Media Release

Udupi, Aug 28: A gesture of harmony was witnessed at the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations organized under the leadership of the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsava Samiti, Thottam, in association with the Samanvaya Sarva Dharma Samiti, Thottam and the St Anne's Church, Thottam.

Fr Denis D’Sa, parish priest of St Anne's Church, Thottam, along with Samanvaya Sarva Dharma Samiti president Ramesh Tingalaya, led a delegation that extended warm festive greetings to the office bearers and members of the Ganeshotsava Samiti.

Speaking on the occasion, Fr Denis D’Sa said that Thottam has always been a symbol of interfaith harmony. “Every year, we joyfully take part in the Ganeshotsava as brothers, exchanging greetings with the members of the Samiti. The Ganeshotsava Samiti, in turn, has consistently extended wholehearted support to church activities. Their cooperation during our annual parish feast and the traditional harvest festival, where they provide the Samiti stage for church programs, is proof that harmony here goes beyond words - it is lived through action. May Lord Ganesha’s blessings be upon the entire Thottam community,” he said.

Among those present on the occasion were church vice president Leslie Aroza, secretary Blesilla Crasta, Sisters Sushma, Shalini, and Lucy of St Anne's Convent, Agnel Fernandes (coordinator, interfaith dialogue commission), parishioner Onil D’Souza, Sarvajanik Ganeshotsava Samiti president Prashanth K Saliyan, working president Yatiraj Saliyan, general secretary Yogish Kumar, treasurer Ramesh Thottam, and other office-bearers including Ramesh Dayesh Kanchan, Naveen Kundar, Naveen Bailkere, Sridhar Thottam, and Santosh Kumar.