LOUIS RODRIGUES, BM Bureau:
Amid rising religious intolerance in the pluralistic society where hatred is being spread by the politicians and fanatics, in the society this could be an eye opener.
In what is being hailed as a model of communal harmony in the Upper Ghats region, Goan settlers have been living and maintaining perfect inter-religious ties with native villagers in the tiny Machigad village near Nandgad in Khanapur taluka.
These ties were visible during the annual feast of Our Lady of Rosary Chapel here on Saturday May 4, during the procession of Our Lady of Rosary’s statue, when men, women and children in the village cleaned the road by pouring water, while also offering garlands and candles and seeking the blessings of a Mother Mary.
Villagers were also seen offering candles and offering petitions to the statue of Our Lady of Rosary placed at the chapel.
A substation of Nandgad parish, Machigad is a picturesque village in the vicinity of the lush green mountains and famous Miraculous Nandgad Cross. Since the past few centuries, Konkani-speaking Catholics of Goan origin have been dwelling here along with the Hindu community. They have been actively involved in the village events.
“Our ancestors came here from various Comunidades from Goa a little over three centuries ago. We are engaged in farming and also take contracts with the forest department. We live harmoniously along with the villagers taking part in each others festivities, social and cu;tural activities ,” said Jacky Fernandes, who was the sarpanch of the village for many years.
The villagers also hold a Marathi Sahitya Sammelan every year and Peter D’Souza alias Parrikar, a noted civil engineer and social activist has been chairing the event for many years.
“The literary fest is the most awaited event of the year where noted litterateurs from various languages participate,” said D’Souza, who also heads Dnyanvardhini, an NGO engaged in imparting free special classes to SSC students in entire Belagavi district.
A villager, Pandurang Patil, said Christians take part in their celebrations too. “We live harmoniously, a trend that was set by our ancestors” said Patil.
What is also interesting is that Catholics of Goan origin living here have preserved their Konkani language and culture despite all odds for three centuries. The prayers and Masses, including the Feast Mass, are celebrated in Konkani.
Fr Nelson Pinto was the main celebrant of the Feast Mass, while the other concelebrants were Parish Priest Fr Shantappa Borker, Fr Joseph Parrekar, Fr Eusebio Fernandes, Fr Simon Fernandes and other priests.
