Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 15: The 78th Independence Day celebration at St Aloysius International School and PU College, Harihar, were marked by patriotic fervour and cultural vibrancy on August 15. The event commenced with a sense of pride and unity as students, faculty, and distinguished guests gathered to honour the nation’s freedom.
The celebration began with the master of ceremonies, M Kaneez Fathima and Bi Bi Ameena from I PUC Science, introducing the programme and welcoming the dignitaries.
The chief guest for the event was Ian Thomas, CEO, Multi-Academy Trust, Devon, NW London, a respected figure known for his contributions to society.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Fr Eric Mathias SJ, director of St Aloysius International School and PU College, who delivered the presidential speech, and Pushpalatha Urs, principal of St Aloysius PU College, along with Fr Vinod, SJ, principal of St Aloysius International School.
The event commenced with the ceremonial hoisting of the national flag by the school advisor Grace Noronha. The sight of the tricolour fluttering against the morning sky filled everyone with a deep sense of patriotism. This was followed by an impressive march-past performance by all four groups, representing both the school and PU college. The students displayed discipline and synchronisation, embodying the spirit of the nation.
Grace Noronha, school advisor, delivered the inaugural speech. She recalled the unwavering dedication and unrelenting spirit of the freedom fighters, and asked students to emulate their example in their own lives. She also reiterated to embrace the values of patriotism, hard work, and citizenship, and work towards building a brighter future for themselves and for generations to come.
In line with the school’s tradition, a warm and vibrant welcome was extended to the guests with college band performance and the participation of the NCC cadets. This was followed by an interreligious prayer, reflecting the institution’s commitment to unity in diversity, where students from different faiths came together to pray for the nation’s progress and peace.
The welcome speech by Hajira from 1st Commerce set the tone for the day’s proceedings, expressing gratitude to the chief guest and other dignitaries for their presence. The ceremonial lighting of the lamp and offering flowers to the portraits of India's national leaders symbolised the light of freedom and the respect owed to those who fought for it.
Significance of the day and guest speech
A special segment was dedicated to highlighting the significance of Independence Day. The head girl, Melvita Braganza of Class Vlll shared her thoughts on the importance of freedom and the responsibilities that come with it. This was followed by a hearty felicitation of the chief guest, Ian Thomas, who then delivered an inspiring speech. He emphasised the value of independence and urged the students to contribute positively to the nation’s future.
Cultural programmes
The cultural programmes began with student performances who came dressed as prominent freedom fighters right from the youngest members of the institution of pre-KG, KG 1 and KG ll. Their innocent and enthusiastic participation brought smiles to all those who were present.
The school and college house groups — red, blue, yellow, and green — presented a series of cultural programmes that included dance, music, and drama with each group highlighting different aspects of India’s rich heritage. As a final act, the PU students showcased their talents through the traditional "Malla Gamba" event, a display of regional culture.
The jury members for the cultural programme were Grace Noronha, school advisor, Pushpalatha Urs, principal of PU College, Fr Vinod, principal of the school, and Sr Shanthi David, vice-principal of the school.
Presidential speech and prize distribution
Fr Eric Mathias SJ, in his presidential speech, lauded the efforts of the students and staff in organising the event and reminded everyone of the importance of upholding the values of justice, equality, and freedom. He encouraged the students to be responsible citizens and to work towards the betterment of society.
The celebrations concluded with the distribution of prizes to the best-performing groups. Their achievements were recognised and celebrated, encouraging all to strive for excellence.
The event ended with a vote of thanks by Tasmiya, expressing gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the celebration. The day was a perfect blend of patriotism, culture, and unity, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.