Udupi: IFKCA Adarsha Awards Conferred on Four Teachers
Kevin Rodrigues
Pics: Ivan Mascarenhas
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Sep 28: The maiden IFKCA 'Adarsha Teacher' Awards were conferred on four teachers of Udupi district, for their excellent service to society at a ceremony held on Friday September 28 at Silver Jubilee Hall, Milagres College, Kallianpur here.
Fr Stany B Lobo, correspondent of Milagres College and parish priest, Our Lady of Miracles Church, Kallianpur presided over the programme.
Benedicta Mathias, headmaster at Government Higher Primary School, Irvathur, Kolake, Karkala, (primary/higher primary school), Alphonse D’Costa, headmaster at St Mary’s High School, Udupi, (high school/pre-university), Prof Perdita Hilda Rodrigues, professor at Milagres College, Kallianpur, (PU college) and Muriel Premalatha from special children’s school category were the teachers honoured with the IFKCA ‘Adarsha Teacher Award-2012’.
K Jayaprakash Hegde, Udupi-Chikmagalur MP, Pramod Madhwaraj, industrialist, Jerry Vincent Dias, president, Credai Udupi, president, Karavali Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCCI), Udupi and promoter, Mandavi Builders, Udupi/Manipal, Dr J R Lobo, retired KSA officer, Mangalore, Denis D’Silva, Karnataka state IFKCA convenor, Louis Lobo, president IFKCA Udupi, Dr Neri Cornelio, secretary IFCKA Udupi were present on the dais.
The awards were presented by Jayaprakash Hedge, Pramod Madhwaraj, Jerry Vincent Dias and J R Lobo. The award included a shawl, garland, fruits and a citation.
The applications were scrutinized by the jury comprising Dr Jerald Pinto, professor, Milagres College, Kallianpur, Grace Vazravathi, Government School of Karkala and Prof Salvodhor Noronha, principal, St Mary’s College, Brahmavar.
MP Jayaprakash Hedge in his address said that it was his duty to be part of a function where teachers were felicited. "I congratulate the IFKCA for organizing such a meaningful function and thank the association for inviting me," he said.
"Teachers create the society. There is a difference between being educated and literate. Earlier we used get moral values at home and education in school, but now we have education while morals are being 'taught' by the moral police, which is a dangerous trend," he said.
He further said, "If today Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are in first in education and health sectors it is because of the Christian institutions, and especially because of the Christian teachers who are committed to their service."
At the same time he quoted, "One who is literate may not be educated, and one who is educated may not be literate."
Addressing the gathering, Pramod Madhwaraj said, "Nowadays people spend Rs 5 lac to get an award of Rs one lac. Once they get the award, for the next seven days they advertise themselves in the papers under different names. This has become a fashion today. There are two categories of people - those who work for awards and those who work for the society and never look for awards. I am happy too see the second category of people being felicitated for their sincere service to society."
"I studied in St Cecily’s School from standard 1 to 5; it is because of the Christian Institute and specially the Christian teachers who were commitment to their work that I have become a successful person today," he said, adding that the real award for a teacher is when his or her name and image is printed in the students' hearts, and every teacher should work towards it.
Jerry Vincent Dias said that even before the child is born its parents decide on the profession their child should pursue. "But unfortunately, no parent wishes the child to become a teacher. Teachers are the real wealth of the country," he said.
J R Lobo said that their are two categories of teachers - those who really work for the welfare of the students and those who take it just as a profession.
Fr Stany B Lobo in his presidential address said, "Teachers strengthen the roots and give wings to a student. Just as the root is very important for a tree to grow, teachers imbibe basic values and morals in children which help them grow in life."
Louis Lobo in introductory address highlighted the purpose behind honouring teachers from the Christian community with IFKCA awards. "In the recent years, due to political pressures and other vested interests, honest and deserving teachers are not being recognized, which has discouraged them to come forward," he said.
"Moreover, the teachers of the Christian community, the priests, sisters and laymen are not duly recognized for their service in the educational sector," he added.
Louis Lobo eelcome the gathering, Dr Neri Cornelio proposed the vote of thanks. Alwyn Danthi Shirva compered.