Media Release

Mangalore, Jan 23: It was a most awaited event for all the Victorians of Ladyhill School on Sunday January 20 to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the Old Students Association.

A cordial welcome was given by Prabha Shenoy, the vice-president of the association to all the members and guests who assembled in the school grounds to honour the school flag. The old school anthem was sung by senior members with lot of zeal and enthusiasm.

Thereafter 60 balloons of blue and white symbolizing the color of the uniform were let off by the guests Sr Linette AC, provincial of Apostolic Carmel, Karnataka Province, Sr Rithika AC, superior of Ladyhill Anunciation Convent, Capt John Prasad Menezes, former president of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Suresh Ballal, member, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.

The formal programme began with a prayer song rendered by the present students of the PU College in the school auditorium.

Sr Elena AC, the president of the Old Students Association and the principal of Ladyhill Composite PU College welcomed the guests and the gathering.

The celebration began by lighting of the lamp by the guests and then three of the founder members Lilly Pereira, Tressy Aranha, and Stella Patrao  who had passed out in the year 1953 inaugurated the event by glowing 60 electric bulbs with lot of sentiments and nostalgic moments of their yesteryears. 

A report on the achievements of the association since 60 years was presented on PPT by secretary Zeena Flavia D’souza.  The statement of accounts was presented by treasurer Wilma Lobo giving a glimpse of the financial status of the association to the members.

The guests of honour Suresh Ballal expressed his love and appreciation towards the school he had studied and also urged the members to extend their helping hand in fulfilling the projects of the association. Capt John Prasad Menezes appreciated the efforts of the management in educating the masses and expressed his gratitude towards the school which had nurtured his initial years of schooling at Ladyhill.

Sr Rithika AC, the superior of Ladyhill Anunciation Convent, appreciated the efforts of the Old Students Association for being a source of support to the institution. The president of the function Sr Linette AC, explained the importance of the association in formation of the society and congratulated the good work done by the members.

Lilly Pereira, a founder member of the association, presently the director of Babyland School, Attavar was felicitated for efficiently running her school since 40 years which is at the verge of celebrating its ruby jubilee this year. She has been an active member of the association and has involved herself in various social service activities.

Rohini Salian, an eminent public prosecuter in Mumbai, belonging to the batch of 1963, who came down to Mangalore to witness the diamond jubilee event, was felicitated for her achievements in the field of law and justice.

Vasanthi Pai was honoured in absentia for being a great source of support to the school by giving free tuitions and financial help to the students of Ladyhill without expecting anything in return.

Sr Elena AC, the principal, had the joy of celebrating her birthday and the audience was thrilled to wish her on this joyous occasion.

The cultural programe began with a welcome dance. The members presented group dances, skit and a tableaux was enacted on the theme Victorians of the Alma Mater.

Amitha Moras and  Geetha Beryl conducted funfilled games. It was a pleasure to announce that a sizeable amount was collected towards the projects of the association from the members who were present for the occasion.

The team of diamond jubilee executive committee members was led by Philomena Cutinha who had enthusiastic members like Shyamala B, Letitia Fernandes, Noreen Pais, Wilma Lobo, Zeena D’Souza, Jayalaxmi Shetty, Lolita D’souza, Swaroopa N Shetty, Reena Sequeira, Prabha Shenoy, Geetha Beryl, and Judy Fernandes. They members worked relentlessly towards the success of the event.

After a sumptuous lunch the members had a nice time playing housie housie and many more games, enjoying the company of their erstwhile classmates who met after a gap of many years.  Pictures of the re-unions organized by some of the batch mates were flashed on PPT, which refreshed the past memories. The members of all the age groups ranging from 20’s to 90’s were present during the day.

It was indeed a very memorable event for all Victorians. The whole event was well compered by Doreen Patrao.

The members dispersed with sweet memories of the time spent with their Alma Mater.