Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Dec 16: The platinum jubilee of Nirmala Higher Primary School was celebrated with joy on Friday December 14.

The very name of Nirmala Higher Primary School at Brahmavar evokes vivid memories in the minds and hearts of thousands of individuals and umpteen the number of families. The primary school that was started though the untiring and undaunted efforts of the late Fr Sabhas Joachim Fernandes in 1937 today celebrated its 75 years of existence.

Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi graced the celebration and released the souvenir to mark the jubilee celebrations which was prepared by the Old Students Association of the school. 

In his address, Bishop said, “Every country has its own way of educating the students. Education gives values to life. In India, we Christians are only 2.45% in population. We the missionaries start education institutes first rather than the Churches. It won’t be wrong if I say we Christians provide education to nearly 20% of Indian population.”

Fr Vincent Furtado as an old student of the school remembered the teachers and the HMs who gave their service and value added education.

Sr Metilda Monteiro expressed that if value added education is provided along with the regular education then one can reach higher heights. Teachers have to understand the needs of a student and should provide education accordingly. In last 75 years, thousands of students have come across this school, may the future of many more students brighten through this school, she added.

Fr Wilson D’Souza in his presidential address spoke how the place was before 75 years and its present condition. “I came across this institute which provides best education to the students. Today many students have achieved greater heights in their life because of this school. To show their love and care they today came back to give their part to serve the school as old students association”, he said.

Rajesh Shetty in his address said, “Am really proud of my school because of what I am. Today what I am is because of this school. The Sisters and the teachers gave their best to the students without expecting anything in return. School is a place of worship. We started the old student association last three months back”, he said. He called upon the students to register their names in the association to build and make the association stronger.

Ex - correspondent, ex – headmistress, Ex teachers and the present teachers were remembered and felicitated on the occasion. Mementoes were given to the sponsors who contributed for the celebration.

Bishop Dr Gerald Lobo graced the occasion while Fr Wilson D’souza – secretary of Catholic Board of Education presided over the program, Fr Vincent Furtado OFM– provincial Holy Trinity Province of Karnataka, Sr Metilda Monteiro – provincial Sisters of charity, correspondent Fr Antony Vaz, headmistress Sr Mary Rodrigues, Yashwant Nayak - Parents Teachers Association, Rajesh Shetty – president of Old Student Association were present on the dias.   

Correspondent of the school Fr Antony Vaz welcomed the gathering, teacher Dorothy Baretto delivered the vote of thanks, teacher Lilly and Dorroty Fernandes compered the program. Headmistress Sr Mary Rodrigues gave brief report. Various culture programmes were given by the students of the school from Balavdi to class 7.

In the morning, industrialist Pramod Madhwaraj hosted the school flag. “My heart is touched with the discipline of the children. This shows the school progress in last 75 years. This school has been started before Indian independence. I say this school as one of the role model school in Udupi district in Kannada medium school with more than 400 plus children”, he said. 

A R Vishwas in his address said that giving value added education is must along with other subjects in the present scenario. If a student gets such education then it will help him or her to become successful in life.

Fr Antony Vaz in his presidential address said that students should brighten the world and bring name and frame to school, parents, home town and nation just as the light from a lamp spreads across the place. At the same time he remembered the services of all the teachers in last 75 years who gave their best for the children to make their future brighter.

He thanked all the parents for sending their children’s to the school, keeping love and care in the Kannada medium. Fr Anthony thanked all the sponsors in last 75 years who contributed in different ways for the betterment of the school and wished more children to get value added education through the institute in the coming years.

Fr Antony Vaz, correspondent of the school presided over the function.

Pramod Madhwaraj, A R Vishwas - convener of BRC, Brahmavar, Fr Wilson Andrade – principal of Nirmala English Medium School, S Narayan – president of Varambally gram panchyat, Sr Mary Rodrigues – headmistress of Nirmala Kannada Higher Primary School, Rajesh Sheety Birthi – president of Old Student Association Nirmala Higher Primary School, Yashwanth Nayak – president of Parents Teaches Associations Nirmala Higher primary School were present on the dias. 

During the function, prizes and scholarships were distributed to the students who won prizes in the different activities.

Sr Elizabeth conducted the prayer service, while Philomena Baretto welcomed the gathering and Sr Percy Andrade delivered the vote of thanks.

Teacher Yashoda compered the program.