Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 5: Class of 1974, St Aloysius High School, here, held a reunion after 45 years from December 28 to 31, 2019.
At the pre-reunion 'Meet n’ Greet' event on December 28, the headmaster Fr Gerald Furtado and rector Fr Dionysius Vaz informed the class about St Aloysius High School’s commitment to be environmentally friendly through initiatives such as the use of renewable energy, etc. In response, the class of 1974 made a commitment to have a 30 kWh solar installation installed at an estimated cost of Rs30 lac, which would be their ‘Give Back' to their alma mater. This would help the school in substantially reducing electricity charges and its carbon footprint, and would be a lasting asset gifted by the class of 1974.
The methodology adopted was that for transparency, contributions towards the ‘Solar Project’ would be made by classmates directly to the Jesuit Society. With the expertise of one of the classmates in solar installations, a vendor NLite Energy Solutions LLP, Mangaluru was identified by the class, and after due diligence and negotiation was approved for a total cost of Rs 13.50 lac. NLite Energy Solutions LLP was issued the work order by the school on a total turnkey basis that included all necessary permissions from MESCOM and the Electrical Inspectorate, procurement and installation of the solar panels on the roof (of the auditorium), installation of the panel board, inverter, bi-directional meter and cabling.
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the project got delayed by three months. However, it was commissioned on September 16.
The excess of donations received is planned to be utilised towards an ongoing scholarship for needy meritorious students, the details of which are being worked out.
Message of appreciation from the headmaster Fr Gerald Furtado
“It all started for the 1974 batch of D&E sections in December with a wonderful get-together under the able leadership of Clarence Pereira. A good number attended the reunion in their own school.
The sharing of nostalgic memories of their alma mater had a specific purpose. They wanted to give back something to the school and that is where the idea of ‘Project Solar’ emerged. From then on, there was no looking back. The amount required for the 30kWh solar project started pouring in from the alumni of the 1974 batch to go ahead with the task.
The dream of this project has become a reality today. I am grateful to the alumni for the generosity shown towards St Aloysius High School which is worth emulating. May God bless the batch of 1974.”