Udupi: ICYM Pangla organizes unique Festival of Lights (Deepavali) at Shankerpura

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Shankerpura, 12 Nov 2015: The every dynamic youth of Pangala St. John Evangelist Church organizes sever programs and helps out for many social causes.

 

The ICYM Pangla unit recently concluded 12th Inter-Parish Singing Competition successfully wherein singers from 18 Parishes of Udupi Diocese took part in this unique and most memorable competition last month.

 

ICYM members also celebrate feasts co-mingled with other religious faiths such as Christmas, Muharram and Deepawali the main feasts of all major religions.

 

One of the major feasts of Hindus is Deepavali which is celebrated throughout India in a grand manner with light of lamp and then all members of family or community joining with busting of crackers.

 

Diwali is an ancient Hindu festival & is one of the largest and brightest festivals in India. Also known as the ’Festival of Lights’, it marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (or deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. The festival marks the victory of good over evil].

 

The ICYM members every year takes initiative to celebrate this unique festival of lights to show unity among Hindu brethren.   Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza the convener of ICYM and Parish Priest of Pangala Parish takes great initiatives to mingle with our Hindu and Muslim brethren and bring as much as unity as possible.  Recently he organized Muharram celebrations inviting well known Hindu and Muslim Scholars to address the audience who spoke on Humanity, Human Values, How to live united and serve and help each other.

 

 

The same idea was initiated on Deepavali Day where ICYM members organized a Deepavali Celebrations just by lighting the lamps and not bursting the crackers so as to avoid environmental damage.

 

The wonderful celebrations began with inviting the dignitaries of the day to the dais by Ms. Clara Mendonsa, Animator (ICYM), namely the Chief Guest Sri Madhusudhan Acharya, Former President of JCI, elected Panchayat Member, Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza (Parish Priest), Rev. Fr. Vincent Coello (Principal, P.U. College) and Bro. Joshwin (Deacon), Mr. Mark Vaz (Vice President, Parish Council), Ms. Simi D’Souza (Gen. Secretary, Parish Council) and Ms. Clara Mendonsa (Animator, ICYM).

 

A prayer song was sung by ICYM members invoking Gods blessings on this very special day.  Franklin Martis, President, ICYM accorded a hearty welcome wherein he welcomed all the dignitaries, media representatives and audience followed by lighting of traditional lamp by all dignitaries on the dais.

 

The chief guest of the day Sri Madhusudhan thanked the youth for inviting for this special get-together and he was really appreciated for organizing Diwali Festival by Catholic Youth.  In his address to the youth and explained in detail the importance of Diwali festival and its significance.

 

Fr. Leslie D’Souza also spoke on the occasion and he explained how the light brings bright light in our life.  He further said “ we are celebrating the festival without busting the crackers just to protect our environment.  It is we started Swatch Bharat two years before the present government initiated Nationwide.  Recently we have organized Sauhardha Shankerpura on the occasion of Muharram and we want to spread that initiative from Sauharda Shankerpura to Sauharda Bharat.  Deepawali Festival is not only belonging to Hindu brothers but also to Christians and Muslims as it is a Festival of Lights.

 

On this occasion let us put together all our negative things, thinking, and burn them and light a beautiful candle of good life, create a brotherly atmosphere wherever we go”.

 

Janice Fernandes (Joint Secretary ICYM) proposed the vote of thanks. As a symbol of light a few   sky-lanterns were lighted and airborne.

 

The wonderful feast of light concluded with distribution of sweets.