BJP MLAs, BBMP members to donate two-month salary to Kodagu flood victims: R. Ashok
Bengaluru, August 19: Former deputy chief minister R Ashok said that the BJP MLAs from Bengaluru and BBMP corporators have decided to donate their two months salary to the Kodagu flood victims.
Speaking at a preparatory meeting on sending the relief materials to the flood victims, here on Sunday, Ashok said that party other office-bearers have also decided to contribute Rs 10,000 each to the flood victims. The district has never seen such a rain and disaster in this century. But the people of the district have lost their dear ones and lost their homes, he said.
He said that the party workers should collect the necessary materials like food items, cloths, medicines, drinking water, blankets, bed sheets, batteries and other materials and donations from the industrialists, businessmen, associations and others. If the people come forward to contribute voluntarily, party workers should collect them and handed them over to the party office, he said.
On Sunday, the BBMP members and MLAs have contributed Rs 11.56 lakh. They were in touch with the Kodagu MLAs and if needed, more donations would be provided, he said.
Party leaders V Somanna, Tejashwini Gowda, Tara, Muniraju, Manjula, Subbanna, Padmanabha Reddy and others were present.
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National Synodal Assembly 2026 begins in Bengaluru with over 220 delegates
Bengaluru: The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) on May 1 inaugurated its National Synodal Assembly 2026 at St. John’s Medical College, bringing together more than 220 delegates from across the country under the theme Synodal Pilgrims of Hope.
The assembly is part of the global synodal process initiated in 2021 by Pope Francis, which calls for greater participation, dialogue and shared responsibility within the Church. In India, the process has involved consultations at diocesan, regional and national levels.
Participants at the assembly include two Cardinals, 25 Bishops, 65 priests, more than 20 women religious, and over 100 lay faithful, including youth and women leaders.
The gathering began with a Eucharistic celebration led by Filipe Neri Ferrão. In his homily, he described the assembly as a moment of grace and discernment and called on delegates to walk together in prayer, listening and missionary commitment.
He spoke about the importance of the Risen Christ in the mission of the Church and urged the faithful to be witnesses of the Gospel. Referring to the conversion of St Paul, he said every baptised person has a role in spreading the message of Christ. He also highlighted the example of St Joseph the Worker, stressing the dignity of labour and the call to holiness in everyday life.
The formal inauguration included the invocation of the Holy Spirit through Veni Creator Spiritus and the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Deputy Secretary General Fr. Stephen Alathara welcomed the delegates and described the gathering as a spiritual journey.
In his presidential address, Cardinal Ferrão referred to the CCBI pastoral plan titled Journeying Towards a Synodal Church: Mission 2033 and called on participants to build on the vision outlined at the 36th Plenary Assembly held in Bhubaneswar in 2025.
Delegates will reflect on four key themes identified from 16 pastoral priorities: interreligious dialogue and peacebuilding, inclusion of the excluded, poverty and integral ecology, and support for children and youth.
The discussions are being conducted through a method of spiritual conversation aimed at encouraging listening, dialogue and collective decision-making. The focus is on translating these discussions into practical actions within the Church.
The assembly also looks ahead to the Jubilee Year 2033, which will mark 2,000 years of the Redemption, and aims to strengthen the Church’s mission in the coming years.
Further consultations are scheduled for September 2026, with the process expected to conclude at the 38th Plenary Assembly of the CCBI in January 2027.
Organisers said the assembly seeks to strengthen unity within the Church and promote participation of all sections, including women and youth, in shaping its future direction.
