Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 17: St Agnes School CBSE School celebrated the 80th Independence Day of India on August 15, with immense patriotic fervour and enthusiasm. The campus was adorned with the vibrant tricolour, creating a festive atmosphere as teachers, students, and parents gathered to honour the nation and remember the sacrifices of its brave freedom fighters. The kindergarteners enthusiastically joined the celebrations, displaying immense pride.
The programme began with a warm welcome to the distinguished dignitaries Sr Dr Vinora AC, joint secretary of St Agnes Institutions, chief guest, Jayanth V Shetty, retired superintendent of police and Pradeep Misquith, the PTA vice president. The dignitaries were ceremoniously escorted by the school’s well-trained marching band, whose rhythmic beats and disciplined movements added grandeur to the occasion.
The celebration continued with the unfurling of the national flag, followed by the National Anthem and a solemn moment of recognition in remembrance of the freedom fighters. The dignitaries and gathering then proceeded to the auditorium for the cultural programme.
The cultural programme commenced with a solemn prayer service, seeking God’s blessings for peace, unity, and prosperity. A graceful welcome dance followed, portraying India’s rich cultural heritage and unity in diversity. Vinola D’Souza and Abigail extended a warm and gracious welcome to the gathering. Teacher Priya extended a warm floral felicitation to Sr Dr Vinora AC, presenting her with a beautiful floral tribute from nature’s bounty.
Evana of grade 4B honoured the chief guest, Jayanth V Shetty, with a charming potted bloom. Teacher Shanthi Alvares expressed her warm regards to the PTA vice president, Pradeep Misquith, with a graceful green sapling, while Kenzie of grade 4B paid a gracious tribute to the principal, Sr Jenifer Moras AC, by presenting her with a delicate flowering plant. The presentation of these living tokens of love, respect and goodwill beautifully reflected the spirit of the occasion and added a touch of freshness and elegance to the welcome.
Vaishnavi Rao and Harshal Kottary highlighted the significance of Independence Day and reminded everyone of the sacrifices behind India’s freedom.
The cultural programme featured a series of vibrant and meaningful performances. The dance drama ‘The value of freedom’ portrayed the struggles of the freedom movement and the priceless value of independence. This was followed by a spirited Patriotic Dance and the dance drama ‘Lagaan – The Indians,’ depicting courage, unity, and determination. A heartfelt tribute to soldiers honoured the brave men and women who safeguard the nation.
The students further presented the skit ‘From freedom to future – India’s journey continues,’ emphasising the responsibilities of citizens in nation-building. A lively fusion dance, a thoughtful skit on the colours of the national flag, and an expressive hand movement dance beautifully conveyed the values of diversity, courage, peace, progress, hope, and patriotism.
The programme continued with the felicitation of the meritorious winners of the quiz and debate competitions. Sr Dr Vinora AC, president, had the honour of presenting certificates to the accomplished quiz competition winners from grades 7 and 8. The chief guest, Jayanth V Shetty, felicitated the winners of the debate competition from grades 9 and 10, commending them for their exceptional performance, intellectual acumen, and eloquence.
The honouring ceremony of the chief guest was a distinguished and memorable moment of the Independence Day celebration. In recognition of his illustrious career and exemplary contributions to the nation, the chief guest was accorded a warm and dignified welcome.
As a mark of esteem and gratitude, president, Sr Dr Vinora AC, honoured him with a shawl. The PTA vice president Pradeep Misquith presented a garland, while principal, Sr Jenifer Moras AC, presented a memento as a token of appreciation. Sr Lavi Shanthi AC further expressed our gratitude by presenting a fruit basket.
The ceremony acknowledged not only his remarkable service in the police department and his contribution to the United Nations International Peace Keeping Force, but also his outstanding achievements in cricket and badminton. His journey of discipline, courage, service and sporting excellence served as an inspiring reflection of the values that Independence Day seeks to celebrate.
The gathering expressed its admiration with a warm and resounding round of applause, making the occasion a truly memorable tribute to a distinguished public servant and accomplished sportsperson.
Jayanth V Shetty, the chief guest inspired the students by recalling the remarkable contributions of numerous freedom fighters who courageously fought for India’s independence. He also highlighted the sacrifices of the countless unsung heroes from our own district, whose names have been immortalised through roads and landmarks across the region and the country.
He urged the students to remain steadfast in their decisions and cautioned them against becoming overly captivated by social media, encouraging them to make it their last priority. Instead, he stressed the importance of developing a habit of reading newspapers, magazines and other informative literature to broaden their knowledge and awareness. He concluded by urging the students to shoulder their responsibilities as the future citizens of the nation and contribute meaningfully towards building a stronger and better India. He also expressed his gratitude to the Sr Jenifer Moras AC for the opportunity to be part of the celebration.
The programme was a collaborative endeavour of the kindergarten students and those of grades 2, 4, 5, and 8. The proceedings were gracefully compered by Sanvitha Ravish, Cliane Pais, Adwitha Gadiyar, Sion D’Silva, and Anshith George, who ensured a smooth and engaging flow throughout the celebration. The programme culminated with a heartfelt vote of thanks proposed by Avron Romei D’Souza and Riddhi R, who expressed sincere gratitude to the management, staff, students, parents, and all those whose valuable support and contribution made the event a resounding success.
The celebration was a memorable blend of patriotism, cultural expression, remembrance, and inspiration, leaving everyone with a renewed sense of pride and a deeper commitment to the responsibilities of being citizens of a free nation.