DECENNIAL CELEBRATIONS OF NAMAN BALLOK JEZU
“‘Naman Ballok Jesu’ is educating people to find spirituality in
their own walk of life” - Msgr Maxim Noronha
MANGALURU: Very Rev. Msgr Maxim Noronha, Vicar General of
Mangalore Diocese stressed on the need of finding spirituality in every
activity that we do.
He was presiding over at the Decennial celebrations of ‘Naman Ballok
Jesu’, the popular Konkani monthly, organised last evening, 3rd March
2019, at Carmel Hills, in the premises of Infant Jesus Shrine at
Bikarnakatte.
He said “Hill has been a place of spirituality in every religion and
especially in Bible. So too Carmel Hill has been a source of
spirituality.” He further added, “Spirituality here doesn’t mean only
spiritual things but it takes different forms as different rivulets take
birth at the hill. ‘Naman Ballok Jesu’ a monthly magazine run by the
Carmelite Fathers has been successful in educating people to find
spirituality in their own walk of life and has also honoured such people
especially youngsters and social workers who have lived their
spirituality to the full.”
Eminent poet Andrew L’ D’Cunha, released two books published by
Dhyanavana Publications, Bengaluru on the occasion: ‘Kajule’ a
collection of Nano Stories by young Carmelite priest Fr. Joseph Cyril
D’Souza widely known by his acronym Jocy Siddakate, the Editor of the
Magazine and ‘Porajit’, a collection of articles by Fr. Alwyn Sequeira,
the Asst. Editor of the Magazine.
Releasing the Books, Poet Andrew L’ D’Cunha said, “2009 was a time of
digital revolution and it was indeed a challenge to venture into print
media by starting Naman Ballok Jesu. Though digital media has its own
impact, it has not been successful in diverting the attention of the
readers of the Magazine. NBJ has been faithful to its motto.” He further
added, “Naman Ballok Jesu bears the name of Jesus, who was not just a
spiritual reader, but also a social reformer. The Editors of Naman
Ballok Jesu have been social reformers by moving among the people as
Jesus did and raising their voice through social and print media.” He
further added, “The magazine has also created a vigilant group of
writers. A vigilant writer is a custodian of values. These have been
successful ‘encounter specialists’ in encountering the issues through
their writings. And alongside, the Magazine has also created a mature
readership.”
Another event that formed part of the Decennial celebrations was
presenting the ‘NBJ – Amulya Akash Yuva Pratibha Puraskar – 2018’ to
Jaison J. Sequeira, Konkani Poet, Singer/Composer from Gurpur and
Venizeia Carlo, Powerlifting Champion from Bajjodi. The award is
instituted by Mavis and Calvin Rodrigues in the name of ‘Amulya-Akash’.
Writer Richard Alvares and Fr. Prakash D’Cunha read the citations in
their honour and were felicitated with a shawl, citation, memento by the
guests on the dais. Sponsor Mavis Rodrigues handed over a cheque of Rs.
20,000/- each to the winners.
‘NBJ - Godwin-Sushma Rasquinha Great Achievers Award -2018’ was also
handed over to Shamitha Rao and Renita Lobo. Renita and Shamitha, after
obtaining degrees from a college in Mangalore University started
providing education to the deprived classes in a village named
Shankarnarayana by the side of Siddapur road – Kundapur. The school,
named after Mother Theresa, which started off in 1998 with 4 students,
has now grown into an institution running classes from LKG to PU class
where 1,050 students are getting education.
Poet Wilson Kateel read the citation and the Achievers of the Year 2018
were felicitated with a shawl, citation, memento by the guests on the
dais. Sponsor of the award Mrs Sushma Rasquinha handed over a cheque of
Rs. 30,000/-
The Album named ‘Sambram II’ by Fr. Alwyn Sequeira was released on the
same occasion. It comprises songs in Konkani for various occasion. He
has 12 devotional albums to his credit.
The Special issue of the Decennial year was released by Mr. Praveen
Patrao, a great supporter of the magazine and the Proprietor of Prasad
Printers.
On this occasion young writer Ria Vithasaha known by her pen name Muddu
Teerthahalli, who had shot to fame through her book ‘Ondu Chandrana
Thundu’, a collection of essays distributed prizes to the first ever
‘NBJ – Online Konkani Poetry Recitation Challenge competition’.
The grand celebration culminated with the staging of drama, Mammy Maka
Zai, written by Walston DSa and staged by Panglache Kale.
Provincial Superior of the Carmelites Fr. Charles Serrao, Msgr Maxim
Noronha, Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese, Mr. Ronald Anil Fernandes
KPSC Member, State Govt.; Eminent Writers Muddu Thirthahalli and Mr.
Andrew L D Cunha, as well as Fr. Wilfred Rodrigues, Superior of St.
Joseph’s Monastery and Fr. Joseph Cyril D’Souza, Editor were on the
dais. Alwyn Danti Compered the programme.
Reprt by: Fr. Steven Pereira, Ocd
Pics by: Melwin D Cunha, Mogarnad
