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A newly constructed "Loyola Children Play Park" in front of the St. Ignarius Loyola Aided Hr. Pry. School, Paladka-574278 at an aproximate cost of Rs.4.00 lakhs by Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh ®, Paladka Unit, St. Ignatius Loyola Church, Paladka-574278 in association with Joy Paladka was declared open at the hands of Spiritual Director and Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Stany Rodrigues and blessed by Rev. Fr. Ln. Vincent D'Souza, Parish Priest of Holy Rosary Church, Alangar-Moodbidri on the morning of Sunday the 14th Feb. 2010 and was dedicated for the use of the children of the said school and also to the parishioners henceforth.

Soon after the blessing of the Park, Rev. Fr. Ln. Vincent D'Souza in his address was all praise for the Catholic Sabha, Paladka Unit for their stupendous work of construction of the Park for a social cause and said small children are like God and making the children smile is nothing but a service to the Lord. He was all praise for the President of the Catholic Sabha Mr. Hilary D'Souza who has worked relentlessly with the help of members of the Sabha till the end and equally applauded the role of Joy Paladka in making the project a success. He praised the donors who backed this project and wished them all the best in their life. He made a mention that never in his life he has come across such a well equipped, spacious and modern play park and stated that he is of the opinion that such a park is nowhere to be found in the entire District of D.K. and Udupi. The children of Paladka are so lucky to have such a beautiful park at Paladka a rural area, he added.

Further programme was conducted inside the Church Hall where the Vice President of the Govlik Parishad Sri.Vincent Sequeira chaired the function while Secretary Sri Denis D'Mello, Sri Hilary D'Souza, President of the Catholic Sabha, Secretary Sri Victor D'Souza, Treasurer Sri Andrew Serrao, Sr. Josina of St. Ignatius Convent, Paladka, Joy Paladka and resource persons Dr. Roshan Pinto of Fr. Muller's, Kankanady, Sri Sadashiva Rai, P.D. of Sri Subramnya Swamy High School, Kadandale shared the dais.

The programme began with a prayer hymn rendered by Ku. Prafulla Sequeira, Kum. Savitha Sequeira, Kum. Laveena Sequeira and Smt. Benedicta Dantis. Sri Hilary D'Souza welcomed the dignitaries on the dais and also the donors and parishioners and children of the school. Sri Victor D'Souza read the annual report of the activities undertaken by the Catholic Sabha for the year 2009- 2010.

In his address Sri Joy Paladka stated that while the project was about to start people started saying was it necessary to have a play park at Paladka. He stated that some people prefer wealth, some others 'roti, kapda aur makan' and if few others want non polluted peaceful place to live in yet other few may say they want clean water, clean atmosphere/air. But these people forget the importance of health which is more important than the above. If health is there one can work hard and earn wealth and all other things in life will follow one by one. He said if wealth is lost, nothing is lost but if health is lost everything is lost. That's why a play park for the children is a must to keep them fit as they are the future citizens of our nation.

Six important achievers in different fields were honoured on the occasion. They were Sri Hilary Cardoza, writer/poet, Sri Salvadore Rodrigues, Play Writer, writer, Editor of 'Paladkachi Zhar' magazine, Sri M. Devadas Hegde, the Best Teacher at Dist. level for the year 2009, Sri Andrew D'Souza, President of Primary School Teachers Association, Moodbidri Range, Sri Simon Cardoza, Science Teacher and III Prize Winner at National Level for guiding the students for Innovation of LPG Exhausting Indicator and Sri Pradeep Barboza, budding play writer, actor and director.

The resource person Dr. Roshan Pinto explained two facets of a play park to keep the children fit in health in one side and keep them entertained in the other side. The other resource person Sri Sadashiva Rai stated that how the people want a prayer hall like Church, Temple and Mazjid so is a school needs a play ground and a play park. He also stated that from next year onwards the education department may come out with a proposal to add the new subject of physical education among other curriculam.

Sri Vincent Sequeira in his presidential address stated that Catholic Sabha in association with Joy Paladka has done a memorable project for the children and called upon Catholic Sabha to carry on its mission for improving the facilities in the park and also to take necessary steps for its maintenance part.

Sri Victor D'Souza, Secretary of the Sabha extended vote of thanks. Sri Avil D'Souza compered the programme. Laddus and soft drinks were distributed to all the people and school children who attended the programme.