Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 2: St Aloysius Higher Primary School marked Kannada Rajyotsava and Diwali with vibrant celebrations held in the school auditorium, highlighting the cultural heritage of Karnataka and the festive spirit of Diwali.
The event commenced with the Nada Geethe, Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Tanujathe, filling the auditorium with pride and unity.
The dignitaries, including the chief guest Roopesh Kumar N, a distinguished advocate and alumnus serving on the bar council in Mangaluru and North India, received a warm welcome amidst applause from the audience. Headmistress Jositta Noronha, assistant headmaster Liya D’Souza and PTA cultural secretary Roopa Shree were present on the occasion.
Aliya, a student, eloquently addressed the significance of Kannada Rajyotsava, celebrating the essence of language and culture of Karnataka the programme continued with students singing the Kannada patriotic song Ede Naadu, Ede Bhashe and a spirited dance to Hacchevu Kannada Da Deepa, capturing the pride and joy of the occasion. This was followed by a Diwali segment led by class 1 students, who spoke on the significance of the festival of lights and delivered an endearing dance performance.
In his keynote address, Roopesh Kumar commended the students for creatively showcasing the essence of both festivals through speech and performance. Encouraging them to strive for excellence, he noted that their achievements contribute to honoring the state’s legacy. He also shared the school’s pride in Fr Prashanth Madtha SJ, honoured with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award for his contributions to Kannada literature. Reflecting on Diwali, he observed that darkness often symbolizes misconceptions and ignorance, urging everyone to be a light for others.
Assistant headmaster Liya D’Souza, in his message, underscored the importance of Kannada, encouraging parents to teach and converse in the language at home. He highlighted that the school provides free education, books, and uniforms for Kannada-medium students, reinforcing its commitment to preserving the language. He compared the Diya’s light to acts of service, inspiring students to lead and support others with compassion. He also reminded everyone to exercise caution when handling fireworks.
The event was seamlessly compered by Farseena, Jasmine, Euan Reece, Shion Jhon, Glanmore Denzil, and Dhanush, while Sanjana proposed the vote of thanks. The programme concluded with the National Anthem and sweets were distributed to the children, closing the celebrations on a festive and joyful note.