Melba D’sa, Vice Chairman - St. Paul’s Unit, Dadar
& Central Councillor

Dear Dolphy and Team,

Congratulations to you all. The rally was an overall success and went off extremely smoothly right from the seating arrangements, the Clarity of the speakers and message, the ushering and a lot more.

Our support will always be with you.

With best regards,

Nelson Patel

well done Dolphy Keep it up God bless you

Rudy & the Kalina Unit

Dear Dolphy & BCS Team

Hearty congratulations on an excellently organized Rally. It is indeed gratifying that there was such a good turnout. The Speakers were well chosen and each of them was unique in himself/herself and kept the crowd enraptured. There was not a dull moment. There were only praises to be heard on the way out - not a murmur of dissent or disapproval! Overall arrangements for parking, seating, crowd management etc speaks volumes for the organizing talent of the BCS team. The Lord has blessed all your hard work. We are sure that he will bless you and the Sabha in the days to come as the struggle intensifies. As you said this is only the beginning.

It would be great if the text of the resolutions passed are circulated to all units and posted on the website. Our unit plans to print leaflets of the resolutions to circulate among parishioners of Our Lady of Egypt, Kalina.

Once again congratulations from the Kalina Unit to you, Rita, Anand, Gordon, Vinod and all the others who labored for long hours these past weeks.

God Bless you all [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Preci Almeida

Dear Dolphy,

Congratulations to you and your team for conducting the Protest Rally in such an effective and and efficient manner. It will surely be a fore-runner to many more larger gatherings yet to come. Proud to have you lead the Sabha.

Best regards [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Veronica Paul

Dear Rajesh,

As a Christian, I feel really proud of you. You spoke extremely well, although I felt it was too short. But I think you did not want to receive the “time is up” slip and therefore decided to make it short and sweet. The fact is that even if you had spoken for half an hour, people would have listened with rapt attention.

Congratulations on a job very well done, and have a nice day.

Warm regards [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Freddy Mendonca

Dear All,

Every prayer prayed in the will of God is answered but the shape it takes is based on readiness for the answer.

Congratulations Dolphy - Vinod and the BCS team. A job not only done but done very well and systematically.

The efforts of you all got the required support - this could be the beginning - a long way to go and get united in common interest.

I am proud to say many dimaonds participated.

Dimensionally yours [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Raphael D'souza

Dear Dolphy,

Great show of strength and solidarity. The Rally has given a wake up call to the powers that be. We need to keep up the pressure [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Angela Dsouza

dear dolphy and your team,

the rally was a grand sucess thanks to the efforts of all of us put together.

we shall definitely be geared up for any future programmes. congrats on the huge turn out and keep up the good work and all the best for the future [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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veronica paul

Dear Dolphy, Vinod, Rita & Anand,

Yesterday, you must have looked at the 50,000 strong crowd before you, with a mixture of pride, amazement and humility. It was the culmination of weeks of toil, hard work and anxious moments which obviously paid off.

Congratulations and a very well organized Rally. The speakers were excellent, and I was so happy that 90 percent of the Rally was in Marathi or Hindi. This definitely put paid to the assumption that we Christians are just an English-speaking, westernized bunch.

I am sure that the proceedings would have struck a chord of unity in any “Marathi manoos” listening to the wonderful speakers. You have conveyed to one and all, that we are proud Indians, as Indian as any Indian who claims he is “dyed in the wool”; that all of us are the true sons of the Indian soil, not to mention the large swathe of Christians who are actually the original sons of Mumbai’s soil.

Most of all, what came across was the clear message that we are a formidable community, not to be trampled upon.

God bless [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Stanley D'Cunha

Dear All,

This is to express my opinion and thanks on the sucess of the Rally organised by Sabha.During my last 50 years of stay in Bombay this is the first time I saw so many of us gathering in protest for a social cause.I have witnessed huge Catholic Gathering for Eucrestic Congress function and on the occassions of our Holy Father's Visits.Your effort to change the mind set of us are taking place.It is not easy to wake a lion after his stumptuous meal.Because we as Christian community never had to agitate for centuries in India till we got OUR SO CALLED FREEDOM.Our struggle for survival started when rulers from our own country started ruling us.So it is a great task to wake up the sleeping lion.You have succeeded in the job.Let us keep up spirit of agitation when ever a situation called for.

Our thanks for the Clergy for the support and their participation.Other wise the event should not have been so sucessful.Our Parish was so genorous in supporting us that he provided us with buses, Banners,snack packets,soft drinks in bus all the way to Azad Maidan and back and also accompanied us in the Bus.Ous sincere thanks to Fr.Austin Norris for his support.Hope this year also he will be nominated as the Best Supporting Parish Priest of the Sabha.

With Regards [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Stanley D'Cunha

Dear Samar Halamkar,

Editor,Hindustan Times,

I was sad to notice the news black out in your Paper on the Protest Rally Organised by Bombay Catholic Sabha at Azad Maidan,Mumbai on Saturday the 15th.instant.

Times Of India published the news with the photo of the gathering quoted as 35,000 eventhough the crowed was more than 50,000.But that paper did not ignore us.

We were protesting to save the Poor people from the rich and powerful.

Such an event has gone unnoticed by your Paper.

I feel very sad.

Hope you will change your attitude and come to the help of poor and the marginalised from the clutches of rich and powerful.

With Regards,

Stanley D'Cunha. Chairperson, Bombay Catholic Sabha,St.Joseph Parish, Goregaon East. [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Lawrence D'souza,AICU State President, Maharashtra

Dear Dolphy,

Congratulations for the successful rally held on 15th March 08. Good crowd from Clergy and Laity. Presence of His lordship Bishop Bosco Penha, Fr. salu, and many more really speaks our concern to our problems and committments to stand solidly for the cause. Being a affiliated member of AICU I request you to observe some representation from AICU representative in the State Level in voicing the veiws from this kind of platforms in the future as we are questioning the Governments and not Local bodies. I am sure you will take this remarks as your wellwisher and not as a critic.

Yours truly, [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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John Dsouza

Dear Dolphy,

I just came to know from the mail of our dear friend, Freddy that the BCS rally was a grand success.We are very happy. Corrine joins me in congratulating you and Vinod for the efforts taken by both of you so as to be a great display of unity & solidarity among we Christians. We hope & pray that this will make the authorities concerned to recognise our strength and give due importance to the cause of our community.

God bless you both and keep up the tempo.

With regards [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Agnelorajesh Nazareth Athaide,
Chairman and Managing Director,
St.angelos Group Of Companies,

Hi dolphy,

The gathering was a big victory. A sign of coming together for commongoals. A voice of united efforts.

Keep building the tempo. Let's make sure that the fire is on. The networkof bcs has to be made more stronger.

I m there with u and bcs in whichever way possible and i shal never failin what ever i commit. EVER.

Let us lead from the front. Courage is not the absence of fear,but thepresence of fear with the capability to control it and move ahead.Courage is to standup and speak your mind. And u dont need guns to showur courage. Facing and staring in the eyes of injustice fearlessly isCOURAGE.

Its a Pleasure communicating with you.Knowing people is wealth.Thanks formaking me wealthy.

God Bless.

Regards, [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Bishop Agnelo R. Gracias

My dear Dolphy and Sabhaites,

I am writing from Eluru. People have been ringing me up to say how wonderful a Rally it was at Azad Maidan: a good crowd, well organized programme etc. CONGRATULATIONS.

+ Agnelo [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Fr.Austin/Fr.Lincoln, St Joseph Church, Goregaon East

Thanks Dolphy and God Bless. CONGRATS ON THE RALLY.. I enjoyed every bit of my time there at Azad Maidan..with our people and others. Wishing you and the Sabha every success and all support - Always....

Fr. Austin Norris [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Francis Rasquinha

Dear Dolphy and team:

I must congratulate you for the tremendous efforts you and your entire team put in for the BCS Rally which was a grand success.

Really, guess if it was not for you people, the minority Christians community would still remain a minority community. Thanks to BCS for taking up all the issues on a warfooting and ensuring its success to the maximum.

I did circulate your note to all I know and trust majority attended. Was amazed to see the thousands of people who attended the rally. Seen the event in the newspapers too. All the best once again. You all are doing a fantastic job.

All the best too for all that you plan for the future. We are with you to support BCS all the way.

With kind regards. [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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JANE

Dear Bertha,

Thanks for your e-mail.

Although, we have never met, you probably got my below e-mail, through one of my pals, still, thanks for your words of encouragement in your e-mail below.

My friends, Dolphy D'Souza, President, The Bombay Catholic Sabha (BCS), Vinod Noronha, Secy, BCS, Dr. John Dayal , President, All India Catholic Union and their teams, will keep you updated on the follow-up and future developements of all their fantastic efforts to stop the harassment and torture of Christians in India.

We all, must applaud the efforts, of Dolphy, Vinod, VPs - Rita, Anand and Gordon, as there was a massive crowd of over 1.5 lakh christians at the rally at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on 15th March, 2008.

Also, present, were my husband's childhood friend, Wayne Michael's nephew, Lyle and Urmila(Lyle's Non-christian friend)-young college students, Daphne of Mt. Carmel's Bandra(W), Marina Khan of Rosary Parish, Mazagaon and all my Bandrakar pals too,whose hands went up unanimously, everytime Dolphy shouted for a stop to the harassment of christians.

The speakers were excellent.

A very successful rally.

Congratulations to the BCS - HO team for all their great efforts and also congratulations to every BCS Chairperson and their mg. comm. members, who encouraged parishioners to attend the rally.

Regards and best wishes, [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Capt. Allan J. Couto

Dear Dolphy,

We are one of many that have been encouraged and inspired by the Anti SEZ Rally organised by the Bombay Catholic Sabha. The arrangements made, were noteworthy and deserving of the highest praise.

Forwarding herewith, is a comment from a scholarly and erudite colleague Mr John Menezes, a former Ch. Engineer of Mumbai Port. We hope that this will be of assistance in the furtherance of the Sabha's laudable objectives

With best wishes [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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John Menezes, Former Ch. Engineer of Mumbai Port

Dear Alan,

Concerning the anti SEZ Rally at Azad Maidan on Saturrday, 15 March 2008 I have with me The Special Economic Zones Act 2005 which states, in the Introduction, that "The objective of Special Economic Zones include making available goods and services free of taxes and duties supported by integrated infrastructure for export production, expeditious and single window approval mechanism and a package of incentives to attract foreign and domestic investments for promoting export-led growth."

The act and the rules run into 126 pages. If the act is exclusively for export promotion its proposed application to the Uttan-Gorai area for "entertainment" would not stand in a competent court of law. May I suggest that you please bring this aspect to the notice of the Catholic Sabha and the Archdiocese of Bombay so that the matter may be studied by competent advocates/solicitors and appropriate legal action instituted.

As my Yahoo site is partially imoperative I am writing this from my Rediffmail address.

With kind regards [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Melville X. D’Souza - Phillann, Lourdes Colony-Sector 3

SEZ - THE HEAT IS ON !

The Heat is rising, the pressure is mounting, the movement is gaining momentum. Thousands of people responded to the call of the Bombay Catholic Sabha for a rally to protest against the proposed ‘Special Economic Zone’in the Gorai-Uttan Belt, Take-over of the Sahar Church land for the proposed expansion of the Sahar Airport, and atrocities against Christians in Orissa during last Christmas. Thousands of people from the Archdiocese of Bombay marched shoulder-to-shoulder with the SEZ affected people, to Azad Maidan on the 15th of March 2008 to show their solidarity with their affected brethren. Someone has said, "This is the duty of our generation as we enter the 21st century ……. Solidarity with the weak, the persecuted, the lonely, the sick, and those in despair. It is expressed by the desire to give a noble and humanizing meaning to a community in which all members will define themselves not by their own identity but by that of others."

Speaker after speaker lambasted the government, both State and Central government for their anti-people policies, particularly emphasizing the atrocities on the peace loving Christian community. When we have offered both cheeks, there is nothing left to offer, nevertheless it was reiterated that we would still follow the principle of ‘Non-Violence’ in our struggle for justice. We will not rest until justice is done ! Our parish priest Fr. Salvador himself set the tone for the rally when he delivered the Opening Address -- an enlightening speech in ‘fluent’ Marathi ! (much to the surprise of our parishioners gathered there).

"Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing", intoned a couple of speakers, in perhaps the true spirit of Lent.

The turnout at the rally was heartening -- around 50,000 although more were expected. Several of our people who had registered did not turn up, with the result a couple of buses went empty. Of course, this is not the end of our struggle; there is more to come.

There is one important point stressed at the rally, and that is, our RIGHT TO VOTE. One of the speakers lamented that when Election Day comes, many of our catholics are out on a picnic. If we do not exercise our Right to Vote, then the going is bound to get tough. A miniscule minority we may be, but we CAN make a difference. Are we even now willing to understand our responsibility towards our fellowmen and towards our country ? This is a wake-up call ! [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Austin

Subject: Christ has Risen,When will We?

Dear Friends,

A happy easter to you and your families.

I am unable to answer calls or reply to smses individually as I have been unwell. Adding to this was my concern for my mother who had an heart attack. She is back from the hospital with advice of complete bedrest.

I have therefore taken a break of 2 weeks from activities and request each one of you to excuse me.

This Easter comes with a call to each one of us, who had the courage to come out in the sun on Saturday 15th March at 3.00 pm to gather at Azad Maidan to protest against the injustice to our brethren staying in Manori-Uttan belt and Sahar Village of Mumbai, as well as in the tribal belt of Orissa. The crowd was estimated to be between 35000 to 50000 people. We then wonder what were the rest of the one million christians of mumbai doing. Many, I am sure went about doing great works of piety and other acts of "religious" activities that would surely get them noticed by men. Some of those who could not make it as responsibilities were entrusted upon them, yet they did their part towards the protest rally, but the rest who did not come, need to fast for a few days more and reflect whether their actions were pleasing to God or the men who keep a watch over them.

The verses from Isaiah Chapter 58 verse 6 to 7 say

6"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Our brethren staying in Manori-Uttan, Sahar or Orissa needed us and many decided to turn away from their own flesh and blood giving various reasons. I now understand the meaning of the words of Christ when he said "Let the dead take care of the dead". Realising this, I now do not waste my time with these who are dead and instead walk away whenever they try to draw me into their petty thoughts and actions.

We, who were gathered on 15th March, a day before Palm Sunday, are the soldiers of Christ Jesus, who was welcomed into Jerusalem. As Christ Jesus has already won us the victory by His Death and Resurrection, we have to only march in faith and then the March of 2008 will be remembered by our future generations as the month of the Blazing Summer which purified us from the sloth and filth that had kept our community from taking Our Church into centre of this Nation.

In Christ,
Austin [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Fr. Ambrose Pinto SJ, Principal, St. Joseph's College, Bangalore

Dear Dolphy and Friends,

Though far away in Bangalore, You have my good wishes and support. I hope the Government of India through its legitimate bodies intervenes. PIL is another way of quickening the process. Praying for all of you in your struggle for justice and empowerment of the tribal community [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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Chhotebhai, Former President, ALL INDIA CATHOLIC UNION

Sir,

I was thrilled to read in the Secular Citizen (March 24th) about the huge rally of over 50,000 organized by the Bombay Catholic Sabha(BCS) at the local Azad Maidan. Congratulations to BCS President, Dolphy D'souza and the entire BCS team for organizing such a big and effective protest.

Its time that Christians together with other social activists, came out strongly against blatant social injustice and displacement. Unfortunately, we tend to come out only when priests or nuns are attacked and they give the clarion call. We need more dynamic lay leadership in both Church and society. [CLICK FOR INDEX]

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