District-Level Seminar to Commemorate St. Mother Teresa’s Legacy

Mangaluru: The St. Mother Teresa Vichara Vedike, Mangaluru, is organizing a district-level seminar in commemoration of the 28th Memorial Day of St. Mother Teresa, revered as an embodiment of humanity. The seminar, themed “Threats to Coexistence: Challenges Before Democracy,” will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall, Mangaluru. The event will be preceded by a Harmony Singing Program titled “Sprinkling of Love” at 8:30 a.m., presented by Ektari singer Nada Maninalkuru.

The seminar will be inaugurated by Prof. Purushothama Bilimale, Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority, Bengaluru. Renowned writer Dr. K. Shareefa and the Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore Diocese, will grace the occasion as chief guests. Mr. Roy Castelino, President of the St. Mother Teresa Vichara Vedike, will preside over the program.

A highlight of the event will be a public felicitation accorded to Mr. Kariya K., a senior leader of the Adivasi Rights Coordination Committee and recipient of the Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Award. This recognition acknowledges his dedicated service towards the upliftment of the Koraga community, the indigenous people of the undivided Dakshina Kannada district.

The St. Mother Teresa Vichara Vedike, established eight years ago, operates as a secular platform uniting individuals from diverse religious backgrounds, including students, youth, women, Dalits, Adivasis, farmers, trade union leaders, middle-class employees, writers, progressive thinkers, educationists, lawyers, doctors, and intellectuals. The Vedike organizes various programs throughout the year, guided by the vision that “the festival of every religion should become a festival of all people.” This commitment is reflected in its celebration of events such as Harmony Deepavali, Harmony Christmas, Harmony Iftar, and Dasara as Samarasya (Unity) Dasara.

Furthermore, recognizing Mother Teresa’s profound love for children, the Vedike has initiated “Chinnara Kalarave,” a joyful learning workshop for children. The organization actively collaborates with other like-minded entities on issues concerning harmony and the livelihoods of the people.

Mr. Roy Castelino, President of the St. Mother Teresa Vichara Vedike, and Mr. Sunilkumar Bajal, General Secretary, jointly invite enlightened citizens and the general public of the district to participate in large numbers in this significant program. The invitation was extended during a press conference attended by Santosh D’Souza Bajpe, President of Catholic Sabha, Mangaluru Pradesh (R); Elias Fernandes, Vice-President of the St. Mother Teresa Vichara Vedike; Manjula Nayak, President of Samarasya Mangaluru; M. Devadas, Senior Leader of the Dalit Movement; Rehman Khan Kunjattabail, Social Thinker; and Sumathi S. Hegde, District Women Leader. The organizers hope the seminar will serve as a potent reminder of Mother Teresa’s enduring legacy of love and service and its continued relevance for the younger generation. The event aims to promote coexistence and address the challenges facing democracy in the current socio-political climate.