Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 1: The alumni reunion of the 1999 batch of MBBS and the vicennial celebrations of Father Muller Medical College were recently held at the Father Muller Convention center with great fervour.
In attendance were the entire management team of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, showing their support to the former students and appreciating the love for their alma mater. The director FMCI presided over the event along with the alumni and their families.
The meeting began with the general body meeting of the alumni association, with Dr Nicole, member secretary of the Father Muller Alumni Association presenting the general body meeting minutes for the academic year 2018-2019 and briefing the gathering of the day's proceedings and the initiatives taken by the alumni association to garner as many members into its fold by the online portal of the FMCI website.
The dignitaries seated on the dais were- Fr Richard Coelho, director FMC and honorary president of the Alumni Association; Fr Ajith B Menezes, administrator FMMC and the brain behind the entire event; Dr Ganesh, president of the Alumni Association; Dr Nicole, member secretary, and Dr Oliver, treasurer of the Father Muller Alumni Association respectively.
The Alumni Association in a wonderful and honorary gesture felicitated its mentors who guided them through the Father Muller portals and beyond and moulded them into what they have become.
Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa – Administrator of the Father Muller Medical College Hospital and alumni of the Father Muller Medical College- Masters of Hospital Administration was the first to be felicitated for his outstanding leadership and mentoring even to date the institution. Dr Nandakishore, Consultant Urologist, FMMC read out the citation; Dr Ganesh M K, Consultant Gastroenterologist, felicitated Fr D’Sa by draping a shawl as a sign of respect; Dr Nameeth D’Souza, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreo Retinal Surgeon, FMMC presented a basket of fruits; Dr Jenu James Chakola, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Indiana Hospital handed over a memento and Dr Nanda Kishore handed over the citation. It was a heartwarming experience for the administrator who radiated with pride on the honour conferred.
Dr Sanjeev Rai – Chief of Research, Father Muller Medical College and the former dean of FMMC was honoured for his selfless service and dedication to the upbringing of the medical college under his able guidance. His former students inevitably felt that he is their teacher in everyday medical life rather than former. Dr Archana Bhat, Associate Professor, department of Medicine, FMMC read out the citation, Dr Caroline D’Souza, Consultant Neuro-psychiatrist, draped a shawl around him as a mark of respect, Dr Caren D’Souza, Associate Professor, department of Surgery, FMMC presented a hamper of fruits; Dr Nanjesh, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, handed over a memento and Dr Archana handed over the citation. The alumni members gather around their mentor for a photograph to remember the day forever.
The third person to be felicitated was Hilda Pinto, Assistant Professor of the department of Microbiology and the department of Lab Tech Father Muller Medical College. Her students felt ever proud of their teacher in her simplicity in teaching and meekness of character that has made her a favourite among many. Dr Kusuma, Assistant Professor, department of Physiology, FMMC read out the citation; Dr Deepthi Bhava, Consultant Gynaecologist, Head of IVF department at Aster Hospital Bengaluru and syndicate member of RGUHS, felicitated her with a shawl; Dr Dilshad Shetty, Area Medical Head and Senior Consultant Dermatologist, Oliva Skin and Hair Clinic, Bengaluru, presented a basket of fruits; Dr Jeedhu Radhakrishnan, Consultant and in charge, department of Emergency Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Hospital– Mangaluru and Manipal Hospital, Goa, handed over a memento; and Dr Kusuma handed over the citation.
In his presidential address, Fr Richard Coelho, director Father Muller Charitable Institutions said, “FMMC has come a long way since its inception in 1999, and it is a great moment to ring in the vicennial celebrations to be held the following month to commemorate 20 years of untiring, sound and updated medical education offered by the FMMC. Meeting up with the alumni of FMMC gives a little piece of the past back to us. And no matter how much things have changed and continue to do so, we will always remember the people we shared those golden years with. That is the fun of going to a reunion: it is seeing the people who you were close to all those years ago, and re-exploring the relationships of the past. Reunion reveals friendship potential that has not yet emerged in the past. And Alumni Association of FMMC has done a great job by hosting this alumni reunion and also the vicennial celebration. Let us hope for a better future and more fun in 2020, and I wish you all good luck and happiness ahead."
Dr Nanjesh, currently Prof and Head, Community Medicine Department, KSHEMA, enthralled the audience by reminiscing the past experiences at Father Muller. Being the first batch, he recalls the discipline and ethics instilled in him by his alma mater that has made him what he is today. He recalled a few quips and follies of his in the college and how he was reprimanded for the same. He recalled a time when he did not have fees to pay and on the last day he met Dr Sanjeev Rai, who readily gave him the amount to be paid. His Kannada schooling was a bit of a hindrance, but with the help of his colleagues and teachers, he scaled the exams to be a doctor.
Dr Caroline, consultant psychiatrist Falnir Health Center, Mangaluru, recalled the efficiency of the staff in handling the students both in academics and their personal problems. The college gave more to the students, bringing out their hidden talents and attributes.
Dr Jeedhu Radhakrishnan, Consultant and Incharge, department of Emergency Medicine KMCH-Mangaluru and Manipal Hospital, Goa spoke on how naive and shy their first day was and how the institution shaped them to be what they are today due to discipline.
Dr Oliver D’Souza, treasurer of Father Muller Alumni Association expressed his gratitude by proposing the vote of thanks and the entire programme was meticulously and professionally compered by Dr Krista Pinto of the MBBS batch of 2014. Dr Nicole and Dr Joylene D’Almeida were the emcees for the second half of the programme.
Following the institution anthem, was party time at the social/fellowship accompanied by a sumptuous dinner. While the audience socialized, they were treated to a couple of mesmerizing Bollywood dances by the city’s dance group and 'Star Entertainers' of the cultural session were the husband and wife duo- Dr Uday Kumar K, Medical Superintendent, FMMCH and Dr Padmaja Udaya Kumar- Vice-Dean, FMMC whose Hindi and Kannada songs rocked the audience and shook their hips.
The memoirs of yesteryears were rejuvenated as they all shared their memories of those olden, youthful, cheerful days filled with happiness and joy. To enliven the atmosphere, there was not only fun and frolic but also lots of friendship cum fellowship, along with a sumptuous spread of food that added spice to the occasion. On the lighter side of vein- 'Reunion after a long separation is better than one’s wedding night'- This FMMC alumni reunion and vicennial celebration of exuberant songs, dance and social spree, had the party raving till 11 pm and the FMMC alumni/ae finally reluctantly bid goodbye to each other, while specifically asking for more such reunions to be organized and drawing plans to repay their alma mater in the best way possible.