(February 12, 2009) We are living at a time when the environment is polluted and
impressionable minds are poisoned by the vested interests. Therefore, people of good
will need to speak out,” declared the Bishop of Bellary Henry D’Souza. Bishop D’Souza
was speaking at Sandesha Media Awards 2009 presentation ceremony on Sunday, 8th February,
at 5.30 p.m. at Sandesha Regional Communications Centre, Mangalore. The annual awards
are presented every year for the outstanding contributions to the field of literature,
arts and media under the auspices of the Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops' Council.
“The vested interests are harming the secular fabric of the country through the so
called vigilante groups”, and are “sowing seeds of intolerance and division in the
society”, regretted Bishop D’Souza. Bishop D’Souza urged all people of good will
– litterateurs, artistes, media persons, social workers and religious leaders to “rise
as one body” to foster social amity and brotherhood in the society. He congratulated
Sandesha for completing its 20 years of meritorious service and recalled the early
stages of its inception in 1989. He was the founder director of the institution which
promotes literature, media and fine arts. Earlier Bishop D’Souza presented citations,
trophies and cash awards of Rs. Ten thousand each, to nine outstanding artists. Fr.
Prashanth Madtha, a Jesuit received the Konkani Literature Award. Bishop Aloysius
P. D'Souza of Mangalore delivered the presidential address. He congratulated the awardees
as well as the Sandesha Institution for completing twenty years of service.