Belagavi: Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy has stated that the JDS-Congress coalition government in the state is committed for overall development of the Christians and announced that a new body would be soon constituted for the overall development of the minority community in the state. He has also assured for allotment of more funds for the development of the Christians and assured that their long pending grievances regarding the burial lands etc would be resolved soon.
He was addressing the gathering of Christians on the occasion of Christmas program and inauguration of the Golden Jubilee Year of the Belgaum Diocese Board of Education (BDBE) that was held late Wednesday night in the premises of St Xavier’s High School here. Archbishop of Bangaluru Rev Dr Peter Machado presided over the celebrations that were held on the eve of Christmas.
“While I wish you all a very warm Merry Christmas and blessings of Lord Jesus Christ, I would like to also announce that a Christian Development Board would be soon constituted elevating the present Christian Development Council with allotment of additional funds for the overall development of the community,” he said.
Lauding the role of Christians in humanitarian services, he also urged Christians to pray to Lord Jesus to save mankind from the wrath of nature due to which thousands of people are dying. “I appreciate the relentless service rendered by Christians towards the poor and sick. May the celebration of birth of Jesus bring peace and harmony to all the people around the world,” CM Kumaraswamy said assuring that officials would be directed to sort out various grievances faced by the community across the state.
Earlier in his speech Archbishop Dr Peter Machado said that Christians are committed of its services and prayers for the betterment of the society. “We are very happy to have the presence of the chief minister and we thank him for his graciousness towards our community, but there are many issues that our minority community feels that it is necessary to be considered. We are facing problems due to pending issues like appointments of teachers in our minority schools, establishment of a special commission, places of burial lands across the state etc.” archbishop Peter lamented.
Minister for major industries and ITBT K J George, minister for tourism Sa Ra Mahesh, minister for minor irrigation and water resources Putturaju, council chairman Pratap Chandra Shetty, leader of opposition in the council Kota Srinivas Poojari, chief whip in the assembly Ganesh Hukkeri, council vice chair person Dharmegowda, Bishop of Gulbarga Dr Robert Miranda, and a large number of MLAs & MLCs from across the state comprising of Soumya Reddy, Vanisha Nero, Laxmi Hebbalkar, Appaji Gowda, Gopalaswami and others who were present for the function were felicitated at the hands of the archbishop. A plaque commemorating the Golden Jubilee Year of Belgaum Diocese Board of Education was also unveiled at the hands of the chief minister. Chief Minister Kumaraswamy celebrated the Christmas by cutting a cake and offering it to Archbishop Peter Machado.
Former chief whip of the council MLA Ivan D’souza who took the initiative of organizing the program. Administrator of the diocese Rev Fr Eusebio Fernandes welcomed the gathering. Diocesan Secretary for Board of Education Fr Allwyn Sudhir, Fr Lucio Fernandes, Fr Faustine Lobo, public relations secretary Louis Rodrigues and a large number of priests, nuns and Christians were present for the function.
PHOTO : Karnataka CM H D Kumarswamy unveiling a Golden Jubilee plaque of the BDBE during the Christmas celebration program. Also seen archbishop Peter Machado, Fr Allwyn Sudhir, Fr Eusebio, K J George, Sa Ra Mahesh, Ivon D’souza and others.