Bengaluru: P C Mohan, Member of Parliament (MP), said he built a Railway Station at Hoodi from the MP’s fund. He is the first MP to make a Railway Station from such funds. No other MP has done anything of that sort from the fund received from the Centre. Mohan was the chief guest at an Onam celebration organized by Bangalore Malayalee Catholic Association (BMCA) on August 2 (Sunday).

While thanking the organizers of the celebration for the invitation, he said he had attended programmes from morning of different communities such as Odisha and Rajastan. He was the chief guest at the flag –hoisting ceremony at St. Mary’s Basilica, Shivajinagar, on the fifth day of the novena towards the grand Feast of Mother Mary on August 8. The day is marked as the Birthday of Mother Mary.

P C Mohan M P from Bangalore Central said Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city where people from different cultures and languages reside peacefully. And the the Onam celebration was his third and final one for the day. He said, “I go and attend all programmes of all sections of people”. He was invited for a Kerala Samajam programme and he donated 25 lakh rupees for the auditorium of the school. He found the school was collecting reasonable and affordable fees from the students. He advised the organizations of Keralites to take up education and cause of such activities for the needy.

He donated one crore rupees for a dialysis machine for a hospital. He said he was MLA for two terms and Member of Parliament also twice. He focuses on developmental activities in backward areas and wherever required. A BJP MP, looking young and energetic, said he was ready to take up any projects and for any worthy cause in his constituency from the five crore rupees he receives as MP fund. “Call me at any time and for anything, I will be there either for you or for any community in need,” said an active and agile MP who is constantly on the move. He greeted all present ‘Happy Onam’ including J Alexander, former Chief Secretary and Cabinet Minister who was also present on the occasion. Mohan said he was MLA for one term with Alexander.

Briji Romeo, guest of honour, speaking on the occasion said people of Kerala origin return to Kerala for Onam. Briji, a writer and a poetess, said Onam was originally a temple festival and later it came to be one that is seen as at present. Onam, the national festival of Kerala, first started at Thrikakara near Cochin (Kochi as is known now). It has a famous Vamana Temple. Thripunithura, another historical place of Onam celebrations is the former capital of the Kingdom of Kochi and is famous for various historical palaces, museums, temples and centre of the arts.

Briji who has to her credit a collection of short stories and poems touched upon the history, culture , legend and the epic era of Onam. She said foreign traders went to Kerala and established trade relationship. Kochi, the financial capital of Kerala, has a cosmopolitan culture, highly influenced by historical trading partners such as Portuguese, Dutch, Arab, Chinese, and Japanese. Kerala had various agriculture produces and spices. She spoke at length about Onam and its various aspects. The gods and deities were jealous of each other, though the people were free from jealousy.

Onam is to remind people of a life filled with love, harmony, peace and equality. The situation has drastically changed. Old people live in flats, looking for children from abroad. Briji who is also an artist and displayed her paintings at international level exhorted all to bring back ancient values for all to learn from them. She wished all safe journey devoid of violence, savagery and murder. Briji hoped for good days ahead and wished good atmosphere for all to exist and co-exist.

J Alexander, patron of BMCA, speaking on the occasion said there was no need to speak to Malayalees on Onam. All celebrate some festival or other throughout the year. Hindus and Muslims very recently celebrated Ganesha Chathurthi and Bukrid. Christians have their own including the Christmas coming up shortly. Alexander who was a Minister and chief Secretary besides holding other positions said Onam is not a festival but a dream of Kerala as a nostalgia of past. Alexander, a multi-talented personality, who is also an orator and singer referred to the Old Testament (OT) and New Testament (NT) of the Bible. While OT spoke of the God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac, the NT concentrates on Jesus who taught to pray – Our Father….. This prayer presents that the whole world is one family and there is one Father for all.

Onam is one of joy, peace, love and fellowship. He narrated a story of a mango tree and a mallike creeper plant. Mango tree was depressed saying no one unlike the past uses it for swings or shades; instead the branches are cut for various needs. The mallike creeper advised the mango tree not to lose hope as ‘you are for me and I am for you.” Both needed each other. When he visited South Africa, he heard a word used there in a context – ‘Ukundu’, meaning a bundle. We are a bundle. We depend on each other to live in harmony and friendship. Alexander also sang an Onam song which brought applause and cheers. The crux of the song was to keep the message of Onam till next year.

Earlier, Jaijo Joseph, president, BMCA, welcomed the chief guest and others. In his brief introductory talk Jaijo stressed the history of Onam as one of equality. He also presented a bird’s eye view of BMCA which began on October 1956 and reached the third generation. The new building which is being readied will house BMCA ‘s office and would cater to other needs. He also made a mention of donors and sponsors of the programme. Tony Vincent, a patron, contributed a donation towards ‘Akasha Paravakal’, a centre meant for the abandoned and deprived. Arattukulam (Mr Kunjukunju & Ms Celine Kunjukunju) was the main sponsor.

The celebration began with prayer song. Traditional lamp was lighted by the guests. Bouquets were presented to the guests. Jaijo said BMCA is a net-working Catholic community. He urged all sectors to get involved in some activity every month. He said, “We need to stand together and support. Our fore-fathers made sacrifice and took pain to bring it up making it to the present status as a big association.”

Wills Warunny, vice –president, introducing P C Mohan said the MP is a man of great personality. He has two children who look after his business PCM & Co. besides other ventures. He is a disciplined person who goes for walk every day. P C Mohan is also punctual in everything.

Prizes were given away by J Alexander IAS (Retd), chief patron and Briji for Pookalam (Flower arrangement). The judges were Bhasker Acharya and Rama Das who are renowned artists. Pookalam was in memory of K M Chacko and it was sponsored by the children.

Thiruvathira dance (a traditional Kerala dance) was performed. Well known Sury Krishna Murthy and team from Kerala presented enthralling musical performance and singing. P V Dominic, Secretary, proposed a vote of thanks. The culmination of the celebration was the traditional meal (sadhya).