Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 16: St Aloysius Gonzaga School celebrated the 79th Independence Day on August 15 with immense enthusiasm and patriotic fervour. Lt Colonel R P Rai, commanding officer of the 18 Karnataka Battalion NCC, Indian Army, was the chief guest for the celebration.

In his address, Lt Colonel Rai spoke on the significance of Independence over dependence, drawing from his experiences in school and the military. He encouraged Gonzagaites to join the NCC, highlighting its role in cultivating resilience, unity, and discipline.

The principal, Fr Rohan D Almeida SJ, in his inspiring message, expressed that Indianness flows in our very veins, binding us with an unbreakable love for our motherland. He reminded everyone that though we speak different languages and embrace varied cultures and traditions, our diversity remains our greatest strength—uniting us as one nation, one people, one India.

The celebration began with the hoisting of the national flag by Lt Colonel Rai, Fr Rohan D Almeida SJ, and vice-principals Laurel D’Souza and Aparna Suresh, followed by the National Anthem. The cultural programme beautifully portrayed India’s journey from the struggles of the past to the glory of the present. The event concluded with a vote of thanks, and sweets were distributed to all students.