Mangaluru: The St Mother Teresa Vichara Vedike organised a district-level programme at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall on Thursday to commemorate the 28th Memorial Day of St Mother Teresa. The event was themed “Threats to coexistence: Challenges before democracy” and sought to reflect on the saint’s enduring message of peace, compassion, and unity.
The programme began with a welcome address by Santosh D’Souza Bajpe, president of Catholic Sabha, who also led the audience in singing the state anthem. Floral tributes were offered to St Mother Teresa, remembered globally as the “Mother of Humanity,” for her lifelong service to the poor and marginalised.
Keynote on coexistence and democracy
Delivering the keynote, Prof Purushothama Bilimale spoke on the challenges facing Indian democracy in times of social and political division. He highlighted that values such as peace, harmony, and mutual respect are gradually diminishing. Warning against attempts to divide communities, he remarked, “Our differences should be our strength, not a reason for division.”
He drew attention to historical examples of rulers who strengthened India’s composite culture by respecting diversity, adding that true democracy rests on coexistence.
Remembering Mother Teresa’s service
Dr K Shareefa reflected on the life of St Mother Teresa, recalling her courage in leaving behind her home and devoting herself to humanitarian service. She underlined how her congregation, the Missionaries of Charity, spread messages of kindness and peace that continue to inspire people across generations.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop emeritus of Mangalore, reminded the gathering that Mother Teresa found happiness in serving the poor despite hardships. “Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is unknown, but today is in our hands. Let us take a step today towards unity and peace,” he urged.
Honours and tributes
On this occasion, Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram awardee K Kariya Mangala Jyothi was felicitated for being a strong advocate for the needy and for his longstanding support to the Vedike.
Roy Castelino, president of the Vedike, highlighted Mother Teresa’s principle of selfless service, stating, “One should help others, even those who wrong us, without expecting anything in return.”
The programme also featured an exhibition of books related to Mother Teresa’s life and works, which drew attention from participants and offered deeper insights into her legacy.
Dignitaries and participants
Prominent dignitaries present included Stany Alvares (president of Konkani Sahitya Academy), Msgr Fr Maxim Noronha (vicar general of Mangalore diocese), Munir Katipalla, Fr Rupesh Madtha, Stany Lobo, Dr Krishnappa Konchady, Dolphy D’Souza, Dr Sumathi S Hegde, Fr JB Saldanha (PRO of Mangalore diocese), and others. Students from several schools and colleges also actively participated, adding youthful energy to the memorial.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Manjula Nayak, while Sunil Kumar Bajal served as the master of ceremonies.
Mother Teresa’s enduring legacy
Born in Skopje, Macedonia, Mother Teresa came to India at the age of 21. She later founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, which today has more than 4,500 sisters serving in 135 countries. Her humanitarian service won her the Nobel Peace Prize, and in 2016 she was canonised as a saint.
The St Mother Teresa Vichara Vedike, established eight years ago in Mangaluru, continues to spread her ideals through progressive initiatives. Its programmes include Samarasya Deepavali, Harmony Christmas, Harmony Iftar, and Unity Dasara, celebrating festivals across communities. It has also conducted Chinnara Kalarave workshops for children, partnering with like-minded organisations to promote peace and sustainable livelihoods.
Conclusion
MANGALURU: The 28th Memorial Day of St Mother Teresa served not only as a remembrance of her legacy but also as a call to strengthen coexistence, compassion, and democracy in today’s context. Through such events, the St Mother Teresa Vichara Vedike continues to champion her message of service and unity, ensuring that her ideals remain alive across the coastal region and beyond.