Media Release
Belagavi, Oct 23: St Paul’s Institutions reopened after the Dasara holidays with an atmosphere of joy, excitement and renewed enthusiasm, marking the beginning of the second semester and setting the tone for the forthcoming 170th Jubilee Celebrations.
The campus wore a festive look, adorned with colourful decorations and school flags announcing the historic milestone. The popular “Wapas School Challenge” song filled the air with energy, while two cheerful characters, Motu and Patlu, welcomed students at the main gate. The principal, PTA members and teachers greeted the boys warmly, making every child feel special and valued.
The occasion was further honoured by the official visit of Fr Pedro Rodrigues SJ, provincial of the Goa Jesuit Province. He was accompanied by Fr Santosh Vas SJ, rector and manager; Fr Eric Mathias SJ, principal; Fr Alendro Da Costa SJ, vice principal; Monu Singh Bhatla, High School PTA president; Parag Chandgadkar, Jesuit School PTA president; and Karu Wagh, assistant headmaster.
NCC cadets ceremoniously escorted the provincial to the dais, while the school brass band added grandeur to the occasion. Provincial hoisted the school flag, followed by the School Anthem and the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. An inter-religious prayer, featuring readings from the Bhagavad Gita, the Quran and the Bible, conveyed a powerful message of unity, harmony and mutual respect.
Welcoming the students, Fr Eric Mathias SJ, principal, expressed his happiness at seeing the boys return to school. He encouraged them to be sincere, disciplined and committed to their studies, reminding them that they were loved and genuinely missed during the holidays.
Addressing the students, Fr Pedro Rodrigues SJ, provincial, inspired them to set clear goals, pursue excellence in education and become individuals of character and compassion. He urged them to practise love, care for one another and reach out to the poor and underprivileged, irrespective of caste or creed.
The colourful house uniforms of the Primary School, High School and Jesuit School added vibrancy to the celebration, reflecting the unity and spirit of the St Paul’s family. The assembly concluded with the National Anthem.
As St Paul’s begins a new semester under the guidance of its Jesuit leadership, the message is clear: excellence in education must go hand in hand with discipline, compassion and service to humanity. With the 170th Jubilee approaching, the institution looks forward to celebrating its rich legacy while inspiring a new generation of Paulites to live its enduring values.