Pereira Wadi Campaign. Youth of Mount Carmel get into the act.

Hello Sabhaites and Friends,

We thank the youth of Mt. Carmel Parish under the dynamic leadership of Fr. Larry Pereira . the Parish Priest and Fr. Warner D'souza who took the lead to get cracking on supporting this very important issue. We are also grateful for the parishioners and the residents of Bandra and other localities who joined us in this struggle for justice.

Please see the report by Ms Rita D'sa, the Vice President of BCS.

The battle has just begun and the war is not over. We need to work in unity to achieve the victory for the people of Pereira Wadi.

Please watch out for the latest on: www.bcsabha.org

Best Regards,
Dolphy D'souza
President
THE BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA
contact@bcsabha.org
www.bcsabha.org

MT. CARMEL'S YOUTH ROOT FOR PEREIRA WADI

In what can be seen as a strong dose in the arm, the youth of Mount Carmel Parish Bandra, under the guidance of Fr. Larry and Fr. Warner plunged into the battle for justice at Pereira Wadi. Over the weekend, they carried out a signature campaign both before and after all masses, set up a networking site and used all means to create awareness about the Pereira Wadi issue, in preparation for the public meeting on Sunday, 22nd June, 2008, at 7.00 p.m. at Mount Carmel's. Over 1000 citizens and parishioners participated.

As expected, the attendance was very good, and included priests as well as religious sisters from Bandra and around. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Dolphy D'Souza President of the Bombay Catholic Sabha and assisted by Mrs. Shyama Kulkarni of the H West Citizens' Trust and Mr. Ashwin Parmar one of the affected persons, they enlightened the gathering about the latest situation.

While Fr. Warner welcomed the crowd and thanked the Parish youth for their efforts in this issue, he welcomed Mr. Dolphy D'Souza to take over. Mr. Dolphy D'Souza said that the issue of Pereira Wadi is a symbol of all the wrongs being meted out to the ordinary citizen and this agitation is a call to the authorities to account for all the wrongdoings. In the present scenario of sky rocketing real estate prices, it is imperative that we as citizens remain united and fight this arm twisting of the builders and politicians. The demolition of homes at Pereira Wadi is a sheer humiliation of the residents of Pereira Wadi. He looked up to the youth for their unstinted support as they are our torch bearers and the generation that will correct the wrongs. It is time for us citizens to be out on the streets in large numbers, if we are to match this unequal fight.

Mr. Ashwin Parmar then briefly explained the scenario before and after the demolitions and also exposed the lies of the bogus Chief Promoter, Mr. Cyril T. Macwan in the letter that was freely circulated around Bandra churches that morning. He said that out of 104 families, only 25 have so far signed for the development and that too out of sheer fear. He vividly explained the trauma and anxiety that the residents have been going through since the night of 1st June, 2008, as also the mercy and goodness shown by neighbours and others around.

Mrs. Shyama Kulkarni strongly brought home the point that the issue of Pereira Wadi does not pertain to just one community but rather is the symbol of defiance against the nexus between the politicians and builders. Let us show she said that the residents of Mumbai will not allow this to continue. She stressed that it is a game of numbers and the larger we are in strength and unity the more victorious will we be.

This was followed by a brief round of questions which were satisfactorily answered by the speakers. As the meeting came to an end and the crowds dispersed, one thing was clear – that this is just the beginning of a long drawn battle, which could crop up in different parts of the city. The key to success is to build up in numbers and unity and importantly be ready to come out on to the streets when the call is given.

Rita D'Sa, Vice President, BCS