By Dr Eugene D'Souza, Moodubelle
Udupi, Jan 3: The grand valedictory function of the Centenary Celebration of Belle Church Aided Higher Elementary School, Moodubelle was held recently with stage function and cultural programme by the students of St Lawrence Educational Institutions and Rasamanjari Programme titled ‘Woh Yadein..’ presented by the NRI Old Students of Belle Church Aided Higher Primary School, Moodubelle.
The grand finale function started with the arrival of the dignitaries in procession from the church premises to the school ground accompanied by band. School children with festive dress participated in the procession.
On the arrival to the ground, the dignitaries, especially Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi who presided over the valedictory function were accorded Guard of Honour by the students of St Lawrence English Medium High School following which national flag was hoisted as the band played the National Anthem.
Thereafter the dignitaries proceeded to inaugurate the Midday Meal facility. Bishop Gerald inaugurated the building where as Fr Wilson V. D’Souza inaugurated the cooking facility.
Next, the dignitaries called upon the stage by the MC, Herald D’Silva. Besides Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo who presided over the function the other dignitaries included Vinaya Kumar Sorake, Urban Development Minister and Guradian Minister of Udupi District; Upendra Nayak, President of Udupi Zilla Panchayat; Ida Gibba D’Souza, member of Udupi Zilla Panchayat; Rajendra Shetty, President of Belle Grama Panchayat; Devdas Hebbar, member of Udupi Taluk Panchayat; Commodore Jerome Castelino, Dean of St Lawrence College; Alphonse K Alva, Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council; B Sadananda Rao, retired teacher. The hosts of the Centenary Function, Fr Wilson V D’Souza, Secretary of CBE; Fr Joswey Fernandes, Correspondent of St Lawrence Educational Institutions; Sylvester Mathias, Headmaster; and Gerald Fernandes, President of teachers, Parents Association were also on the dais.
The stage programme began with prayer by the students of the school and Assisi Nilaya led by Fr Anil Sunil D’Souza (OFM, Cap), Director of Assisi Nilaya. Rev. Joswey Fernandes delivered the welcome address and honoured them with bouquet.
Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake formally inaugurated the valedictory function by lighting the lamp. Thereafter, Fr Wilson V D’Souza presented 100 years’ History of Belle Church Aided Higher Primary School tracing its origin, growth and success. He recalled the service rendered by the succeeding correspondents and headmasters during the last 100 years.
Recipients of National Awards, Commodore, Jerome Castelino (VSM), Radhakrishna Upadhyaya and Muddu Moodubelle were felicitated by the dignitaries on the dais. Lilly Sequeira introduced Commodore Jerome Castelino, Charles Quadros read the profile of Radhakrishna Upadhyaya and Ashwin Lawrence introduced Muddu Moodubelle.
Vinay Kumar Sorake who had to leave for other function addressed the audience and complimented the school on completion of hundred years of his service to the society. He lauded the contribution of the Christian Missionaries to the cause of education. He said that though the population of the Christians is only two percent in India their contribution in the field of education is twenty percent.
Andrew Lobo of Kappandakarya aged 94 years who is the oldest living old student of the school was honoured by the Bishop and other dignitaries on the dais.
Boniface Barboza (Benny Master) former headmaster of the school for 30 years was honoured next. His profile was presented by Devdas Hebbar.
Lilly Sequeira, the teacher of the school who will be retiring on 31 December 2013 was given a warm send off and was felicitated on the dais. The citation was read by Sr Irene Viegas.
Those generous donors who had contributed more than Rs 25,000 to the Centenary Celebration Fund were honoured by Fr Joswey Fernandes.
Upendra Nayak in his message pointed out the difficulties of the Kannada medium schools and urged the government to see to it that these schools would not suffer in future.
Heads of different institutions of St Lawrence Group of Educational Institutions were honoured by Fr Joswey Fernandes. Hilda Aranha,
senior teacher of St Lawrence Kannada Medium High School, Fr Paul Sequeira, Principal of St Lawrence PU College; Fr P Raj, Principal of St Lawrence English Medium High School; Sarita D’Souza, Principal of St Lawrence Degree College and Sylvester Mathias, Headmaster of Belle Church Aided Higher Primary School.
The Centenary Souvenir “Shatasourabha” was released by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo.
In his presidential address, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo said that the chief aim of education is to develop the heart and mind of students and bringing out their best talents. He further said that education begins from the womb and continues till the tomb, highlighting the fact that education and learning is a continuous process which has no age bar. The Bishop had a word of advice to the teachers. He said that teachers should take their service in the field of education as a mission and not just as a profession. He asked the teachers to show the dedication and sincerity in their noble mission respecting and loving the children who are their students irrespective of their background. He conveyed his blessings and greetings to Belle Church Aided Higher Primary School which has completed hundred years of service in the field of education.
Fr Joswey Fernandes presented mementos to the dignitaries on the dais and Sylvester Mathais proposed the vote of thanks.
Following the end of the valedictory function of the Centenary Celebration of Belle Church Aided Higher Primary School at 7.45 pm, students from different educational institutions presented colourful and enjoyable cultural programmes.
The most awaited Rasa Manjari Mega Musical programme titled “Who Yadein…” presented by old students from Dubai started at 9.30 pm. The singers included Ravindra Prabhu, Valerian Menezes, Carol Quadros, Loreen Alva, Sowmya Bhat, Carol D’Souza, Anita Alva and Robin D’Souza. The entire Rasa Manjari programme was anchored by Nagraj Kaup.