Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 15: Carmel English Medium Higher Primary School, CBSE, Kotekar celebrated the 78th Independence Day with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour on August 15, at 9:15 am. The event commenced with a warm welcome to the esteemed guests, accompanied by the rhythm of the school band.

The chief guest for the occasion was Sudhakar Kumpala, an ex-serviceman from the Indian Army, who was joined by Sr Juliana Mary AC, the president and joint secretary, Sr Pramila AC. the principal, Sr Anitha AC, the vice-principal, Sr Sheetal AC, the principal of Stella Maris Kannada Higher Primary School, Geetha Hegde, the PTA vice-president, Sr Fidele AC, the KG coordinator, Sr. Ashwina AC, and Roopa D’Souza, the coordinators.

The celebration began with the hoisting of the national flag by the chief guest, followed by a march past by six squads, each representing the names of flowers. A prayer song set the tone for the occasion, followed by a welcome speech by Sr Pramila AC, the principal of the school.

Risharya then highlighted the significance of the day, which was followed by a patriotic song. The chief guest delivered an inspiring talk on the hardships freedom fighters have gone through to gain freedom for the nation. He also induced students to come forward to serve the nation joining the Indian Army.

In his address, the chief guest emphasised the crucial role of students of the present generation in protecting the hard-earned freedom of the country. He urged the students to recognise their capacity for national service, encouraging them to consider careers in the Indian Army and other fields of national importance. His speech served as a powerful reminder that freedom comes with the responsibility to contribute to the nation’s future.

The formal programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Nithika, and the event was efficiently anchored by Ashlyn and Nirali.

Following the formal programme, a cultural event was held at the Stella Maris Kannada Higher Primary School hall, showcasing the talents of the Class 7 students. The cultural programme was graced by Sr.Juliana Mary AC as the president and Nagaraj R Gatty, ex-sub/major of the Indian Army, as the chief guest.

The cultural segment began with a prayer song, followed by a vibrant welcome dance. Hansika delivered the welcome speech.

Students performed a series of patriotic dances adhering to the theme. Sanvi, Manaswi, and Vamshika presented the significance of Independence Day, and the audience was moved by a mime act related to the Indian Army. The girls performed a graceful dance and the boys paid tribute to the Kargil heroes with a powerful dance performance as this year being the Silver Jubilee year of Kargil Vijay.

The special feature of the programme was the felicitation ceremony of ex-Army members - Nagaraj Gatty, Sub Krishna Bolar, Suhas Indraje, Sadashiva Shetty Madur, Krishna B M, Cap.G S Prasad as a mark of respect and gratitude for their service. They were recognized for their dedicated service in the Indian Army for many years and were felicitated by the management.

The chief guest, Nagaraj R Gatty, delivered an inspiring speech, honouring the brave warriors who fought for the country's freedom. He encouraged the students to contribute to the nation’s progress in various capacities.

He said, “Our progress is evident in our achievements, from technological advancements to space exploration. However, true freedom also lies in how we contribute to our nation's future. While many of you may choose careers like in engineering or medicine, remember that serving the nation in any capacity, including joining the armed forces, is a noble path”

He encouraged the students to continue to cherish and protect the freedom our forefathers fought for, ensuring that our nation's progress remains strong for generations to come.

The cultural programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Sinchana, and the event was compered by Harshika and Hansika. Sr Pramila AC the principal and Sr Anita AC the vice-principal were present for the programme.

It was a memorable event, filled with patriotic fervour and a renewed commitment to the ideals of freedom and service to the nation.