Media Release
Puttur, Aug 12: St Philomena College embarked upon a new post graduate department in mathematics and organised a felicitation function for the alumni recently at Silver Jubilee Memorial Hall.
The inaugural function was presided over by Bishop of Mangalore Diocese and president of Catholic Board of Education Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza.
After inaugurating the function by kindling the lamp and felicitating honourable urban development minister of government of Karnataka Vinayakumar Sorake, MLA of Puttur constituency Shakuntala T Shetty and MLA of Mangalore south constituency J R Lobo, he said, by perceiving the necessity of post graduate education in this rural area, MCom, Msc physics and MSW courses had been commenced and at present Msc Mathematics has been started. Christian institutions have given great importance to education. He mentioned with pride, former chief minister honourable D V Sadananda Gowda, former minister Shobha Karandlaje, and justice Bopanna of Karnataka High Court, honourable minister Sorake, and MLA J R Lobo, who were all the alumni of St Philomena College. He added, students should maintain their dignity while they accept their challenges.
Receiving the felicitation, Sorake said, if Msgr Antony Patrao had no far sighted vision of education for the rural youth, today the innumerable youth would have been deprived of higher education. It was because he had a dream that rural youth should get higher education, St Philomena College was founded. He said that he too has the pride of being an old student of this temple of learning. This inspiration has thrown light towards the completeness of an individual, he added.
Secretary of Catholic Board of Education, Fr Wilson Vitus D’Souza in his speech said if the students tread ahead with strong will and optimistic tendency, they can definitely be achievers and will be better citizens.
MLA of Puttur honourable Shakuntala T Shetty, said it is important to take teenage as a challenge with patience, so that path will be made easy to reach the goal. She spoke on the necessity of being secular, harmonious and willingness for collective existence and added that we should not afford to forget the teacher and the educational institution where we receive knowledge.
Alumnus of the college honourable MLA J R Lobo in his speech said he was the student of this college from 1970-73, and he with faith, promise towards the future and individual effort has climbed the ladder of success and eventually has become MLA of Mangalore south constituency. It is not that one’s age that counts but his mindset, faith in God, hard work and self confidence that matters when it comes to the question of reach out to the goal, he said.
Parameshwara Bhat, chairman of department of mathematics, Mangalore University, in his speech said, “Post graduate education is not just getting the degree but it creates a teacher out of a student”. He congratulated the efforts of St Philomena College and called for the students to make better use of this facility.
Dr Antony Prakash Monterio, campus director and chairperson of PG studies, in his preliminary address, said it is a matter to rejoice because the growth of PG departments in St Philomena College makes him overwhelmed. There is a greater responsibility on the part of the students to maintain the dignity and honour of the college during their study in the campus and when they step into the greater society. Three persons whom the college was to felicitate are worth emulating, he added.
On this happy occasion, ‘Philoprabha’ – College souvenir was released by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza. Dr A P Radha Krishna, editor of the souvenir monitored the same.
The correspondent of the college Fr Gerald D’souza welcomed. Fr Vijay Lobo, principal of St Philomena PU College was graciously present on the dais.
The principal of the college, Professor Leo Norohna proposed vote of thanks. Professor Udaya K, Professor Ganesh Bhat and Bharathi S Rai performed felicitation speeches. Nishmitha and team rendered prayer. Jeevitha Sequiera compered the programme.
The dignitaries were received with grand welcome by the band troop of St Philomena High School and ceremonious guard of honour by the NCC cadets of St Philomena College. Dignitaries were escorted to the hall with a gracious procession and lady students welcomed them with floral grace.
The entire college rejoiced at this happy event held in the campus along with the local political leaders who accompanied honourable minister and MLA’s.
Alumni association of the college took this opportunity to honour Vinay Kumar Sorake. Both the alumni, PTA presidents and members, members of the management committee were graciously present in the function.
Programme came to formal end with National Anthem.