IRVING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
(University of Toledo)
(Documentary)
(University of North Texas)
ತರ್ Journey of Hope, Iniuput Corporation of Whalers in Alaska. ತಾಚಂ
. ಚಾಾ Real World; Road Rules, Adidas Commercial, Bad Girl's Club, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, The Dallas Cowboys
AsAshawadi Prakashan completes twenty-five years of its presence in Kuwait, my own association with Konkani literature reaches back to 1984. Time, however, has been as much about questioning as it has been about learning, leavingmewith thequietrealization thatthislongjourney remains, in many ways, unfinished. The editorial published in Ashawadi25 (thePoinnaridecennial special issue) invites a deeper reflection on what wehavegradually relinquished in ourpursuit of the “new.” Itisa discerning, rational, andreflective pieceby ValleyQuadros.
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7KSaEQAAQBAJ
https://play.google.com/store/books/series?id=sqM0HAAAABCHvM
TedxStAloyius
TedxStAloyius
TedxStAloyius
THIS “VALENTINE’SS DAY” , EXPERIENCE ‘JOSLIN LIVE IN CONCERT’ WITH THE ‘IRVING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’ FEATURING ‘EMILY BURAK ON VIOLIN’, SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2026, LIVE AT THE ‘IRVING ARTS CENTRE’ IRVING, TEXAS, USA, PERFORMINGCLASSICSFROMHIS
NEW ALBUM “THE LOVE ALBUM”. DO NOTMISSTHISOPPORTUNITY. SEEYOUALLTHERE!
‘JOSLIN D’SOUZA’ IS THE SON OF APOLINARIS & JOYCE D’SOUZA HAILING FROM MANGALORE, INDIA (COMPOSER OF WORLDFAMOUS KONKANI HYMNS, SUCH AS – ARGAN TUKA SOMIYA, YE YE JEZU MOGLLA, VANDAN TUKA SOMIYA, JEZU JEZU TUM KOIN YETAI, MONDIRANT BITHOR SORON, UNDYA WYNA SOVEVN, THON AMCHEN OPSITAUN BAPA, VETAN VETAN SOMIYAN, SANSNASO VISHEV SORVESPORA
Joslin was born in the peaceful country of the Sultanate of Oman. He was exposed to music from a veryyoung andtender ageof4. He startedplayingbyear,emulatinghis fatherandbrother onthepianoand soon began his formal lessons in classical piano. He studied under theprestigiousacademiccurriculum of the Royal School of Music, London. Alongside school, Joslin performed at many talent contests, grabbing firstplace innearly allthe events. In 1995 he was invited to perform and demonstrate live on electronic keyboards for Casio and YAMAHA Inc. incollaboration with McDonalds. He was also a regular performer athislocalchurch.
Joslin then moved to the United States for higher education at the University of Toledo and then to further his music education at the University of North Texas, Denton. While there, Joslin began composing and writing music, whichwouldlaterendupbecoming his first album, The Lone Traveler. His firstalbum was released on Jan 16th, 2006. Joslin's second album, 'The Road ahead', was released on Jan16th, 2010, andhealsoreleased his first Christmas CD titled 'Emmanuel', analbumwith relaxing pianosolos.Inthefallof2007, Joslin penned down what would become his biggest project to date titled 'King of the Nations'. A 2-hour Christmas concert production that chronicles the birth of Christ. The albumofficiallymadeittotheballot for the 2017 Grammys.
Joslin's composition has been featured on several documentaries such as 'Journey to Hope', and Iniupat Corporation of Whalers in Alaska.
His music has also been used on MTV's 'Real World - Road Rules', AdidasCommercial, 'Badgirl'sclub', 'Keeping up with the Kardashians' and the Dallas Cowboys, among others. Hiscompositions havebeen played and heard on Television in the United States, Canada, Mexico, U.K, France, Thailand, South Korea and many others. Click on the Film and TV page to listen to Joslin's compositions.
As of 2018, Joslin has a successful YouTube channel called JOSLINMUSIC. He releases a music video once every month. As of today, hehasmorethan250million views and surpassed 400k subscribers (and counting). He has filmed videos in various locations aroundtheUS,SuchastheSaltFlats in Utah, Imperial Sand dunes in California,aMajesticGermanCastle inBurnettTexasandmanymore. In the winter of 2022, Joslin was invited to perform with the IRVING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA in Irving Texas,fortheirChristmasconcert.A
70-piece orchestra with a full-size orchestra, Joslin composed, wrote andarranged thewhole show.
Following year Joslinwas invited to perform with the WHITES CHAPEL CHURCHORCHESTRA,SOUTHLAKE, Texas, where Joslin’ s own compositions wereplayed.
Joslin released a brand-new album in time for Valentine’ s’s Day 2026. Simply called 'The Love Album'. Featuring someof thegreatest love songs ever written. Songs made famous by Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Jackson 5, Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Journey and many more. This also will coincide with him being called back to perform with the IRVING SYMPHONY once again on Valentine’ss Day. He will be performing with his longtime collaborator 'Emily Burak' on violin,
who has been his musical partner since the beginning of their YouTubeJourney.
Presently, alongside his YouTube
endeavors, heisalsoworking onhis next original instrumental album which will be released in 2027. For
more info you can visit his official website: http://www.joslinmusic.com
Hills play a very important role in religious scriptures. Mount Moriah is the place where Abraham got readytosacrifice hisonlyson,Issac. Mount Sinai is famous because the Ten Commandments were pronounced from there. Mount Calvary is the place where Jesus died. Temple ofJerusalem was built on Temple Mount and respective places of worship are now controlled bytheJews,Muslims and Christians. Prophet Muhammed meditated ina small caveknown as Ghar-e-Hira (Cave of Hira) on Jabal al-Nour (Mountain of Light) near Mecca. Himalaya mountain is the abode ofthe Gods where thesages spend their time in meditation. The Baba Budan Giri (Hill) in Karnataka
and the Tirupurakundram Hill in Madurai (TN) have become a subject of litigation. Both represent power struggle. TheCaseofTirupurakundram
Tirupurakundram isahillinMadurai (Tamil Nadu). The temple of Lord Murugan (Arulmigu Subramania Swamy)islocatedonthishill. Thisis one of the dix places of worship of Lord Murugan in the State. The Dargah of Sikandar Badshah is also located on this hill. The festival of Lord Muruga and the Urus of the
Saintareheldon the hillevery year. Animal sacrifice is done by the Muslims asperthereligious custom at the Dargah. The Hindu devotees light the lamp on the specific day (December 3rd in 2025) of Karthik Month at the Uchipillaiyar temple (Lord Ganeshatemple) onthe hill. Butthisyeartherewasademand to light the lamp at the Deepathoon. Thematterhadbeensettledin1931 by the Privy Council demarcating space for both communities and ordered to ensure peace and tranquility. 33 cents of land on the hillareincustodyoftheDargah,and the remaining are in the control of the Temple. The Hindu Dharma Parishad, the petitioner wanted to light the lamp at the Deepathoon. According to Tamil Nadu government thestone pillarisnota deepathoon but a theodolite. The petitioner in one petition before Madras High Court obtained an order from Justice Swaminathan, the single judge of Madras High Court to light the lamp both at the Decathlon and at the Uchipillaiyar temple. In another petition, the High Court upheld the order of the Executive Officer to ban the animal sacrificebyMuslims.
In spite of the order of the Single Judge, the Tamil Nadu government at the auspicious moment lighted the lamp at Uchipillaiyar temple according to the practice followed in the last 100 years andrefused to light the lamp on the Deepathoon. The Petitioner, Hindu Dharma Parishad, challenged this noncompliance of Court order before the Madras Division Bench which upheldtheorderoftheSingleJudge andallowed lighting of the lamp at the Deepathoon. But the day of lighting hadalreadypassed. The matter came before the Supreme Court and in its order dated9February2026,itupheldthe order of the Madras High Court Division Bench.
The demand for the lighting of the lamp at the deepathoon was initiated by the Hindu Dharma Parishad. Later Mr. Soorya, the Youth wing leader of the BJP, mobilized crowd near the Hill. The State President of the BJP too joined. Speeches were made and VandeMataramsloganswereheard. The leaders and supporters of the BJP werearrested bythePolice. The crowd broke the barricades put up by the Police andit appeared tobe
mass hysteria as seen from various videos on the subject. (How Sangh mobilized Tirupurakundram Unrest, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=x4yD3AevDOo ) The video clearly brings to mind the visuals before the destruction of the Babri Masjid atAyodhya. Tirupurakundram Murugan temple is an ancient rock cut temple generally believed to be over 1200 yearsoldbuiltbythePandyasinthe 8th C. CE.There are Jain inscriptions too on this hill dating backto3rd C. CE. Madurai, the capital of the Pandya Kingdom, was attacked by MalikKafar,thegeneralofAllauddin Khilji of the Slave Dynasty in 1310. Malik Kafar attacked Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra and Kakatiyas of Warrangal. He also reached Rameshwaram and attacked it. Hence there is presence of the Muslim rulers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu since 12th C. CE. Islam hadcome toIndiain the 7th Citself, and the first mosque of India was
built in Trichur (Kerala) andthe first mosque of Karnataka was built at Barkur, the rich capital and port of BhutalaPandya.TheSufiSaintsfrom Persia (like the Friars ofEurope who accompanied the Portuguese and Spanishtocolonies)usedtovisitthe Muslimsettlements andliveanddie there. Sikander Badshah died here and there are two dargahs in Madurai of his name. One is at Goripalya inthe city andanotherof thesamenameatTirupurakundram. The Sufi saints had good relations with Hindu saints, and they were beyond any religion. Saint Shishunala Sharifa had Govinda BhattaashisGuruinDharwad. They were believed to have miraculous powers. Hence, they were worshipped by both Muslims and Hindus. E.g.SaiBabaofSirdi. (Near the Police Commissioner office in Mangalore there is the dargah of a Muslim Saint, Bibi Alabi which is visited by all communities). The hill ofthe Sikandar Badhusha Dargah is known toMuslimsasSikandermalai (Hill). Both have existed peacefully for centuries. There are many such places in the country (especially North Karnataka) where the places of worship of Hindus and Muslims
arefoundsidebysideandpeopleof differentfaiths paytheirrespects to these saints due to historical reasons.
TheCaseofBabaBudanGiri
The developments in connection with the Tirupurakundram Hill Temple should be examined with reference to the Baba Budan Giri case of Karnataka. Like Tirupurakundarm, onthishillknown
as Baba Budan Giri (in Chickmagalur) the shrine of Baba Budan co-existed with the Padukas of Dattatreya for many years till it became an issue. Baba Budan is a Sufi saint. People of both communities paid their respects to
this Saint without any reservations. For centuries, people have been worshipping Baba Budan as a saint who brought prosperity to the region in the form of coffee seeds from Arabia. Today Chickmagalur is famous for coffee plantation. The padukas inside the shrine of Baba Budan are said to be that of Dattatreya who is a God for the Hindus. Such imprints are seen in many Temples all over the country. When we were school children, teachers used totake us for picnics to places like Kudremukh and Baba Budan Giri. At that time nobody spoke in terms of Hindu and Muslim.
Karnataka was a stronghold of the Congress PartysinceIndependence. When the Janata Party ruled Delhi for three years (1977-1980) the Congress Party survived in Karnataka under Devaraj Urs. Bharatiya Jan Sangh, which was a constituentoftheJanataParivarlost
powerwhentheJanataGovernment fell. In 1984 Indira Gandhi was assassinated and Congress under RajeevGandhi returnedtopower.In the early 90’s Lal Krishna Advani started his Ayodhya Rath Yatra which came to Karnataka too. Babri masjid was demolished when the Rath Yatra reached its destination despite the assurance given by the Kalyan Singh government of UP to ensure no harm when there was a build-up of Hindu devotees. Despite long years of litigation, no leaderhasbeenheldresponsible for the demolition of the Babri Masjid. AfterseeingthesuccessatAyodhya communal frenzy started to spread inthecountry.
Till1990onlythegreenflagwhichis identified with the Muslims was seen at the Baba Budan shrine. In 1992 the RSS took up the issue of Datta Peetha. They wanted it to be considered as the shrine of Dattatreya and to be given to the control of the Hindus. They wanted to liberate Dattapeetha from the hands of the Muslims. Pramod Mutalik of Bajrang Dal andPraveen Togadia of Vishwa Hindu Parishad toowere involvedin promoting this cause through the Bajrang Dal. The
shrine ofBabaBudanwasunderthe care of Khadri from the time of Hyder Ali and the descendants of Khadri were looking after its daily ritualsfor over250years.Tourists of all communities visited the shrine duringtheirvisittoBabaBudanGiri. It was not a spiritual pilgrimage. It wasatouristspotforschool picnics. After four years of awakening and awareness campaign, in 1996 the Bajrang Dal held a meeting at the Aravinda Ashrama in Lakkavalli (Tarikere) and decided to start the Datta Ratha Yatre in each Taluk of theChickmagalurDistrict toachieve their political agenda by polarizing the Hindus. Chickmagalur was a bastion of the Congress and Indira Gandhi won from herein 1980 after she lost the National election in 1977. Breaking the bastion would have sent the signal of victory over the Congress. Several methods and strategies wereusedtomobilize the people. The Sabarimala pilgrims were wearing black shawls. Imitating the Sabarimala pilgrims who wear black colour clothes, the proponents of Datta yatra introduced saffron shawls for the participants. This gave a unique Hindu identity to the movement.
The Yatra held in 1996 was not a success.
When they attempted the Ratha Yatra in 1997, the Lingayat Swamiji ofSanehalliMuttwhoisachampion of communal harmony opposed it. Butthe organizers took thesupport of Sri Gurumurthi Shivacharya Swamiji, another Lingayat Swami. But under the leadership of Sanehalli Swamiji the Hindu leaders were chased away by the villagers andnotgivenentryintothevillages. In later years they succeeded in convincing the people by creating the Datta Paduka procession. Although a carpenter at Tarikere manufactured the wooden Datta padukas which were on the Ratha for worship the people were made to believe that they are original sacred ones. This time the Datta Yatrawas a success. Movementwas gathering support from the BJP. It had its impact on neighbouring districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi andHassan. Litigations followed. They help to keep the fire burning. The Government of Karnataka too yielded to the pressure. Later a Hindu leader gave the idea of starting the Anasuya devi worship
toinvolve women. Dattatreya is the son of Sage Atri and Anasuya. The idea of begetting a son by worshipping Anasuya Devi was promoted. Large number of Hindu women started visiting the Shrine. Thus, with the help of various symbols like the saffron shawl, the Datta Maala, the worship of the Padukas, worship of Anasuyaandothermethods amass movement wascreatedtowrestthe control of the shrine from the Muslim Khadri and establish the power of the Hindus over Baba Budan Giri Shrine. All these developments are explained in detail in the book NaduBaggisada Edeya dani co-authored by Mahendra Kumar of Bajrang Dal whowasthekeyleaderoftheDatta Yatra movement and Naveen Soorinje.
From year to year the Datta Maala procession gained strength supported by the BJP government and some of the Bajrang Dal. The goalofcapturingpoliticalpowerhas been achieved. Datta Ratha Yatre is just a tip of the iceberg. The achievement of political power is substantial.
Carefully studied religious movements in India without a supporting political agenda fail.But when such movements are created or pushed with a clear political agenda, they yield rich dividend. Basavanna started a socio-religious reformmovement inthe12th C.with noble programmes like inter caste marriage and equality, but he did not have support of the political powerwielding class.Hewasforced toabandonKalyana(BasavaKalyana in Bidar) and escape to Koodala Sangama where he died (attained mukti from this life). But the movement slowly gained acceptance and became a powerful community calledLingayat. Religion plays averyimportant role in elections in India. The Ayodhya Ratha Yatre helped BJP to come to power.TheDattaRathayatrehelped the BJP in defeating the Congress Party in Chickmagalur and came to
power in Karnataka. It helped to elect C. T. Ravi and Sunil Kumar, leaders of the Bajranga Dal, who were involved in the Datta Ratha Yatra and became Ministers. Last year when the Kerala Assembly elections were being held entry of women to Sabarimala became a burning issue. This yearTamil Nadu Assembly election preparations are in full swing. Tirupurakundram Temple case can help to divide the DMKsupporters andswingvoteson religious lines. The Hindu Dharma Parishad and Hindu Munnani groups are mobilizing support to the Hindu causeandtothe “Hindu” government. Just imagine what wouldhavehappenedifanon-DMK (Hindu supporting) government was in power when this issue came up.
Therearemanychurchesonthetop of the Hills. A major issue had cropped on Attur-Karkala a few years ago which was settled due to
thehelpofpeople ofgoodwill. Even those will not come forward when the winds are not favourable. What canhappentotemplesandDargahs can also happen to churches. Therefore, one must closely study the political developments and Court decisions for and against the religious issues even if they do not pertain toChristianity.
New Jersey | February 2026. In a powerfulcalltoactionagainstrising financial fraud, a major Scam Awareness Program was recently organized to address the growing crisis of innocent senior citizens being scammed andnaïve students beingexploited asfinancialcouriers across the United States. The impactful event brought together community leaders, educators, students, families, and advocates, united by one mission: to protect vulnerable populations from falling prey to organized cyber and financialcrimes.
This life changing event was organized by ‘Help Before Scam’ founder AnilMangukia onFebruary 8th,2026, atMarywood, NewJersey.
The program was honored by the presence ofHarold D’Souza and Dancy D’Souza, CoFounders ofEyes Open International, who were invited as Guests of Honor. Harold D’Souza served as the keynote speaker, delivering a deeply moving and educational address rooted in his own journey from victimhood to global advocacy.
AcrosstheUnited States,thousands ofseniorcitizensarelosingtheirlife savings to scammers posing as government officials, bank representatives, technical support agents, or even family members.
These criminals exploit fear, trust, and limited digital awareness to manipulate victims intotransferring money, sharing personal information, or opening fraudulent accounts.
At the same time, many students, often unaware of the legal consequences are being recruited online and through social networks as “money mules” or couriers. Promised quick cashorinternships, they unknowingly transport illegal funds, becoming entangled in criminal investigations that jeopardize theirfutures.
Speakers at the event emphasized that one scam candestroy not just anindividual,butentirefamiliesand generations.
Harold D’Souza: A Voice of Experience andHope
In his keynote address, Harold D’Souza shared how Eyes Open International (EOI) believes in empowering victims, survivors,
vulnerable populations, and community members globally through education, awareness, and compassion.
“Prevention is always better than recovery,” Harold said. “When we educate our seniors, guide our youth, and strengthen families, we weaken thepower ofcriminals.”
Harold firmly reiterated EOI’s core values, adding: “We do not take a single penny when working with victims or survivors. Our mission is service, dignity, and restoration, neverprofit.”
Drawingfromhisownexperienceas a survivor of labor trafficking and exploitation, Harold reminded the audience that anyone can become vulnerable, regardless of background, education, orstatus. Standing Together with Help BeforeScam
Harold extended hisfull support to Help Before Scamand its founder, AnilMangukia, applauding
their dedication to early intervention andpublic education.
“Organizations like Help Before Scam are saving lives and livelihoods,” Harold stated. “When communities collaborate, criminals lose theirhidingplaces.”
Protection Tips for
The program shared several vital precautions for senior citizens and families:
Never Share Personal Information. Do not disclose Social Security numbers, banking details, OTPs, or passwords over phone calls, emails, ormessages.
Verify Before You Trust. Always confirm unexpected requests by contacting official institutions directly usingverifiednumbers.
Beware of Urgency and Threats.
Scammers create panic by claiming immediate action is required. Take time to think and consult family members.
Avoid Unknown Links and Attachments. Do not click on suspicious emails or textmessages, eveniftheyappearlegitimate.
Report Immediately. If something feels wrong, report it to banks, law
enforcement, and trusted organizations without delay.
Stay Connected. Regular conversations with family members reduce isolation and help identify warningsignsearly.
The event also urged students to remain vigilant about online job offers, easy-money schemes, and requeststomovefunds.Participants were reminded that ignorance of the law does not protect against prosecution and that integrity is more valuable than short-term financialgain.
Haroldsummarizedthistruthwitha powerful statement: “A short-term pain is a long-term gain, but a short-term gain is a long-term pain.”
BuildingResilientCommunities
Throughout the program, speakers highlighted thatscamprevention is not the responsibility of individuals alone, itisashared commitment of families, schools, faith institutions, nonprofits, and law enforcement agencies.
Dancy D’Souza reinforced this message, emphasizing compassion, listening, and community solidarity as pillars of prevention. “When
people feelsupported, theyareless likelytofallintotraps,”shenoted.
Astheeventconcluded,participants reflected on Harold D’Souza’s extraordinary life story, one that continuestoinspiremillions around the world. From surviving exploitation to leading global movements for justice, his life embodies the power of resilience andpurpose.
The D’Souza Families, inspirational storyfrom: PaintoPleasure, Hurtto
Happiness, Slavery to Success, Fear toFreedom andTraumatoTriumph is a breathtaking motivation of turning obstacles into opportunities.
Harold D’Souza’s journey reminds us that no past is permanent, no woundiswasted,andnodarknessis stronger than hope. Through awareness, courage, and compassion, communities can rise, protecting dreams, preserving dignity, and securing a safer future forgenerations tocome.
NEWDELHI— Aspolice looked on, a Hindu nationalist mob in India subjectedapastortodehumanizing brutality, damaging his hearing in the process as they tried to force himtoworship aHindu deity.
The mob of 150 villagers led garlanded Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik, 35, like a cow by stringing his
sandals around his neck and made him walk on thorns as they assaulted him while parading him through Parjang village, Dhenkanal District, Odishastate,on Jan.4.
The mob called Pastor Naik out of the house, but because he didn't exit immediately, they stormed the house, “took me by my collar and
dragged meoutandstartedtobeat me,”hesaid.
The mob did not make any accusations or demands but immediately began to assault him, he said. When Pastor Naik tried to take his phone out of his pocket to give it to his wife so she could call the police, one of the assailants struck him on the leg with a bamboorod,smashingthedevicein hispocket.
His wife, Bandana Naik, and daughters, ages 13 and 10, witnessed themobthatsurrounded PastorNaikandassaultedhim.
“WhenIsawthattheattackers were notreadytotalkthematteroutand were determined tohitmyhusband without reason, I took my children and escaped through a backdoor,” Bandana Naik told Morning Star News. “I ran straight to the nearest police station and reached there in about15minutes.”
Hindu nationalists assaulted and paraded Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik through Parjang village, Odisha state,India,onJan.4,2026.
Two men from the congregation tried to intervene, and the mob
assaulted them as well. Pastor Naik urged the congregation seven familiesandtheirchildren toflee, andtheyescaped.
Atthepolicestation, officerstold PastorNaik’swife tofirstprovide a written report oftheassault, something sheindicated shewas incapableofdoing.
“Ipleaded with them toquickly act and save my husband, but they insisted thatI must write first,” said BandanaNaik.
She had no choice but to look for someonetowritethereport forher, and she found someone to whom shethenrecountedtheattack.After submitting the written complaint, Bandana Naik again pleaded with the police to rescue her husband, buttheysaidthatthepolicevehicle was out on patrol, and they would have to wait for it.
“Iwassoanxiousinmyheartwaiting forthe police to do something, but theywaited,” shesaid.
Meantime, the mob assaulting Pastor Naik dragged him to the village center and informed all bystanders that he had been “involved in converting all the innocent villagers to Christianity,” hespoke.
They then took him to a nearby temple dedicated to Hanuman, a half-monkey, half-human deity fromHindumythology, andtiedhis handsbehind hisbackto apole on thetemple premises.
The now 150-member mob kicked, slapped, pushed and pulled Pastor Naik, including a journalist from Odianewspaper whoabusedhimin vulgar language and instigated the mobtokeephitting him,thepastor said.
Repeated slapping caused his face toswellasotherskickedhisback.As he fell to the floor each time they kicked him, Pastor Naik’s hands began to bleed from the strain on the ligatures binding him to the pole.
“Theyhitmewith 40lasheswith the bamboo sticks, andmy hearing got impacted because of the several hundred slaps,” said Pastor Naik, whose ear discharged pus in the following days.
“Someone from the mob got water mixed with cow dung and tried to forcemetodrink it,but Itightened my lips and did not let it enter my mouth,” hesaid.
Officerspatrolling theareareturned to a police station to report the attack,buttwopolicemenwhowent to rescue Pastor Naik returned, saying that he was nowhere to be found. Pastor Naik said he was relieved to see police approaching, buttheyturned aroundandleft.
He gave up all hope and prepared tosurrender hisspirittoGod, he said.
The assailants then untied him and tookhimneartheeffigyofthedeity Hanuman.
“Theysmeared myfacewith saffron vermilion and forcefully thrust my faceandbody before thedeity and made me bow as if in worship,” he said.
Saffron is considered a sacred powder associated with worship of Hanuman.
The assailants demanded Pastor Naik chant the Hindu slogans, “Jai Shri Ram [Hail lord Ram],” but Pastor Naik said, “Jai Yeshu [Hail Jesus],” and they hit him more, he said. Themob thenmadea garland out of slippers, put it around his neck and paraded him throughout thevillagebarefoot.
“Oneof them said,‘Jesuswasmade towalkonthorns,soletustreathim the same way,’ and they went and fetched branches of the bush that had sharp, long thorns and spread themontheroadandforced meto walkonthem,” PastorNaiksaid.
Whilemarchinghimdowntheroad, the mob crossed the same police station where his wife was still waiting anxiously for officers to rescue her husband. Showing no fearofpolice,theHindunationalists boldly continued parading himwith impunity, hesaid.
After going around the entire village, the mob brought Pastor NaikbackandtiedhimintheHindu temple. M
“I insisted that I go with the police and show them where my husband was,”BandanaNaiksaid.
Sheboarded thepolicevehicle, and they found him tied to the pole at theHindutemple.Itwasafter2p.m. whenpolicerescuedthepastor.
“Iwaitedfortherescuefortwo-anda-half hours in the police station while my husband suffered the horrendous attack,” Bandana Naik said.
Policefailures
While taking Pastor Naik into protective custody, officers expressed surprise at hiscondition, saying, “We thought that the mob by now must have broken your handsand legs. Wewere expecting to carry you on a stretcher by now, butyou look okay tous,”according tothepastor.
Police did not rush him to the hospital fortreatment, hiswifesaid. Officers refused to register his First Information Report (FIR), instead making him write an application stating that “the mob misunderstood my activities and mistook me for a person carrying
outillegalconversions inthevillage andthus attackedme,”hesaid.
“Thepolice threatened tofileacase against me and put me in jail if I refused to oblige,” Pastor Naik added.
Officers demanded he sign documents, including some blank papers, hesaid.
When a Christian leader arrived to help, he found “Naik’s faceswollen, smeared with saffron color, no footwear on his feet and both his handsbleeding.”
“Hecouldnotwipe hisfaceorclose his shirt buttons, as hishands were full of blood and he was in much pain,” said the source on condition ofanonymity. “Police carednothing anddid notgive himfirstaid, nora glass ofwatertodrink.”
WhentheChristianleaderaskedthe police the reason for the delay in rescuingPastorNaik,anofficersaid, “We are only four policemen, and they were a huge mob; how could we rescue him? Besides, Naik is involvedinconversion, andhowcan you expect us to protect him?” the sourcesaid.
A policeman then began to tell the Christian leader about the treatment Hindus are receiving in Bangladesh, such as being burned alive.
“I was shocked at the hatred that has entered the hearts of security forceswhoaresupposed toprotect people inanunbiasedmanner,”said the Christian leader. “I wanted to question him as to why he was settling the score of the treatment given toHindus inBangladesh with aChristian here inIndia.”
Police provided no report for the pastor to bring to the hospital for treatment, thesourcesaid.
“In fact, police took in writing from Christian leaders that they are taking Pastor Bipin from the police station in healthy condition,” he said.
Fearing being followed, Christian leaders drove himandhisfamily16 miles from the village to his brother’s houseviaadifferentroute. After Pastor Naik had washed and composed himself, they drove him toahospital, wheretheydidnottell the attending doctor that he was assaulted by a mob, “otherwise the
doctor would have asked for a police report, which was not given tous,”saidtheleader.
Pastor Naik had severe pain in his backandlegs.
“The doctor gave Naik a few injections to ease his body pain, dressed his open wounds and prescribed antibiotics for his wounds,” saidthesource.
Only later did Pastor Naik realize that his hearing was impacted because of the blows on his face, and “there was constant pus discharge from one of my ears,” he said. He was on medication and might have toget a CTscanfor his ear,hesaid.
About 30 Christian leaders approached the office of the Superintendent of PoliceonJan.12 and applied to register a formal complaint. The superintendent forwarded their application to the Parjang police station, leading to the registration of FIR No. 0041 datedJan.13againstNigamananda Dalbehera and 20 unidentified people under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 for “causing hurt,”“wrongful restraint,” “unlawful
assembly,” “rioting,” “being armed withadeadlyweapon”and“criminal intimidation.”
Thepastor and hisfamilyshiftedto an undisclosed location 44 miles from the village and plan never to return.
“It has been a difficult decision for us as a family to leave our home there, but we are sad that the villagers conspired and police were hand-in-glove with them, thus the decision,” PastorNaiktold Morning StarNews.
The assailants approached his landlord and threatened him with direconsequencesifheallowed the familyback.
“Both my daughters saw them beat me,” Pastor Naik said. “They were traumatizedandcouldnotsleepfor fournightsanddidnoteatfood for three days. My youngest kept sayingthat‘theyhitmypapa.’”
He previously faced aggression three times, but none as severe as thiscase,hesaid.
“Local people said, ‘How can a boy liveamongus,stayinthevillageand teachChristianity,’”hesaid.“Butthe
truth is that I only discipled those whobelievedinJesus;Ididnotforce anybody.”
The pastor said he was grateful to God forsavinghim.
“Jesus bore so much suffering for us; my suffering is nothing compared to my Lord’s suffering,” saidNaik.
The hostile tone of the National Democratic Alliance government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya JanataParty,againstnonHindus has emboldened Hindu extremists in several parts of the country to attack Christians since PrimeMinister Narendra Modi took
power inMay 2014, religious rights advocatessay.
India ranked 12th on Christian support organization Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of the countrieswhereitismostdifficultto beaChristian, upfrom31st in2013 beforeModi cametopower.
Thisarticlewasoriginallypublished atMorningStarNews
Help keep The Christian Post free for all. Make a donation to The Christian Post.
Join over 450,000 other Christian Post readers to get the top stories curated daily, plus special offers! Subscribeforfree
Dear Dr. Austin,
Youare amazing,averitable 'miracle worker’!
NotonlyhaveyoubeenabletoincludemyreviewofArunMaira'slatestbook, (which I circulated to my many Gandhian & other friends just yesterday), in thelatestissue#421 ofyourVeezKonkani&Englishdigitalweekly, youhave also included my pertinent photos in it, including of NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani&hiswife.
Many,manythanks,
Alan Nazareth (Retired Embassador)
Authors:LancyLobo&Denzil Fernandes
Pages:152Hardcover,Price:Rs 1295/-
Publishedby:Routledge,Taylor& Francis,London&NewYork
Distributors:AtlanticPublishers& Distributors orders@atlanticbooks.com
#chhotebhai
This is a book by two redoubtable Jesuitscholars.Loboiscurrently the Research Director of the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, while
Fernandes is its former Executive Director. Those familiar with the work of this Institute in the field of socialservicesandresearchwillfind this a sufficient pedigree of the authors.
This book falls in the genre of previous works like “The Christian Community and the National Mainstream”byProfLouis D’Silvaof Bombay University and “The Catholic Community inIndia” by Ka Na Subramaniam. Yet each contribution tothisvastsubjectisa
In the authors’ own words, in today’s vitiated socio-religious atmosphere “this volume is a humble attempt to bring to the notice of men and women of goodwill inmainstream society, the significant contributions of Christians to India … It is an evidence-based exposition of the Christian contribution to modern India’ssociocultural, economic and political life, notonly foracademics but also for ordinary readers”. Let’s get thisstraight; if thisisabook by
academicsforfellowacademics,itis parexcellence.Itshouldfindaplace in libraries and all institutions of higher social or religious learning. As for the “ordinary reader” I will reverttothatlater.
This research work is divided into somewhat familiar heads: 1. Introduction to Christianity in India 2. Education 3. Health & Social Welfare 4. Scientific & Economic Development 5. Political, Administrative and Professional Services 6. Language, Literature & Art7.ChristianEncounterwithother Religions.
Since areas like education and healthcare are well documented and commonly accepted, I will not dwellmuchonthem.Onethingthat stands out is that other than the Catholic bastion of Goa from the 16th Century, for the rest of India, the pioneers in these fields were mostly foreign missionaries from theAnglicanCommunion.
AmongIndiansarePanditaRamabai Saraswati (1858 – 1923) who became a Christian in 1883. However, inMaharashtra whereshe
worked, thepublicperceptionofher is that of a social reformer, not a Christian activist. Sadly, perception over rides factualevidence. A more contemporary name is that of Padmashri Thomas Kunnunkal SJ, who passed away very recently. To him goes the credit for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the National Open Schoolsystem.
Catholic missionaries were in the vanguard;likeClaraSwaininBareilly (1877), Edith Brown at Ludhiana (1894) and Ida Scudder in Vellore (1900). Could it be, that given the limited missiology of the times, Catholicsweremoreconcernedwith saving souls than healing bodies? Fromthebookwelearnthatthefirst successful open-heart surgery (1961), firstkidneytransplant(1971) and first bone marrow transplant (1986) canbeattributedtoChristian healthservices.
Intheareaofscientificdevelopment (theGalileohiccupnotwithstanding) Christianscontributed immenselyto scientific development in./ India.
Inhealthcaretoowefindthatnon-
Joseph Tieffenthaler SJ (1710 –1785) was a leading geographer. The most famous case is the
contribution to our space programme. Itwasthesmallchurch
of St Mary Magdalene in Thumba (Trivandrum) that gave up its land underthevisionaryleadership ofBp PeterPereira, toDrsVikram Sarabai and APJ Abdul Kalam, for the country’s first space rocket to be launchedfromtherein1963.
How can one forget the visionary contribution of
Padmabhushan DrVerghese Kurien (1921 – 2012) the father of the White Revolution that made India
the world number one in milk production (approximately 25% of global production)?
Of special interest also is the Christian contribution to the Independence movement. Here again, ironically, Anglican foreign missionaries were in the forefront;
led by Deenabandhu C.F. Andrews (1871 – 1940), Stanley Jones and Verrier Edwin. Thevarthundiyil Titus was one of the 70 marchers in Mahatma Gandhi’s famous Dandi March. Several Bengali Christians likeW.C.BanerjiandH.C.Mukherjee were also activeinthe Congress. In the 1887 Madras meeting of the Indian National Congress, 35 of the
607 delegates (6%) were Christian, again higher than the actual Christianpopulation.
In today’s super charged era of ultra-nationalism the singular contribution of Christians to the Defence Services deserved more space than the two paragraphs in thebook. WehavehadtwoDefence Ministers, 6 Chiefs of Staff, one Paramvir Chakra, several Mahavir Chakras and other gallantry and distinguished serviceawards.
As a critic I need to also draw attention to some of the shortcomings of this book. The choice of title and the unimaginative cover page are wanting. The book is overpriced.
Institutions and libraries could afford it, but not the average inquisitive (not argumentative) Indian. As I said at the beginning, this fact filled tome is excellent for academicians, but this very approach makes the narrative too dryfortheaveragereader.
Minor hiccups apart, I would fully endorse this book as a valuable addition to Indian Christian literature;asareliableandauthentic resource book. Ourgratitude tothe authors for their meticulous research,atruelabouroflove.
Bangalore, Feb 3, 2026: In a moment of profound distinction, Nigel Fernandes, CEO ofATC Publishers andArclight Global Pvt
Ltd, was awarded the Papal Title of Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncioto Indiaalong withCardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI(Conference of Catholic Bishops of India)and Cardinal OswaldGracias atthe37th CCBI Plenary Assembly inBangalore, in the presence of all the Bishops, Office Bearers, and ExecutiveSecretaries oftheCCBI.
Other dignitaries on the dais included Cardinal Anthony Poola,Archbishop Peter Machado ofBangalore and Vice President of the CCBI,Archbishop VincentAindof RanchiandSecretaryGeneral ofthe CCBI,Bishop Peter AbirAntonysamyofSultanpet, Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara,Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI, Rev. Dr. Lucien Legrand, renowned biblical scholar, and Mrs. Brenda Fernandes.
Speaking on the occasion, Cardinal Oswald Gracias highlighted that Nigel’scontribution totheChurchis manifold, especially in four key areas—biblical, liturgical,
catechetical, and spiritual where he has placed his professional expertise, vision, and pastoral sensitivity at the service of theChurch.
InBiblical work, he pioneered and coordinated two landmark English Catholic Bible translations, the New Living Translation (Catholic Edition) and the English Standard Version (Catholic Edition), through ecumenical collaboration with Tyndale and Crossway, in consultation with the church hierarchyand renowned biblical scholars led by Rev. Dr. Lucien Legrand, Rev. Dr. Assisi Saldanha, Rev. Dr. Govindu Rayanna and others, ensuring scriptural fidelity andwide accessibility.
In Liturgy, Nigel playedan important role inthepreparation of the Lectionary, the liturgical ritesbooks, and several official publications for the CCBI, thereby supporting the prayer and sacramentallifeoftheChurch.
InCatechesis, from thepublication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in1994, he championed its promotion as well asYOUCAT, the
Catechism Compendium, and CCBI resources, guiding catechists, educators, youth, and families toward deeper faith.
Hisspirituallegacyspansover2,000 titles in Scripture, theology, spirituality, and pastoral care— including St. Mother Teresa’s autobiography, booksby thePopes, encyclicals,etc. reaching beyond India to Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the Gulf through a steadfastnetwork.
Attheheart of thismission isAsian Trading Corporation (ATC), ATC Publishers andJoyofGifting.com wh erehehasservedastheCEOfor32 years. Founded in 1946 in Bombay, ATC marks 80 years this year and hasmade a lasting impact across Asia under its leadership. He has also contributed to education through Arclight Global Pvt Ltd, developing value-based textbooks. Responding to the digital age, he co-founded Catholic Connect, a CCBI initiative with over 70,000 downloads, 4,000Matrimony profiles, a dedicated Job Portal, seven lakh monthly website visits forNews,
rich spiritual content, and the only platform offering comprehensive Catholic news from around the world inoneplace.
Beyond profession, hehas devoted himself to pastoral roles as a member of theParish PastoralCouncil,Archdio cesanPastoralcouncil, the Catholic Council of Karnataka, the Catholic Council of India, and CCBI commissions. He has been part of theNationalCouncilfor Synodality and Jubilee 2025 Committees. Heis a member of theNationalCouncils for Bible andMedia andhasserved three terms onthe Bible SocietyofIndia’s Marketing Advisory Board.
Speaking to Catholic Connect, Nigel, a parishioner of Ascension Church,Bangalore, responded with profound humility: “I receive thishonour with deep humility and
overwhelming gratitude,” expressing sincere thanks to Cardinals, Bishops, Patrons,Priests, Sisters, Brothers, his family,partners, colleagues, friends, and associates whose encouragement has sustained his noblework.
He reflects wisely: “This recognition touches me deeply and renews within me a stronger desire to continue committedly—not as culmination, butasacalltogreater responsibility.”
In conferring upon Nigel Fernandes, thePapalTitle of Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester, the Church recognises decades of faithfulserviceandalifeofenduring impact.
ByCatholicConnectReporter
Photo credit: Ave Studios, Archdiocese ofBangalore
-By: Molly Pinto
Everyone assured him, blessings will be his for his sacrifices
Trapping him into giving more than he could Surely you could do with some blessings my friend Yet you choose to throw a coin instead and turn away
Sometimes he wished to leave and never return
To live his dream to explore the world and be free
His tender heart refused to let him, even when he was worn
And so he trudged on, smiling and laughing
Everyone assured him, but how could they understand Life was taking from him, more than physical toil
When the mind is exhausted, every sound is amplified
Grating on exhausted frayed nerves, withdrawing from the world
He's on the slippery slope, well pass middle age
Every day the bells tolls, a reminder of time's uncertainty
Life of the old and lonely is not a blessing but a curse
Blessed are those who depart while still celebrating life
-By: Molly Pinto
A gold standard 21st century book "The Great Reset [CTRL+ALT+HUMAN]”, penned with deep creative enlightenment, by a Diplomat, presently Spain's Ambassadorto India HE JUAN
ANTONIO MARCH with wide angleinsightsandawareness ofworld affairs,politicsanddevelopments that not many have access to. Very futuristic, deep in many dimensionsandpresentedinaunique captivating style, broken down to a fairytaleoffactandfictionthatcastsa spell like attention on readers and investigators which can prolong to serious inputs and outcomes. The tip of the proverbial iceberg to an avalanche of questions and answers that will spuron readers and thinkers ofdifferentlevelsforalong,longtime. It isa mustread forevery categoryof educatedpeoplewhocanholdabook andread andbethrilled -athrillerfar ahead of its time indeed, charting turbulent waters churned. This book was launched by the author in Mangalore at an exclusive event amidst a distinguished audience at Hotel Vivanta on the evening of February 3, 2026, which made for a record-breaking media blitz and LO! TheBookhas receivedunprecedented
applause and interest, particularly in the knowledge circles, Information Technologyarena and prominent Education Institutions. It is surely set for a phenomenal level of a BestSelling Booksoon. So,get your copy and be enlightened and aware of the future .... A Gripping, ThoughtProvokingReadforaChanging World Fast paced yet deeply philosophical, The Great Reset invites readers to thinkbeyondthepresentmomentand imagine a world transformed by intelligence, natural and artificial. The Bookhas 300pages, twenty-fivebrief chapters,ISBN97881-991712-5-1.
The Author: HE AmbassadorJUAN ANTONIO MARCH, of Barcelona Spain, is a Spanish diplomat and presentlyaccredited toIndia, basedin
New Delhi and accredited to Nepal, Bhutan,SriLankaandtheMaldives.He was admitted to the diplomatic services in 1987. Apart from many prized postings he is Permanent Representative to the United Nations WTO and international organisations inGeneva. Hisaccreditations readlike enpsychlopediaof great length. HE AmbassadorMarch fosters cultural, educational and economic links between Spainanditspartners,andin New Delhi, he has actively promoted collaborations and cooperation in trade, renewable energy, culture and higher education to name some prominent activities. Thus, the book writtenbyaCelebrated Diplomatwith Insider Experience; HE Juan Antonio March brings exceptional authenticity as a seasoned diplomat and Ambassador of Spain to India. His deep understanding of international organisations, global power structures, and geopolitical tensions enriches everyscene forthereader. A Futuristic Thriller Rooted in Today’s Realities; The Great Reset bridges the gap between speculative fiction and real-world geopolitics. It imagines a near future where scientific breakthroughs redefine whatitmeans to be human and asks whether our politicalsystemsarepreparedforthat change. In the book highlighted
aredifferent potential practical scenarios -AHigh-StakesUNSummit That Decides Humanity’s Fate....The novel builds toward an explosive United Nations showdown where leaders must choose between embracinganevolvedglobal blueprint or descending into irreversible chaos. The tension iselectrifying—ideal for readers who lovepoliticaldrama.AfreshaspectisTechnology vs.Governance: The Core ConflictofOurEra.
At the heart of “The Great Reset" is Nour, a visionaryAI expert, who reveals fifteen extraordinary discoveriesacross iconicglobalsites-
each one a portal to a radically transformedtomorrow.Yeteverystep toward innovationraises a haunting question: will our political structures evolve or stumble overtime? Nour's journeymovestowards a dramatic climax at a crucial United Nations summit, where the blueprint for humanity's future hangs in the balance. In the tensions of those internationaldebatesliesthepotential of a unified world or the chaos of irreparablebreak up. The focus is a grippingstruggleforpower,progress, andsurvival-ofhowoneeraendsand afreshonecommences.
A Timely question: Can outdated political structures survive an age of exponential innovation? The conflict feels chillingly real as AI, global alliances, and human identity itself comeunderpressure. Incorporatinga Visionary Protagonist at the Heart of Global Upheaval: 'Nour', a cuttingedge AI expert, uncovers five extraordinarydiscoveriesacrossmajor global locations. Each discovery becomes a portal to a radically transformed future—and a triggerfor politicalreckoning. Fromiconicworld sites to the nerve-centres of international diplomacy, the story blends scientific imagination with the fragile realities of world order. Each breakthrough pushes humanity closer to evolution orcollapse. The novel isn’tjustabouttechnology it’sabout peoplestrugglingtoadaptinarapidly changingworld.Itexploresthehuman cost of innovation and the emotional weight ofdecidingthe future. Perfect for Readers of Geopolitics, AI, and Speculative Fiction Fans of dystopian futures, political thrillers, climate fiction, and AI-driven narratives will find this book irresistible. It sits comfortably beside works like The Ministry for the Future, 1984, and advanced-tech thrillers. AWarning and a Blueprint for the Coming World OrderIt forces readers to
confront a crucial possibility:The future is arriving faster than our institutionscanhandle. Willhumanity use its breakthroughs to unite, or dividefurther? Atstakeisthepromise of exhilarating progresscollidingwith the threat of a Global collapse as redundant and obsoletepolitical systems grapple to contain a world transformed by AI (artificial intelligence), headed for a transformedearth.
On the sidelines, His Excellency, The Ambassador'svisittoMangaloreearly in February 2026 was indeed a high profile gift and boon which brings many links of economy, education, culture and more for the immediate futureinseveralarenas ofcooperation andco-ordination whichareboundto benefitandbuildbridgesinSpainand India in mutual understanding and boost development and progress in relations - On the thresholdof a New World. The author's choice to particularly hold a well organised presentationofhisbookinMangalore andvisitstoChurches and institutions and given his stature as a Diplomat and interacting with the Catholic Church here and several prime institutions and especially the young should be seen as a privilegeddevelopment. Apart from the gift of this book, it indeed is a relationship that can be a renewal of deep centuries old historic connections withMangalore.
-Compiled:IvanSaldanha-Shet.
NorbertM.Shenoy, ArunanjaliSecurities
IPOFrenzy – ThreeDayCircusOr, SignofaMatureMarket?
The last couple of years have witnessed record level ofIPOsboth intermsof numbers andaggregate funds raised. Fundraising through mainboard IPOs surged from ₹67,562 crore inFY 2023 toa record ₹1,82,460 crore in FY 2024, anincrease of over 170%. Calendar year 2025 further saw approximately ₹1.95 lac crores raised across 373 issues, including both mainboard andSME listings. This remarkable
performancehaspositionedIndiaas the global leader in terms of number of IPOs. Infact, in just five years(CY2021-25), IPOshaveraised more money than they have in the previous three decades. The pipeline for 2026 also seems promising with Nearly 200 companies,includingbignameslike NSE, Reliance Jio and Manipal Hospitals, either holding SEBI approval or awaiting clearance, collectively targeting more than Rs 2.6 lac crores. In addition, several new-age technology companies are preparing to file draft offer documents.
There aremanypositive featuresto the IPO boom that is currently underway.
Global Dominance: India consistently led the world in the sheer number of IPOs, accounting fornearlyone-fifthofglobalvolume in2025.
Rise of Retail Investors: A significant surge in domestic retail and institutional investor participation hasbeen a key driver, ensuring robust demand and high
oversubscription rates (averaging nearly27 timesover the past two years).
SME Boom: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) experienced a substantialincreaseinactivity,more thandoublingtheiraverageIPOsize andcontributing significantlytothe overallnumber oflistings.
Sectoral Diversity: While initial years were dominated by a few sectorslikeBFSIandHealthcare,the last two years have seen a broader rangeofindustriesaccessthepublic markets, including automobiles, telecom, capital goods, and ecommerce.
Enduring Performance: “In the past, a strong IPO year was almost always followed by a lull of two to three years. This time, that pattern has been broken,” said Pranav Haldea,managingdirectorofPRIME Database Group. “If valuation discipline is maintained and the secondary market remains stable, evenifnotbullish, thecomingyears could still be a golden phase for India’sIPOmarket,” Haldea said. Institutionsstepup,mutualfunds overtake FPIs: Institutional participation remained robust. Qualified institutional buyers,
including anchor investors, accounted for 62 percent of total IPOsubscriptions. Forthefirsttime, mutual funds overtook foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) as anchor investors.
Yet serious investors and even policymakers look askance at the prevailing IPO boom. Chief Economic Adviser Anantha Nageeswaran has criticised the use of IPOsasexitroute rather than for fund raising resulting in capital formation. Seasoned market watchersnotethatattheretaillevel, IPOs have become a three-day circus. Scour the grey market chatter, wait for day three subscription cues, apply for one or twolotsandifallotmentarrives, sell at the opening tick at 10 am. This, the experts feel is queue management with ademat account butcertainly notinvestment! Thisis a process where scanning grey market and monitoring level of institutional subscription goes for duediligence andatleast, now, the IPOgame seemstoreward punting more than holding, which by encouraging excessive shorttermism has diluted the desirable
culture of long-term investment. But over the years the listing day gains have clearly decelerated, and the patient investor would have observed that there is a good chance that IPO stocks would be available at a cheaper price post listing since 44% of companies are
trading below the issue price since 2021. SeeCharts1&2below.
Itisworth recallingBuffetswarning: “youdon’twantto getontoastupid game just because it is available”. It’sagamewhere sellerschoose the timing, hype does the marketing
andbuyers supplytheliquidity. But one can play the devil’s advocate with a macro perspective. While Mr Nageeswaran’s comment thatusingIPOsasexitroutedefeats the purpose of the capital markets as mobilisers of “high powered” capitaltofacilitatecapitalformation appears, prima facie valid, since nearly two thirds of the capital raised was by way of “offer for sale”(OFS). But his comment seems
facile as it skirts the issue that risk capital cannot be mobilised unless there is a system to reward providers of seed capital and risk takers. The IPO market provides such a mechanism, not only by enabling risk transfer but also by rewarding risk takers with transfer of ownership through price discovery. This is achieved through rule bound transfer of securitised instruments usually from
venture/private equitytodiversified public holders. In fact, the Government that Mr. Nageeswaran represents, has frequently and rightly resorted to OFS, among other things, to finance its fresh capitalexpenditure.
Itisalsotruethatthescaleatwhich such exits of initial risk capital providers has taken place, is possible only ina deep andmature market and that would mean that Indiancapitalmarketshavecomeof age. This in turn is quite likely to encouragemoreventurecapitaland private equity providers toinvest in India as it holds out credible promise of profitable exit. This indeed can turn into a virtuous cycle. This is not a sign of fragility but of an ecosystem confident enoughtorecyclecapitalquickly.
A2024SEBIstudyfoundthat54%of the IPO shares allotted to nonanchor investors were sold within a week. One doesn’t have to revisit Hegelian Dialectics to appreciate that every phenomenon has two ways of interpreting it. One can regard this short-term trading in IPOsasfrothorasmarketefficiently testing and allowing a churn that over time helps ownership migrate
to stronger hands. As already pointedoutbythechartsabove,the patientinvestorislikelytogetsame IPO shares much cheaper later. Recentnumbersshowthatlessthan half of 2025’s IPOs delivered listing day gains even as many of them quickly cooled subsequently. The moderation in listing day pops hopefully implies that bankers and issuers are readying books more carefully. Cheap money era habits, such as overtight pricing, momentum allocation, among others are fading. This may be regarded as better price discovery andgovernance signals. The IPO exuberance has not only made primary pipeline bigger but alsobroader asisevidenced by the increasing number of SMEs listing on NSE Emerge or on BSE SME platforms. That SME listings are crucial to diversify the opportunity set and widen the investor base beyond large caps. Simultaneously SEBI’s efforts totighten disclosures, emphasise profitable paths before fixingthe price bands and calibrate offer sizes should provide greater depth andviability tothemarket. Finally, India’strading infrastructure and participation have over the
yearsscaleddramatically. Evenwith periodic dips, exchange data show high,persistentturnover androbust derivative hedging tools. Thedepth allows founders’ and/or venture
capital/PEplayers’ exitstobestaged without destabilising the float. This againisahallmark of a market that has the capacity to recycle risk efficiently.
Article dedicated on Valentine’s Day on 14/02/2026.
1)WhatisValentine’ s Day
When we hear Valentine’s, what comes to our mind is love and romance. Valentinus’s Day, celebrated annuallyonFebruary 14, is a global occasion dedicated to expressing love, affection and friendship through gifts, cards, and special gestures. It is the 2nd most celebrated holiday around the world afterNewYear.
2)WhoisSaintValentine’s?
St.Valentine’sofRomewasapriest. Romanemperors wer2enotallowed to marry Christians. Valentines continued to perform marriages in secretofthosewholoveeachother for which he was imprisoned. He alsofellinlovewithjailer’s daughter andsentaloveletter toher. Known by the Roman Emperor, both were beheaded on 14th of February and thus Church celebrates the feast of Valentine’ s Dayforhis sacrificeand couragetowards hislove.
3)How Valentine’ s Day connected withyou
We normally wait for someone to chooseus,butwhatifthatsomeone is you? This Valentine’ s Day, do something different. Be your own Valentine’ s by self-love and selfhealing to your body. Let go off
emotional heaviness and write a powerful lovelettertoyourself.
4) SayIloveyoutoyourself. The first love should be you and yourself. Nobody can love you as much as you can love by yourself. Somebody behavesrudelywithyou, andyougetupsetandyouhurtand harm yourself. Every individual is different. People may not appreciate you and love you. But you should love yourself. You are your first Valentine’s. Remember this.
5)Valentine’ s day should be every day,notoneday
When your body has a pain, you shouldrubyourhandgentlyonthat place. You should tell your body I Love You and I care for you. Love just doesn't means hugging and kissing. Love is caring. When somebody your friends or loved ones are sick or in trouble, your responsibility is to bring joy and happiness in them. Any work done without love will not get good result.
6) IsValentinemeansonlyLove Love is the strong base for this Valentine’s. You should be singing and dancing when you have love. Love isvisible incaring otherwise it is internal. Love to be shared to others.
7) How is Valentine’ s Day related tomarried couples? Yes,couplesshouldlovethemselves in all the situations. Your love is
lifetime and till the end you both only will be there. We cannot assumeourchildren orrelativeswill be there or not. I have seen many couples go to the church and they sit separately. You should sit together. Hold your hands. Don’t feel ashamed and worried of what othersthink. Your spouse is your special love. Love and hug yourself as much as youcandaily.
Remember in this Valentine’s Day, you are your first love. Say ‘I love you’ toyourself firstandlaterto
yourspouse, yourloved ones.
“Lovedyouyesterday,loveyoustill, alwayshave,alwayswill”.
HappyValentine’ssDay***
-RoshanDsouza,Kinnigoli
• ByMelvynRodrigues
February9,2026
Some people live loudly; otherslive deeply.
Felix Frank D’Silva belonged unmistakably tothesecondkind. Forthoseofuswhowereblessedto know him over decades, Felix was not merely a friend, colleague, or relative, he was a presence. A steady, reassuring presence that made lifefeela little more ordered, a little more humane, and a great dealmorehopeful.
Felix, who passed away peacefully onFriday, February 6,2026, atthe age of 80, leaves behind a rich legacy of love and service. He was the devoted husband of Philomena Felcy D’Silva; a loving father to Prashanth and Roopali, Prima and Clinton, and Pramod and Shanon; and a doting grandfather to Michael, Aryan, Emma, Crystal, Mayur, and Ira. He was a cherished brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and most tellingly a brother in
spirit tomanywhowerenotrelated byblood butboundbyaffection.
Generosity came naturally to Felix. He never announced it, never dramatized it, and never expected recognition for it. Whether it was helping the less fortunate, quietly supporting someone in distress, or helping ‘in whatever capacity he could’, Felix believed that compassion was not an obligation, itwasawayoflife. As an active member of the St Vincent de Paul Society, his concern for the poor was practical andsincere. Hiswords were simple, hisactionssincere, andhisdealings always affectionate. In an age of noise and display, Felix practiced goodness withhumility. Many people came to see him as a father figure someone to turn to when life felt uncertain. His advice was never hurried, never superficial. It was thoughtful, grounded, and deeply humane. At family functions and gatherings, he was often requested to say a few words, becauseeveryone knew that when Felix spoke, there would be ‘Dhon uthram’ words of weight, clarity, andsubstance.
Within thefamily, Felix waswarmth itself. His grandchildren remember himnotjustasagrandfather, butas theirveryown SantaClaus,theone who delighted in their happiness andwouldlovingly askthemtopick anything they wished when they came home for vacation. Those moments of innocent joy, laughter, and generosity will remain treasured memories foralifetime. So genuine was his affection that many in-laws considered Felix their own brother a rare tribute to the breadth of his heart and the sincerityofhisrelationships.
Felix’s professional life reflected the sameintegrity andintelligence that marked his personal life. An alumnus of St Joseph Primary School, Kankanady, and St Aloysius College, Mangalore where he completed his PUC and BCom between 1962 and 1966 Felix was a commerce graduate who believed deeply in learningthroughdisciplineandselfeffort.
Heworked with AbuDhabi Oil
Company Ltd (Japan) and retired as Senior Accounts Officer, earning respect for his precision, reliability, and ethical standards.
Remarkably, at a time when information technology was still in its infancy—nearly 40 years ago, Felix independently developed an accounting software-like application for his company, purely by studying books and applying logic. He did this without formal training in IT, and without expectation of reward. The system he created continued to be used even after his retirement a testament to its robustness and his foresight.
Service Beyond Profession: Flexy Free
Felix’s most enduring contribution may well be his service to the Church through Flexy Free, a church data and accounting application he developed and offered entirely free of cost. The name itself Flexy beautifully combines Felix and Felcy, reflecting a partnership rooted in loveandsharedvalues.
Today,FlexyFreeisusedinover100 churchesof both Mangalore and
Udupi Dioceses and few other churches of India, quietly supporting administration and transparency. This was Felix’s serving faith not with grand declarations, but with thoughtful solutions.
He also remained actively involved in the Konkani Cultural Organisation, AbuDhabi, servingas itsTreasurerandcontributing tothe community hedeeply loved.
Equally close to his heart was his alma mater. Felix was a Treasurer andactivememberofSACAA –St Aloysius College Alumni Association, remaining connected to the institution that shaped him and serving it with the same sincerity and responsibility that definedallhisroles.
ALifeWell Lived
Felix married Philomena Felcy D’Silva on April 24, 1974, at Milagres Church, Mangalore, withthereceptionheld at the Catholic Club, Hampankatta. Their marriage stood as a partnership ofmutualrespect, faith, andsharedpurpose.
Simple in words, dignified in conduct, affectionate in relationships, andcompassionate in
service Felix Frank D’Silva showed us that greatness does not need applause. Itonly needsconsistency, conscience,andcare. May he live on in the lives he touched, the systems he built, the advice he gave, and the love he sharedsofreely.
May his soul rest in eternal peace—and may his example continuetoguideus.
• ByMelvyn Rodrigues
USWAS Shirva, (U.A.E based organization of Shirva Parishioners) Donates Uniform and Shoes to 152 ManasaSpecialSchoolChildrencosting about 2 lakhs in a program organized on 7.2.2026 in the Manasa Pamboor school hall. President of Manasa Trust Mr John Martis presided and welcomedtheguests.Vicepresidentof USWAS, Mr Manoj Menezes said that USWAS is on the verge of celebrating Silver Jubilee, is happy to help the people and institutions around Shirva. He also said that uniforms bring discipline and equality among students. Former vice president of Shirva Parish Mr Melvin Aranha appreciated the charitable works of USWAS.
MrDenis Mathias, MrDenis Castelino, Mrs Anisha Machado, AlwynAlex, and local USWAS representative Mr Charles Noronha were present and joinedinthedistribution.
Guests were welcomed by the beautiful welcome dance by the students. Principal Sr VinniGonsalves thanked USWAS.Secretary of Trust Dr Gerald Pinto, founder president Dr
Edward Lobo, former president Mr Henry Menezes, staff and students were present. PETteacher compered theprogram.
On 5th Feb 2026 at 3pm Tiatr workshop was inaugurated by Rev.Fr. MelwinDcunha SJProVCof the St. Aloysius Deemed to be University Mangalore. On this occasion he wished all the best for the future 10 days and called the students to use the days in a fruitfulmanner.
Mr. Satish Narvekar from Art and Culture Dept was the guest of Honour. On this occasion he stressed relaxation through theatre andshouldenjoytheworkshop with the action. shouldn't allow clashes between profession andpassion.
St Aloysius Deemed to be University's Ranga Adhyayana Kendra's Director Mr. Christopher Dsouzasharedthestage. Mrs.Flora Castelino HOD of Konkanni welcomed the gathering and mentioned the importance of the Tiatr culture in Mangalore especially atSt.Aloysiusdeemed to beUniversity.
25 participants are taking the training from Mr. Satish Narvekar. And, on 14th Feb studentswillperformtheirtalentsat LCRIhallatSADU.
Feb10thto14th2026 Rev.Fr.Dovel
Dias from Goa will join the workshop. Music classes will be heldduring histenure.
Ms.JenishaPintorendered thevote of thanks. Mr. Nathan Pinto compeered theprogramme.
Reportby Flora Castelino HODofKonkanni
New York Catholics enjoyed an indoor moment of spiritual warmth during an extreme cold spell in the region with the installation Mass of Archbishop Ronald Hicks on Feb. 6. While many in the pews felt sad about losing their beloved Cardinal Timothy Dolan, there was also excitement about welcoming their new shepherd. After the clergy processed to the front, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, welcomed the 2,200 people inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral — including 68 bishops, 13
archbishops, and six cardinals and thanked Dolan for his years of service.
During the installation Mass, deference was given toHicks’ years ofservice asamissionarypriestinEl Salvador. Thereadings were readin both English and Spanish, and the St. Patrick Cathedral choir sang several songs in Spanish.
During Hicks’ homily, he spoke easily in both languages. Then Hicks told the congregation thathe loves Jesus, theChurch, and people.
“I also love the Eucharist: the true body, blood, soul, and divinity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, our source and our summit. The word Eucharistcomes from aGreek word meaning to give thanks. So today, in the context of this Eucharist, my heart is filled with gratitude. AndasIbeginasthe11th bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, Iwanttostartwith gratitude,” he said.
Full story: https://www.ewtnnews.com/ world/us/archbishop-ronald-hickstakes-helm-of-archdiocese-of-newyork
Mangaluru, Feb 8: Fr Dr Joseph Martis, parish priest of Derebail parish, called on the Konkanispeaking community tocherishand actively use their mother tongue in daily life. Addressing the Konkani Writers’ Association Literary Award ceremony held at Sandesha,
Mangaluru, on February 7, he said that while people can learn and master many languages, Konkani should remain central in homes,
community programmes and worship.
He emphasised the importance of passing the language on to future generations, urging parents and grandparents to teach children Konkani just as earlier generations had done. Drawing comparisons with societies in Kerala, China and Vietnam,henotedthatpeoplethere continuetousetheirmothertongue in everyday communication regardless of their level of education.
Describing Konkani as a rich language with abundant resources, Fr Dr Martis encouraged the community to preserve and make fulluseofit.
Criticism isessential for the growth of artand literature, but itmust be constructive, saidWalterNandalike, chief editor of Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd, while speaking as guest of
honourattheevent.Heemphasised that criticism should be expressed responsibly and with appropriate language, aimed not at belittling creative work but at helping artists andwriters refineandimprove their craft.
Nandalike expressed concern over whathedescribedasatrendamong certain self-styled critics inKonkani circles who deliberately target writers and artists to undermine them. He noted that such attitudes harm the literary environment ratherthanstrengthen it.
HealsopraisedtheKonkani Writers’ Association for honouring senior writerMPatrick,whomhedescribed as a lifelong supporter of Konkani literature. Recalling Patrick’s dedication, he said the veteran writer had worked tirelessly to promote Konkani publications, at times going door to door to sell periodicals andbooks, contributing significantly to the spread of the language.
Senior writer M Patrick was presented with the 2026 Konkani Writers’ Association Award, which
included a formal felicitation and a cash prize of Rs 25,000. Accepting the honour, he expressed gratitude to all those who supported him throughout his lifelong journey in the field of Konkani literature. Several other achievers in the Konkani literary sphere were also felicitatedontheoccasion.
The programme began with a prayer song led by Anil and Irene D’Cunha. Dr Edward Nazareth welcomed the gathering, while Richard Moras, convenor of the association, outlined its aims and activities. Dolphy Lobo introduced the award recipient, and Preetha Miranda read the citation. Thevote of thanks was proposed by Henry Mascarenhas, and the event was compered byAnnieCastelino.
Amongthedignitaries presentwere Stany Alvares, president of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy; Roy Castelino, former president of the academy; Fr A D’Lima;JFD’Souza;DrGeraldPinto; and Alice Fernandes, along with several other veterans of the Konkani literarycommunity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been formally
nominated for the 2026 Nobel PeacePrize.
The nomination was submitted by Professor Dag Øistein Endsjø, a professorattheUniversityofOsloin Norway. As an academic at this institution, heholds theformal right to submit nominations. This is going topiss alot of people off.
Bellare,01January,2026:Marking a historic milestone in the religious life of the region, the Holy Cross Chapel at Bellare is formally elevatedasanewparishonJanuary 1, 2026. On this momentous occasion, a solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist was held at the church, led by the Bishop of Mangalore, MostRev.DrPeterPaul Saldanha, who canonically proclaimedtheestablishmentofthe newparish.
Solemn Eucharistic Celebration andDeclaration
Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha
presided over the Eucharistic celebration in accordance with Church rites and officially declared the Holy Cross Chapel as a parish. The declaration was received with deep reverence and joy by the clergy and the faithful gathered in largenumbers.
Post-Mass Felicitation Programme
Following the Holy Mass, a felicitation programme was organised. Bishop Dr Saldanha inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp. Addressing the gathering, he recalled thattheCatholic faithfulof Bellareearlierhadtotravelnearly15 kilometres to the Panja Church to participate in liturgical celebrations and receive the sacraments. This pastoral hardship became the catalyst for the establishment of a prayer centre in Bellare, whichlater gained recognition as an official chapel under the Panja parish. His ExcellencyBishopelaborated onthe gradualgrowthofthechapelandits eventualelevationtoparishstatus.
Very Rev. Lawrence Mascarenhas, parishpriestofMaiDeDeusChurch, Puttur, noted that a prayer centre had been established in Bellare 54
years ago, and that the time had nowcomeforittoberecognised as afull-fledged parish.Heannounced thattheBishophaddeclaredBellare Holy Cross Church as the 125th parish of the Diocese of Mangalore, emphasising that the Church had been made independent to empower the faithful and strengthen pastoral outreach.Heexpressed gratitudeto Rev.MelvinD’Souza,parishpriestof St Rita’s Church, Panja, for his guidance, and to the newly appointed parish priest, Rev. Dr Anthony Prakash Monteiro, for his dedicated andloving service.
Rev. Dr Anthony Prakash Monteiro welcomed the dignitaries and the faithful. The programme was attended on the dais by Lancy D’Souza, Vice-President of the Parish Council of St Rita’s Church, Panja, and Sunil D’Souza, VicePresident of the Bellare Parish Council. Rev. Melvin D’Souza proposed avoteofthanks. Severalpriestsfromtheregionwere present, including Rev. Gerald D’Souza, Rev. Santosh Menezes, Rev. Alvin D’Cunha, Rev. Marvin Lobo, Rev. Balthazar Pinto, Rev. J.B. Moras, Rev. Abel Lobo, Rev. Amit
Rodrigues, Rev. Paul Sebastian D’Souza and Rev. Vijay Lobo, Rev. Rithesh Rodrigues along with religious sisters andmany Christian faithfuls.
Historical Background:EarlyDays ofthePanjaMission
The regions now comprising Panja and Bellare were originally part of theKadabaMission.Withthearrival of Dr Peter Paul Pinto at Badyar, organised missionary activitybegan in Panja in 1932. His medical services andhumanitarian outreach significantly contributed to the stabilisation of early Christian settlements inthisruralbelt. In 1933, Rev. Peter D’Sa was appointed as the priest-in-charge, earning recognition for providing pastoral care to scattered faithful and establishing an organised Christian life despite geographical and environmental challenges. Inspired by missionary efforts, Shrisanthan D’Mello of Iklam Kirem migrated to the region with his family. Atthe time, the faithful had to walk nearly 10 kilometres to Kadaba Church for religious observances.
Recognising these hardships, Dr Peter Paul Pinto and Santhan D’Melloerectedasmallprayershed. With diocesan approval, the first permanent chapel at Panja was completed in 1953, when the Christian population had grown
from four to fourteen families. The appointment of Rev. Albert G. Nazarethasthefirstparishpriest in 1952 brought institutional stability to the Panja Mission, from where pastoral activities gradually expanded to surrounding areas, including Bellare.
As the Panja Mission grew, a Catholic community began to emerge in Bellare. The faithful still had to travel around 15 kilometres toPanjaforworship, prompting the need for a local prayer centre. In 1971, during the tenure of Rev. Ligory Hilary Sanctis, the first Mass was celebrated at the residence of Benjamin D’Souza and Ignatius D’Souza of Palthady. This Mass was held once every fifteen days for nearly ayear, laying thefoundation fororganised worship inBellare. Subsequently, a permanent church was planned on 3.29 acres of land. Under the leadership of the late Joseph Pinto, construction commenced in 1971. His personal commitment and tireless fundraising efforts, coupled with diocesan financialsupport, ensured the progress of the project. During
thetenureofRev.MarianPinto, the chapelconstruction wascompleted, and regular Sunday Masses began. Thechapelwasofficiallyrecognised under the Panja parish and dedicated under the patronage of theHolyCross.
Between 2007 and2014, during the tenure of Rev. Santosh D’Souza as parish priest of St Rita’s Church, Panja, significant infrastructure development took place. Recognising the need for a permanent residence for priests, construction of a clergy house adjacenttotheBellarechapelbegan inJune2012 andwascompleted in May 2014. The building was inaugurated on May 23, 2014, by thethenBishopofMangalore,Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, further strengthening administrative andpastoral facilities atBellare.
May 31, 2018, marked a major administrative milestone when Bellare Holy Cross Chapel was granted autonomy in pastoral and
administrative matters. While enjoying independence, the pastoral council and finance committee continued joint coordination with Panja parish. The decision was taken during the episcopate of Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, who appointed Rev. Peter Gonsalves as the first independent priest-in-charge of Bellare.
On May 22, 2019, Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha appointed Rev. Sebastian Paul D’Souza as parish priest. Histenurewitnessed notable infrastructure development and the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the chapel, held on November 6, 2021, culminating in a Eucharistic celebration and commemorative programme marking50yearsofthe chapel’s spiritual journey. Rev. Sebastian PaulD’Souza served until May 16, 2022, during which time expansion and renovation works werealsoundertaken.
Present Leadership and Ongoing Growth
On May 16, 2022, Rev. Dr Anthony Prakash Monteiro, Principal of St Philomena College (Autonomous) Puttur, was appointed as parish
priest ofHolyCross Church,Bellare. Under hisleadership, theparishhas grown acrossmultiple dimensions –organisation, liturgicalparticipation, community involvement and infrastructure development, emerging as a stable, vibrant and forward-looking parish catering to the spiritual needs of the Catholic community.
Bellare Holy Cross Church Emerges as the 125th Parish of theDioceseofMangalore Today marks asssss historic day when Bellare Holy Cross Church emerged as the 125th parish of the Diocese of Mangalore. The church’s journey, beginning from the Panja Mission, reflects steady missionary expansion, institutional consolidation and progressive development. From a humble prayer centre to a permanent church with clergy residence, administrative autonomy andfinally parish status, the growth of Bellare HolyCrossChurchstandsasaliving testimony to faith, perseverance andcommunity spirit.
Formation of an Independent BellareParishRegion
In November 2025, Rev. Melvin D’Souza, parish priest of Panja, in collaboration with Rev. Anthony PrakashMonteiro, playedakeyrole in establishing Bellare as an independent and separate parish region. The newly formed Bellare Holy Cross Parish jurisdiction comprises: North: Belandoor andPeruvaje
North-East: Balila, Kaniyoor and Charvaka
South: Darkas
East:Kalanja
North-West: Nettaru, Perlumpady, PalthadyandKeyyur
This reorganisation has further strengthened pastoral care and administrative efficiency, ushering in a new chapter in the spiritual history ofBellare.
Bangalore, February 7, 2026: The new headquarters of the Pontifical Mission Organisations was blessed and inaugurated on February 7 in Bangalore, inthe presence of more than 170 bishops from the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches, who were in the city for the meetings of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
India.
Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, inaugurated thebuilding bycutting theribbonandunveilingtheplaque.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, led the blessing ceremony, joinedbysenior Churchleaders from thethreerites, including Major Archbishop
Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop
Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis, and CardinalAnthonyPoola.
Following the blessing, a brief felicitation programme was held,
during which the architect, engineer, contractor and workers involved in the construction were honoured.
The project, long envisioned by successive national directors, was realisedduringthetenureofBishop Ambrose Pitchaimuthu. After his episcopal appointment in2023, the construction was overseen by Dr. Stephen Alathara. The foundation stone had been laid on January 29, 2024, byCardinalFerrão.
Located near MG Road in Ulsoor, thenewfacilityhousesofficerooms, a boardroom, chapel,
documentation room and media room,andisexpectedtostrengthen the functioning of the CCBI’s missionary initiatives.
The Pontifical Mission Organisations comprise four missionary societies: theSociety for the Propagation of the Faith, the Society of St. Peter theApostle, the Holy Childhood Association, and theMissionary Union of Priests and Religious. In India, they function under the CCBI Commission for Proclamation.
ByCatholicConnectReporter
trash dump in El Salvador where he was abandoned as an infant. Asatoddler hewasshotandinjured bybandits.
Hewaslaterabusedbyhisadoptive parents.
Then he found shelter in an orphanage run by Fr. Ronald Hicks.
He was able to immigrate to the USA,andtomorrow hewillproclaim one of the readings when the former Fr. Hicks becomes the new Archbishop ofNewYork.
The Modi Government’s repeated attempts to silence the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament are deeply troubling and strike at the heart of India’s democracy.
Shri Rahul Gandhi raised legitimate questions on national security based on excerpts from ‘Four Stars of Destiny’, the book authored by former Army ChiefM. M.Naravane. The book, originally slated for release in 2024, remains unpublished because it is being withheld by the Government of India.Theexcerptswere quotedina recent article by The Caravan Magazine.
Importantly, General Naravane has not denied the contents attributed to him. On the contrary, he has publicly acknowledged that his book is awaiting government clearance. If these statements were inaccurate or misleading, the government could have issued a clear denial. Its decision instead to withhold the book and silence discussion only deepens the suspicion thatuncomfortable truths are being suppressed.
The book indicates that during the critical phase of the 2020 China border standoff, the Modi Government failedtotake clearand decisive strategic calls, leaving the armed forces to manage a complex political crisis within broader constraints. This points not to any failure of the Army, but to a lackof strong political leadership at the highest level under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Such issues deserve serious discussion in Parliament.
Shri Rahul Gandhi did what a
responsible Leader of the Opposition is duty-bound to doask questions on behalf of the people. He did not speak against thenationortheArmedForces.Yet, instead of answering, the government stalled Parliament for two consecutive days, suspended eight opposition MPs, and in an unprecedented act, prevented the Leader of the Opposition from speaking on the President’s Address.
Inanyresponsible democracy, such grave revelations would haveledto accountability and serious political
consequences at the highest level. Instead, this government has chosen suppression and intimidation.
If the Modi Government has nothing to hide, why silence debate?
And if India’s national interest was fullysafeguarded, why fearscrutiny in Parliament?
#AnswerMadiModi Indian National Congress Indian NationalCongress -Karnataka
The School of Information Science and Technology at St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, successfully concluded
CodeSprint2026, a high-octane 32hourNational-Level Hackathon.The valedictory ceremony served as a fittingfinaletotwodays ofintense
innovation, teamwork, and perseverance, marking the successful completion of a journey that challenged the limits of young techminds.
The Chief Guest, Ms. Ranjitha Prabhu, Co-founder of Codezyng, delivered an inspiring address. She specifically highlighted the resilienceofhumantalentintheage of automation, noting that while technology evolves, jobs in thetech world cannot be replaced by AI as they rely on the unique human capacity for creativity and critical problem-solving.
Further adding to the spirit of the event, Dr. Charles V Furtado, DirectoroftheAdministrative Block, spoke astheGuestofHonour. Inhis speech, he lauded the initiative, stating that events like CodeSprint are vital as they open boundaries andtest the limits ofwhat students canachieve.
The Presidential address was deliveredbytheProViceChancellor, Rev.DrMelwyn D’CunhaSJ.Hiswise and insightful words encouraged the audience to reimagine possibilities and provided a roadmap for bridging future
endeavours with present-day projects.
Ms.Sherley Ardrade, conducted the prize distribution recognizing the outstanding projects that emerged from the 32-hour marathon. The winners were categorised into internal and external participants. Eachcategorysawamazing winners placing them I, IIand III along with five consolation prizes in each category with a whooping 1 lakh prize pool. The Winners under External Participant category were Team ByteMonks from St Joseph’s Degree andPGCollege, Hyderabad.
The Winners under Internal Participant category were Team CodeX fromStAloysius (Deemed to be University)-AIMIT Centre, Mangalore. The ceremony was seamlessly conducted by the emcee,Ms.Seina.
As the event ended, Ms. Delisha Miranda delivered the vote of thanks, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the management, sponsors, faculty coordinators, and the student team whose collective efforts made CodeSprint2026 a grandsuccess.
The School of Commerce, Finance and Accountancy of St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) in association with RGNIIPM, Government ofIndia,Nagpurunder the National IP Awareness Mission (NIPAM) conducted an Online Workshop on “Intellectual Property
Rights (IPR) & Patents and Design Filing” on 4 February 2026 in AV Room, Arrupe Block, of the University.
The session was led by Mr Kumar Raju,AssistantController of Patents & Designs, RGNIIPM Nagpur. He explained the key concepts of IPR such as patents, design protection, trademarks, geographical indications, copyright, and trade secrets.
Around 200 participants participated in this workshop and learned about common mistakes made by inventors and the importance of protecting innovations beforepublication.
Overall, the workshop created awareness on IPR filing procedures andencouragedstudentstoexplore opportunities in the field of innovation andpatenting.
AboutShriKumarRaju: ShriKumarRajuisworking formore than 13+ years in Central
Government Office under the PatentOffice,MinistryofCommerce &Industry andpresently working as Assistant Controller of Patents &DesignsatRGNIIPM,Nagpur As He is working as a program speaker at RGNIIPM Nagpur and delivered more than300 lecturesat various platforms. RGNIIPM, Nagpur isonly CentralGovernment National IPR Training Institute in India He has done -M Tech In Industrial Engineering from IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas Bachelor of Engineering from G. B. Pant Engg College, Garhwal Uttarakhand. He has examined and disposed thousands of Patent applications anddelivered manylectures on IPR in various parts of the country. He also gave his decisions on various patent opposition cases filed by reputed industries not only domestic but foreign applicants also. He was deputed by Government for training at Japan PatentOffice,JapanonExamination IPRissues.
The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Agnes Towards Community (ATC) and Youth Red Cross (YRC) Unit of St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, in collaboration withSBILifeInsurance Company, organised a Breast Cancer Awareness Programme on
World Cancer Day on 4 February 2026 at2.00PMinA4Hall.
Ms Ananya K of III BA warmly welcomed the gathering. The programme was successfully coordinated under the guidance of Dr Shailaja H G, Coordinator –Agnes Towards Community (ATC), and Mrs Nimitha K, Programme
Officer–YouthRedCross (YRC).
atalktitled“ThanksADot–Making Breast Cancer a Living Room Conversation & Financial Preparedness” , highlighting the importance of open conversations on breast cancer, early diagnosis through awareness, and the role of financialpreparedness inhealthcare management.
Dr Vinay Kumar Rajendra, Oncologist, CanCure Oncology Clinic, Mangaluru, delivered an informative and engaging talk on breast cancer awareness and demonstrated the use of the TAD (Thanks A Dot) kit, educating students on self-examination techniques andearly warning signs. This was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which students actively clarifiedtheirdoubts.
MrRavindra Sharma thendelivered
Dr Zubeida H, Head of the Department of English then addressed the gathering, stressing
on awareness, empathy, and breaking cancerstigma
Student testimonials reflected the programme's positive impact and
enhanced awareness. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the emcee, acknowledging speakers, organisers, andparticipants.
Mr. Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador of Spain to India, visited St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) on 3 February 2026, marking a significant milestone in the University’s ongoing efforts to
strengthen international academic andculturalengagement.
Aspartofthevisit, theAmbassador touredtheiconicStAloysiusChapel, whereheexpressed deep
appreciation for the world-famous paintings, praising their artistic excellence and spiritual depth. He alsoconveyedhisadmirationforthe University’s commitment to preserving its rich heritage and culturallegacy.
Following the chapel visit, Mr. Juan interacted with theuniversity's staff and faculty members. During his address, he underscored the importance of international collaboration in higher education, innovation, and the expanding scope for academic partnerships between institutions in India and Spain.
Mr. JuanAntonio Marchalsospoke abouthisbook, ‘Ctrl+Alt+Del:The GreatReset’,whichservedasafocal point for interaction with the
students. The session witnessed an engaging discussion, during which students interacted with him and shared their reflections on the themes and ideas presented in the book.
The visit further reinforced St Aloysius (Deemed to be University)’s commitment to promoting international partnerships, cross-cultural engagement, and a global outlook in teaching, learning, and research. Reflecting his personal interest in nature and sustainability, the Ambassador also planted a sapling onthecampus,expressing hishope to see it grow when he returns to the University in the coming years. The interaction was held in the presence of Rev. Fr. Melwin J. Pinto, Rector of St Aloysius Institutions; Rev. Dr. PraveenMartis SJ, Vice Chancellor of St Aloysius (Deemed to be University); Rev. Dr. Melwyn D'Cunha SJ, Pro Vice Chancellor; Dr. Ronald Nazareth, Registrar; and Rev. Dr. Kiran Cotha SJ,DirectoroftheAIMITCentre. -
MANGALURU,FEB8: Thethirdday of the Novena preparatory to the Relic Feast of St Anthony of Padua wasobservedwithgreatdevotion at St Anthony’s Shrine, Milagres on Sundayevening, February 08,2026.
The liturgy was centred on the powerful spiritual theme, "Bless, do notcurse."
Many devotees gathered for the Sunday evening Eucharist, offering special prayers for parents. The congregation prayed for the good health, longevity, and well-being of parents, acknowledging their sacrificial role in building families andsociety.
Rev. Fr Praveen Leo Lasrado, Secretary of the Catholic Board of Education (CBE), presided over the Holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr Lasrado reflected on the power of
words in Christian life. "Our words have the power to build up or tear down. As followers ofChrist, we are called to be channels of blessing, not curses. To bless is to wish well and invoke God’s grace upon others,eventhosewhomayoppose us," he emphasised. He exhorted the faithful to cultivate a heart that forgives and blesses, mirroring the compassion ofStAnthony.
Aligning with the day's intention, the liturgy included special supplications for parents. The faithful prayed that children might cherish andcarefortheirageing
parents, upholding the fourth commandment to honour one's fatherandmother.
Rev. Fr J.B. Crasta, Director of St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, Rev. Fr Praveen Amrith Martis, Administrator, and Fr Nishanth Vivian Rodrigues, Assistant Director and Fr Gilbert Dsouza, Chaplain concelebrated the Mass. Following the Holy Eucharist, the Novena prayers were led by Fr Gilbert Dsouza invoking the intercession of StAnthony forthe intentions ofthe gathered devotees. Padre PioChoir, Bejai enriched the liturgy with
melodious hymns, fostering a prayerful atmosphere attheshrine.
TheNovenacontinues daily,leading up to the grand Relic Feast on February 15,2026.
The highlight of the upcoming festivities: Feast Day Schedule – Sunday, February15,2026:
The Relic Feast will be celebrated with several solemn services across theday:
• 6:00AM: Festal MassatStAnthony Ashram, Jeppu, celebrated by Very Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ, Vice
Chancellor, St Aloysius (Deemed to be)University.
• 9:30 AM: Solemn Festal Mass atSt Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, celebrated by Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore.
• 11:00AM: HolyMassin Malayalam at Milagres Shrine celebrated by Fr EbySebastian CST.
the Relic Feast of St Anthony of Padua wasobserved with solemnity at St Anthony’s Shrine, Milagres on Mondayevening,February09,2026. The liturgy was centred on the profound theme, "Speak toprotect, nottodestroy."
A large congregation of devotees gathered for the Eucharistic celebration, offeringspecificprayers for those in political service. The faithful prayed for political leaders and public servants, asking for divine guidance thattheymaywork selflessly for the common good, uphold justice, and strive for the development of society without bias.
• 6:00 PM: The Main Grand Festive Mass at Milagres Shrine, presided over by Most Rev. Bernard Moras, Archbishop Emeritus ofBangalore. The Ashram administration invites all devotees to participate in these spiritual exercises and seek the powerful intercessionofStAnthony. St Anthony Novena Day 4: Call to 'Speak to Protect' as Devotees Pray for Political Leaders
MANGALURU, FEB 9: The fourth day of the Novena preparatory to
Rev.Fr IvanD'Souza, Professor atSt Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu, presided over the Holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr D'Souza elaborated on the moral responsibility attached to speech."Inaworldwhere words are oftenusedasweapons toteardown reputations and incite division, we are calledtoahigher standard. Our speech should be a shield that protects the vulnerable and saves relationships. To speak to protect meanstouseourvoicefortruthand reconciliation, ratherthan for
destruction and slander," he remarked.
Aligningwith theday's intention for political leaders,theliturgyincluded special supplications that those in power might use their authority to protect the rights of the poor and marginalised, ratherthantodestroy democratic values.
Rev. Fr J.B. Crasta, Director of St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, Rev. Fr Praveen Amrith Martis, Administrator, and Fr Gilbert Dsouza, Chaplain, concelebrated the Mass. Following the Holy
Eucharist, the Novena prayers were led by Rev. J.B. Crasta, invoking the intercession of St Anthony for the intentionsofthegathereddevotees. The choir enriched the liturgy with melodious hymns, fostering a prayerful atmosphere attheshrine.
TheNovenacontinues daily,leading up to the grand Relic Feast on February 15,2026.
The Ashram administration invites all devotees to participate in these spiritual exercises and seek the powerful intercessionofStAnthony.
MANGALURU, FEB 10: The fifth day of the Novena preparatory to the Relic Feast of St Anthony of Padua was observed with great fervour at St Anthony’s Shrine, Milagres on Tuesday evening, February 10, 2026. The liturgy was centred on the touching theme, "Speak with affection, not with deceit."
A large congregation of devotees gathered for the Eucharistic celebration, offering special prayers for children and youth. The faithful prayed for the younger generation, asking for divine guidance to help them navigate modern challenges, remain rooted in faith, and build a futurefilledwithhope andintegrity. Very Rev. Fr Cyprian Pinto, Parish Priest of St Sebastian Church, Permannur, presided over the Holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr Pinto emphasised the transformative power of affectionate speech in nurturing relationships, especially
with the youth. "In a world often filled with superficiality, our speech mustberooted ingenuine love and sincerity. Deceit creates distance, but affection builds bridges. When we speak with love, we reflect the heart of Christ and inspire trust in the younger generation," he remarked.
Aligning with the day's intention, the liturgy included special supplications forthewell-being and spiritual growth of children and youth. The congregation prayed that the youth might be protected from negative influences and inspired to become agents of positive changeinsociety.
Rev. Fr J.B. Crasta, Director of St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, Rev. Fr Praveen Amrith Martis, Administrator, and Fr Nishanth Vivian Rodrigues, AssistantDirector, concelebrated the Mass. Following the Holy Eucharist, the Novena prayers were led by Rev. Fr Cyprian Pinto,invokingtheintercession ofSt Anthony for the intentions of the gathered devotees. The Permannur Parish choir enriched the liturgy with melodious hymns, fostering a prayerful atmosphere attheshrine. TheNovenacontinues daily,leading
up to the grand Relic Feast on February 15,2026.
St Anthony Novena Day 6: Call to 'Speak with Humility' as Devotees Pray for lay leaders
MANGALURU, FEB 11: The sixth
day of the Novena preparatory to the Relic Feast of St Anthony of Padua was observed with deep reverence at St Anthony’s Shrine, Milagres on Wednesday evening, February 11, 2026. The liturgy was centred on the gentle spiritual
theme, "Speak with humility, not with pride."
A large congregation of devotees gathered for the Eucharistic celebration, offering special prayers for Lay Leaders and Ministers who serve in the Church. The faithful
prayed for the Gurkars, Ward Representatives, Parish Council members, and all lay faithful who have taken up leadership roles, asking God to grant them wisdom andaspirit ofhumbleservice. Rev. Fr Alwyn Richard D'Souza, DirectoroftheFamilyLifeService
Centre, presided over the Holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr D'Souza reflectedonthevirtueofhumilityin our daily communication. "Pride builds walls between people, but humility builds bridges. When we speak with arrogance, we distance ourselves from God and our neighbour.However,whenwespeak with child-like simplicity and humility, our words have the power to heal and unite. St Anthony, known for his eloquent yet humble preaching, teaches us that true
wisdom comes from a humble heart,"hestated.
Aligning with the day's intention, the liturgy included special supplications for those working towards women's empowerment. The congregation prayed that their effortsmightbearfruitincreatinga safer, more just society for all women.
Rev. Fr J.B. Crasta, Director of St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, Rev. Fr Praveen Amrith Martis, Administrator, Fr Gilber Dsouza, Chaplain and Fr Nishanth Vivian Rodrigues, Assistant Director, concelebrated the Mass. Following the Holy Eucharist, the Novena prayers were led by Fr Praveen Amrith, invoking the intercession of StAnthony forthe intentions ofthe gathered devotees. The choir enriched the liturgy with melodious hymns, fostering a prayerful atmosphere attheshrine. TheNovenacontinues daily,leading up to the grand Relic Feast on February 15,2026.
Andrew D'Souza Calls for 'Words of Reconciliation' as
MANGALURU,FEB12:Theseventh day of the Novena preparatory to the Relic Feast of St Anthony of Padua wasobserved with solemnity atStAnthony’sShrine, Milagres on
Thursday evening, February 12, 2026. Theliturgywascentredonthe profound spiritual theme, "Speak toreconcile, nottoargue."
A large congregation of devotees gathered for the Eucharistic celebration, offering special prayers for Priests and Religious. The faithful prayed for the clergy and consecrated men and women, askingGod tograntthem thegrace tobe trueinstruments ofpeace and unityintheChurchandsociety.
Rev. Fr Andrew D'Souza, Parish Priest of St Lawrence Church, Bondel, presided over the Holy
Eucharist. In his homily, Fr D'Souza emphasised the need for constructivecommunication. "Inour daily lives, we are often tempted to win arguments rather than win hearts. St Anthony teaches us that our speech should be a bridge for reconciliation, not a weapon for division. When we speak to reconcile, we imitate Christ who reconciled theworld toHimself," he remarked.
Aligning with the day's intention, the liturgy included special supplications for priests and religious, that they might lead the
faithful with wisdom and continue tobe visible signs ofGod's mercyin theworld.
Rev. Fr Praveen Amrith Martis, Administrator, Rev.FrGilberDsouza, Chaplain and Fr Nishanth Vivian Rodrigues, Assistant Director, concelebrated the Mass. Following the Holy Eucharist, the Novena prayers were led by Fr Gibert D'Souza, invoking the intercession of St Anthony for the intentions of thegathered devotees. The liturgy was made especially meaningful by the choir from St Lawrence Church, Bondel. Their melodious and spirited singing enrichedtheEucharisticcelebration, fostering a devout and prayerful atmosphere attheshrine. TheNovenacontinues daily,leading up to the grand Relic Feast on February 15,2026. The highlight of the upcoming festivities: Feast Day Schedule – Sunday, February 15, 2026:
MANGALURU, FEB13: The eighth day of the Novena preparatory to the Relic Feast of St Anthony of Padua wasobserved with solemnity at St Anthony’s Shrine, Milagres on Friday evening, February 13, 2026. The liturgy was centred on the enlightening spiritual theme,
"Speak withknowledge, notwith vanity."
A large congregation of devotees gathered for the Eucharistic celebration, offering special prayers for Teachers. Thefaithfulprayed for educators, asking God to grant them wisdom, patience, and the grace to be true mentors who not only impart knowledge but also mould the characterofthe younger generation.
Rev. Fr Dominic Vas OCD, Parish PriestofInfantMaryChurch,Bajjodi, presided over the Holy Eucharist.In hishomily, FrVasdeliveredastirring
message on the transformative power of speech. "Knowledge without love is merely information, but knowledge spoken with love becomes wisdom. AsChristians and educators, we are called to speak words that do not just inform, but inspire. Our speech should be a source ofencouragement, lifting up those who are downcast and guiding the ignorant with patience. St Anthony’s preaching was powerful not because of his vanity, but because his words were filled with divine wisdom and deep love forthe people," heemphasised.
Aligning with the day's intention, the liturgy included special supplications for the teaching fraternity, that they might continue their noble mission of education with dedication andintegrity.
Fr J B Crasta, Director, Rev. Fr Praveen Amrith Martis, Administrator, Fr Gilbert Dsouza, Chaplain and Fr Nishanth Vivian Rodrigues, Assistant Director, concelebrated the Mass. Following the Holy Eucharist, the Novena prayers were led by Fr J B Crasta, invoking the intercession of St Anthony for the intentions of the gathered devotees. The Bajjodi Parish choir enriched the liturgy with melodious hymns, fostering a prayerful atmosphere attheshrine. TheNovenacontinues daily,leading up to the grand Relic Feast on February 15,2026.
St Anthony Novena Day 9: Fr
Santhosh Rodrigues Calls for 'Purposeful Speech' as Devotees
Pray for Minorities
MANGALURU, FEB 14: The ninth and final day of the Novena preparatory to the Relic Feast of St Anthony of Padua was observed with immense devotion at St
Anthony’s Shrine, Milagres on Saturday evening, February 14, 2026. Theliturgywascentredonthe resolute spiritual theme, "Speak with intention, not halfheartedly."
A large congregation of devotees gathered fortheEucharistic
celebration, offering special prayers for the Nation and Minority Communities. The faithful prayed for peace and harmony in the country, and specifically for the protection and welfare of minority communities, asking God to grant them equal rights, dignity, and the freedom to practice their faith without fear.
Rev. Fr Santhosh Rodrigues, Director of the Pastoral Centre, presided over the Holy Eucharist.In hishomily,FrRodrigues reflectedon the courage required in Christian speech. "To speak with intention
meanstospeakwithconviction and clarity. In a world where truth is often diluted, we cannot afford to be lukewarm or half-hearted. St Anthony was a fearless preacher who spoke the truth with purpose. We too must have the courage to speak up for justice and stand firm in our beliefs, ensuring our voice is used to build a nation of unity and respectforall,"he asserted. Aligning with the day's intention, the liturgy included special supplications for the nation's leaders and lawmakers, that they
may uphold the constitution and protectthe diverse fabric ofsociety. Rev. Fr J.B. Crasta, Director of St Anthony Ashram, Jeppu, Rev. Fr Praveen Amrith Martis, Administrator, and Fr Nishanth Vivian Rodrigues, AssistantDirector, concelebrated the Mass. Following theHolyEucharist,the finalNovena
prayers were led by Fr Nishanth Rodrigues, invokingtheintercession ofStAnthony.TheBajalparishchoir enriched the liturgy with melodious hymns, fostering a prayerful atmosphere attheshrine. Withtheconclusion ofthenine-day Novena, the Ashram is now fully prepared for the grand celebration oftheRelicFeasttomorrow.
The parish feast of Infant Mary church, Bajjodi, was celebrated in a very solemn manner on Sunday, February 8th. At 9.30 am all the people gathered at OSS convent. A small prayer service was held blessing the statue of Infant Mary. Then with band a grand procession was taken to the church. In church all the donours were felicitated with blessed candles. At 10.00 am a solemn Eucharistic celebration was held with Rev. Dr. Praveen Leo Lasrado, secretary, diocesan Catholic board of education, asthemaincelebrant.
parents musteducate andbring up theirchildren. We shouldlove them but don’t pamper them. When needed we should correct them Lovingly. On the other hand, the children should respect and obey theirparents.Theyshouldlookafter
them in their old age. If they do, they will obtain abundant graces and blessings from the Lord. 20 priest participated in the celebration andhundreds ofpeople. In the end those who contributed towards the feast celebration were
The Holy Eucharist was followed with aFencyfetewith variedstalls,
games and food items. In the evening a cultural program was organised with Mr. Anil Lobo, ChairmanofMCCbank,Mr.Melwyn Lasrado, Director, Minority Nigama, Bangaluru, were the chief guests. Manydances,skits and songs were
enacted. Many gurkars, Pratinidhis who rendered their services during the past years were thanked and honoured.
Likewise those who had great achievements to their credit were honoured. The past vice president Sri Prakash Saldanha and Secretary Elizabeth Pereira who hadrendered their yeomen services to our parish were appreciated and honoured.
The whole day was a great tribute and honour to Infant Mary, the patroness ofthechurch.
Members Presentduringthe PressMeet:
Rev. Dr Melwyn DCunha, SJ, Pro Vice-Chancellor, St Aloysius
(Deemed toBeUniversity)
Dr Dinesh Nayak, Convenor, TedxStAloyius
Ms Aldrina, Co- Convenor, TedxStAloyius
MsChandrakala, P.R.O
Rayyan Zahi Khan, Student Coordinator, TedxStAloysius
Aavya A, Student, PR Head, TedxStAloysius
AboutTED
TED is a non-profit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged and today covers almost all topics from sciencetobusinesstoglobal issues, in more than 100 languages. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Meanwhile, independently run TED events help to share ideas in communities aroundtheworld.
TEDx is a grassroots initiative, created in thespirit ofTED’s overall mission to research and discover “Ideas worth Spreading.” TEDx brings the spirit of TED to local communities around the globe through TEDx events. These events are organized by passionate individuals who seek to uncover new ideas and share the latest research in their local areas that spark conversations in their communities. TEDx events include
live speakers and recorded TED Talks and are organized independently under a free license granted by TED. These events are not controlled by TED, but event organizers agree to abide by our format and are offered guidelines for curation, speaker coaching, event organizing and more. They learnfrom usandeachother. More than 3000 events are now held annually.
Establishedintheyear1880, nestled on top of the Idgah hill, boasting over 7,000 students, St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) is a cornerstone of academic achievement in Mangalore serving as a vibrant centre of talent, creativity, andambition. With a rich 145-year Jesuitheritage, itshinesas a symbol of comprehensive education and values. The renowned St Aloysius Chapel, embellished withstunning frescoes, remains a significant draw, attracting visitors with its artistic and spiritual beauty. The university continues to motivate generations through influential events, cutting-
edge facilities, and a dedication to excellence.
Through its Motto, Lucet et Ardet, (Latin for 'Shine to Enkindle') the Institution churns individuals who become men and women for and withothers.
TEDxStAloysius isanindependently organisedTEDeventthatcentreson celebrating ideas that are truly worth sharing and amplifying. Hosted by St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University), the event brings together a diverse and dynamic line-up of speakers from a wide range of fields, offering them a platform to share their inspiring journeys, powerful ideas, and unique perspectives. The event actively promotes the exchange of knowledge while fostering creativity, collaboration, and meaningful engagement among participants. Through a series of thought-provoking talks and interactive sessions, TEDxStAloysius creates space for impactful conversations that inspire positive change and help strengthen bonds withinthecommunity.
Everyidea begins quietly, a spark, a whisper, a thread weaving itself in the corners of our mind. Some remain unspoken, others grow into stories we share, and a very few become powerful enough to move the world. These silent threads, thoughfragile,carrythepotentialto shapeourlives,ourchoices,andthe futureitself.
This year’s TEDx theme, “Unwritten Threads ofThoughts,” gathers usto explore those unseen connections of imagination, curiosity, and reflection that guide human creativity. Itisareminder thatevery breakthrough, every innovation, and every transformation begins as anunwritten thought, waiting tobe voiced, shared, and woven into reality, intoLife.
Aswe come together, we celebrate notonlythestoriesalreadytoldbut also the countless ones yet to be written, the invisible threads that connect us to possibility, to one another, and to the boundless futuresthatarestillbeingwovenby ourhands.
Hritik Sharma is an entrepreneur, educator, and podcaster dedicated to advancing India’s education landscape. He founded GK’s Institutions and Eduholik, platforms committed to academic excellence and holistic development. Hritik serves as a Counselor and OperatingOfficerforCBSE-affiliated schools and is an associate of the National Education Policy board. Through his Eduholik_Hritik Podcast, he shares insights on education and personal growth, inspiring youth todrive meaningful change.
2,SimrunChopra
Simrun Chopra is a certified nutritionist, fitness coach, and entrepreneur dedicated to redefining holistic wellness for women in India. She founded Nourish with Sim, promoting sustainable healththrough sciencebased nutrition and fitness. Using her own experiences with overcoming health challenges, she
empowers thousands with practical wellness education. Recognized as one of YourStory’s 100 Emerging Women Leaders, she advocates for women’s strength andself-care.
Mariyam Hussain is a prominent fashion stylist, influencer, content creator,anddesignerfromMumbai. Renowned for her creative vision andtrendsetting style, shehasbuilt a strong Instagram presence centered around elegance, individuality, and bold fashion. She gained widespread recognition for styling the Sharks on Shark Tank India, showcasing her credibility in the industry. Mariyam inspires others to express themselves fearlesslythrough fashion,blending luxury vibes with innovative editorial looks.
4.Dr.P.PDevan
Dr. P P Devan is a veteran ENT SpecialistinMangalorewithover42 years of experience at A J Hospital. Heisa highly respected MSdegree holder and former Professor who uses the latest medical tech for
patient care. A battle against a stroke that almost cost him his life pushed him to turn towards a path that was focused on turning challenges into opportunities.His approach is to provide patients treatment that is accessible and in line with advancements in current healthcare technology, thereby displaying commitment and diligence tohisprofession.
5.LeezaKiranRodrigues
Leeza Kiran Rodrigues is an educator, wellness practitioner, mediahost,andcommunityspeaker withanMBAinMarketing.Sheisthe co-founder of Jai’s Health House, a natural therapy clinic dedicated to holistic healing and well-being. Formerly a Credit Analyst in the UAE, shereturned to India to focus on wellness, education, and social impact. Leeza hosts the Konkani podcast Carmel Café and the television talk show Namaskar Mesthri, where she explores conversations around humanity, relationships, and redefining success through balance, meaning, andhappiness.
6.AdvikaShetty
Advika Shetty is a nationally recognised dancer, actor, and Yakshagana artiste, popularly known as the “Little Princess of Tulunadu” and a ‘Tuluvasiri’ title holder. From a young age, she has been closely connected to the performing arts, representing regional culture with commitment and grace. With over 1,500 performances to her credit, including 200+ Yakshagana shows, and several awards, she gained nationalrecognition through reality shows and the Best Child Artist Award at the Coastal Film Awards (2022), reflecting her talent and dedication.
7.ZabiKhan
ZabiKhanisanIndiananimalrights activist, a United Nations awardee, and a Padma Shri nominee, widely recognised for his work in rescuing and rehabilitating animals. After gaining national recognition through MTV Roadies, he hasused his platform to advocate strongly for animal welfare and protection.His desire to protect
animals led him to establish an animal shelter at a young age. Contributing tothedevelopment of oneofthecountry’searliestanimalfriendly educational environments, Zabi Khan continues to inspire young people across India to take compassionate action andstand up forvoiceless beings.
8.Prashanth SNayaka
Prashanth Nayaka, founder of ChaayaArtLight, is an awardwinning filmmaker, photographer, cinematographer, and storyteller, celebrated for his powerful and impactful visualstorytelling. Heisa recipient of the prestigious JacksonWild Green Oscars, making it the first Kannada film to ever receive this honour, the highest recognition in the world of wildlife filmmaking. Through his craft, Prashanth continues to inspire audiences by beautifully bridging art,nature,andhumanemotion.
9.ColonelArunIyer
Colonel Arun Iyer is a decorated Indian Army veteran. With decades ofdistinguished militaryexperience,
he has led several challenging operations across India’s borders and served in some of the most demanding environments. After his militarytenure,Col.Iyertransitioned into leadership development and corporate training, where he now mentors professionals, students, and entrepreneurs on resilience, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure. His sessions blend military precision with emotional intelligence, offering rare insights into courage, adaptability, and the humanspirit.
10. HemantSharma
Hemant Sharma, Co-founder of Claygrounds by Plaza, is a multifaceted sports entrepreneur, influencer,andcreativeprofessional basedinIndia.ClaygroundsbyPlaza is a platform that merges sports, culture, and community engagement. Additionally, he is associated with The Base, an initiativelinkedtoglobalsportswear brand Adidas. In 2021, he was honoured as the "Sports Entrepreneur of the Year," a testament to his impact and dedication tothefield.
AavyaA.
+919150789841
StudentCoordinator
Rayyan Zahi Khan Yukti A Prabhu +91 9902120078 +91 8147222814
Email:tedxstaloysius@gmail.com Website : https://www.tedxstaloysius.com/ Instagram: tedxstaloysius
St. Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru successfully completed a five-day Academic Exchange Programme with St. John’s College of Humanities and Sciences (Autonomous), Palghar, Mumbai, from12thto17thJanuary2026. The programme was organized under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the
two institutions to promote student-centric learning, faculty development, research orientation, cultural immersion, and industry exposure.
The delegation from St.Agnes College comprised two faculty members -Mrs Shubharekha, Registrar, Dr Vishala B.K., Chief
Librarian and six students - Ms. Ananya Madhu, (III B.Sc.,) Ms. Serena Francine SaldanhaIIIB.Com (ACCA), Mr. Nabhan Muzaffar, (II B.Com (ACCA), Ms.PrivyDSouza (I M.A. English), Ms. Athmika ( II M.B.A), Mr.Vashistha P Rai (I M.B.A)
who actively participated in all sessions, workshops, and cultural exchanges.
The inaugural ceremony was held on 13th January 2026 at St. John’s College,wheredignitaries,including
IQAC Coordinator Dr.
ofResearch Dr. Coutinho, and
the visiting teamfrom St.Agnes
College. Thesessionsacrossthefive days included a Skill Enhancement Workshop on Food &Beverages by Mr. Devashish Vakil, an Experiential Learning session on AITools byMs. Trupti Bidaye, and a Case Study on Entrepreneurship ledbyDr.Akansha Thakur and Ms. Athmika. Students also engaged in SoftSkills Training,
a Warli Art Workshop, mentoring sessions by Ms. Mukti Manai, and inter-collegiate student activities coordinatedbyDr.VijaySongire and Ms.LithiyaSubramaniam.
Faculty members from St. Agnes College contributed significantly, with Mrs. Shubharekha (Controller
of Examinations) demonstrating SAC’s examination process and research tools, while Dr.Vishala B.K. (Chief Librarian) guided faculty on library development, ICT platforms, and digital pedagogy. The programme also included cultural experiences such as visits to Kelva BeachandBandra,andanindustrial visit to Lupin and Camlin Ltd., providing students with practical exposure to industry-academia linkage.
Theexchange programme
concluded with a valedictory ceremony and reflections from participants. Students reported enhancedskills inhospitality, digital literacy,entrepreneurship, softskills, cultural awareness, and industry readiness. Faculty members gained insights intoresearch methodology, assessment tools, and digital learningpractices.Thecollaboration has strengthened academic ties between St. Agnes College and St. John’s College, paving the way for future partnerships in academics, research,andoutreach.
The Department of Business
Administration, St. Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, organized a workshop on “Team Building – Building Teams, Creating Success” for first-year students on5February 2026at2.00
p.m.intheAvila Hall,.
The programme was compared by Ms. Abigail, I BBA. Ms. Anitha S., HeadoftheDepartment, welcomed the resource speaker Mr. Louis Manoj, Associate Professor, Manjunatha Pai Memorial Government FirstGrade College,
Karkala. The resource speaker emphasized the importance of team building in academic and professional settings. Theworkshop coveredaspectssuch as effective communication, leadership, coordination, trust, and problem-solving through activitybasedlearning.
The Department of Business Administration, St. Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, organised a seminar titled “Designing Business Success: Blueprint to aBusiness Plan” and a business plan competition titled
“Brain 2 Business – The Ultimate Business Challenge on February 5, 2026,attheStAgnesCollegeCentre for Postgraduate Studies and ResearchforalltheBBAstudents.
The resource speaker Dr. Mallika Shetty, Assistant Professor,
Department of MBA explained the importance of business planning and discussed the key components of a successful business plan, including idea formulation, market analysis, financial planning and implementation strategies. She also shared practical insights and realworld examples highlighting the role of structured planning in business success.
The cityofSeattlehasagreedtopay$29 million to the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate studentfromIndiawhowaskilledin 2023 afterbeing hitbyapolice car.
Six teams participated and presented their business plans, followed by a question-and-answer session withthejudges Mr.ChacoP. J., Assistant Professor, Department of MBA, and Mr. Fredvin Crasta, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce.
The programme concluded with a vote ofthanks.
Kandula was studying for her master’s degree at Northeastern
University’s Seattle campusandwas expectedtograduate laterthatyear. She was crossing a street in the South LakeUnion areawhenOfficer Kevin Dave,who wasresponding to a drug overdose call, struck her while driving asfastas74 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone.
The settlement resolves a wrongful deathlawsuitfiledbyherfamilyand is one of the largest in Seattle’s history.
The case causedwidespread anger, especially after body camera footage showed another officer, Daniel Auderer, laughing and making insensitive remarks about Kandula’s death. His comments led to public outrage and criticism within the police department.
Audererwaslaterfiredandsuedthe city, claiming his words were misunderstood. Officer Dave was alsoremoved from the department, fined fornegligent driving, andnot criminally charged because
prosecutors said they could not prove criminal intent.
Northeastern University later awarded Kandula amaster’s degree inhermemory.
Milagres College of Nursing solemnly celebrated its Lamp Lighting Ceremony, Oath Taking, andAnnualDayon11th Februaryat the Milagres Jubilee Hall,marking a memorable milestone for the institution and its students.
The occasion was especially significant as it welcomed the 2nd batch of 40 nursing students, who
stepped forward to embrace the values and responsibilities of the nursing profession.
Theprogramme beganwithagrand procession led by the Milagres College Band, creating an atmosphere of dignity and celebration. This was followed by a
graceful invocation dance by the 2nd Year BSc Nursing students, seeking divine blessings for the success of the event.
The Lamp Lighting Ceremony, symbolising enlightenment, knowledge, and compassionate service, was conducted with deep reverence. This was followed by the
Oath Taking Ceremony, during which the students pledged to uphold ethical principles and dedicate themselves toselflesscare.
The gathering was warmly welcomed by Ms. Diana D’Lima, Assistant Lecturer. The Annual Report was then presented by the Principal, Dr. Diana Lobo, highlighting the academic achievements, institutional growth, andaccomplishments ofthecollege during the year.
Principal, Ms. Jyothi Cutinha, emphasizing discipline, professionalism, and commitment in the nursing vocation.
The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr. Theresa Leonilda Mendonca, who in her address encouraged students to serve humanity with compassion, resilience, andethical responsibility, reminding them that nursing is a calling beyond a profession. She emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and patientcentred care..
Presiding over the function was the President and Correspondent, Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Nazareth, who encouraged students to carry forward the mission and values of Milagres College of Nursing.
A proud moment of the ceremony was the Prize Distribution, honouring students for their achievements in academic, curricular, and extracurricular activities.
The Significance of the Day was meaningfully explained by the Vice
The programme alsowitnessed two landmarkmoments thereleaseof the debut college magazine,
Milagres Heart Beat, and the unveiling of the College Anthem, both symbolising unity, creativity, and institutional pride.
The event was efficiently compered by Ms. Riyalobo and Ms. Rehana, Assistant Lecturers, ensuring a smooth and engaging flow of the programme. The formal proceedings concluded with a sincere Vote of Thanks by Ms. Relvita.
The celebration ended on a joyful note with a cultural programme, where students displayed their talents through vibrant performances, making the evening lively and unforgettable.
The eventstood asatrue reflection of the spirit of Milagres College of Nursing — nurturing knowledge, compassion, and excellence in healthcare.
TheInauguralCeremonyoftheInter State Youth Exchange 2025-26 was held in Mangalore, Karnataka, with Telangana as the guest state. The event was organized by Mera Yuva Bharath Dakshina Kannada District Karnataka, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with Mandd Shobhann, Shakthingara Mangalore, and National Service Scheme Mangalore University. The program will be held from February 12thto16th,2026,atShakthiNagar, Mangalore & hosting a delegation of 37 members, including 35 bright
young leaders and 2 escorts representing five districts of Telangana.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome by Aisiri Aithal, NSS Volunteer from Canara College, Mangalore. The Honorable Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, UT Khader, inaugurated the event and addressed the delegates, emphasizing that "Youths are the assets of the nation."
MLA Vedavyasa Kamath interacted
with the delegates, highlighting Mangaluru's rich education and cultural heritage. Other dignitaries present included Sargent Mahesh Kumar Holla, Executive Officer, Thaluk Panchayath Mangaluru; Sri Ullas K T K, District Youth Officer, MY Bharath Dakshina Kannada Karnataka; CA Shantharam Shetty, Chairman, Indian RedCross Society Dakshina Kannada; Sri Luvi Pinto, President, Mandd Shobhann, KalanganaShakthingara Mangalore; Sri Jagadeesh K, MY Bharath Dakshina Kannada; Seema Prabhu
Dakshina Kannada District Nodal Officer Mangalore University and Srikanth, District Trainer, MY Bharath Dakshina Kannada Karnataka.
The event was emceed by Hitha Umesh, MY Bharath Volunteer, Government College Haleangadi, whoalsodelivered avote ofthanks.
The ceremony was marked by a sense of enthusiasm and camaraderie, setting the tone for a successful youth exchange program.
The Annual Sports Meet 2026 of Athena Institute of Health Sciences including School and College of Nursing along with Allied Health Sciences was celebrated with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship on 13/02/26 atthePaduvaplayground. The event aimed to promote physical fitness, teamwork, unity and a spirit of healthy competition amongstudents.
Theprogramme commencedwitha grandmarchpastbythestudentsof various classes, followed by the hoisting oftheflagandthelighting of the torch symbolizing the true spiritofsportsmanship.
The chief guest Mrs. Gladys Pais Retd teacher and Asian Masters Athlete, Dr. Ashith Shettian, Managing Trustee, SrDeepa Peter Principal of School and College of Nursing, Dr. NandiniM,PrincipalofAlliedHealth
Sciences, Mrs. Sunitha Lobo Vice Principal presided over the inauguralceremony.
Mrs. Gladys Pais, Chief Guest, officially declared the Sports Meet open by releasing the balloons. In heraddressshesharedherpersonal experience of sportsmanship and appreciated the efforts of the management and students for organizing the event successfully. She emphasized the importance of sports in building leadership qualities, discipline, and teamwork amongstudents.
Dr. Ashith Shettian, in his presidential address encouraged students to actively participate in sports activities along with academics and congratulated the students’ efforts to create good sportsmanship.
Sr. Deepa Peter, Principal AIHS, addressed the gathering and said that sports day is a celebration of discipline, courage, teamwork, perseverance and undying human spirit.
A variety of track and field events such as 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, relay races, long jump, shot put, discus throw, and fun games were conducted. Students actively participated and displayed remarkable energy, coordination, and determination throughout the day.Faculty members also participated in special events, adding excitement and joy to the celebration. The event concluded with the prize distribution ceremony, where winners were awarded medals and certificates.This event was coordinated efforts of by the SNA Advisors Mrs. Viola Dsouza, Mrs.
Priya Carnelio along with the coadvisors Mrs. Siji C V and Mrs. AncillaReenaCoelho,Mrs.SharonD
Souza and student councilof Allied HealthSciences.
St. Aloysius Gonzaga School organized the Bagless Day-Little GonzagaitesFunFiestaprogramme withthethemeGonzagaKidsMovie Feston 12th February 2026 at the schoolpremises.
The event was inaugurated by the Principal, Rev.Fr.RohanD’Almeida
SJ, in the presence of the VicePrincipal andMs.Laurel D’Souza.In his address, Rev. Fr. Rohan D’AlmeidaSJemphasizedthatevery movie conveys a moral through its characters and advised children to watch movies with their families, spend quality time together, and learnpositivevalues.
Teacher, Ms. Mishal Carel Crasta briefedthestudentsthatmoviesare a form of entertainment and encouraged them to learn good lessons without imitating characters, asfilmsare not reallife. She also advised them to understand the difference between reel and real life and focus on meaningfullearning.
The featured movie “Mufasa” conveyed important values such as responsibility, respect, parental
guidance, mentorship, courage, compassion, and self-control. The programme beganwithan introduction by Averyl Rebello, and children enthusiastically shared theirreviewsandlearningoutcomes fromthemovie.
The event was coordinated by PatriciaS.R.D’Souza,AverylRebello, and Anitha Nazareth, making it a joyful and value-based learning experience for the young Gonzagaites
