Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (KR/SP)

Udupi, Dec 1: Silver jubilee celebrations of Nirmala English Medium school were held here on a grand scale on Friday November 30.

Bishop of Udupi diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, who happens to be the president of Catholic Education Society of Udupi, presided over the programme held at the culmination of the silver jubilee celebrations,  while Kota Srinivas Poojary,  leader of the opposition in Karnataka state legislative council, former minister, K Jayaprakash Hedge, Pauline Gabriel Fernandes, Sr Dorthi Sadhana, Theresa Fernandes, former headmistress, Fr Peter Cyprian  D’Silva, provincial superior, Athma Jyothi Ashram, Fr Roshan Dsouza, assistant parish priest, Holy Family Church, Fr Charles, Ravi Prakash Gonsalves, Saraswathi, president, Chanthar gram panchayat, Dr Chennakeshva Thunga, alumni, members of Bhandhavya  Society, Chithruru Prabhakar Achraya, editor, Udupi Mithra, and president of parents association, Philomena D’Silva, vice president PTA, Azmal, Ex PTA president, Suchitha, former teacher, Fr Josile D’Silva, headmaster  of Nirmala English Medium School and Fr Victor Fernandes, correspondent, were present on the occasion.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo inaugurated the function by lighting the lamp

Kota Srinivas Poojary, in his message, said that this is significantly a more meaningful ceremony on the occasion of silver jubilee. Every day in the state from first standard to PU, nearly one crore students are getting education. At the same time,  nearly 80 % students get lunch under the daily meal scheme of the  government. In the entire state 50,00 educational institutions are functioning.  Totally 17 % of the state budget has been allocated for education. Till now the government has not been able to  build even 25 schools like that of Nirmala. With Nirmala, soul, unity, presentation and explanation are more meaningful. We discuss in the parliament how to improve the quality of education which builds the students into future citizens. This school definitely is one the best educational centres, and I can proudly say this on this occasion. In the coming years, this school will scale even further heights. The twin districts, with the vision of the Catholics educational institutions and other achievers from here, have carved out a niche for themselves, he said.

K. Jayaprakash Hedge, in his address, said that he has been closely associated with all the activities of this institution since it was set up. On the occasion of the inauguration of this school, I was invited and today during this mile stone too, the management has invited me. As a responsible elected representative, I have to do my duty. I have not done any service in this regard. What development this school has achieved in the  last 25 years is the benchmark. After Manipal now Brahmavar will be the education hub. Today education does not mean earning from the books alone. But finding the special interests of the child and encouraging it to move on that path, is important. Personality development of the students has to be looked after by the institutions concerned, he felt.

“The best example is of Dr Chennakeshava Thunga, who got his education from here and today he has been highly successful in life. Today this institution has recognized him on his big occasion. This will be a proud moment in his life. Getting educated from this school and being the guest for the intuition's event is a  memorable feat. There cannot be a greater achievement than this, he stated and called upon all the students to follow in Thunga's footprints.

We have to put the thought in the students that time never stops. Our life span is very short. But how we live happily in those days and how we have put our efforts to raise and to be happy is more important. Education is for making a living and making them good citizens . Recollecting the moment of meeting Mother Theresa when she visited this region, he said that by welcoming her on behalf of the entire state government, he felt more blessed and honoured.

Dr Chennakeshava Thunga, speaking on the occasion, remembered his golden days at this institution and said this school had put all  out efforts because of which he has reached this stage. First batch had the special touch with all the teachers. The first batch knows the efforts of the management during the early days to bring this intuition up. Along with the education this school provides value added education which is important for living in the society, he remarked.

In his presidential address, Dr Gerald Lobo, conveyed silver jubilee wishes to the management, teachers, students, and parents. First of all education does not just mean learning, writing, or collecting the knowledge. But as per Swami Vivekananda  it is achieving development of the student from all the angles, he stated.

To bring out the real talent of student is the real meaning of education. Just like the potter who makes different items of multiple shapes and sizes out of mud, teachers mould a student's character. Based on sizes and shapes of items they can reach kitchens, temples, etc. Teachers are like potters, who shape the future of children, he said.

“The seed which was planted 25 years back  has now grown like a huge tree because of students, staff, parents and others  who have supported, sacrificed, and served this school to help it reach this level. May this school reach even further heights’ in the days to come,” he wished.

During the occasion guests on the dais honoured Bhandhavya trust members, former correspondent, former head master, head mistress, and award winning teachers. Ex-students who served highest marks from the school of 15 batches, current academic year distinction holders, 2017 – 18, Karate winners from national level, first batch of the school, donors of school, sports achievers, former teachers, extracurricular teachers, teachers of the institutions, PTA committee members were also honoured.

To mark the jubilee celebrations, a souvenir was released.

Assistant head mistress Irene Pereira, welcomed the gathering, Fr Victor Fernandes proposed vote of thanks. Laveena Rodrigues compered the programme, Fr Josile D’Silva presented the brief history of the institution during the last 25 years.

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