Archbishop Presides huge gathering of Adivasis in Bangalore
Bengaluru, Dec 12: Around 1000 participants of the Adivasi community hailing from Jharkhand, Assam, Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, the whole of North East, including other ethnic groups gathered at Holy Ghost Church 11th December for a pre-Christmas celebration.
The participants who gathered under the aegis of the Bangalore Archdiocesan Commission for Migrants and Itinerant people came dressed in their traditional attires and showcased their cultural heritage through song and dance.
The get-together saw the participation Anil Dungdung, Founding member of the North India Adivasi Cultural Association and several priests and nuns engaged in various ministries for migrants.
The Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by Fr. Pradeep Samad, associate director, St. John’s Medical college. Con-celebrants were from various Adivasi regions and including spiritual directors for migrant communities. Fr. Mukti Prakash SJ, Jhamshedpur spoke of advent as “welcoming Christ in a special gathering as this”.
Archbishop Dr. Bernard Moras, while interacting with the migrants discussed the importance of catering to the needs of all spiritual requirements of every single immigrant residing in Bangalore. Assuring the gathering full assistance for pastoral needs the Archbishop requested the families to register themselves in the nearest zone or regional parishes where they attend the Sunday mass.
Cultural programs continued till 4:30 pm. Winners were awarded with trophies and certificates and the program concluded with a fun-filled ‘Akhra Dance’.
Michael Kullu from Jharkhand who works in the South West railways expressed his saying “I feel so much at home in this gathering”. Lata Lal from Chattishgarh who works at St. Mary’s English Medium school in Bangalore said “I feel so happy to attend the day like today where I feel at home with my brothers and sisters”. Pramod Ekka (Co-ordinator) sharing his joy said “I celebrate the real homecoming”.
Office bearers of the Commission, Fr. Martin Puthusserry SJ, general secretary, Fr. Shaju Kalappurakkal SCJ, the Executive secretary, Fr. Ignace Dungdung, the Spiritual Director of North India Adivasi Cultural Association and other members expressed gratitude towards the Organizers of North India Adivasi Cultural Association for bringing the Adivasi community together in Bangalore.
Core team member of the association, Jerome Kujur who came all the way from Ranchi thanked everyone for their presence and being available for such programmes and creating a good community spirit in this year of mercy.
Though, the Adivasi communities in Bangalore gather in different places under different names and forms, due to various pastoral reasons, the group like North India Adivasi Cultural Association witness a lot for the Adivasi community in Bangalore.
The North India Adivasi Cultural Association formed the association for the Adivasi migrants way back in October 2002. After its formation, the association has been organizing various programs and social service activities and gatherings for the migrant community in the archdiocese of Bangalore.