Media Release,

Udupi, Dec 21: “During this season, Pangla parish has the occasion of golden jubilee of 3 elder sisters who have given tremendous service to the church at large. One among them is Sr Neeta Alva of the Alva family from Hithlu. It is heartening to note that the extended family of Sr Neeta has come together to honour her. I wish the very best in her mission,” said Dr Prakash Anil Castelino, parish priest of St John the Evengelist Church, Shankerpura – Pangla at the felicitation programme held at the ancestral house of Alvas at Hithlu, Pangla on December 21.

On behalf of the parish, Fr Dr Anil Castelino honoured Sr Neeta with a shawl and presented a statue of St John the Evangelist.

Among the Catholic Christians of Coastal Karnataka Alvas are not in sizable numbers but they are crème of society. Alvas are one of the pioneer families of Pangla Parish in Udupi diocese and district. Though Pangla parish was established in 1922, Alvas along with D’Souza, Martis, Castelino and Noronhas’ presence was there in the present Pangla parish area under the then Shirva parish.

It was said that during the 18th century Shirva parish was under the jurisdiction of bishop of Goa, and Goan priests were the parish priests of Shirva parish. One of such priests brought Goan families in the year 1788 to Shirva parish area and made them to dwell in the area north to the present Pangla Church building.

Alvas presence in diversified fields:

Now, be it in politics, education, literature and in other fields Alvas presence can be noted and in the religious field too their presence is felt. One such tall personality is Sr Neeta Alva, 71 years, a nun of Mercy of the Holy Cross, congregation founded in Switzerland and rooted in India through Hazaribagh (former Bihar and now Jharkhand) way back in the last quarter of 19th century.

Sr Neeta is a dedicated teacher who has spent over 50 years of her life in the education field, by teaching the younger generation and making them responsible citizens of the country. She is responsible for the establishment of educational institutions through her congregation, be it in Mira Road - Maharashtra, Bidi – Belagavi, Hassan and Neermarga in Karnataka.

Golden jubilee celebration of the religious profession of Sr Neeta Alva along with 3 other sisters of her batch - Sr Sujata D’Sa, Sr Cicily K and Sr Mary Jose, the senior sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, (Hazaribagh), South Province, Bengaluru who served the congregation and the society at large for 50 years, was held on December 1 at Holy Cross Institute and Convent, Kothanur Bengaluru.

Felicitation at Pangla:

The family of Sr Neeta celebrated the event at their ancestral house at Hithlu under Pangla parish on December 21 in the presence of family – both immediate and extended, neighbors and well-wishers. The programme was held at the yard of Nelson Alva, cousin of Sr Neeta, who is an entrepreneur in Bahrain. Aunt Leena Alva, Renita Nelson Alva, Wilson and Wilma Alva, Juliana Alva and Herald D’Souza actively took initiative for the success of the event.

The programme commenced with a prayer service lead by Norin Alva Dias, the Gurkar of the ward. H R Alva, entrepreneur and columnist, brother of Sr Neeta welcomed the gathering and explained the history of Alvas in Pangla and Hithlu. Helen Alva Mathias and Jacintha Mendonca Alva honored Sr Neeta on behalf of the family by presenting a garland. Sr Neeta cut the cake.

Concepta Fernandes Alva, IBPS (Rtd) who was the assistant director of All India Radio, Bengaluru raised the toast by introducing Sr Neeta and highlighting her achievements and services to the people in different states. A felicitation song was sung by the family members. Sr Neeta replied to the toast and thanked the family members for arranging a get together in her honor. Riyona Magdalene Alva, niece of Sr Neeta proposed vote of thanks.

Sr Sujatha D’Sa, companion of Sr Neeta and the superior of Holy Cross convent, Neermarga, who also celebrated her golden jubilee with Sr Neeta and other two sisters, was felicitated by Sr Neeta during this occasion.

A portrait of Magdalene Alva, the late grandmother of the jubilarian was unveiled and handed over to Nelson, Wilson and Juliana Alva.

All arrangements like food, shamiyana, chairs, stage, backdrop and all other logistics were taken care of by Richard Alva, proprietor of Pangala caterers and a relative of the Alva family.

About Sr Neeta, the jubilarian:

Sr Neeta Alva was born on October 23, 1953 as the eldest child of Thomas Alva, who was a merchant navy sailor and Maria Castelino Alva (home maker) and baptized by name Jacintha Alva. Her siblings are John Baptist Alva and Herald Reginald Alva (H R Alva). As their mother had passed away when they were small children, they were brought up by their grandmother Magdalene Alva. Jacintha (Sr Neeta) did her elementary education at Little Flower Primary School, Higher Elementary at St John’s Higher Primary School, Shankerpura, and High School at SVH High School, Innanje which is run by Sode Mutt, Udupi.

Realising her vocation, she joined the Mercy of the Holy Cross, Hazaribagh in July 1969. As there is a convent of the congregation at Trasi (in Kundapura Taluk) she was sent there for studies an she did her pre-university studies at S V Junior College, Gangolli. Further she did teachers training studies at Capitanio Teachers Training Institute, Mangaluru.

Following her postulancy and Novitiate studies at Hazaribagh she was a teacher at Kallani Higher Primary School at Trasi for six years. During this period, she obtained BA degree from Mysore University through correspondence studies. She did formators course at Pune for 2 years. She was the candidates directress at Burdwan in Ranchi for six months. She taught at Holy Cross High School, Ambikapur, Chattisghar. She was made assistant novis directress for Holy Cross Novitiate in Hazaribagh for 3 years.

Sr Neeta then served as the Superior of Holy Cross Convent, Neermarga, Mangaluru for 3 years. During this period, she studied for BEd at St Ann’s BEd College, Mangaluru. Then she served as the supervisor of Holy Cross High School, Kalyan – Maharashtra for 6 years. During this period, she obtained masters degree in history from Bombay University attending evening classes at R K T College, Ullasnagar.

Sr Neeta founded Holy Cross School at Mira Road and served as principal for 8 years. Then she was sent to Bidi, a remote village of Khanapur Taluk, Belgavi District where she served for 8 years and started the Holy Cross High School, which is now come to the college level. She was in Hassan for 3 years as the principal of Holy Cross High School there. She served as the superior of Holy Cross Institute, Kothanur, Bengaluru for 3 years. During her stint at Neermarga, Mangaluru as superior she founded the St Joseph’s High School, and served as headmistress for 3 years.

Since 2018 Sr Neeta is serving at Zalki a backward village in Indi Taluk of Bijapur district by starting a convent there. She founded the Holy Cross Special School there for mentally challenged children. She serves as the headmistress of the school.

Sr Neeta took her first religious vows in December 1974 and she has celebrated the golden jubilee on December 1. Sr Neeta was also the vice provincial of Holy Cross South province, headquartered at Bengaluru for 3 years.