Public Condolence for Air Crash Victims Held at Milagres Grounds
Pics by Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SR/FR)
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Mangalore, May 27: Public condolence programme was held at Milagres Church grounds on Wednesday May 26 at 6.30 pm for the victims of the air crash tragedy that killed 158 people. Rt Rev Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D Souza led the prayer in the presence of thousands of people who joined the special condolence programme.
Manohar Prasad who conducted the programme thanked the locals who were instrumental in saving the lives of the survivors and also helping in the rescue operations. Addressing the gathering he said May 22 incident has shown that life is unpredictable as people irrespective of different race, caste, region and religion died in the crash in one go. Some people were rescued by the local people without paying attention to their caste or religion, which is indeed commendable. What matters in a moment of crisis was humanness and compassion as was demonstrated by the May 22 incident.
Dr Shantharam Shetty expressing similar sentiments pointed out that we human beings have specialized in various fields like science, religion, culture, music art etc,. However we have to remember that we were born without clothes and we die with the clothes worn at the time of death.
He added that being the doctor of a patient whose son was one of the survivors in the gruesome tragedy, he expressed hope that her son would return to Mangalore to undergo an operation. Examples of this nature strike a chord among all those who believe in humanity. It is a travesty that riots take place in the name of religion when people are not sure about the longevity of their own lives.
Dr Shetty thanked the Bishop for his thoughtful act of holding the condolence meeting in the church and stated that such gruesome incidents should never recur.
Fr Oneil D’Souza speaking on the occasion pointed out that the incident has brought about the brotherhood among people belonging to different religions, who are ever eager to protect one another in times of grave calamity. He added that the May 22 incident is an unforgettable day in the history of Mangalore. This incident has shown that come what may people have to live happily loving one another setting aside all other barriers.
Dr Rev Bishop Fr Aloysius Paul D’Souza prayed for the souls of the victims who had perished in the air crash. Though 158 people died in the tragedy the entire coastal belt has shared the sorrows of people and their families, he stated. `When a child is born, the child cries and everyone around it smiles whereas in death one person is calm and serene and dear ones cry. But in 22/5 when 158 were thrashed in the tragedy everyone who heard of it was saddened and cried. Even the Pope and the papal ambassador in India have sent their condolences to all those affected by the unforgettable tragedy.’ he added.
Fr William Ménezes. PRO, Mangalore diocese proposed vote of thanks. Titus Noronha joined hands with Manohar Prasad in compering the programme. Bishop together with Dr Shantharam Shetty and Moidhin Bava placed the floral wreath on the symbolical grave of 158 victims. Leaders from different communities and spheres paid the floral tributes. While the Bethany nuns prayed hymnal tributes, the huge crowd gathered, lit candles as a mark of respect for the victims.
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