Yashodhara Bangera
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 15: It was a visual treat as thousands of students of Alva's institutions in Moodbidri near here converged at Puttige Padavu to celebrate India's 71st Independence Day on August 15. Patriotic fervour pervaded the atmosphere as students, decked in colours of the National Flag, lined up at the venue with miniature flags in hand.
Among the guests were UAE-based entrepreneur and business tycoon Dr B R Shetty, Nitte Education Trust chairman Vinay Hegde, chairman of Alva's Education Foundation Dr Mohan Alva, Moodbidri MLA Abhaychandra Jain and others.
Addressing the gathering, Vinay Hegde said, "Truth and honest will never lose their value. They are priceless. Truth always triumphs. If there is one value that students should inculcate and follow in their lives, it is truth. Our country is divine, equal to our mother. Every person in this country has equal rights. The contributions of the four pillars of democracy - legistature, executive, judiciary and the press - have had an important role to play in the development of the nation.
"Students, once they settle in life, should give back to the society and to the country in equal measure. Education is a goal that one achieves in life through persistent hardwork. Society can develop only when the education imparted is good. Students should imbibe good thoughts. The ideals that won us freedom from the British should be followed and the spirit of patriotism should be passed on to the future generations," he added.
Nandini K R, a former student of the institution who secured the first rank in UPSC exams was felicitated on the occasion.
In her address, Nandini said, "We are able to celebrate Independence Day with such grandeur because of the long and hard struggle of our freedom fighters. No matter what we achieve in life, we have a duty to pay back to society. Students should grow into become invaluable assets of the society. I have been feliciated in several place but to be honoured by the institution I studied in is indeed very special to me." She also read a poem by Rabindranath Tagore.
Former MLA Amarnath Shetty, head of Alva's Engineering College Vivek Alva were also present as chief guests.
PUC science topper V Spandana and CA-CPT top rank holder Tavishi Deshamma were felicitated along with Nandini.
Around 30,000 people including around 25,000 students of Alva's instiutions took part in the celebrations.
A stunning display of gymnastics skills enthralled the gathering.