Udupi: Bishop Dr Gerald Inaugurates New Building of St John's PU College

Report: Dr Edward Lobo
Pics: Johncy Digitals, Shankerpura

Udupi, Jan 12: The long standing dream of the people of Shankerpura to have a new building for St John’s Composite PU College was fulfilled when the aesthetically constructed building of the PU College was inaugurated and blessed by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of diocese of Udupi at 10 am on Friday January 11.

Prior to the inauguration and blessing of the premises of the new building, the Bishop and the dignitaries including MP of Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency Jayaprakash Hegde, Fr Stany Tauro, dean of Shriva Varado, Vasanth V Salian, former minister in the Karnataka government and Vinay Ballal, president of Katapadi gram panchayat, Albert W D’Souza, educationist and businessman, accompanied by Fr Leslie D’Souza, vicar of Pangala Church and correspondent of St John’s Educational Instituions, donors and other guests were taken in a grand procession to the new building led by the school band, followed by the ‘Poorna-Kumbha’ which was a great sight to behold.

Following the inauguration of the main building by the Bishop, donors of different rooms inaugurated the respective rooms by cutting the ribbons.

The stage programme was presided over by the Bishop of Udupi diocese. Distinguished dignitaries were on the dais. Dr Edward Lobo, vice president of the parish Pastoral Council welcomed the guests and the gathering. Fr Stany Tauro in his address appreciated the great work done by Fr Leslie D’Souza and the governing body of the school. He also referred to the generosity of the people in completing the project.

The prominent donors were felicitated by the Bishop for their generous contribution to the new PU College building. Flavia Menezes, secretary of the parish pastoral council proposed the vote of thanks. Ida Cornelio compered the entire programme.

It is important to note that though St John’s Composite PU College was founded six years ago, due to lack of proper accommodation, the classes were conducted in vacant rooms of the school. Realizing the difficulties faced by the students and teachers in having to conduct classes in makeshift rooms, Fr Leslie D’Souza, who had arrived as the parish priest of St John the Evangelist parish two and a half years ago, began the project of constructing a separate and exclusive building for the PU College.

The foundation stone for the building was laid on September 8, 2011. Due to the generous contribution from the people from Shankerpura and abroad, the beautiful building was raised within a period of one year four months at the cost of around one crore rupees.

All the dignitaries on the dais, especially the Bishop of Udupi complimented for constructing such a beautiful building within a short period of time. The Bishop also honoured Fr Leslie D’Souza with a shawl and a bouquet.