Inception of the Periodical:
“All things are possible with those who give us strength“– putting his trust in these words, Rev. Fr. Andrew Dsouza, took a bold step in the year 2005. Though the step was difficult and challenging, God supported him. God’s word must take root in man’s heart, man’s life must be influenced by the word of God, Christian life must match the word of God, and living according to the word of God must be the formula for Christian living this is what prompted Fr. Andrew D’Souza to publish a magazine totally spiritual in nature.
Sorting out of the title:
On 1st February 2005, he approached the District Commissioner’s office and applied for the license to start and run the periodical. The names opted for the periodical being “Daivik Talo”, “Bhorvoshyachen Keern”, “Daivik Uzwad”, and “Daivik Amrith”, the RNI office in Delhi, on 6th February 2006, granted the license to publish the magazine under the title “Daivik Amrith”.
Inauguration of the office:
It is ideal that a magazine should have its own office. So we went around in Mangalore looking for office space, which we finally found in Kunil Complex at Bendoorwell in Kankanady. So, on Monday, 3 April, 2006 the office of our periodical was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. William Gonsalves at 504, 3rd Floor, Kunil Complex.
Releasing the First issue of the Magazine:
The work on the periodical got underway and on 6th April, 2006, the Bishop of Mangalore released the 32 page first issue of “Daivik Amruth” at the Rosario Auditorium, Mangalore.
Keeping in mind the financial situation, the front cover of the April 2006 issue was printed only in two colours. In order to improve the situation, the first anniversary, 100 pages, colourful issue was published in April 2007. The advertisements in the issues helped improve the financial situation of the paper to a certain extent.
Evolvement of the Magazine:
Daivik Amruth Monthly is spiritual in nature. We have maintained that nature till today. Even though initially we had decided to go ad free, later having realized that advertisements were the back bone of the paper, 2006 September onwards, we started to accept advertisements to improve our financial condition from April 2000 to September 2006, we mailed the issues with a four rupee stamp each to our subscribers. This cost us, but we had no other option. In September, 2006, the postal department issued us the license to post the magazine at concessional rates of postage. Even since we have been mailing the issues to the subscribers at the concessional postage of Rs. 0.50 each from the Kankanady post office.
Writer’s Contribution:
At the inception of the magazine we were afraid that we may not find enough writers to contribute on spiritual matters post as the months passed by, the number of such writers uncaused. With what their intellect produced, we were able to print good articles and columns, providing the readers with a spiritual banquet. And so, according to the expectations of the readers, we have tried to bring in novelty from time to time.
Colourful Presentation, Printing & Display:
These days we have been trying to bring out every issue more colourful than the previous, dealing with a variety of issues. More importance is given to clean printing and display. The front covers are artistically designed with colouful presentation. The inner pages are adorned with illustrations duly matching the contents of the articles. A large number of writers and contributors have enriched this paper in content. Every issue carries a prime article, other write-ups, various columns, catholic news, Questions and Answers, ‘Amrith’ for children, Bible Quiz, all of which are the back tone of the papers. We can proudly say that the labour being put in by all concerned in bringing out the paper has made this monthly achieve a high level position at home and abroad. Some years ago we also offered this magazine to the readers at www.mangaloremithr.com on the internet.
Daivik Amrith Editorial Board:
Rev. Fr Andrew D’souza Owner & Publisher
Rev. Fr Boniface Pinto Co-Publisher & Co-Convenor
Rev. Fr Vinod Lobo Hon. Editor & Financial Supervisor
Mr. Santhosh Lobo Editor & Manager
Mrs. Shanthi Lobo Information & Communication Secretary
Rev. Fr Ronald Serrao Member
Rev. Fr Amith Rodrigues Member
Rev. Fr Jason Monis Member
Rev. Fr Valerian D’silva Member
Mr. J.V. D’mello Member
Mr. Maxim Pinto Member
Mr. Richard Alvares Member
Mr. Stanely D’cunha Member
Mr. Alwyn D’souza Member
Mr. Noel D ’souza Member
Mr. Joel Pinto Member
Mr. Hembert Pinto Member
The editorial board convenes every third Monday of the month at 5.30 in the evening. The principal topic and other articles for the next issue are decided at these meetings. The financial condition of the paper and suggestions for improvements are discussed.
Circulation of the magazine:
For any paper to make an impression, a wide Circulation is necessary. In this connection there are a number of representatives working at making the paper reach every home. Stalls are organized to collect subscriptions at retreats, religious programmes and at festivals at Karkal, Bondel and Mudipu. Copies are being retailed and subscriptions collected at Jerosa Company, Milagres, Mangala jyothi stall and Bondel church stall, Mudipu Shrine and Cordel Church Stalls.
Anniversary special Issues:
An anniversary special issue is published in April. The first such issue, a 100 page colourful edition was brought out in the year 2007. The April 2008 special edition was sponsored by the mangaloreans in Israel. There was a special issue in September 2009 to commemorate the golden birth anniversary of Fr. Andrew Dsouza. The April 2010 anniversary issue again was sponsored by the Indian Israelite. The December issue, the same year, was sponsored by the Moodbidrikars and the Mumbaikars sponsored a special issue in December 2011. The Mangaloreans in Abu Dhabi sponsored the special issue of September 2012 and the October issue, same year, came out as Udupi Diocese special issue and the March, 2012 special issue was sponsored by the Mangaloreans in Dubai.
Daivik Amrith team meets the Bishop:
On 13 November 2012 at 4 pm in the evening the Daivik Amrith editorial board met with the Bishop of Mangalore at the Bishops house in Mangalore. Fr. Andrew Dsouza, Publisher of the paper, told the Bishop that during the past 6 years this magazine had been coming out only with spiritual write-ups and columns. It has maintained to principles and policies, from which it never strayed even under pressure for articles on social and other issues. The Bishop commended the editorial board for their work on the paper. The year being year of faith The Bishop was asked to support their work at attempting to revive and strengthen people’s faith with the special write-ups and columns in the paper. The Bishop promised to inform the people about it during his pastoral visits and wherever occasions permitted. The Publisher, Fr. Andrew Dsouza presented the Bishop with a copy each of the books published by Daivik Amrith Publication. At the end the Bishop blessed the members of the editorial board. Editor Santhu Omzoor, Fr. Clifford Pinto, Asst. Parish Priest of Urwa, Noel Dsouza, Joswin Omzoor, Jeevan Bondel, Shanthi Lobo Omzoor, Stanley Bantwal and Rajesh Mascarenhas accompanied Fr. Andrew Dsouza.
A visit to the Mother Theresa Nirmal Shishu Bhavan:
A visit to the mother Theresa nirmal shishu bhavan in the month of June 2010, some members of the Daivik Amrith team paid a visit to the Mother Theresa Nirmal Shishu Bhavan at Perumpadav kannur in kerala and gave them some needful things.
Daivik Amrith get-together:
Daivik Amrith about to successfully step in to the fifth year of its existence had a get-together on 6th June, 2010 at the St. Sebastian mini hall at Bendur. The proprietor and publisher, Fr. Andrew Dsouza, presiding over, welcomed all the patrons, benefactors and donors as well as the representatives of the paper. Santhu Omzoor, editor and Manager of Daivik Amrith explained how the paper had progressed since inception. Rev. Fr. Peter Noronha, Parish Priest, Bendur Church, as the chief guest, honoured the patrons, the benefactors, the donors and the representatives of Daivik Amrith. Eddie Netto, noted Konkani literature as the honoured guest, honoured the writers and the editorial board members. Fr. Vinod Lobo, editorial board member, conducted the discussion Shanthi Lobo delivered the vote of thanks, Richard Alvares editorial board member, compared the programme.
Something on the financial situation:
With the ever increasing cost of labour and print paper as it has become impossible to being art the paper by subscriptions and advertisements alone, Daivik Amrith has initiated a Daivik Amrith Family when people join as patrons, benefactors or donors by contributing a certain amount of money as fixed by the Daivik Amrith team for different categories.
