Media Release
Puttur, Jan 15: Senior students of St Philomena Aided High School, through their generosity set an example to their Alma Mater.
‘Being’ the best is not so important. ‘Doing’ the best is all that matters - the quote explains the significance of the short but sweet inaugural function, well organized on January 11 at St Philomena Aided High School, here.
Michael D’Souza, a senior student, successful entrepreneur as well as a generous donor, kept up his promise made during the inauguration of the diamond jubilee commemorative school building, on January 6, 2017, by providing many benefits to the school – class room furniture, a well equipped computer lab, drinking water facility for the staff and students and laying of interlocks on the school ground – worth Rs 60 lac.
In fact if John F Kennedy’s statement can be altered slightly ‘Ask not what the school has given to you, ask what you have given to your school’, he can proudly say that he has given something to his Alma Mater. After inaugurating the interlocked front yard of the institution, by lighting the lamp symbolically, Michael D’Souza, respectfully remembered the founder, late Msgr A Patrao, his headmaster late Denis D'Souza and all the teachers who taught him and recalled his school days. He expressed his wish that the students make the best use of the facilities provided to them to study properly and to come out with flying colors. Fr Valerian D’Souza, the former correspondent and president of the function blessed the students and said, “Souza Brothers Gilbert and Michael are the true models for the students. If people, who can afford, contribute a portion of their earnings to their Alma Mater to serve the cause of education, they can be successful in life.” He also felt that monitoring such funds for the right cause through right steps requires good leadership. He praised the efforts of the headmaster Oswald Rodrigues in getting the projects completed on time.
Earlier, holy mass was held and after paying homage to the founder Msgr A Patrao and Denis D'Souza, the function began with a prayer composed by Denis D’Souza. The headmaster Oswald Rodrigues welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. Gilbert DSouza, who provided water facility, Lawrence Gonsalves who helped in leveling the ground for laying interlocks and Oswald Rodrigues were felicitated on the occasion.
Fr Alfred J Pinto, the correspondent of the school, Dr Antony Prakash Monteiro, the campus director, N K Jagannivasa Rao, president of Senior Students Association, J P Rodrigues, vice president of the church committee, Muhammed Suhail, SPL were present on stage.
The function was attended by the heads of institutions, retired teaching and non-teaching staff like Ramesh Rao, Raghavendra Kalluraya, Suresh Shetty, Ravindra Rao, Ratnakar Gowda, I Laxmi Narayana Bhat, Padmanabha Naik, Chandrashekara Kunjathaya, Jeromius Pais, M S Purushotham, Mary Lobo, Leena Fernandes, Shantha Kumari, Alex Crasta, senior students V B Arthikaje and other guests.
A floral welcome to all of them by the school staff members added warmth to the occasion. Vote of thanks was proposed by Reshma Rebello. Rajashekar, compered the programme and won appreciation from all for conducting the programme in an apt and befitting manner.