‘It is better to build stronger children than to repair men and women later’ – Fedrick Douglas.
The beauty of Kathmandu will never be the same from 25th April 2015. The mountaineers determined to climb Mount Everest will have to postpone their dreams, for some time to come. Only time will tell as to how long will it will take, for our neighbouring country, Nepal, and its people to come back to normal life. While most governments, NGO’s, organisations and associations have chipped in their bit during the rescue operation, the real test will be the rebuilding task. From past experience it takes more than two to three years for life to come back to normal. Human memory is short. This calamity claiming over 7,000 lives is fresh in our minds now. Perhaps we need to remain sensitive to the force of nature, its effects on Mother Earth and how the messenger of death can knock on any door unannounced causing mass destruction. The world outside now has a golden opportunity to build stronger children in Nepal and it is our duty to fulfil this task. Let us do it our own way through the membership associations or organisations we belong or by contributing to the PM’s Emergency Relief Fund. Every bit counts.
In March 2015 issue of Mangalore, former President Dr Derek Lobo wrote an article ‘Update on CASK Centenary Projects’ with a stress on impactful charity. I am glad to inform that in April we received two anonymous donors contributing Rs 10,000 each to providing footwear for the 100 school children of the two schools in Belthangady Taluk. This assignment will be completed by 1st week of June. On the 25th of April 2015, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an E mail from another benevolent anonymous donor coming forward to sponsor the ‘Personality Development Programme’ this year in rural schools with a pledge of Rs Two lakhs to cover the expenses. The CASK Governing Council has taken up this challenge too. The Personality Development Programme Convenor, Ms Patsy Lobo, invites volunteers and resource persons to implement this project. It may involve travelling to schools in the vicinity of 60 kms away from Mangalore. This is an investment CASK is making in building stronger children for our nation.
The Seminar on ‘Issues and Concerns of our Community’ organised by the Sylvester Frank Centenary Foundation and CASK on 1st May2015 had the desired result. The reason behind this Seminar was the build-up that had taken the preceding ten months and to sound the wake-up call, viz.
· To awaken the leadership potential within individuals of the Community.
· To stand tall and be visible in the society as a respected law abiding citizen, exhibiting rightful actions and upright intentions.
· To build a platform to interact and exchange ideas on the theme ‘unity is strength’. This Seminar has been covered separately byMs Joan Lobo of the editorial team.
The Eye Camp in association with Fr Muller Medical College Hospital on 19th April 2015 has been included too by the Editor. All these activities have been possible due to team work and team spirit. It’s a real pleasure to work with the office bearers and the Governing Council members and the responding members of CASK. The only problem that I envisage is that expectations are set higher and time is the usual constraint. We will do our best to continue the CASK Centenary projects.
From 29th April to 4th May 2015, Mangaluru hosted the National Senior Athletics Meet Federation Cup after a gap of 28 years – placing the city on the Athletic Map of India. The Mangala Stadium was filled with National Athletes from all parts of India. Though some known stars failed to impress, many athletes booked their places for Asian Championship; some attained Olympic qualification benchmarks too. The overall Men’s Championship went to the Army and the Kerala State triumphed in the Women’s Section. On the track and field, the atmosphere was ‘unity in diversity’. With this event our local talented youngsters will get encouragement and exposure of National athletics too, with level of qualifying standards to achieve. This Athletics and Sports Championship has led to the overall improvement of facilities and infrastructure at Mangala Stadium, Mangaluru. The participants were happy at the hospitality extended by the Mangalureans.
CASK will soon be having the distribution of scholarships to deserving children from PU Colleges for the third successive year. The finer points are being worked out. The focus on building stronger children for a better society and a ‘Super Power India’ is our goal. Perhaps you can partner us in helping a girl child pursuing her education. Yes, ‘WE CAN’.
Jai Hind!
-Capt. J. P. Menezes
