Media Release
Udupi, Aug 5: The Science Association of the Milagres College, Kallianpur along with IQAC celebrated Fr Gregory L DCruz Memorial Synantiemai, (Science Get Together), an annual event on Wednesday, August 3.
Ardent and passionate lovers of Science both from the college and nearby colleges enthusiastically attended the fest in large number. In a well organised inaugural programme, the correspondent of Milagrean Educational Institutions and rector of the Milagres Cathedral Fr Valerian Mendonca presided over it.
To begin the event Harshita sought Almighty Lord’s blessings on the event with her prayer hymn – ‘Ninagagi Kadirisu Prabhuve’. Monica Mendonca extended a cordial welcome to all distinguished guests, on the dais and the delegates from the various Colleges. At 10.10 am the guests, priests, principal, Dr Vincent Alva, dean of Science section Dr Surekha Bhat, IQAC co-ordinator Dr Jayaram Shettigar joined Fr Valerian Mendonca to light the traditional lamp.
The chief guest of the colourful event as well as the famed resource person in Derrick Mascarenhas was introduced to the gathering by Dr Anil Prakash Castelino, HOD department of Chemistry and the coordinator of this ‘Annual Inter-Collegiate Science Fest’. "Mascarenhas hailing from Kollalgiri, presently vice principal and HOD – Dr TMA Pai Polytechnic Manipal, is a proud alumna of Milagres Junior College in 2011, who passed out his PUC in Science stream in flying colours. Then on no looking back, but climbing the ladder of success as a teacher, youngest resource person and a trainer…..” ‘No doubt in company with such a young and energetic person this day undoubtedly relaxing, joyful and fruitful…..’ Fr Castelino concluded and once again wished on behalf of the all staff and students - Science Department, the whole day event to be both memorable and joyful to all gathered……..!
True to the expectations of the young students, Derrick Mascarenhas spoke in length about various subjects, well received by the delegates. ‘Days of learning to score well and secure life are gone….Time is more than ripe to convert knowledge into a skill…..’ he gave various examples of how Science, statistics, Commerce, Environment science etc are inter- related. The knowledge world is taking swift shifts as till recent years it was ‘e’ which was the prefix for all modern technologies….like, e-commerce, e-Banking, e-insurance….as digitalization was incorporated…..today it’s the term ‘Green’ is highlighted in every branch of learning, signifying the role of environment in a Global village, he explained. ‘All knowledge streams are complementary to each other’ and insisted students to be critical in thinking, clarifying doubts and develop a culture of questioning. ‘Higher education now beyond conventional studies… but inter-disciplinary, as we visibly trace Scientific temper in every walks of life….as he concluded the insightful key note address the delegates present gave a thunderous round of applause….!
Principal Dr Vincent Alva admitted though Science and Maths not his cup of tea but appreciated the initiatives of Science faculty and students for arranging such a fruitful event of one full day in Milagres Campus. He took the occasion to wish all activities and competitions all success. He concluded with few lines of a meaningful poem, ‘No Difference, when we turn off light and close our eyes’ and wished all delegates a pleasant day in the Milagres…..
In his beautiful Presidential address, Fr Valerian Mendonca, recalled his days with Late Fr Gregory L DCruz a holy Goan priest, vicar forane of Kallianpur Varado, in 80’s, while Milagres Church celebrating historical Tri Centenary Jubilee, rightly revered as the ‘Maker of modern Kallianpur’, who laid foundation for Science Block with a vision to train and produce budding Scientists, technocrats from this rural background way back in 1981, during the time he himself was assistant parish priest in the Milagres Church.
As the great man’s blessings are always here for this temple of learning, with well equipped laboratories, library etc as the delegates are enlightened and ignited by the distinguished speakers especially Mr Derrick Mascarenhas, endorsed his call for inculcating Scientific temper…..as the days are influenced by media to inject the belief that mythology is history and fiction is science, which is dangerous, he opined. To conclude the speech Fr Mendonca remembered his classmate in Fr Robert Pinto’s short poem / couplet – 'My dear, Come near, Don’t fear, I am here' to encourage young students of Science gathered here to go-ahead with research with social responsibility and appreciated the efforts of Science Association and IQAC for organising this event.
To conclude the stage programme, Arona proposed vote of thanks to all present and making the Get together full of life, knowledge and entertainment and compered the event with her crispy presentation.
The evening valedictory programme at 3.30 pm was presided over by the principal of host Milagres College Dr Vincent Alva and former principal Dr Gerald Pinto was the chief guest. All the winners of various competitions held during the day were presented with trophies on this occasion.
Former lecturers served in the Milagres College, especially in Science streams in Dr Subramanya Joshi, Prof Dabade and many others participated in the event to demonstrate their solidarity as their present successors in Prof Chaitra, U, professor Loyleeta DSouza, professor Sindhura Rao with others led and students leaders meticulously planned and involved in the event, to be very useful and successful.
All the participants were served with breakfast, lunch and snacks and tea and the young student Volunteers contributed in a big way to arrange venues for competitions, welcome arc, rangoli, decorations with balloons etc to give a real festive look to the Science block of the college and AV auditorium.