Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK/SB)
Mangaluru, Dec 17: The true spirit of Christmas filled the air as people from different communities gathered at Kalpane ground here on Saturday December 16 to celebrate the joyous festival showcasing inter-religious harmony.
In a gesture befitting the event, Kudupu temple priest Krishna Raj Kanthri inaugurated the Christmas celebrations, organised by Holy Cross Church, Cordel, Kulshekar, by lighting the Christmas tree and cutting the cake.
Addressing the gathering, Cordel parish priest Fr Victor Machado said, "This is a special celebration ahead of Christmas eve. We have gathered here to celebrate the Christmas spirit without inhibitions such as caste and religion. We are all children of God who has called for peace and harmony and we need to walk in his footsteps by leading a good and peaceful life.
"It is good to see that Christmas celebrations have begun early in Mangaluru. We are blessed to be born in this country where all religions are united and live in harmony, and today people of different religion have gathered here in this celebration. This is a beginning which should never end. Our celebration should be towards wiping the tears of poor, protecting the environment, donating blood and helping the needy. This will give more meaning to festive celebrations," said advisor of Talent Research Foundation Rafiq.
MCC members Bhaskar K, Prakash, Zubaida and others were present.
Christmas tableaux at different places
St Joseph Worker's Church, Vamanjoor and Sangati Vamanjoor jointly organised Christmas tableaux at Vamanjoor here on Saturday.
Christmas tableaux were conducted at different places like Moodushedde, Vamanjoor, Neermarga and Kaikamba. The Christmas tableaux consisted of 40 artistes enacting the episode of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Parish Priest of St Joseph Church Fr Cyprin Pinto, Karnataka Theological College Warden Fr Punith and others were present.
300 children from orphanages gather at Fatima Retreat House to celebrate joy of Christmas
In a unique programme, 300 children from eight orphanages in the city celebrated Christmas gathering and New Year celebrations at Fatima Retreat House ground on Saturday, December 16.
Inaugurating the programme, Fr Melwin Pinto, director of Fatima Retreat House said, "Christmas is always special for children. They enjoy various types of activities in Christmas seasons such as preparing the crib, Christmas tree and dance with Santa Claus. During his lifetime, Jesus also loved children and blessed them."
"Jesus Christ’s birth is the symbol of peace and love. With his birth, he brought new hope to this universe; the hope of salvation to the world.
"These children from various orphanages are equal to angels of love and peace. You are the true ambassadors for humanity and unity of mankind. The celebration of Christmas will give a message of humanity and peace. You should follow it in your life,” he told the children.
The children of Bala Yesu Nilaya, Maryhill, Stella Maris, Kotekar, Bhagini Samaj, Jeppu Market, Zeenath Baksh, Bunder, Infant Mary's Hostel, Kulshekar, De Mercyde, Deralakatte, Jeevadaan, Gurpur Kaikamba, Prashant Nivas, Jeppu participated in the programme.
Cultural programmes were staged by the children while the organizers conducted various games for them and distributed the prizes.
Traditional Christmas Kuswaar and a personal gift for each child from Santa Claus was distributed on the occasion.