On 20 February 2019, a Peace rally was organized by Maria Vihar Youth Centre and SHTC. Sr. Nilima Rodrigues was the backbone of the organisation making all the necessary arrangements and seeking the legal permissions needed for the rally.
The rally was aimed at offering ‘Shraddhanjali’ for the Pulwama Martyrs, as well as motivating young people to become builders of peace. A motley group of more than 150 comprising of hostellers, boarders, workers, professional centre students, members of Christos youth-group, FMA novices and Sisters, Friars and brothers from Capuchin Ashram and a few parishioners joined the candle-light peace march dedicated to the memory of the Pulwama martyrs. The march began at 6 pm near Maria Vihar gate where Sr. Philomena D’Souza gave a speech motivating the group, followed by some patriotic songs by the hostellers and a moment of prayer for the martyrs and their families.
Holding banners of Maria Vihar and of slogans appealing for peace and harmony with their candles lit, the marchers wound their way along Don Bosco Marg, College Road, Bhonsala College, Jahan Circle to Shahid Circle which is dedicated to the memory of the martyrs. There, as Jai Jawan rent the air, they placed their candles singing Vande Mataram and shouting Bharat Mata ki Jai.
Being an evening time, the march drew the attention and admiration of the many passersby as the speeding vehicles slowed down giving respectful precedence to the youngsters on the road. The troupe of marchers returned to the campus with hearts swollen with patriotic sentiments of having done something small, but significant for the martyrs and their families. On our part, in the prevailing vicious atmosphere of antagonism, we also felt it to be a gesture of witnessing to by the Christian community of its commitment to the nation and its people.
