Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, May 13: “College Day is a day to celebrate. Students should not just leave with degrees and prizes, but should try to inculcate great values in their life,” said P L Dharma, registrar-Evaluation of Mangalore University.
He was speaking as chief guest on the 142nd annual day of St Aloysius College which was celebrated here at Loyola Hall on Friday May 13.
Lauding the students unique dance performances on different social issues, Dharma said, "The dance performance by the students was really heart touching. Students who have shown the courage of addressing all kinds of social issues at this young age are also capable of facing challenges in society.”
Speaking on the theme 'caring the uncared', Dharma said, "College Day is a day where you are trying to reflect on what you have done for the past year. To care and particularly to take care of those who have not been cared for. College Day is one such event where you have a retrospective view of your journey in the college for three years. During your college days, you met wonderful teachers, rectors and different kinds of students for three years. Wait for the days when you will care for a larger number of people who have not been cared.
"You are blessed to be in Mangaluru. At least for me, Mangaluru is a laboratory. It tries to teach you every day. When you meet each person in a day, you learn the art of life. Not only reading books or going to the library, but here, you get to learn many things. Mangaluru tries to teach many things which are unique. Our country is the finest country in the world. Students, you have the responsibility to make it more and more beautiful and to see that every one of us lives happily,” he said.
Speaking on the legacy of the Aloysius Institution, he said, "Aloysians are the best example in Dakshina Kannada for values. Students, you are in one of the finest colleges in Mangaluru. When I came to Mangaluru to pursue my education, we were scared of students of St Aloysius. Because the students in this college spoke a beautiful language. Moreover, when we go to any competitions, we always used to hear the names of Aloysians winning different competitions. And during our education, we were desperately waiting to hear the wonderful lectures from this college."
Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto SJ in his presidential address said, "We have finished a couple of years of fear. But, now we are seeing some sought of relief. It was not just disease but it was also despairing and distress. Basically, it was everything negative. There was depression and disinterest. Especially, teachers had a fear that if students return back to college and if they have a mood for studies.
“Tremendous that all students returned back to the college and brought life to the campus. Quality of life returned from stress. During the pandemic, we had contact with friends over social media but we had no chance of meeting personally with friendship and love. But, now everything has returned to normalcy,” he said.
He also said, “Let us learn from each other to make life meaningful. Education means passing on information. Through that information, you should make a formation in life. Formation means to become a great individual. From formation, you should make transformation in the society.”
Principal Dr Praveen Martis SJ, finance officer Vincent Pinto, controller of examinations Dr Alwyn V D’Sa, convener Dr John ED Silva, co-convener Prof Lawrence and others were present.