paul d`souza, balakunje

our dearest mes: margaret alva,we heartly wish you a special way serving our nation & your sincier dedications. one must say, give some time for your self & live a happy & peacefull life from all the disturbances. it is a great thing you have carried out & came out on time as a great parsonality from cabinet.we all indians are very proud on you & let god give you good health & peace of mind & relaxed life.

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Alwyn Lobo, New Delhi

Margaret Alva may have resigned her party posts . But one must remember that she is the Chairperson of Parliamentary Bureau for Training & Studies ,with a Minister of State rank and with all perks incl. Ministarial Bungalow .Her office is in Parliament House Annexe .This is a very powerful post.Nobody knows or realizes this position of Mrs Alva's.

Her office is even larger than a Cabinet Minister and I have seen it myself . Mr.Veerappa Moily too enjoys the same perks . In party politics nobody is out , players are only injured and will come out to bat depending on the Captain.Some have come back and scored a century ! Hence dont rule/ Congress veteran Mrs Margaret Alva clean bowled .

You may be too shocked and time is the best healer. Lets be proud of her and let us not let her down (like St.Peter)for the good done to Mangalore & our Christian brethren in Orissa during the recent desicration / distruction of our Churches,etc.After all she is from South Kanara & Karnataka .

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Gerald Salian, Mumbai, Dubai

Thank you Sir, for giving us the facts of Madam M. Alva, what ever her family has done for us its good and I am thankfull for that , what is shamefull is to go in public and spoil the name of the party she worked for so long, she was a member of the higiest body of Congress she could have easely raised the issue their like a true loyal member not doing so she has brought shame on the rest of the christian community who are normally educated and do not react in this maner, plus you please show us the good charity helping work has M. Alva and family has done for Christians & Mangalorians that she so badly wanted her son to carry on the work to get a ticket.

 If she feels so much for the people then they can even do it without any party ticket , Sir please take the example of Mother Teressa she had no party or asked for any ticket. Let the Alva's try to do even a fraction of that an automaticlly the party tickets will come to them ok.

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Ajay, Mangalore

Mrs Margaret Alva is a rather dignified politician compared to the lot we have today. But this episode is due to the fact that her son was not given a ticket while other leaders where able to get their children tickets. This is true in both the congress and BJP. We all know that tickets are sold for money in both the Congress and BJP. The BJP has their Reddy brothers who have bought the state party with their mining loot. This is sad for her to do this way, Raise the issue of corruption Mrs Alva. But do not raise it for the selfish reason that your son was denied a ticket.

I can understand why Sonia would not meet with Christians from Orissa. She does not want the BJP to use it politically to claim that she is biased. This is the reason that I feel we should have a Christian party in India. We can be part of the coalition of non congress and non BJP political parties and we would have our dignity and bargaining power which we do not right now. The next Lok Sabha will have both the congress and the BJP with less them 200 seats for themselves.

I wish both of them would remain in the opposition and form a joint Congress/BJP front. We want a non congress , non BJP government at the centre, that truly represents the diversity of India as a coalition.

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Harry D'mello, Shirva, Udupi Dist.

I totally agree with Gerry Bangera , maybe a protestant by virtue of his name. I had a local problem & met Mrs Margaret Alva in Bhopal with a memorandum.Believe it or not , within 10 days matters were sorted out , which I was fighting for several years.

I originally hail from Udupi. Our younger folks do not know that Mrs Margaret Alva's Father -in-law,Late Joachim Alva , donated or was the founder of the Udupi Church.His ashes are vaulted there. I want the younger generation to know this. Mrs Margaret Alva's Father-in-Law , Late Joachim Alva & MIL Late Violet Alva , were the first couple elected to Indian Parliament in 1952 .Let us be proud of that, being Mangaloreans.

Their photograph enriches the walls of the Parliament House of India today and nobody can change that. Today the young & youth feel it is their day and want changes overnight. yes, to a certain extent I agree with them , But let them know the sacrifices of our fore fathers in the Mangalorean community . Joachim Alva & Violet Alva were imprisoned during the freedom movement.As far as I remember , their youngest son was born in jail.

We Mangaloreans, good or bad , we always kick the body of the deceased .We never realize the good done , esp. during the Bajrand Dal problem in Mangalore / Bangalore / Kolar / Orissa ,etc . Most of you have not even met Mrs Margaret Alva personally or not even have seen her LIVE, yet some of you want to ire your grievences and throw further a stone on our own personality . We Christians , whatever good or bad, we always speak well & good of the dead / deceased .

We never further throw a rock on a sinking boat & should never. May better sense prevail since most of you do not know Mrs MARGARET ALVA personally , unlike I do . In politics , remember one never knows when she would bounce back to your astonishment ! Hail MARGARET ALVA .We are with you in spirit .

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Antony T. D' Souza, Karkala/Qatar

Gerry, you are partly right not to find analogy between Mrs. Alva, Archbishop of B’lore & Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. Mrs. Alva played a vigorous role which might have influenced Archbishop’s outburst with Chief Minister. Archbishop did not visit Mangalore during those days, he might have been abroad or his presence was very much necessary under those prevailing conditions in Bangalore.

I know not, he must have paid visit later. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi as a political leader she should have visited to Orissa and Mangalore and not limited to Gujarat. What was the reason to shy away from it, probably was not daring enough to burn herself in circuit of Christianity-Conversion because she herself got converted from Christianity to Hinduism. She might have sought to avoid all contradictions. Therefore, what to expect more from her ? However, if somebody would like be a daring women leader, should be like India Gandhi and Margaret Alva.

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Patrick D'Silva, Qatar

I have read a lot from the comments of this website and also from The Indian Express newspaper. Being totally neutral, I reiterate let's give Margaret Alva her credit, IF AT ALL she has contributed to the welfare of the Christian community, be it in any measure, OR if she deserves criticism for the ticket episode and other matters in her political tenure. We are nobody to criticize her.

Everybody will be rewarded in their right measure at the most appropriate time and HE is the right judge. Whether we like it or not, let's close this saga once and for all. Why waste our time on these worldly immaterial things. Let's invest our time on some constructive activities which would benefit us in the long run.

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joe Gonsalves, Mangalore - U.S.A.

Ms. Alva has indeed served the country and the people of Mangalore very well. She has been a dedicated person and did not mince her words. Her resignation is a great loss to the party and the people of Mangalore have lost a friend and a supporter. Joe Gonsalves

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Kevin Dias, Mumbai

I am not here to say anything that should not be said , but there is an ignition to what has taken place in Karnataka. Mrs. Alva has spoken out of hurt and pain due to her long assocation with the congress, mind you that does not mean one should cross party lines. We catholic'should remember that we had a voice at the centre, Mrs. Alva due to her great political carrier,twice a minister in the previous governments, was one person who did not need an appointment to enter 10 Janpat lane, Mrs. Gandhi had great respect towards Mrs. Alva.

My prayer today is how will Mrs. Gandhi react finally towards the entire scene that has drawn a huge cloud over the party. Mrs. Alva yes by going public has created a storm to the party. This could have been sorted out amicabily with the high command instead of going to the media. Her public out cry has hurt the catholics all over India I must say, the reason all held her in an high esteem. Being general secretary and in charge of seven states Mrs. Alva should have thought twice , instead of hurting her long public life that she has sacrificed to the nation a veteran at 66 and mind you also a member of the CWC and Central Election Committee.

To me Mrs Alva was a great model the way she held herself in public and carried out the duties as per the high command. Finally Mrs. Alva let us leave the party to decide your credentials and worth before any serious step is taken my prayers are with you, yes it's painful, remember the wounds that Christ faced on the day he was to be hung on the Cross ! God Bless You.

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Gerry Bangera, Mangalore

But for Mrs Margaret Alva ,Mangalore would have been another Kandhamal.Many people do not realize this .The Archbishop of Bangalore got the courage to speak out ( insulting the Chief Minister of Karnataka , a guest in his house ) only after Mrs Margaret Alva's visit to the desicrated places including the Adoration Monastry,the Bishop of Mangalore in hospital,the Kulshekar Church , the young arrested christian boys in Bijai Jail ,preventing the District Administration from taking the arrested boys to Bellary Jail and her firey press conference in Mangalore within 4 days of the episode.

Did the Archbishop of Bangalore ever visit the desicrated places in Mangalore to which he belongs and under his jurisdiction ,I ask ? While in Mumbai, I read an editorial in the TOI .Can you believe that after the Khandhamal carnage / riots , all the Christian Bishops of Orissa tried to meet Mrs Sonia Gandhi in Delhi .Mrs Sonia Gandhi refused to meet them and sent them away from her gate.The article also mentioned that Mrs Margaret Alva pleaded with Mrs Sonia Gandhi from Cuttack ,Orissa for an appointment , but without luck. Mrs Sonia Gandhi visited Gujarat immediately after the riots .My point is ,why did'nt she visit Orissa or Karnataka .

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Ravi, Udupi/Bangalore

Raja you have given a very good comment. Alva is not only selfish but even power hungry and she wanted her son to get ticket. She was given responsibilty of taking care and building the Congress party. But she became selfish and wants her house to be built. Disgusting it is. A such a Senior Minister resigning for a such a small reason. So ugly it sounds.

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Raja, Kalyanpur

Madame Alva if you had to resign when Christians and Churches were attacked in Karnataka we would have given you our full sympathy. But to resign when your son is denied a ticket is selfishness.

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Alex Lobo, bantwal

Margaret alva certainly served the party for her benefit.And not for the people and the community. she surely lacked the will and the teeth to stand by the people when they neede it. Her son could have waited for his chance. Did Alva dream of a young parliamentarian in her son.What a out burst in the shatter of her dream. by this she only exposed hergreed and not her sacrifice to make him a good leader.

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Noel Frank, Mangalore/KSA

Frank, as Indians, family politics is nothing new to us. Only thing is, it is being served in different plates. It is true as you said Both Rajiv and Rahul Gandhi`s would not have been able to get their respective positions based on their own qualifications. But the difference is - they were both supported by the followers of the congress party, not by their mothers. In Margaret Alva`s case it is the mother who is involved and we do not hear of any support to her son from the supporters of the congress party.

Also it hurts more because as Harold D`cunha said We thought we had a true Leader representing Mangaloreand at the center who can fight for their cause. But now we are really disappointed after coming to know of her true colors. Having 40 years of experience in the game of politics, how can anyone agree that she was deceived in the end.?

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M.Bhat, Mumbai

Yeah dynastics politics is still in vogue in India. Similarly sons/daughters of actors aspire to become the same despite not having acting skills, except for few. These two fields have become money making business without any responsibility & accountability. I think Government can reserve some seats for children of politicians too like done in every other field. GOD save our country from the clutches of these selfish people.

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Frank, Mangalore

What is wrong in her argument? Dont you know Rajiv Ghandhi was considered as PM, just because he was Indira's son? What qualification Rahul gandhi has other than he is rajiv's son?? Same thing about Kumaraswami, Revanna etc. Even though Margaret served "Delhi Amma" well, with out doing nothing worth, she was deceived at the end!! Long live family politics!!

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Ashraf Khadeer, Bangalore

Margaret Alva, would you have resigned if your son would have got the ticket? Certanly No! Therefore this shows that you want to get your family members, sons and daughters to politics. Has your son proved enough .

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Antony T. D' Souza, Karkala, Qatar

Dear Mrs. Margaret Alva after serving the party so diligently, honestly, brilliantly and steadfastly, your exist should not have been so of mockery, dishonorable and sour. Just for a simple family petty issue you have resigned from the such a prestigious senior post, General Secretary, All India Congress Committee, By this you have shown that no party is greater or above than your son’s political career.

Adversaries are pouring scorn on you where previously they would not dare to comment on you. Finally even if your consciousness matters to you, yet you could have deferred your son’s case selflessly for the greater cause of the party which you had dominated for the record so many years.

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Omprakash, mangalore, India

If someone steps on a thorn then we need to take out that thorn and not cutting the leg. Deserting a party due to silly differences does not show maturity. Why don't you resolve your ill feelings with the party? Of course your son may be the best candidate, but let him prove it.

Has he taken any issue to fight for the welfare of the people/ let us know what is he doing now for the people/ Is it just because he is ur son u need a ticket for him, and u r doing something wrong?

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Charles D'Mello, Pangala

Mr. Gerry Bangera please do not forget whatever Mrs Margaret Alva is today, is because of Congress. But for the party you do not try to potray her as every brilliant lady in India. Let Her son come up in politics because of his own hardwork. Not because his mother is a politician.If he is a leader he will come up. He doesnt need people like you support him!!!

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Mohan H Naik, Mangaluru

I think, there is some truth in what Madom Alwa said.If the issue is not just her son, not getting the ticket but SALE OF TICKETS, we must support her.It is right time for her to proove her ability.It is good that she opted out from commando politics of Karnataka high command.Whether she is courageous enough to mobilise the mass support, or finally just YIELD TO 10, JANPATH pressure time only will tell.

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Siva Narain, Karnataka

Power hungry political dramas are hilarious to the commoners. Sick political dynasties have done nothing but laughing jokes. If Rahul Gandhi is not given a ticket what Sonia will explode a bomb like Margaret and expose the inside of Congress? Margaret, your Marga is Right and opposition parties Rasta Kulla Hai. Why do not we have presidential form of government with only 2 parties instead of several mushrooming parties. Are we expecting a new congress party from M'ret like what Mamta did.

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Reginald, Mangalore

I agree with Gerry Bangera s comments in Maggie. During the communal issues/problems none of our political Christian leaders came forward, instead they were enjoying life with mercy of ours (tax payers). However, only the Archbishop of Bangalore, Bernard Moras, bold enough to slap the faces of politicians and the whole issue/tension is under control. Maggie, you are good for nothing.

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Noel Frank, Mangalore/KSA

Gerry Bangera,” Accepting Everything good of what you said about Margaret Alva`s abilities and her contribution to the society as true , yet the reasons she gave to resign or forced to resign from the congress party AICC gen sec., is a disgrace or shame (Politicians don’t know what disgrace or shame means) not only to her but also to her supporters and admirers.

This should also be a eye opener for congress as said by Helen “Unless congress stops this nonsense and infighting, the doors will be closed for congress” And Gerry Bangera, as you said we should be proud of her and being a personality from Karnataka, yes I too was proud of her, but sadly, not any more. And unlike you, I will not wish all women to be selfish like her

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Harold Moras, Bajpe/Bahrain

Mrs Margaret Alva you are no different than those corrupt and selfish leaders in the congress party who are only interested in gaining power and work for their own personal interests rather than serving a common man (aam aadmi) We thought we had a true Leader representing Mangaloreand at the center who can fight for their cause.

But now we are really disappointed after coming to know of your true colors. As you have no work now I think it is high time for you to go and visit remote villages in Manglore, talk to the poor people,inquire about their problems and work for the development and progress of the region by sending your feed back to the central leadership.

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Gerald Salian, Mumbai, Dubai

I feel ashamed by Madam Alva's action , I just want some one to ask her if she and her son is so much in love of general public then he should have worked as a public servant & made is name and automatically he will be allegable for any party ticket, I personelly dont think these rich childrens of rich ministers want to help people, but want to have easy power for their private use so such politions should be out from all party's including the existing greedy lot in the whole country.

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M.Bhat, Mumbai

Gerry Bangera, Mangalore I donot agree with your views at all but second the views expressed by Helen Banaglore. Just by giving speech,s at seminars / conferences on Womens empowerment in various forums will not solve peoples problems.

A politican has to perform and fullfill his/her promise made to the people at the time of poll. A high profile lady and media crazy Alva cannot be called proud lady so that everyone in Karnataka should emulate her.

She has not done anything for karnataka other than giving speches and meddling in the affairs of other states. Her sons are wealthy media czars do you know that??

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Prashanth, Mangalore

Margaret aunty, in politics money plays powerful role than senority and good work.Today it is you tomorrow it will happen to some other leader.

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Gerry Bangera, Mangalore

Helen, I note your outburst as well ! What Margaret Alva has done for the Christian Community , the State & the country throughout her 40 years of public life and recently during the distruction of churches & prayer halls , may not have been publicised to an extent to educate you on her.I have been in touch with her ( being an NGO ) throughout the recent Bajrang Dal episode in Mangalore and I saw what her actions from Delhi meant in real terms on the ground in Mangalore & Karnataka.

The knowledge which you have is very very poor of her . Margaret Alva is a person who will take no nonsense from anybody.She has the courage of her conviction .No doubt she is popular with several world leaders who invite her to speak at their seminars / conferences esp. on Womens empowerment.  Remember,she has also represented India at several UN conferences in New York and has spoken at several US Universities ,oxford & cambridge .We should be very proud of her and being a personality from Karnataka. I wish all women to be like her .

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lawrence, mangalore

Like Obama, we need change. All oldies above 60 should retire. Not only in congress but in all other parties also. We need youngsters to lead us. Mera Bharath Mahan.

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Lancelot N. Tauro, Manglore - Doha qatar

It's called Mother's sacrifice for her beloved son, who was denied for Karnataka assembly elections. Now take rest in peace at home.

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Helen, Bangalore

Alva, you people are a disaster in Congress. She started creating trouble in Congress as her son was not given Ticket. Alva are you building the party or your family ? Unless Congress stops this nonsense and infigting, I am sure the doors are closed for Congress. Alva should be thrown out of Congress forever. Today you will ask a ticket for your son, tomorrow it may be your mother,father, Grandfather and may be Grandmother also. Shame on you Alva.

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VR Miyar,

Instead of enjoyng the position and power why Maggie Mam is doing this... seems she must have met Gowda the old Monk and now Arulu Marulu, if she want to choose Vanaprastha... fine instead of spoiling name by giving stupid comments and allowing Moily to eat Halwa VR Desouza

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