Puttur: Philomena College's Parent/Teacher's Day - Teachers, Staff honoured
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Report & Pictures: Arun Uppinangadi
Puttur, Feb 23: The 'Parent -Teacher's Day' of the 'Golden Jubiliee celebrations' of St. Philomena college and St. Philomena Pre-University college, Puttur began at the Antony Patrao Sabhangana - Francis Serrao Serrao Vedike here on Friday Feb 23.
An huge audience of around 800 people, invitees and guests was welcomed by Prasanna Kumar Rai, president of Puttur's P A College - Parent/ Teachers Association (PTA). The function began with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the Rev. Gerald D'Souza, correspondent St Philomena Institutions, Puttur, who also presided over the events.
The chief guests on the occasion were Dr. H S Ballal, pro-chancellor, 'MAHE', Manipal. The other chief guests due to pressing engagements like Rajendra Kumar was unable to attend and his place was taken over by Kinnappa Gowda, head of the Kannada department Mangalore University, while Alva's Education Foundation chairman Dr Mohan Alva's place was taken over by Fr. Denis Desa, Administrator of Father Mullers Hospital.
The function began with the felicitation of 12 retired teachers and 3 old staff of the college. They were all honoured traditionally with a shawl by Ganesh Karnik, member of Legislative Assembly, Karanataka. Speaking on the occasion Karnik in his short speech declared "This is indeed an emotional moment for me. In India there are around 363 universities, which is not sufficient. There is an urgent need for 1,500 more universities in the country," he opined. The president blessing the college on its golden jubilee year declared emotionally, "I want this college to go on for a hundred more years."
The next programme consisted of the felicitation of PTA ex-high school members, wherein the latter were honoured with shawls by Fr. Denis Desa. Fr Desa after the felicitation said "Every year, it should be the endeavor of the college to bring out the latent talent inherent within the students, to the forefront." He however, rued the fact that media like TV, films, computers, internet in today's times are given more importance by children, rather than their studies as a result of which they were concentrating less on studies, he added.
After this speech two ex-presidents of P U College were honoured by Chinila Thimmappa Shetty, president of Taluk Panchayath, Puttur. Speaking on the occasion Shetty lauding Philomena college said "St. Philomena College is responsible for laying the foundation for a better future of several students, who have left the college now." According to him all Catholic schools have an humanitarian outlook and Philomena college too has all along carried forward this motto.
The present teachers and staff of P U College were honoured with mementos by Fr Gerald D'Souza. After which there were speeches given by other invitees like Chanila Shetty, Fr. Gomes principal P U College and Edwin D' Souza, principal of the high school. The concluding speech was delivered by the president Gerald D'Souza which he kept short as it was very late around 9.45 pm.
This was followed by the prize distribution ceremony wherein prizes were distributed by Chanila Shetty. Cultural events followed comprising a music, dance, a Yakshagana display, Bharat Natyam recital and games. The vote of thanks was proposed by Ganesh Bhat while the MC's were Chetan Kumar T and Harinakshi MD, 'Kannada Vibhag' lecturers.
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