mangalore today

Karnataka govt chief whip promoting communal amity with Christmas fete


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 10, 2016 : Continuing with personal effort to foster amity in society through collectively celebrating festivals, Ivan D’Souza, chief whip of the state government in state legislative council is now in readiness to celebrate Christmas involving all sections of society.

 

Ivan Dsouza 10The event that will be held at ground near Kankanady market on December 22 will entail competitions for best Christmas star in traditional and modern categories, carol singing and a Christmas cake as well.


Ivan told reporters on Saturday that this move started with a suggestion at Ramzan iftaar earlier in the year that major festivals of all religions should be celebrated collectively to foster greater inter-faith relationship among people. Accordingly, after Ramzan, Ivan organised Diwali and is now into organising an all-faith Christmas amity meet. Ivan has also set up a 50-member team to coordinate and also arrange for the competitions lined up as part of the event.


The organising committee has sent out invites to all bakeries and cake makers in the city to display their wares at separate stalls that will be provided to them at the venue. For the carol singing competition, the organisers have received 20 entries thus far. "We expect this number to cross at least 30," Ivan said. The Christmas star competition will see contestants vie for top three prizes in the traditional and modern categories of star respectively, Ivan noted.


Religious heads from all three major faiths will give their message of peace and harmony. Minister for forest, environment, ecology and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge B Ramanath Rai will inaugurate the amity meet. Former union minister Oscar Fernandes will be the chief guest. Mayor Harinath M will preside. The organisers have also made arrangements to distribute food grains (rice) to 500 selected beneficiaries on this occasion, Ivan added.


Courtesy: Times of India