Pundalika Marathe
Karkala, Nov 14: “Mind will be peaceful when you respect our parents, religion and do good to the society. Light is same for all religions and castes. God is one. Putting darkness out of mind and giving light to the society is the message of Diwali”, said Dharmadarshi Harikrishna Punaroor.
He spoke after inaugurating the Diwali celebrations at St Joseph Higher Primary School, Belman. Mass prayer by students, Bhagavad Gita recitation and mass lighting of lamps was also held on the occasion.
Sevrin Mendonsa, retired teacher of the school, was felicitated on the occasion of Diwali.
Rotary District Deputy Governor K R Patkar, Church guarding committee vice president Gregory Menezes, Belman gram panchayat president Mallika Rao, gram panchayat member Geetha Prabhu, convent head Sr Usha Stella and english medium school headmistress Janet D’Souza were the chief guests for the occasion.
“Light means God. The feast celebration is a must to learn peace, harmony, integrity etc”, said Fr Lawrence B D’Souza who presided over the function.
Education coordinator Shailaja Hegde, Nandalike cluster’s Panduranga Shetty, Teachers Association district secretary, state award winning teacher K Lakshmikanth Bhat, Aided School Association taluk president V K Rao Nandalike and Sr Jecintha were present.
The programme was compered by senior teacher B Pundalika Marathe.
Teacher Vincent pinto proposed the vote of thanks. Cultural programmes by the students and fire crackers show was also organized on the occasion.