IIPP to award 'Outstanding Community Leaders of Mangaluru 2018’ to Fr. Willie
Mangaluru, August 14: In recognition for his dedicated service to the community, Fr. William Menezes has been nominated for the `Outstanding Community Leaders of Mangaluru 2018’ Award by the International Institute for Public Policy (IIPP), an international organization based in Mangaluru for the cause of policy implementation for public good.
The announcement of the awards is made on the eve of Independence Day every yearby Max and Jessie Rasquinha, Houston/Dallas, Texas, USA, the founders of International Orientation Centre and International Institute for Public Policy. They cherish Mangaluru as their beloved `Home Sweet Home’ even after over sixty years of their leaving Mangaluru.
“We have observed the performance of Fr.Willie Menezes with an overwhelming joy for all that he has rendered at the Bishop’s House over the past ten years as a Public Relations Officer and the Estate Manager. Fr. Willie has now been transferred as a Parish Priest of Guardian Angel Church, Nagori, Mangaluru, and we wish him well in his new position at a prestigious Parish. He will be a “success story wherever he goes”, stated a press release from Max Rasquinha from the United States of America.
The ‘Outstanding Community Award’ will be presented officially during the visit of the Rasquinha family to their hometown later this year. Max and Jessie Rasquinha are keen followers of all developments that are taking place in Mangaluru. All the dignitaries who are dedicating their talents and efforts for our community and our society are always been noted and admired for future recognitions. Former Bishop of Mangaluru Rev. Aloysius D’Souza, eminent singer and composer Wilfy Rebimbos, former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde, founder of Daijiworld Walter Nandalike, Rev. Mnsgr. Fred Pereira, social work educationist and activist Dr. Olinda Pereira, late Rev. Fr. Ronnie Prabhu SJ, Sachitha Nandagopal, Joe Gonzalvas, Sr. Shruthi and James Serrao are among those who have received the `Outstanding Community Leaders’ Award in the past.
Fr. William Manezes Fr. Willie was born at Venur in 1958 as the first child of Ligouri and Benedicta Menezes. He was the eldest among six children. After his high school at Venur, Fr.Willie did his PUC at St. Aloysius College, and then he joined the Jeppu Seminary for Priesthood. Along with his priesthood, he has completed his college studies and philosophy under the Mysore University. He served as an assistant Parish Priest in Buntwal for one year and thereafter, he served as a Parish Priest in Padukone for 7 years and Kolalgiri for 4 years. As a Priest, Fr. Willie did his MA in history from the Dharwad University and LLB from Mangalore University. Then he served as an Administrator of the Fr. Muller’s Charitable Institution for 8 years. After this, he has served as a public relation officer and estate manager for ten years at the Bishop's’ House in Mangaluru.
After several decades of service in various capacities, Fr. Willie is now assigned as a Parish Priest of Angelore Parish where he will utilize all his past leadership skills to the best possible advantage of Nagori Church. As a PRO and estate manager of Mangalore Diocese, Fr. Willie was able to establish a good rapport with the political leaders, bureaucrats, police department and also various government officials and the media. He was also instrumental in organizing a media Christmas every year, and also a Xmas get-together for the dignitaries of the district hosted by the Bishop of Mangalore.
As the estate manager, Fr. Willie was able to settle hundreds of property disputes. He also updated property records of the Mangalore Diocese. Under his leadership, 24 flats were constructed in Talapady, Mariashram for the poorest of the poor of the society and St. JuzeVaz, a home for the retired priests of the Diocese of Mangalore which has won the prestigious award as the best building among the districts of south canara, Udupi,Shivamogga and Chikmagaluru.
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Sanjay Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls
Mumbai, Nov 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded a re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers, claiming there were irregularities with the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Talking to reporters, Raut alleged several complaints about EVMs malfunctioning and questioned the integrity of the recently held elections.
The BJP-led Mahayuti won 230 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi managed 46 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT) winning just 20 out of 95 seats it contested.
"We have received nearly 450 complaints regarding EVMs. Despite raising objections repeatedly, no action has been taken on these issues. How can we say these elections were conducted fairly? Hence, I demand that the results be set aside and elections be held again using ballot papers," Raut said.
Citing some instances, he said a candidate in Nashik reportedly received only four votes despite having 65 votes from his family, while in Dombivli, discrepancies were found in EVM tallies, and election officials refused to acknowledge the objections.
The Sena (UBT) leader also questioned the credibility of the landslide victories of some candidates, saying, "What revolutionary work have they done to receive more than 1.5 lakh votes? Even leaders who recently switched parties have become MLAs. This raises suspicions. For the first time, a senior leader like Sharad Pawar has expressed doubts about EVMs, which cannot be ignored."
Asked about the MVA's poor performance in the elections, Raut rejected the idea of blaming a single individual.
"We fought as a united MVA. Even a leader like Sharad Pawar, who commands immense respect in Maharashtra, faced defeat. This shows that we need to analyse the reasons behind the failure. One of the reasons is EVM irregularities and the misuse of the system, unconstitutional practices, and even judicial decisions left unresolved by Justice Chandrachud," he said.
Raut stressed that though internal differences might have existed within the MVA, the failure was collective.
He also accused the Mahayuti of conducting the elections in an unfair manner.
"I cannot call the elections fair given the numerous reports of discrepancies in EVMs, mismatched numbers, and vote irregularities across the state," Raut said.
