News & pics: Richard D'Souza Kemmannu
Udupi, Dec 24: The much-awaited Milagres Premier League (MPL) Volleyball Tournament was inaugurated at Milagres College grounds here on December 21, which was sponsored by Nigel Fernandes and family Kallianpur. Milagres College Alumni Association Kallianpur, also organized the felicitation ceremony for Augustine Dias, retired physical director, at college quadrangle.
Fr Dr Lawrence C D’Souza, correspondent of Milagres Educational Institutions, Jayaprakash Shetty president of Milagres College Students Welfare Council (1982-83), and chairman and MD, Shambaji Group Mumbai, Sathischandra Shetty, Ronald Rajesh Lewis, former Mr Mangalore University, Bhaskar Naik, Sathyajith Shetty, former University Volleyball team captain, Clement D’Souza, former PD and lecturer, Vinitha S Palan, Salvadore Noronha, president Alumni Association and others were present during the volleyball tournament inaugural.
The inaugural programme began with a beautiful invocation by the students. The six teams which clashed for the title are Kemmannites owned by Thomas D’Souza, Kemmannu (1978-79), Firefox owned by Allen Lewis, Mil’Lagre Strikers owned by Wilson D’Sa, MCK-93 Charmers owned by 1993 B.Sc. friends, Milagres Spikers owned by Sathyajith Shetty and Dais Panthers owned by Augustine Dais.
The guests of honour Prof Clement D’Souza spoke during the occasion.
The volleyball tournament play was inaugurated by Jayaprakash Shetty at the volleyball court. The first matches were tossed by the Ronald Rajesh Lewis and others.
Dr Vincent Alva, principal, welcomed the gathering.
Miss Cardoza, lecturer was compered the programme.
Later, Fr Dr Lawrence C D’Souza, correspondent of Milagres Educational Institutions, presided over the felicitation ceremony of Augustine Dias.
The programme started with invocation. Salvadore Noronha, president of Milagres College Alumni Association, welcomed the gathering. Jayaprakash Shetty, chairman and MD Shambuji Group, Mumbai, was the chief guest. Ravindra Rai, regional general manager of Bank of Baroda, was the guest of honour.
Dr Vincent Alva, principal of Milagres College, spoke his keynote address. He said that alumni are the ambassadors of the college and they are indeed backbone of any institutions. “Under the stewardship of Milagres College Alumni Association, we started to distribute scholarships for the students. It was possible to give scholarships of several lacs of amount to the needy and other students,” he said.
Augustine Dias was felicitated by Fr Dr Lawrence C D’Souza and other guests on the dais. After felicitation, Augustine Dias gave gratitude to all concerned and said that it was possible to shine our students not only in university level but also in national level also. He remembered some of the sportsmen who gave their contribution to college name and fame. He gave gratitude to some of the old students and also gave gratitude to all concerned for the felicitation programme.
In his chief guest address, Jayaprakash Shetty, said, "This is one of the historical events of the alumni of the college. We need to get-together and unite to help our alma mater. We are the product of the college. We have a role to play in its growth. Whatever we have today, that is because of this prestigious college.”
One of the alumni of the college, Bhaskar Nayak handed over Rs 5 lac cheque to the department of Chemistry Laboratory for the uplift of the laboratory to head of Chemistry department Prof Joseph Fernandes and Fr Dr Anil Prakash Castelino.
Alumni Nagaraj and guest of honour Ravindra Rai spoke during the occasion and appreciated the college for its performance.
Fr Dr Lawrence C D’Souza gave his presidential address and gratitude to all concerned for the successful event which was organized by the alumni of the college.
Joyce Lewis, joint secretary of Milagres College Alumni Association, rendered the vote of thanks. Sandeep Shetty compered the programme. Shekar Gujjarbettu, vice president of Alumni Association, entertained the gathering with melodious songs. Jovita Fernandes, another alumnus, also sang songs. Fellowship meal was served to all the participants. A large number of alumni participated in the event.
Kemmannites won the volleyball championship.
Earlier, prize distribution ceremony was held at the college ground for the winners of the Milagres Premier League Volley Ball Tournament.