Mangaluru, August 27: Lok Sabha Member Nalin Kumar Kateel hailed the contributions of Christians in establishing social harmony in the society.

Speaking as a chief guest at the Chappara Muhoortha programme ahead of new Bishop’s Episcopal Ordination at Rosario Cathedral grounds here on Monday, the MP who appreciated the role of Mangaluru Bishop in building a healthy society, said that when the central government had announced the Swachh Bharat mission, it was the Mangaluru Bishop who conducted the programme in the city first. When there was a social  unrest in the city in September 2008, it was the Bishop of Mangaluru who took initiative to sort out the differences between the groups. In a way, the Christians have contributed a lot for the social harmony, he said promising his party support to the programme and new Bishop.

Former MLA JR Lobo said that as Mangaluru was known for peace and harmony, it was the duty of every individual to build the harmonious society.

MLC Ivan D’Souza said that Christians of Mangaluru diocese have been living harmoniously and requested the MP for his support to the programme.

Presiding over the programme, the Bishop appreciated the good will of the MP for attending the programme. Usually, the close relatives would be invited for Chappara Muhoortha. So, close guests were invited to the programme, he said.

Coordinator MP Noronha explained the importance of this historical event. Apostolic Administrator of Diocese Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Corporator Latheef, Chief Coordinator Fr. JB Crasta, Convener Fr. Onil D’Souza, Fr. Vincent Monthiero, Fr. Richard D’Souza, Fr. Vijay Victor Lobo, and others were Present.

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Chennai (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the opposition parties defeated the delimitation bill in the Parliament on Friday to defend the "idea of India."

Addressing a poll rally at Ponneri here, he said the BJP-led government at the Centre brought a new bill on April 16, and said they were trying to pass the women's bill, which he said was passed in 2023.

"In the so-called Women's Bill, delimitation was hidden. The idea was to reduce Tamil Nadu's representation in the Union of India... the delimitation move by BJP was to weaken the strength of southern states, small states, north eastern states," he alleged.

"We defeated in Parliament, a bill in which delimitation was hidden; we defeated it to defend the idea of India."

Rahul added that India that is Bharat, is a union of states, and every single state should have a voice, be free to express itself, and protect its tradition.