Media Release

Mangaluru, Jul 6: This year is the glorious year of the centenary of Agnesian Alumnae Kuwait (AAK), an all-women association consisting of former students of the St Agnes Institution, here. 'God is our strength, let us commit our lives into His hands, this day' were the lines from the college anthem ringing so true during these trying times.

The ongoing pandemic has not dampened anyone's spirits and the grid made it easy for them to connect from the comforts of their home making virtual reality so real. On the hot summer's evening of Friday July 2, when the members of the Agnesian Alumnae Kuwait elected the executive and the management committee for 2021–2023, during its annual general body meeting, through a Zoom session.

Former Agnesians clad in their traditional best, gathered in the virtual room, eager to connect and exchange pleasantries, each one filled with the zeal to keep the Agnesian banner flying high.

The AGM began with a warm welcome by Maria Coelho, the vivacious outgoing president, followed by a prayer led by Tressy Coutinho, the outgoing vice-president who did a splendid job of weaving the entire programme together. Annet Castelino, the general secretary, presented the annual report for the two eventful years that had gone by in spite of all the hurdles encountered.

Year after year, outdoor fun activities and get-togethers, seminars and talks, and carol singing during the festive times keep all the members and their families involved. And it is only apt that the outgoing team deserves a round of applause for a job done well.

Kavita D’Souza, the treasurer, who meticulously maintains the financial records read out the statement of accounts and took pride in making a special mention of the AAK Covid-19 project through which the association reaches out to people in need, in addition to the contribution made towards the new block of the centenary building back home.

Maria Coelho in her speech, was generous with her sentiments of gratitude firstly to God above, to each of her team members, their families and all the members of AAK, for all the cooperation, support, timely suggestions and the periodic applause while she held the folio with great pride for the past two years.

Reema Lasrado was only too happy to take on the sublime responsibility of introducing the new core committee, executive committee and advisory committee for the term 2021-2023. Keeping with the values instilled in them by the Carmelite nuns. Reema then requested all in attendance to pause and pray in silence for the new team. It was time for Maria Coelho to symbolically pass the baton of legacy to the new president-elect, Annet Castelino. Celine Mendonca was elected as vice president. The president-elect then delivered her beautifully articulated inaugural address quoting Mother Teresa and Henry Ford. In the words of Mother Theresa, ' I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot together we can do great things'. She further added that they are all proud AAKites indeed, their overwhelming emotion is humility/gratitude towards God, and the Carmelite sisters who shaped them into the women they are today. She encouraged her team to embark on this journey with her towards bringing AAKites together and fulfilling their purpose.

Core committee members:
Annet Castelino – president
Celine Mendonca – vice-president
Marita D'Mello – general secretary
Kavita D’Souza – treasurer
Lydia Pinto – cultural secretary
Crystal D'Silva - liturgical coordinator
Avlyn Martis– PRO

Executive committee members:
Anita Lewis
Anita Fernandes
Leena Fernandes
Tressy Coutinho
Mala Menezes

Advisory committee:
Diany Coutinho
Reema D'Souza

Annet Castelino was only too happy to conduct a fast-paced game of Kahoot which was absolute fun! Lydia was too quick for the rest of the players and was the clear winner, followed by Reema and Felcita. This was followed by a few moments of friendly conversation and laughter.
And as the summer sun went down, all the alumni joined in the chorus to sing the college anthem,' God is our Strength', while proudly echoing the true spirit of being an Agnesian at heart, no matter where they go.