Francis Rodrigues

Puttur, Aug 17: St Philomena College embarked upon new post graduate departments in Computer Science and Economics and organized a grand felicitation function for the alumnus D V Sadananda Gowda, central minister for railways on Saturday August 16 at SilverJubilee Memorial Hall here.

Perceiving the necessity and to stress the importance of PG Courses for the students hailing from rural area, the college has already started PG courses in Social Work, Commerce, Physics and Mathematics. Now with the grace of the well-wishing public of Puttur and around, the college extended the arena of education with two more new courses in Economics and Computer Science.

The inaugural function was presided over by the Bishop of Mangalore diocese and president of Catholic Board of Education, Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza.

In his presidential speech Bishop said, “Catholic Board of Education has given greater importance to education. The college has nurtured a great number of leaders and the students who studied here have positioned themselves across the world in different capacities, thus making the college stand tall among the educational institutions."

He proudly said that the college, while imparting education with character building efforts, had produced several luminaries like minister for urban development Vinaya Kumar Sorake, MLA J R Lobo and minister Shobha Karandlaje, who were all the alumni of St Philomena College.

After felicitating D V Sadananda Gowda, he said, “By decorating the highest position in central cabinet, he has brought unlimited laurels to our college.”

He wished and blessed the minister to perform to the best of his ability in serving the country. He also blessed his family and congratulated him.

The Bishop appreciated the efforts put forth by the management and the staff of the college in maintaining the dignity of the college while accepting the challenges.

D V Sadananda Gowda after inaugurating the new PG courses and receiving the felicitations said, “St Philomena College is the ground which drilled me and strengthened me; the college has the share in the responsibility of shaping the students and making them strong to reach the level of excellence by facing the challenges which they confront.”

He mentioned the four important components which make education effective, those being ‘learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be honest’.

He stressed upon the need of sincerity and honesty in a person to become successful in his life. He remembered with gratitude, the then principal of the college Fr Henry Castelino.

Secretary of Catholic Board of Education Fr Gerald Dsouza was present in the function.

Sripathi Kalluraya, chairperson, department of Economics, Mangalore University said, “Computer Science is the need of the hour for the younger generation and Economics is forever.”

He congratulated the management for taking the initiative of starting these courses.

He said, “According to the development theory the availability of resources and utilizing the available resources is important for the development.”

He advised the students that based on the lessons they learn, they have to form new ideas and look out for a new type of development.

Dr Antony Prakash Monteiro, campus director and chairman for PG Studies, while addressing the gathering said, “Dedication and fruitful results from the earlier courses inspired to begin new courses."

He further stressed, “The important task of an educational institution to powerfully form and influence the students. To witness this we have a number of students who have passed out and are doing great in their respective fields, one among them is D V Sadananda Gowda."

Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP for Mangalore constituency, was present on the dais. Nagaraja Shetty, eX-minister for fisheries, Ashok Rai, business man, Rai Estate and other political leaders were present in the function.

‘Philoprabha’, college souvenir was released by D V Sadananda Gowda. Dr A P Radha Krishna, editor of the souvenir monitored the same.

The correspondent of the college Fr Alfred J Pinto welcomed the gathering. He took this opportunity to congratulate the minister. Fr Vijay Lobo, principal of St Philomena PU College was graciously present on the dais.

The dignitaries were received with grand welcome by the band troop of the college UG Students and ceremonious guard of honor by the NCC cadets of St Philomena College. Dignitaries were escorted to the hall with a gracious procession with class representatives from PUC and UG students.

The entire college rejoiced at this happy event held in the campus along with the local political leaders who accompanied the minister.

Alumni association and PTA of the college took this opportunity to honor D V Sadananda Gowda. Both the alumni, PTA presidents and members, members of the Management Committee, Heads of Men’s and Girls' hostels and retired professors of the college were graciously present in the function.

The principal of the college professor Leo Norohna proposed the vote of thanks.

Prasanna Kumar, coordinator of MSW performed the felicitation speech for DV Sadananda Gowda.

Varsha Moleyar and team rendered the prayer.

Anila Kumari B, department of MSW, compered the programme.

Programme came to formal end with the national anthem.