Press note for favour of publication.
The Editor
Dear Madam / Sir,
Given below is the press note. We would appreciate if it is given due publicity
in your esteemed publication.
Thank you.
Dolphy D'souza
Immd. Past President
THE BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA
43, Kalina, Santacruz East,
Mumbai 400 029.
Cell: 09820226227
CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION
Dhanurkar Wadi, Kandivli (West), Mumbai 400067
At the well attended Rally held on Sunday Oct. 21, Parishioners of O.L. of
Assumption Church, Dhanurkar Wadi, Kandivli west, staunchly opposed and
demanded the withdrawal of the land acquisition notice served on them for
widening the Poisar Nalla/ River adjoining their premises. Parents of children
studying at St. Joseph's High School, and people from the region showed their
support by applauding speaker after speaker who spoke on how injustice is being
done to the more than 150 year old institution which is a heritage precinct.
Mr. Lennon Miranda a local youth leader gave a power point presentation of the
chronology of the issue prepared by the Committee formed to deal with the
situation. Mr. Gordon D'Souza President of the Bombay Catholic Sabha projected
how gross injustice was being done as there was a demand to take .5 m to 4 m of
land from the premises right from the cemetery and playground and the space
behind the church. Not only that but the plan prepared by the Executive
Engineer SWD includes an access road of 6 m within the premises for access the
cleaning and maintaining of the nallah. This would take away some portion of
the church and school building and take away the privacy of the institution. He
demanded why the access road to the nallah was not planned from the other side
where presently new constructions are coming up.
Mr. Dolphy D'Souza immediate past president of the Bombay Catholic Sabha said
that the community is always considered a soft target but in this case we will
not take this lying down and we will mobilise people from all Mumbai to see
that injustice is not done to the institution.
Fr. Gerald Fernandes parish priest expressed concern at the situation and was
worried at the turn of events. He said that the church has already given land
in the past without claiming any compensation but giving away land from the
already depleted premises would affect the people very badly as the cemetery,
the school playground and place behind the church was involved which would
compromise the security of the institution. Surrendering of the burial place
would grievously hurt the sentiments of the parishioners as they contain the
relics of their ancestors. He appealed to the elected representatives and the
concerned BMC officials who were present at the meeting to withdraw the
acquisition notice.
Mr. Sanjay Nirupam the local M P assured the gathering that the more than 150
year old institution was a heritage precinct and he would see that not even
an inch of land would be taken away.
Sr. Fatima Fernandes Head Teacher of the Secondary Section of the St. Joseph's
High School which is on the premises said that the authorities should explore
the option of cleaning and deepening the nallah which is badly littered and the
main cause of the clogging.
Mrs. Fatima Pereira Head Teacher of the Primary Section lamented that the
school ground was already small and if it was further reduced in size, it would
leave not enough space for children to play.
Dr. Mrs. Geeta Yadav Corporator and Chairperson of the R South Ward Committee
assured that she would take up the matter with the concerned authorities and do
her best to prevent any space being taken from the institution.
Mrs Parul Mehta Nominated Corporator to the MCGM said what has happened is
unfortunate and she would see that no injustice is done to the institution.
Mr. Sanjay Nirupam announced that there would be a site inspection by the
Deputy Municipal Commissioner on Monday Oct. 22, 2012 at 3 pm and he would also
be present to see how the issue could be sorted out.
The Parishioners of O.L. of Assumption Church will work in collaboration with
the Bombay Catholic Sabha will work on the next course of agitation if the
matter is not resolved soon.
Gordon D'Souza
Prashanth Pereira
President -The Bombay Catholic Sabha Parishioner O.L. of
Assumption Church
Mobile : 9819628388 Mobile :
9323195965
Dolphy Dsouza - 9820226227
THE PERSONNEL PEOPLE
43, Kalina, Santacruz East,
Mumbai 400 029.
Email: personnelpeo...@gmail.com
