Mumbai: Fr Fitzgerald Fernandes, Director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Bandra, Mumbai and Administrator of the Clergy Home of the Archdiocese of Bombay, was felicitated as a COVID Warrior by Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Mr Bhagat Singh Koshyari. The ceremony was held at Raj Bhavan on Thursday, 10th September to recognise exceptional service. 40 men and women from all walks of life were honoured and felicitated.
Fr Fitzgerald has been involved in relief efforts in the Bandra area since the lockdown took effect, coordinating and providing essential rations to poor families and also opening up the doors of the Pastoral Centre to house nurses and medical attendants involved in the Covid fight at nearby hospitals. We congratulate Fr Fitzgerald for the tremendous work that he has done and for being recognised by the Government.
Besides Fr Fernandes, the Governor also felicitated other Covid Warriors and eminent doctors Dr Shashank Joshi, Dr Jalil Parkar, DCP Pranay Ashok, Post Master Mumbai Region Swati Pande, Senior Police Inspector Gajanan Kabdule, Yoga teacher Sunaina Rekhi for their exemplary services. The felicitation programme of Covid warriors was organized by Spandan Arts.
Postman Mohammed Rafiq Kazi, Adv Amit Mehta, Dr Pragji Vaja, Dr Saumya Bulusu, Kabrastan employee Sabir Salim Khan, sanitation workers, vegetable vendors and hearse van driver who rendered dedicated service during the pandemic period were also honoued by the Governor.
MLA Ashish Shelar delivered the welcome speech while Ajit Manyal of Bandra Hindu Association proposed vote of thanks.
On Wednesday, the Governor felicitated 18 social, cultural and service organisations doing commendable social work for the poor in the aftermath of the outbreak of Corona pandemic.
Stating that service to the poor is service to God, Governor Koshyari called upon service organisations to sustain their social service, even after the pandemic is over. He appealed to the organisations to be compassionate towards the poor and the needy.
Representatives of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, Dharampur, JITO Walkeshwar, JIO, ARAJ, DIvyaj Foundation, Lodha Group, Aarju Foundation, Dosti – Kamathipura, Panchmmukhi Seva Sanstha, Rajasthani Mahila Mandal, Shri Hari Satsang, Quest Foundation, Vitthal Rukmini Mandir Trust, Metal and Stainless Steel Merchants’ Association, BAPS Swami Narayan Mandir, Attari Welfare Association, Lodha Foundation and Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana were presented a Certificate of Honour by the Governor on this occasion.
The felicitation function was organized by the Lodha Foundation. Mangal Prabhat Lodha, MLA, Parag Shah, MLA, Manju Lodha, Chairperson Lodha Foundation and Dr Bijal Mehta, Trustee of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission were prominent among those present.