Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh Hosts Workshop on Government Facilities for Minorities
Mangalore: The Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh (R) convened a workshop focused on government facilities accessible to minority communities. The event aimed to raise awareness among Christians regarding various schemes and initiatives offered by the state government of Karnataka.
Sri Ivan Dsouza, Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), inaugurated the workshop, delivering a keynote address that underscored the importance of proactive engagement with government services. “Christians must actively seek out and utilize the government facilities provided by our government,” he stated. “Regrettably, there is a noticeable lack of interest within our community in availing ourselves of these opportunities, which subsequently leads to unwarranted criticism.”
Mr. D’Souza further remarked on the disparity in awareness levels between the Christian community and other minority groups concerning government schemes. He emphasized the Karnataka state government’s commitment to providing financial assistance across diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and housing construction.
Mr. Godwin Pinto, Samudaya Abhirudhi Convener of the Central Committee, stressed the crucial role of Catholic Sabha members in disseminating information about available schemes to potential beneficiaries. He urged members to become well-versed in the details of these programs to effectively guide community members. Furthermore, Mr. Pinto requested Sri Ivan D’Souza to advocate for the implementation of reservations for Christians in government employment and champion initiatives that benefit the community’s overall well-being.
The workshop also featured the inauguration of a donation box intended to collect contributions for the Golden Jubilee building fund of the Catholic Sabha. Sri Ivan D’Souza made a significant initial contribution to the fund and symbolically handed over the key to the donation box to Mr. Walter Dsouza, Convenor of the Building Committee, and Mr. Denis D’Silva, Joint Convenor.
Representatives from key government departments were present to provide detailed information on available facilities and application procedures. Mr. Nazir, representing the Minority Department, and Mr. Jagadish, from the Karnataka Minority Development Corporation, offered valuable insights into the specific schemes and financial assistance programs offered by their respective organizations.
The event commenced with a welcoming address delivered by Mr. Santosh D’Souza. Mrs. Wilma Monteiro formally expressed the vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of all participants and organizers. The program was expertly compered by Mr. Lawrence, who ensured the smooth flow of the proceedings. The workshop is expected to empower the Christian community to better access and utilize the resources available to them through government initiatives.