Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 16: A long-awaited decennial celebration of St Dominic's came to its culmination on January 11. The programme which was organized on St Dominic’s School ground Badakabail began at 5.00 pm. The chief guest Swami Vivekachaithanyananda Ramakrishna along with the dignitaries were escorted to their seats by the school band and students dressed in traditional outfit with ‘Kalasa’ in hand.
The programme commenced by invoking God's blessings and a classical welcome dance. Traditionally a lamp is lit when a function is inaugurated, but this year it was done differently by unveiling a coconut flower by the chief guest and the dignitaries.
The correspondent of the school, Fr Biju Sebastian welcomed the gathering followed by Jessie Noronha who accorded a formal welcome to the chief guest, Swami Vivekachaithanyananada, president of Ramakrishna Mission Tapovana Polali, Fr Valerian D'Souza dean of Bantwal deanery, B Ramanath Rai, former minister for Ecology & Environoment, Sr Anna Crasta, representative of the 1st principal, Sr Celestine D'Souza, Prasannsa sub-inspector and others who were welcomed with potted flowers.
The principal, Fr Francis Arun D'Souza presented glimpses of the ongoings at St Dominic’s School since its inception through a PPT, which was followed by singing of the decennial anniversary song. The symbolic lighting of ten lamps in gratitude for the fruitful ten years was done by the students of the school.
The chief guest and the dignitaries were felicitated with a shawl and a memento. It was a great honour to felicitate the school's first teacher, Diana D'Souza and the first support staff, Felix Fernandes who rendered their dedicated service in the ten years to the school.
In memory of the ten years, the chief guest released a souvenir. Excellent attendance and punctuality being the key for the students' success, the children from class 1 to 10 were honoured by the chief guest.
The chief guest then addressed the august gathering by his inspiring words and urged the parents to take their children into confidence and to encourage them to be good students and citizens of the country. This was followed by a speech by the correspondent and a few dignitaries.
The formal programme then came to a close with the vote of thanks proposed by Pramila Sunitha D'Souza.
Thereafter, multiple themes like gratitude, educating every single child, life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhiji, visionary women and the true spirit of Christmas were showcased through various dances, skits and an orchestra.
In the middle of the programme, the past and the present pupil leaders Nirupama, Vaishak and Ashta were asked to share their experiences. The financial administrator Fr Sunil Christopher D’Souza acknowledged and thanked all the donors, well-wishers and benefactors.
The programme came to an end with the shining stars of St Dominic dressed in white and enthralling the crowd by singing the school anthem.
The management, principal, teaching, non-teaching staff and students were acknowledged and thanked for putting in their best efforts to make the occasion a reality.