Justin D’ Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Dec 15: “The service of special children is equivalent to God’s service. Everybody has the responsibility of providing respect, recognising their talents and bringing them to the mainstream in the society,” said Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh spiritual director Fr J B Saldanha. He was speaking after setting in motion the silver jubilee year of Pamboor Manasa Rehabilitation and Training center on Wednesday December 15.
“It is commendable that Manasa organization has been attending to the development of personality, all round development and the talents of special children for the last 24 years. Catholic community is always bound to the service of the poor and the downtrodden as per examples shown by Jesus Christ and they are taking special efforts to attend to the special children to bring them to the mainstream of society. May the work proceed more effectively,” he said.
Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh Silver Jubilee spiritual director Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves said that completing 25 years for an organization is a milestone. “We get that satisfaction when we use the opportunity to respond to those in pain. Manasa organization has been performing their service sincerely,” he said.
Author Vitasha Ria Rodrigues donated for solar lamps the amount received by her for Sahitya Puraskar. She inaugurated three such lamps. Manasa organization co secretary Dr Jerald Pinto gave a keynote address about the organization.
Silver Jubilee committee convener Elroy Kiran Crasto said that several programmes are planned for the silver jubilee year and the growth of special children. “Important among them are installation of solar lamps in the organization premises, district level sports competition for special children, cultural programme, creation of funds for the education of poor children, silver jubilee souvenir, awareness to children through autism, autism center in memory of the silver jubilee, special care home for children, up gradation of skill development center for special children and others,” he said.
Catholic Sabha Mangaluru president Stany Lobo, Udupi Pradesh president Mary D’ Souza, Manasa organization secretary Joseph Noronha, parent teacher association president Srinidhi Shettigar, trustees Valerian Fernandes, Lena Machado, Catholic Sabha office bearers Alwyn Quadros, Robert Menezes, Gregory P K D’ Souza, Jerald Rodrigues, Melvin Aranha and others were present.
Manasa organization managing trustee Henry Menezes welcomed. Principal Sr Ancilla Fernandes rendered a vote of thanks.