With Inputs from Media Release
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 10: One of the premier educational institutes of coastal Karnataka, Milagres College, Kallianpur will celebrate its golden jubilee with a grand event on January 13.
Addressing mediapersons on Tuesday, Dr Gerald Pinto, Principal, Degree College said, “The celebrations will begin on Thursday, January 12 at 9:30 am with Fr Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese offering a thanksgiving mass at Milagres Cathedral along with other priests”.
“The formal function will begin on Friday, January 13 presided by Fr Lobo. Pramod Madhwaraj, minister for youth empowerment, sports and fisheries will be the chief guest. Ivan D’Souza, MLC; Oscar Fernandes, MP; Janardhan Tonse, member, Udupi zilla panchayat; Dhananjay Kunder, member, taluk panchayat; Pushpa Kotian, president, Kallianapur gram panchayat and Alfred Crasto, alumnus will be the guest of honour. Fr Dr Lawrence C D'Souza, secretary, CESU and other eminent personalities will also grace the occasion,” said Dr Pinto.
Fr William Gonsalves and Shirthadi William Pinto who helped in the formation of the college will be felicitated along with former correspondents, retired principals, retired teaching and administrative staff and student achievers for their contribution for the overall growth of the college, added Dr Pinto.
Peter A Lewis, M Janaki Brahmavara and Daniel Monterio will be honoured for their outstanding contribution in the field of painting, literature and philately respectively. A cultural programme by the students of the college will follow the stage progamme, he informed.
Describing the history of the college Dr Pinto said, “Milagres College is the result of the far-sightedness of 83-year-old Msgr Denis Jerome D'Souza who was instrumental in providing higher education to the rural students of Kallinapur. He loved to meet talented children living in rural areas, who were working in fields. He decided to bring them to school. After Msgr D’Souza found the college in 1967, famous historian Dr Paduru Gururaja Bhat took over the responsibility as the founder principal and provided academic leadership to the college”.
The college began with arts and commerce streams for pre-university and BA and BCom courses for degree students. Science was introduced in 1981 followed by BBM, BCA, MSW and MCom, said Dr Pinto.
“Classes were held in the high school building for the students in the beginning. A two-storeyed building was constructed in 1967. With the help from UGC and well-wishers, a separate science block, laboratory, library, play ground, ladies hostel, canteen etc were constructed. The Silver Jubilee Memorial Hall was constructed in 1992. In 2011, Miracle, a three-storeyed building was built. The college which started in 1967 with 231 students, houses 1800 students with 95 dedicated teaching and 30 administrative staff today. The college has several national and international achievements for its credit,” informed Dr Pinto.
Speaking further Dr Pinto said, the institution has formed a trust, to help poor children educate and about Rs 15 lacs of donation has been collected through old students’ union. The management has taken up the construction of indoor and outdoor stadium. While Rs 50 lacs are required to construct the outdoor stadium, the UGC has released only Rs 25 lacs and Rs 70 lacs have been released for the indoor stadium which will cost Rs 1.5 crore, said Dr Pinto.
“Milagres College would like to open new streams like BA in Journalism and MSc in Chemistry for the benefit of students. We have been providing bank exam coaching and for CA, CPT, web designing, music and tailoring training as well,” concluded Dr Pinto.
Fr Dr Prakash Anil Castelino, campus director; Fr Stany B Lobo, correspondent and Savitha, principal, Milagres PU College were present.