Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 3: St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), organised a felicitation programme to Fr Prashanth Madtha, SJ for being the recipient of Kannada Rajyotsava Award 2024 and former principal of St Aloysius College, and Lucy Mariappa, a proud alumna and USA based renowned chief information officer and visionary business executive, on January 3 in LCRI Hall of the University.
Dr Praveen Martis, SJ, vice-chancellor of St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) presided over the programme. Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto, rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Dr Melwyn D’Cunha SJ, pro vice-chancellor, Dr Alwyn D’Sa, registrar of the college and Dr Ronald Nazareth, registrar of the university were on the dais.
The directors of various blocks, deans, staff and students were present for the programme.
After the felicitation programme, there was a guest talk by Lucy Mariappa on the topic ‘Being future-ready and career-prepared.’
Manoj Dyson Fernandes compered the programme. Dr Alwn D’Sa welcomed the gathering. Dr Mahalinga Bhat and Dr Ronald Nazareth read out the citations. Shanthi Lobo, chair of Public Relations of the University, meticulously planned and executed the programme.
About Fr Prashanth Madtha SJ
Fr Prashanth Madtha hails from a humble hamlet in Sullia, located in the Dakshina Kannada district. He secured an MA in Kannada from Bangalore University, where he was awarded a gold medal. Fr Madtha served as a Kannada teacher at St Aloysius College before taking on the role of principal. As principal, he led the institution with a strong and upright vision, implementing several path-breaking and innovative changes. His refreshing and proactive perspectives helped lay a strong foundation for a new, diverse, and inclusive campus culture.
His prolific writing career in Konkani, Kannada and English is a testimony of his expansive reading and reflection. His popular weekly column in Udayavani, Chakitha Chittha has been a household name and an incisive contemporary cultural and social commentary.
His versatility has been proved beyond any doubt in the dexterity in expression in his mother tongue, Konkani writing in his works, Kittalan (two editions), Ratavol, Vally Padryabacha Bolsanthlen and other similar works which have caught the imagination of the readers of all sections and ages.
Fr Madtha’s Kannada works such as Veera Viraktha, Savira Hoogalu Aralali, Ninanthe Naanagalu, Sanidhya and Gandu Rachane; Hennu Rachane on gender construction has made a lasting impact on readers. His commendable attempt at writing an intimate history of 125 years of eventful saga of St Aloysius College, On Eagle’s Wings has been a veritable testimony of his uncanny ability to retell the Aloysian narrative with his unique story-telling technique.
His foray into writing dictionaries resulted in collecting and publishing 10,000 Konkani idioms in the form of a book, Pikkolin has been an invaluable and enriching contribution to Konkani linguistic depository. In addition, works like Padanidhi, dictionary of Kannada synonyms and antonyms as well as Thesar, a thesaurus of Konkani synonyms and antonyms have added a significant value to the corpus of dictionaries of these languages.
His immense contribution and leadership to various Jesuit educational institutions in the Karnataka Province and the Archdiocese of Bangalore have been commendable.
Besides this, he has been the recipient of the Indian Catholic Press Association Award-2008, Sandesha Award for Konkani Literature-2009, Life Time Achievement Award by Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations of Karnataka, Bahrain Konkani Kutam Award, Alva’s Nudisiri Literary Award and several other eminent recognitions and awards.
About Lucy Mariappa:
Lucy Mariyappa, a distinguished chief information officer and visionary leader, has carved a permanent mark on the world stage with her exceptional leadership, transformative vision, and ground breaking innovations across 40 countries and diverse industries.
She held prominent roles at top technology companies leading the global product development for 32 countries (generating billions in annual revenue), consulted at Fortune 500 companies driving their business ahead and then led large, complex organizations, positioning them as industry leaders. She has worked at industry-leading organizations including SAP and Oracle.
Her illustrious career, adorned with accolades such as ‘CIO of the year,’ "Top 100 leaders in education,’ prestigious ‘2021 US CIO 100 Award’ which is a special recognition to the top 100 organizations in the USA for their achievements in technology innovation & leadership. All these accolades epitomize her dedication to advancing technology and business excellence.
A pioneer during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lucy's leadership in transitioning a large Texas-based school system to remote learning within just five days stands as a testament to her resilience and forward-thinking. Her efforts earned national acclaim, including recognition from the US education secretary.
Lucy Mariyapp’s journey, however, began right here at St Aloysius, where she pursued her bachelor’s in science and master’s in computer applications. Even as a student, her leadership was evident. As joint secretary during undergraduate studies and later secretary during her post graduate studies, she was instrumental in launching the first-ever annual festivals focused on science, management, and women empowerment an enduring legacy that continues to inspire the Aloysian community.