Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 8: St Aloysius Pre-University College hosted its annual inter-school and inter-collegiate cultural fest, Pre-unique 2026 – ‘Lumiora: A guiding light’, on November 6 and 7, with immense enthusiasm and vibrant participation. Bringing together nearly 1,450 students from over 43 schools and PU colleges, the two-day extravaganza provided a dynamic platform for young talents to showcase their creativity, skills and intellectual abilities across a wide spectrum of competitions.
Inspired by the theme ‘Lumiora: A guiding light’, the fest celebrated the transformative power of knowledge, creativity and shared experiences in illuminating the path towards personal growth and excellence.
The inaugural ceremony commenced with a soulful invocation, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, a graceful welcome dance and the unveiling of the fest logo. Welcoming the gathering, Fr Clifford Sequeira SJ, principal, encouraged students to discover their potential, explore their talents and strive towards becoming well-rounded individuals. He emphasised that education extends beyond academic achievements and highlighted pre-unique as an opportunity for students to challenge themselves, learn through experiences and emerge with greater confidence.
The chief guest, Manikanth Kadri, renowned Indian film score composer and singer, fondly recalled his association with the institution as a member of the School Brass Band. Appreciating the remarkable growth of his alma mater, he urged students to pursue their passions with determination, discipline and perseverance. Drawing from his own journey, he reminded them that struggles and failures are integral to success and encouraged them to focus on their individual journeys rather than compare themselves with others. He emphasised that one's background does not determine one's future; it is one's choices, efforts and determination that shape one's destiny.
The guest of honour, Namratha Mohan, social media influencer and alumna, expressed her heartfelt joy at returning to her alma mater. Recalling the opportunities and experiences that had shaped her college years, she encouraged students to make the most of their time in the institution. She urged them to embrace mistakes as valuable learning experiences, nurture meaningful friendships, create lasting memories and seize every opportunity that comes their way.
A special moment of pride during the inaugural ceremony was the felicitation of Athish S Shetty, a student of I PU, who received the best child artist award at the 72nd National Film Awards for his outstanding performance in the critically acclaimed Kannada feature film Mithya. His achievement brought immense pride to the institution.
The fest featured an extensive array of competitions encompassing dance, music, drama, literature, fine arts, technology and intellectual pursuits. Events such as Mr and Ms Pre-unique, Bharathanatyam, folk dance, fashion show, debate, JAM, mock press, poetry writing, photography, science still model, quiz, yakshagana, Sanskrit recitation, stock market, ai build-off, reel making, news bulletin, build a nation and treasure hunt, among many others, provided participants with opportunities to demonstrate their diverse abilities and innovative thinking.
The valedictory ceremony marked the culmination of the two-day celebrations, with Shubham Ramesh Vernekar, founder of Flo and Swasth, designer, innovator and AI product owner, gracing the occasion as the chief guest. Reflecting on the thought-provoking statement, “Change is the only constant,” he shared insights from his personal and professional journey, highlighting how life's experiences shape one's understanding and perspectives. Encouraging students to focus on what lies within their control, he underscored the importance of health, relationships and personal growth.’
Emphasising the privilege of receiving quality education, he reminded students of their responsibility to apply their knowledge and opportunities towards addressing societal challenges and creating positive change. He stressed the importance of lifelong learning, innovation and exploring diverse cultures and experiences. Appreciating the meticulous efforts of the organising team, he acknowledged the lasting influence of his teachers and concluded with an inspiring message: “Keep learning, keep growing and keep flowing.”
The valedictory ceremony also featured the felicitation of student convenors and the announcement of the overall championship results. In the High School category, St Agnes CBSE School emerged as the overall champion, while St Aloysius Gonzaga School and Cambridge High School jointly secured the first runner-up position. St Teresa High School bagged the second runner-up position.
In the Pre-university category, St Agnes PU College clinched the overall championship, followed by Canara PU College as the first runner-up and Sharada PU College as the second runner-up.
The occasion was graced by Fr Clifford Sequeira SJ, principal; Fr Anthony Derrick SJ, campus minister; Muralikrishna G M and Vilma Fernandes, vice principals; Inas Dias and Kiran Shetty, deans; and Sumaiyya, PTA secretary, Ashit Sudesh, student president, and student co-convenors Rayan Pinto, Avina D’Souza, Ashwathy S and Divin K K. The staff convenors, Diana Joseph, Aneesh SR, Joseph George, Preethal Kumari, Jayalakshmi, Loy Meldon, Himanshu and Navyashree along with the student coordinators contributed to the successful conduct of Pre-unique 2026.