MUSCAT: HH Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, presented the second Thanal Charity Award 2015-2016 instituted in the name of LL His Grace Dr Stephanos Mar Theodosius to Dr V P Gangadharan, former head of the department, Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum.
Delivering the inaugural address, HH Catholicos likened Jesus Christ’s healing ministry to the tireless work done by Dr Gangadharan whose words of advice had helped serve to heal many of his countless cancer patients. The Catholicos noted that though the role of Kerala state government was limited in controlling cancer, the Prelate said charity projects like ‘Thanal’ will go a long way in extending support and lauded the efforts of the Maha Edavaka in this regard. His Holiness presented the award which includes a cash prize of Rs 50,000, a memento, citation and a shawl to the renowned oncologist.
Ahmedabad Diocese Metropolitan HG Pullikkottil Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios in his presidential address called for persistent prayers of the faithful towards the completion of the International Cancer Care Centre which will be formally thrown open to public on November 1, 2017, Kerala Piravi.
Replying to felicitations, Dr V P Gangadharan, in his reciprocal address, admitted that cancer of the mind was much worse and hard to cure than cancer of the body. The noted oncologist pointed that cancer has a lot of misconception and is not that fearful and urged Malayalees to change their lifestyles to remain healthy in a fast changing pace of life.
John P Luke, Secretary, who presented the Thanal Report 2015, said that the sub-committee received a total of 75 applications of which 60 were listed as beneficiaries of the project. Upon Dr V P Gangadharan’s recommendation, a cheque of Rs 75 lakh was submitted to him on behalf of Mrs Jaya Namboodiri, a poor cancer patient from Kottayam.
Among those who spoke on the occasion include Punit Sharma, First Secretary, Counsellor Passport Section, Indian Embassy in Muscat, P K Koshy, Sabha Secretary, Mammen Mathew, Diocesan Council member. Faiyaz al Shanfari, representative from the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs Ministry, was also present. Associate Vicar Fr Kuriakose Varghese, Varghese David, Co-Trustee, also attended.
Very Rev Joseph Samuel Karukayil, Cor Episcopa, delivered the St Vattasseril Dionysius commemoration speech and a documentary screened on the ‘Malankara Sabha Bhasuran’. John P Luke, Secretary, compered and John Thomas, Trustee, proposed a vote of thanks.
The Thanal charity project committee included John Thomas Vadakedom, Convenor, and Biju John Konnappara, Publicity Convenor.
