Pics: Ramesh Pandith

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Aug 17: Michael B Fernandes, chairman of 'Lawrence Fernandes Foundation' handed over Rs 21 lac to St Francis Xavier Educational Trust as a donation at St Francis Xavier's Higher Primary School Bejai on Wednesday August 17.

Michael Fernandes had pledged the amount on December 2 last year during the centenary celebration of Francis Xavier Higher Primary School.

School administration felicitated Michael B Fernandes on this occasion.

Speaking on this occasion Michael Fernandes said “We five brothers George (former defence minister), Lawrence, Paul, Aloysius and I studied in this school. People called us ‘Pancha Pandavas’ in the school, church circles and neighbourhood,"

Michael also recalled how he took part in the skit, vegetable cultivation during his school days and how as children they used to rush outside to view aeroplane.

Michael handed over the signed endowment deed and cheque of Rs 21 Lac to Fr Wilson Vitus D’Souza, the correspondent of the school. Michael made announcement that "Since there has been a delay of about seven months in handing over the donation, I assume the responsibility for the same and I personally contribute an additional amount of Rs 52, 500,"

Michael gave a call to children to cultivate good moral values from the education “After the education while you earn, you should serve the society and help others. I should tell one more thing that social service and politics should never become business. In doing what we ought, we to deserve no praise, because it is our duty".

The amount which is being made a part of corpus fund of St Francis Xavier Educational Trust is split into three separate endowments to be used for people irrespective of caste and creed.

The endowment funds are as follows:

Jacob Fernandes Scholarships: An amount of Rs 8 lac to provide scholarships to the poor and needy students of ST Francis Xavier's Higher Primary School. (This is in memory of paternal grandfather).

Margaret Pinto Scholarships: An amount of Rs 4 lac to provide scholarships to poor and needy students of Lourdes High School. (This is in memory of maternal grandmother).

Lawrence V Fernandes Medical Grants: An amount of Rs 9 lacs to provide medical aid to the unaided teachers and unaided support staff of St Francis Xavier Higher Primary School and Lourdes High School.( This is in memory of Lawrence who passed away on 14 November 2005).

Lona E C Rodrigues headmistress of school, SDMC vice president Stany Vas, Betterment committee member Augustine Rodrigues, Bejai church parish council secretary Cony Saldanha and others were present.