Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
With Inputs from Media Release
Udupi, Jan 9: One of coastal region's foremost institutes, Milagres College, Kallianpur is all set to celebrate its golden jubilee with a grand event on Friday, January 13.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi and president of CESU will preside over the function. Pramod Madhwaraj, minister for youth empowerment, sports and fisheries; Ivan D’Souza, MLC; Oscar Fernandes, MP; Janardhan Tonse, member, Udupi zilla panchayat; Pushpa Kotian, president, Kallianpur gram panchayat; Alfred F Crasto, alumnus; Dr Lawrence C D’Souza, secretary, CESU; Fr Stany B Lobo, correspondent; Dr Gerald Pinto, principal, Milagres College; Savitha K, Principal, Milagres PU College and Fr Prakash Anil Castelino, campus director will be present on the occasion.
Various culture programmes will be conducted by the students of the college after the fellowship meal.
History and Growth of Milagres College
The absence of higher seat of learning in the township of Kallianpur was felt to be a serious setback for progress and prosperity. In fact, as far back as 1940’s, Kallianpur ought to have seen the rise of a college but owing to reasons beyond control, the aspirations remained unrealizable. Msgr D J D'Souza, the then parish priest of Milagres Church at the age of 83 dreamt of opening a college in the remote area of Kallianpur-Moodu Tonse. Very few could perhaps think that
this grand old man of Kallianpur would be able to launch this educational enterprise at a time when his age would ask him to retreat in resignation.
A visible step in this direction was taken in the month of August 1966 where it was resolved to open an arts and commerce college under the stewardship of Msgr D J D’Souza. He was actively encouraged and supported by Msgr W A Lewis, the then vicar general of the diocese of Mangaluru who is rightly and legitimately called the co-founder of Milagres College. The services of Fr William Gonsalves, the then headmaster of Milagres High School cannot be forgotten. He toiled ceaselessly for the progress of the college.
The First University Commission visited Kallianpur in April 1967 to explore the possibility and feasibility of a college in the area. The college received an affiliation order on June 28, 1967 for opening an arts and commerce college at Kallianpur. The college started functioning from July 1, 1967. On July 18, 1967 T A Pai, managing director, Syndicate Bank, formally inaugurated Milagres College, Kallianpur in the presence of a large number of people from all walks of life, amidst great rejoicing.
Governing Council
To govern the college, a governing council committee was formed comprising Fr Dr B S D’Souza as president and Dr P Govinda Acharya, K N Kukkilaya and Philomena Lewis as the members of the building committee.
On October 14, 1967, Msgr Denis D'Souza, Fr Gonsalves and Fr Rebello blessed the foundation stone. The chief guest K V Shankara Gowda, minister for education, laid the foundation stone for the permanent buildings of Milagres College.
On November 23, 1967, the principal administered the oath of allegiance to the new college flag. On November 5, 1969, B Rachaiah, minister of agriculture, inaugurated the ground floor of the new building. In June 1970, Milagres College Association was constituted and was inaugurated on July 3, 1970 under the presidentship of Fr Serrao and Sri Lakshmi Manoja Teertha Swamiji of Shiroor Math was the chief guest. On August 19, 1970 T J Ramakrishnan, IAS, the then deputy commissioner switched on the newly installed electric lights. The electrification of the college was done at a cost of Rs 4,500. The ground floor of the main building was completed in 1969 by Msgr D J D’Souza. Fr L S Pais built the first floor and half of the second floor of the main building.
College Library
The library is the balance wheel of the mechanism of any educational institution. It was the sincere desire of the principal and management to build a rich library as a constituent part of the institution. The library started with 1,150 books on various subjects donated by generous souls. The full-fledged college library building was constructed with UGC funds of Rs 1,15,000 during the period of Fr L S Pais as correspondent. It was inaugurated by Dr Veerendra Heggade on December 19, 1971 and was named 'Msgr D J D'Souza, Temple of Knowledge'. The library was again renovated in the year 2000-2001. At present, the library has 39,715 books worth Rs 26,62,768 and 77 textual CDs worth Rs 24,89,156. The library is fully computerised, books are bar-coded, with bluetooth barcode scanner facility also available. Milagres College has been admitted as an institutional member of DELNET online databases. Through this, the staff and students can access nearly two crore records of books, periodicals etc.
Science Department (1983-1984): As a sign of progress of the college, a science department was introduced under the able guidance of Fr G L Da Cruz, vicar of Milagres parish. A new spacious science block consisting of three classrooms and four laboratories was envisaged at an estimated cost of Rs 12 lac. Physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology were introduced for I PU in June 1981. In 1983-1984, degree classes in science commenced and the first batch of science graduates passed out in 1986. Fr Peter Theodore D’Souza was the principal then.
The foundation stone for the new science block was laid on February 10, 1982 by the late Fr Dr Basil S D’Souza, the then bishop of Mangaluru. The science block was completed by Fr William Gonsalves, the then correspondent of Milagres Institutions and parish priest of Milagres Church in the year 1985.
College Canteen (1990)
The college canteen was opened in 1990 for the benefit of the students and staff alike.
Silver Jubilee (1992)
Milagres College, Kallianpur celebrated the silver jubilee of its existence on January 2, 3 and 4, 1992, marking a significant milestone in the history of the college. The Silver Jubilee Auditorium Hall was inaugurated on February 24, 1992 to commemorate the twenty-five years of existence of the college.
Mid-Day Meal (1996)
The mid-day meal scheme was launched in the year 1996-1997, thanks to the generosity of the donors for their good-will towards poor and needy students. It was started with a capital fund of Rs one lac invested in fixed deposit. Out of the interest accrued, the mid-day meals are being served to the needy students in the college canteen. Generous donors and teachers contribute towards the mid-day meal scheme every year.
Pre-University College (2001)
As per government policy, the Pre-University College was bi-furcated in the year 2001. Sadashiva Alse, who was serving as a biology lecturer in Milagres College was appointed as the first principal of Milagres PU College.
Alumni Association (2002)
The Alumni Association of Milagres College was conceived at an informal get-together of 18 former students of the college on December 14, 2002 under the able guidance of Fr Valerian Mendonca, the then Principal. The get-together was inaugurated by former correspondent, Fr Xavier Pinto. Former students Fr Dennis D’Sa and Janaki M were the chief guests. About 63 old students registered their names in the Alumni Association. The First General Body meeting of Milagres College Alumni Association was held on July 31, 2004. The Alumni Association is the backbone of the college participating/sponsoring various activities of the college.
Ruby Jubilee (2007)
The ruby year with the completion of 40 years of educational mission gave the college an inspiration to work for the golden future. The introduction of cachelor of business administration (BBM) course in June 2007 is another landmark in the history of Milagres College. The BBM course was inaugurated by Dr Nagabrahman, Director of TAPMI, Manipal.
This was followed by the introduction of bachelor of computer application (BCA) in the year 2008.
In August 2009, Milgares College, Kallianpur introduced post-graduate courses in master of Social Work (MSW) with a total of 26 students.
Milagres Ladies Hostel (2009)
For the benefit of the female students coming from far off places, the management extended hostel facilities to them in the year 2009. The hostel was first functioning in a vacant building near the English Medium High School. With the help of UGC grants, construction work of Milagres Ladies Hostel was undertaken. Fr Dr Baptist Menezes blessed and laid the foundation Stone of the College Ladies Hostel along with Fr Marcel Saldanha, correspondent and Fr Fred Mascarenhas, principal. The founder warden of the ladies hostel was Sr Bibianaa of Ursuline Order.
Dr Gerald Pinto (principal), Savitha Kumari (PUC principal)
Fr Prakash Anil Castelino (campus director), Fr Stany B Lobo (correspondent)
Miracles New Block - A Labour of Love
A splendid three-storeyed building was constructed with the support of donors, alumni, staff, parents and students during the term of Fr Fred Mascarenhas. The new building 'Miracles' was inaugurated on January 11, 2010.
Milagres Co-Operative Store: In the academic year 2010-2011, Milagres Co-operative Store was started to provide stationery items and snacks to the students at a lower prices, thanks to Dr Ajith D’Souza and his team who put in their effort in the initiation of the store.
MCom (2012): In July 2012, Milagres College introduced a new post-graduate degree course - MCom. Fr Dr Eugene Lobo, former principal of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru inaugurated the course on July 30, 2012. As many as 29 students enrolled for the course.
NAAC peer team visited the college on October 5,6 and 7, 2015 and the college was awarded 'B' grade with CGPA 2.72. This was their third visit to the college.
Rank Holders: The college has produced 53 rank holders in Mangalore University.
Sports and Games: Sports and games play a major role in not only preserving the health of the students, but also in moulding the character of young students. The achievement of the students in the sphere of games and sports is really appreciable. Intra-mural competitions are being held class-wise. The college has acquired a good name both in individual and team events in games and sports in the university and state. The college has produced national level athletes in addition to university and district level athletes. The college is having a 200 mtr sports track, a gymnasium for men and women and a basketball court.
Staff: At its inception, there were only 16 staff members. Today, the PU college has 17 teaching staff and five administrative staff. The degree college has 48 teaching staff and 23 administrative staff.
Student strength: When the college started in 1967, there were 229 students, of which 66 were girl students. Presently, there are 542 students in PU College, of which 240 are girls. There are 823 students in the degree and post-graduate classes of which 439 are girls.
Achievements
• Best College Annual Magazine Award from Mangalore University for ‘Miracles’ in the year 2004-05. It has also bagged the second place in the years 2006-07 and 2007-08.
• Best NSS Unit Award from the government of Karnataka and Mangalore University in 2007-08.
• Organized South Zone Republic Day parade selection camp for South Indian Colleges in the year 2007. It was inaugurated by Oscar Fernandes, the then minister for labour.
• Organised State Level camp of Bharath Scouts and Guides from December 30, 2013 to January 3, 2014.
UGC Grants
The College has been receiving grants from the University Grants Commission (UGC) for various purposes like library, college canteen, college building, ladies hostel, women empowerment course, special grants for infrastructure, sports and games, minor research project grants etc.
Milagres College Golden Jubliee Education Fund
To celebrate the golden jubilee year meaningfully, the college has planned a golden jubilee project to have a corpus fund to cater to the educational needs of poor students of the locality.
Everyone must endeavour to comprehend the thoughts of the founders of this college and embody the visions which they had cherished. The golden jubilee celebration is an occasion to reaffirm the purpose for which Milagres College was founded and to pledge to continue the trend of progress. May the college grow, flourish and reach even greater heights of prosperity in the years to come.
For more information contact
Milagres College
Kallianpur - 576114
Email : milagrescollege@gmail.com
Ph : 0091 820 2580235
Web : http://milagreskallianpur.com/
Daijiworld.com will bring the exclusive live web streaming of the celebrations on January 13 from 9 am onwards.