‘Rename Mangaluru Jn Railway Station after late Minister George Fernandes’

Team Udayavani, Jan 28, 2021, 11:50 AM IST

Mangaluru: Parishioners of the St Francis Xavier Church in Bejai have put forth an appeal seeking to rename Mangaluru Junction Railway Station and the stretch of road between Mangaluru City Corporation and Bejai Church Circle after late Union Minister George Fernandes.

Fernandes, who was born in Bejai in 1930, had an eventful career in national politics spanning decades. He passed away on January 29, 2019.

The parishioners urged the Centre to rename Mangaluru Junction Railway Station after the former Railway minister in recognition of his contributions to the development of the Konkan Railway.

Speaking to reporters, Parish Priest Dr J B Saldanha said that Prayers will be offered at Bejai church at 5 pm to commemorate the second death anniversary of Fernandes on January 29. “A meeting will be held near his grave at 5.45 pm. Later a condolence meeting will be held at Church hall in Bejai from 6-7 pm,” he informed.

Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Mangalore Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Fernandes’s brother Michael Fernandes, Mayor Diwakar, and others will take part in the event.