Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)
Udupi, Nov 9: “‘Deepavali’, the festival of lights, conveys the universal message of all religions of the world, that of leading life onto light,” said Ambatanaya Mudrady, veteran Kannada litterateur and district president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.
He was delivering the keynote address during the ‘Deepavali Sambram’, held at St Joseph’s Aided Higher Primary School, Belman, near here, on Monday November 8.
Mudrady urged the students to be torch-bearers and not to become trouble-makers in the society. He explained the backdrop of Deepavali celebrations through a tale to make it appealing to the students.
Fr Lawrence B D’Souza, correspondent, St Joseph’s Education Institutions, in his presidential address, said that all students enjoy an equal status in the school and hence all feasts are equally celebrated among the students of diverse cultures and religions. Every festival conveys the human virtues that are significant for growth of moral values”, he said.
Veteran Sandalwood actor Jagdish Shivapura, delivered the Deepavali message in the form of Kannada poetry on the occasion. The school Alumni Association president Xavier D’Mello, honorary president Gregory Menezes, local convent superior Sr Gracy, Udupi district primary school teachers’ association president V K Rao Nandalike, Belman parish council vice-president Sylvester D’Mello, veteran village elder Urban D’Souza, and Br Steven were present on the dais.
Teacher Vincent Pinto welcomed the gathering. School head teacher Sr Monisha proposed the vote of thanks while B Pundalik Marate compered the programme. The programme began with lighting of the ‘diyas’ by the students and guests. The students staged special dances and the students enjoyed
the display of fireworks. The specialty of the programme was sharing of food and snacks.