Mangaluru: Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI), Mangaluru celebrated All Saints’ Day, 111th death anniversary of Rev. Fr. Augustus Muller SJ and 66th Karnataka Rajyotsava on Monday November 1. The thanksgiving mass was held at 6.15 am in St. Joseph Chapel.
Chief guests of the event were Premananda Shetty, Mayor, Mangaluru City Corporation, State BJP Chief and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath.
Naveen R. D’Souza, MCC Corporator, Bendur Ward and Jacintha V. Alfred, MCC Corporator, Falnir Ward were the guest of honour. Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese and President of FMCI presided over the function.
The mass was followed by inaugural ceremony of the new bus shelter at Father Muller Road and blessing of the new department block at 7.30 am at hospital entrance. The First Citizen of Mangaluru, Mangaluru City Corporation Mayor Premananda Shetty inaugurated the Bus Shelter. A prayer for protection and blessing of the shelter for those who will be using it was blessed by the Bishop of Mangaluru.
MLA Vedavyas Kamath (MLA Mangalore City South) unveiled the plaque of the median garden which will be maintained by FMCI or the City Corporation. The Karnataka Flag was unfurled by him with the melodious rendition of the Naada Geethe by the Father Muller College of Speech and Hearing students. He thanked the service of the Father Muller Charitable Institutions in bringing about quality in every aspect of its doing. He also appreciated the Management for helping beautify the City by designing the bus shelter. He spoke on the various projects the government has proposed in the Smart City Project, which will make Mangaluru a beautiful City.
Premananda Shetty, Mayor MCC, thanked the management for its selfless service in healthcare and education sector. He lauded the institutions’ efforts in aiding the public by beautifying the area with its bus stand and median garden. He willed to help the institutions in developing the area and help the public at large.
Rev. Fr. Peter Paul Saldanha Bishop of Mangaluru and President of FMCI in his presidential address spoke of the very nature of the Christian community which in the region through its sacrifices have been able to run such an institution. Many of the Catholic religious or lay, through selfless sacrifice and dedication for all, irrespective of caste and creed have made a difference to the whole society. Money donated through churches and through donations of its faithful has been able to run such a massive hospital setting.
The welcome was delivered by Fr. Richard A. Coelho, Director FMCI and the vote of thanks was proposed by Fr. Rudolph Ravi D’Sa, Administrator FMMCH. The master of ceremony was Professor Dr. Shivashankara A. R. (FMMC) who compered the event. The members of the Governing Board, Management Committee, Father Muller Charitable Centenary Society, Faculty, Staff and Students were present in full strength for the event.
The blessings of the departments of Paediatric and OB-GYN were carried out after the formal function with small prayer service by the Bishop in the morning. The heads of the departments with their faculty and staff were present. Gifts given to the dignitaries were the work of the in-house Rehabilitation Centre which focuses on Khadi and handicrafts.
Further plans of the Institution will be development of the Kankanady Circle and a new bus shelter on the entrance side after the MCC approval. The bus shelter will be having proper lighting facility with easy seating arrangement and also drinking water facility.
The management thanked the Police (Law and Order and Traffic) for managing the security situation and easing with the traffic flow.
