Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 15: The 77th Independence Day celebrations at Lourdes Central School (LCS) was celebrated with great pomp. All students, teachers and non- teaching staff assembled in the School grounds. The school was decorated with a festive look, reminding us of the history of India’s freedom struggle and the sacrifices of the great freedom fighters for the Nation.
The school band ceremoniously welcomed the dignitaries - Commander Claud Lobo of the Indian Navy - the chief guest; Dr John Baptist Saldanha - president of the programme; Fr Robert D’Souza - principal, LCS; Belita Mascarenhas and Anitha Thomas - vice principals; Dr Amir Ali, Preethi Kotian and Jackery Furtado, PTEC representatives; Ashok Pinto - vice president; Avita Cynthia Pinto - secretary, Bejai Parish Pastoral Parishad; and members of the management committee, escorted by the head girl Prajna K P; the head boy Arjun Kumar; Sujeeth Bengani - speaker and Vraddhi Jain - secretary, school cabinet to the dais. The school’s scouts, guides, cubs and bulbuls presented the guard of Honour to the dignitaries.
On this national festival, the programme commenced with a prayer song by the students of the school choir. Nived of class VII welcomed the gathering.
The head boy Arjun Kumar invited the Chief guest to hoist the national flag and the chief guest Commander Claud Lobo hoisted the national tri-colour escorted proudly by all the dignitaries. The national anthem was sung paying tribute with utmost patriotism.
Shreya Hegde of class IX introduced the chief guest to the gathering as the dignitaries felicitated Commander Claud Lobo.
In his address to the gathering, Commander Claud Lobo appreciated the students for their wonderful presentation and reminded us of the courage, bravery and the enormous sacrifices made by all leaders in setting India free from colonial rule and urged everyone to stay strong and united for the good of the country.
Significance of the day in English was given by Smrithi Bhat of class 12 and in Hindi was given by Praneeth Pinto of class X.
This was followed by a musical rendition by the school choir which sang patriotic songs that awakened the hearts of all towards the motherland.
In his presidential address, Dr John Baptist Saldanha extended his warm greetings on the occasion of 77th Independence Day and urged the teachers to educate students against gender bias. He gave a call to all parents to reflect on guiding their children towards truth to free India from the evils of mob lynching and gang rape haunting all today.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Jacob Sequeira of class 6. Sweets were distributed to the entire gathering.