MP.
He wished all present a Happy Onam including J Alexander, former chief secretary and cabinet minister who was also present on the occasion. Mohan said that he was MLA for one term with Alexander.
Writer - poet Briji Romeo, guest of honour, speaking on the occasion said, "People of Kerala return to Kerala for Onam. Onam was originally a temple festival and later came to be one that is seen at present. Onam, a festival of Kerala, first started at Thrikakara near Cochin, now known as Kochi. It has a famous Vamana Temple. Thripunithura, another historical place of Onam celebrations is the former capital of the Kingdom of Kochi and is famous for various historical palaces, museums, temples and centre of the arts."
Briji has to her credit a collection of short stories and poems touching upon the history, culture, legend and epic of Onam.
She said, "Foreign traders went to Kerala and established trade relations. Influenced by trading partners Portuguese, Dutch, Arab, Chinese, and Japanese, Kochi, the financial capital of Kerala, has a highly cosmopolitan culture."
She spoke at length about Onam and its various aspects. "The gods and deities were jealous of each other, though the people were free from jealousy," she said.
"Onam is to remind people of a life filled with love, harmony, peace and equality. The situation has drastically changed. Old people live in flats, looking forward to seeing their children from abroad."
Briji, also an artist, has displayed her paintings at international level. She exhorted everyone to bring back ancient values for all to learn from them. She wished all safe journey devoid of violence, savagery and murder. Briji hoped for good days ahead and wished good atmosphere for all to exist and co-exist.
J Alexander, patron of BMCA, said, that there was no need to speak to Malayalees about Onam. "All celebrate some festival or the other throughout the year. Hindus and Muslims very recently celebrated Ganesha Chaturthi and Bakrid. Christians have their own feast including Christmas, that is coming up shortly."
Alexander, former minister and chief secretary besides holding other positions said, "Onam is not a festival but a dream of Kerala, as a nostalgia of past." Alexander, a multi-talented personality, who is also an orator and singer made references to the old and new testament of the Bible.
"While the OT spoke of the God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac, the NT concentrates on Jesus who taught to pray the 'Our Father'. This prayer presents that the whole world is one family and there is one father for all."
"Onam is a festival of joy, peace, love and fellowship," he said, and narrated a story of a mango tree and a jasmine creeper. "Mango tree was depressed and said no one now used it for swings or shades, instead the branches were cut for various other needs. The creeper advised the mango tree to not lose hope as 'you are for me and I am for you' it said. Both needed each other."
When he visited South Africa, he heard a word used there in a context – ‘Ukundu’, meaning a bundle. "We are a bundle. We depend on each other to live in harmony and friendship," Alexander said. He also sang an Onam song about keeping message of Onam until next year, which drew applause and cheer.
Earlier, Jaijo Joseph, president, BMCA, welcomed the chief guest and others. In his brief introductory talk Jaijo stressed the history of Onam as one of equality. He also presented a bird’s eye view of BMCA which began in October 1956 and has reached the third generation. "The new building which is being readied will house BMCA ‘s office and would cater to other needs," he said. He also made a mention of donors and sponsors of the programme. Tony Vincent, a patron, contributed the donation to ‘Akasha Paravakal’, a centre meant for the abandoned and deprived.
Arattukulam Kunjukunju and Celine Kunjukunju, were the main sponsors.
The celebration began with a prayer song. Traditional lamp was lit by the guests. Bouquets were presented to them. Jaijo said, "BMCA is a net-working Catholic community." He urged all sectors to get involved in some activity every month. He said, “We need to stand together and support each other. Our forefathers made sacrifices and took pains to bring up the big association to its present status.”
Wills Warunny, vice president, introducing P C Mohan said, "The MP is a man of great personality. He has two children who look after his business PCM and Co besides other ventures. He is a disciplined person who goes for everyday walk. P C Mohan is also punctual in everything."
Prizes were given away by J Alexander IAS (retd), chief patron and Briji for Pookalam, the flower arrangement. Renowned artists Bhasker Acharya and Rama Das were the judges. Pookalam was arranged in memory of K M Chacko and was sponsored by the children.
Thiruvathira, a traditional Kerala dance, was performed. Well known Sury Krishna Murthy and team from Kerala presented the enthralling musical performance and songs. P V Dominic, secretary, proposed the vote of thanks. The celebrations culminated with the traditional meal sadhya.