A Women’s World
Sir, Those of us staying in Bandra (W), coming under Civic Ward No. 96, were elated when we heard the news that Karen Cecilia D’Mello had won the election as our area Municipal Corporator. Standing on a Congress ticket, we were sure that she would succeed and voted for her overwhelmingly. She is a Bandra girl, having studied at St Anne’s and Auxilium Convent at Bandra. She graduated in Arts from National College, Bandra. A vibrant and active girl, she was involved in many civic issues and has helped put together events for senior citizens and underprivileged people, especially women and children. While it is a feather in the cap for our Catholics who are normally docile and peace-loving people, it is an eye-opener for us to get into public life. What makes it more interesting is that being a woman, she was active, daring and a willing worker to make the lives of her fellow citizens comfortable and safe. Her predecessor, Asif Zakaria who is also a Congressman, never hesitated to try to solve the many civic issues in our area.
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Creativity in the Eucharistic Liturgy
Sir, In a recent article entitled ‘Worship for the people’, Fr Michael Amaladoss, SJ, laments the lack of creativity in the literal translation of the Latin text with no cultural elements allowed. He quotes the document on the Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council which says: ‘in some places and circumstances, however, an even more radical adaptation of the liturgy is needed’ (No. 40). Fr Michael says this is necessary for a full, active, conscious participation of the community. The focus is on the community, not on the ritual.
In our revised text, we have e.g. this introduction to the Our Father: “At the Saviour’s command… we dare to say”.
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Mumbai Needs ‘Nagar Raj’
Sir, The abysmally low voter turnout in the civic elections is indicative of the common man’s complete loss of faith in corporators who promise, but seldom deliver. The majority of those elected have secured only 10-15 per cent votes out of the total electorate in the Ward. In this context, the Nagar Raj Bill tabled in the state Assembly in December 2009 assumes significance. The bill aims at empowering the people and is modelled on the Panchayati Raj system. The bill envisages the creation of ‘area sabhas’ within a corporator’s ward, much like the ALMs. Each Area Sabha will consist of about 1,200 voters (equal to one polling booth) who will elect one ‘Area Sabha Representative’ (ASR). All the ASRs in the ward (about 40 in number) along with some nominated experts and officials, will constitute the Ward Committee.
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India’s First Woman Photo Journalist Dead
Sir, We deeply regret the death of India’s first woman photo-journalist, Mrs Homai Vyarawalla, who passed away on January 15, 2012 at the age of 98. Mrs Vyarawalla was born on December 9, 1913 to a well-do-do Parsi family in Navsari, Gujarat. She studied and did a diploma course in Arts from the J. J. School of Art in Mumbai. She chose photography as a career, as it was very attractive and something new to her.
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Practise What You Preach
Sir, It is indeed astonishing that two Karnataka BJP ministers were caught on camera viewing sexual clips on a cellphone during Assembly proceedings, which is disgraceful. This act is shocking, shameful and shabby. Their behaviour shocked the nation and shows how much they respect the Constitution. When they are caught on camera viewing porn, then they have no right in voicing their opinion on how women should dress. These are the same people who will attend rave parties and are full-fledged womanisers, but project a clean image of self.
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Exonerating Modi
Sir, The SIT exonerating Modi is akin to mistaking the wood for the trees. Modi’s culpability is seen even by the common man, not so much in his actions during the Gujarat riots or ‘the Gulbarga massacre the point in reference’, as much as his inaction (Nero fiddled while Rome burnt), as the head of a state whose duty it was to protect every life therein. Either the SIT has misunderstood its brief or has cleverly veered away from the truth. Was the SIT appointed only because Bilkis appealed to the SC?
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Kudos to Amboli’s Civic and Political Cell
Sir, Kudos to St Blaise Civic & Political Cell (an organisation affiliated to St Blaise Church, Amboli). The members helped the parishioners in a big way in preparing for the BMC Elections held on February 16, 2012. They put up seven huge banners (10 X 4 ft) in the church compound, informing about the importance of Voting, how every Vote counts and how each one can make a difference. The banners showed the responsibilities of the BMC. What does an individual’s vote represent; why should we vote?
Sir, Those of us staying in Bandra (W), coming under Civic Ward No. 96, were elated when we heard the news that Karen Cecilia D’Mello had won the election as our area Municipal Corporator. Standing on a Congress ticket, we were sure that she would succeed and voted for her overwhelmingly. She is a Bandra girl, having studied at St Anne’s and Auxilium Convent at Bandra. She graduated in Arts from National College, Bandra. A vibrant and active girl, she was involved in many civic issues and has helped put together events for senior citizens and underprivileged people, especially women and children. While it is a feather in the cap for our Catholics who are normally docile and peace-loving people, it is an eye-opener for us to get into public life. What makes it more interesting is that being a woman, she was active, daring and a willing worker to make the lives of her fellow citizens comfortable and safe. Her predecessor, Asif Zakaria who is also a Congressman, never hesitated to try to solve the many civic issues in our area.
more>>
Creativity in the Eucharistic Liturgy
Sir, In a recent article entitled ‘Worship for the people’, Fr Michael Amaladoss, SJ, laments the lack of creativity in the literal translation of the Latin text with no cultural elements allowed. He quotes the document on the Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council which says: ‘in some places and circumstances, however, an even more radical adaptation of the liturgy is needed’ (No. 40). Fr Michael says this is necessary for a full, active, conscious participation of the community. The focus is on the community, not on the ritual.
In our revised text, we have e.g. this introduction to the Our Father: “At the Saviour’s command… we dare to say”.
more>>
Mumbai Needs ‘Nagar Raj’
Sir, The abysmally low voter turnout in the civic elections is indicative of the common man’s complete loss of faith in corporators who promise, but seldom deliver. The majority of those elected have secured only 10-15 per cent votes out of the total electorate in the Ward. In this context, the Nagar Raj Bill tabled in the state Assembly in December 2009 assumes significance. The bill aims at empowering the people and is modelled on the Panchayati Raj system. The bill envisages the creation of ‘area sabhas’ within a corporator’s ward, much like the ALMs. Each Area Sabha will consist of about 1,200 voters (equal to one polling booth) who will elect one ‘Area Sabha Representative’ (ASR). All the ASRs in the ward (about 40 in number) along with some nominated experts and officials, will constitute the Ward Committee.
more>>
India’s First Woman Photo Journalist Dead
Sir, We deeply regret the death of India’s first woman photo-journalist, Mrs Homai Vyarawalla, who passed away on January 15, 2012 at the age of 98. Mrs Vyarawalla was born on December 9, 1913 to a well-do-do Parsi family in Navsari, Gujarat. She studied and did a diploma course in Arts from the J. J. School of Art in Mumbai. She chose photography as a career, as it was very attractive and something new to her.
more>>
Practise What You Preach
Sir, It is indeed astonishing that two Karnataka BJP ministers were caught on camera viewing sexual clips on a cellphone during Assembly proceedings, which is disgraceful. This act is shocking, shameful and shabby. Their behaviour shocked the nation and shows how much they respect the Constitution. When they are caught on camera viewing porn, then they have no right in voicing their opinion on how women should dress. These are the same people who will attend rave parties and are full-fledged womanisers, but project a clean image of self.
more>>
Exonerating Modi
Sir, The SIT exonerating Modi is akin to mistaking the wood for the trees. Modi’s culpability is seen even by the common man, not so much in his actions during the Gujarat riots or ‘the Gulbarga massacre the point in reference’, as much as his inaction (Nero fiddled while Rome burnt), as the head of a state whose duty it was to protect every life therein. Either the SIT has misunderstood its brief or has cleverly veered away from the truth. Was the SIT appointed only because Bilkis appealed to the SC?
more>>
Kudos to Amboli’s Civic and Political Cell
Sir, Kudos to St Blaise Civic & Political Cell (an organisation affiliated to St Blaise Church, Amboli). The members helped the parishioners in a big way in preparing for the BMC Elections held on February 16, 2012. They put up seven huge banners (10 X 4 ft) in the church compound, informing about the importance of Voting, how every Vote counts and how each one can make a difference. The banners showed the responsibilities of the BMC. What does an individual’s vote represent; why should we vote?
more>>
Drama With a Message
Sir, I saw a Konkani drama titled TEMPA PORMONNEM MATHEAK KURPONNEM at Patkar Hall on Sunday February 12. Unlike other dramas, the story was different and unafraid to be candid about new perspectives on marriage of older persons. It depicted human beings as God’s creation, however old, who have a right to love and marry and live a dignified life, instead of being lonely, wasted and sent to Old Age homes. It urged the people at large to have a broad-minded attitude to late marriages anIt was a very enjoyable evening; all the artistes played their parts well. A different story of the changing times. The Producer and Director, Mrs Alicia Crasto, deserves to be congratulated for her bold and very sensible piece of work, in these changing times where loneliness is eating into the lives of most of our elderly people.
Jasmine Fernandes, Naigaon (E)ges, encouraging marriages of persons beyond the conventionally accepted age.
more>>
Drama With a Message
Sir, I saw a Konkani drama titled TEMPA PORMONNEM MATHEAK KURPONNEM at Patkar Hall on Sunday February 12. Unlike other dramas, the story was different and unafraid to be candid about new perspectives on marriage of older persons. It depicted human beings as God’s creation, however old, who have a right to love and marry and live a dignified life, instead of being lonely, wasted and sent to Old Age homes. It urged the people at large to have a broad-minded attitude to late marriages anIt was a very enjoyable evening; all the artistes played their parts well. A different story of the changing times. The Producer and Director, Mrs Alicia Crasto, deserves to be congratulated for her bold and very sensible piece of work, in these changing times where loneliness is eating into the lives of most of our elderly people.
Jasmine Fernandes, Naigaon (E)ges, encouraging marriages of persons beyond the conventionally accepted age.
more>>
