Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 17: One of the most important and relevant celebrations ‘Ayudha Puja’ was celebrated at St Aloysius Industrial Training Institute on October 17.
Ayudha Puja is observed in the institution as an occasion to do annual maintenance on the tools and machineries which involves cleaning, oiling, painting etc. The initiative is taken by the students themselves in cleaning and decorating their respective trade workshops. The celebration is also an occasion to create awareness among the students about the necessity of maintaining the tools and equipments in safe and working condition.
Usually this celebration is done in full grandeur, every workshop is decorated creatively with lights, flowers, mango leaves, plantains, colourful hangings etc, but this year due to the sad demise of two students from the institution, the decision was taken to keep the celebration low key. Every workshop was set and decorated in a very simple manner.
Fr Eric Mathias SJ- director of the institution blessed all the workshops along with tools and equipments. Vehicles were also blessed by sprinkling holy water. After the blessing of all the workshops, a formal programme was conducted in the main hall of the institution. The programme commenced with a prayer song. Shamith J Fernandes- a student of COE trade welcomed the gathering.
Fr Melvin Lobo SJ was the chief guest of the programme. Speech on the significance of Ayudha Puja was delivered by Pratheek- a student of COE trade. A prayer session was conducted and the tools were blessed. The director’s birthday was celebrated during the programme by cutting a cake. Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Fr Melvin Lobo SJ said, “We use tools in our daily life and because of them we have good life. We need to make good use of them and use them for constructive works.” He also wished the director for his birthday and said, “Fr Eric is a person who has great love and concern for the poor. He is capable of starting new initiatives and he can be called a pioneer. He has founded an institution in Manvi, Raichur and the institution is doing great. Let us absorb his good qualities and make our life too
fruitful."
In his presidential address Fr Eric Mathias SJ- director of the institution said, “Chief guest of today’s programme Fr Melvin Lobo SJ is the designated director for this institution. I wish him all the best. This year we have kept the celebration very low key. We have great pain in our hearts due to the unfortunate demise of our students Charan and Noushar. I am happy that our staff and students wasted no time in reaching out to the family members of the deceased and stood by them. I truly appreciate this spirit. We must always run to help the people in difficulty. This semester we have had 100% result in Plumber, MRAC, MMV and Mechanic Diesel trades. I congratulate them for their achievement.” Junior training officers of the trades which got 100% result were felicitated. The overall result of the institution is 86%."
Sudarshan- a student proposed the vote of thanks and Vishwas D’Costa compered the programme. Vincent Mendonsa- principal of the institution, Alwyn Menezes- vice principal and John D'Souza- convener of the programme were present on the dais. Sweets were distributed to all. The celebration concluded with the National Anthem.