April 19, 2009 : St. Christopher Association, Paladka conducted a Seminar on Traffic Signals/Rules for the benefit of drivers/owners and vehicle users on Sunday, the 19th April, 2009 at the Church Hall of St. Ignatius Loyola-Paladka soon after the morning mass.

The programme commenced with a prayer song rendered by Kum. Prafulla Sequeira and Kum. Savitha Sequeira.

The programme was presided over by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Stany Rodrigues and Sri Vincent Sequeira- Parish Parisahd Upadhyaksh, Sri Denis D’Mello- Secretary shared the dias. Resource Person Sri Dinesh Shenoy of Ganesh Driving School, Moodbidri explained in detail and in depth the various signals and traffic rules to be followed by the road users. He informed that less than a decade ago the number of vehicles were in thousands but their numbers have risen in leaps and bounds and have crossed over two lacs in Mangalore District alone, whereas the condition of roads have not improved to the desired level. He distributed the leaflets containing the signals and the rules to be followed by the road users. He also stated that most of the accidents occur due to the negligence of the drivers and their eagerness to reach the destinations in time.

Sri Andrew D’Souza who compered the entire programme in his comments explained the reasons why this kind of programme is being conducted by the Association and stated that the present generation of drivers feel that they have mastered the traffic rules/signals but in reality it is not true.

The President of the Association Sri Salvadore Rodrigues welcomed the dignitories to the dias and explained as to why the Association has taken up this sort of programme and requested the concerned to know more about traffic signalss/rules so as to avoid the precious lives of the road users.

Fr. Stany Rodrigues in his address said that he always wanted to have a programme to be conduted by the Association for the benefit of the people and appreciated the efforts put forth by the Association in this direction. He agreed that he himself stood benefited after attending this programme.

Sri Hilary D’Souza, Secretary of the Association extended vote of thanks.

Light refreshments were served to the participants who were about 50 in numbers.

Report by: Hilary D’Souza and Pictures by Alan D’Souza, Paladka