Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 17: Manipal School, Attavar, celebrated the 78th Indian Independence Day with great enthusiasm and patriotism on August 15. The celebration took place in the school campus, with Dr Sofia Rego as the distinguished chief guest. Dr Rego is a renowned consultant in life sciences at Infosys, Mangaluru.
Her extensive career includes serving as a former associate professor at St Joseph Engineering College (SJEC) Mangaluru and an assistant lecturer at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK). Additionally, Dr Rego served as an education officer in the Indian Navy, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander.
The event commenced with a ceremonial guard of honour, where school cabinet members welcomed and escorted Dr Rego. The notable attendees included principal Srilatha S Alva, vice principal Shilpa Moger, head mistress Sapna S Shetty, PTA president Sachin K, PTA vice president Sunitha Furtado and also Dr Kedar Kodkany and Dr Anvia D’Souza, the office bearers of the school’s alumni association.
The flag hoisting ceremony was a significant highlight, accompanied by a melodious performance of the Jhanda Geet by the school choir. This moving rendition instilled a strong sense of national pride among all those present at the celebration.
Hadi Abdulla Hussain of Grade VI delivered a warm welcome note, setting a positive tone for the event. Students from various grades showcased their talents through a series of cultural programmes, celebrating patriotic themes. The celebration also featured a musical ballet depicting the origins of the Ashoka Chakra. This performance creatively illustrated the historical and symbolic significance of the Ashoka Chakra, which represents the eternal wheel of law and righteousness. The dance conveyed the story behind this emblem, highlighting its importance as a symbol of India's enduring values and principles. Anshika Anoop of Grade VI gave an insightful speech on Indian Independence, highlighting its significance and the journey of the nation.
In her keynote speech, Dr Rego highlighted the importance of education. She spoke passionately about her service in the Indian Navy, sharing insights from her time as an education officer and encouraging students to consider careers in the armed forces. Dr Rego emphasized the significance of developing a reading habit as a crucial step towards achieving one's career goals and broadening horizons.
She also recognized and applauded the school’s annual theme, ‘Competency-Focused Education', underscoring its relevance in preparing students for future challenges. In addition, she paid tribute to the valour and sacrifices of Indian soldiers, inspiring a sense of pride and responsibility in the audience. She also acknowledged the dedicated efforts of both teachers and students in organizing a beautiful cultural event that vividly reflected patriotism and national pride.
A painting created by Harshita of grade VIII was presented to Dr Sofia Rego as a token of appreciation. Hifza Mariyam, a grade VI student, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing heartfelt gratitude to everyone present.
The 78th Independence Day celebration at Manipal School was a memorable occasion, marked by a deep sense of patriotism and community spirit. The event concluded with a heartfelt national anthem.