Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 22: A total of 26 teachers and five attenders, who were part of the school between 1979 - 1989, on January 21 were felicitated by 60 plus then Aloysians.
Meeting after 29 years at the first grand 'Guruvandana' programme of Kannada medium students of 1989 batch of SSLC students organised in the history of the 138 years history of the school was an emotional moment for everyone.
More than ten teachers said that they never received such a grand felicitation in their entire career that spanned an average of 30 to 35 years.
Replying to the felicitation, retired teacher Sarvajna Achar said, "I was selected for the post of a police sub inspector in 1974, but could not join the service due to his inability to pay a bribe of Rs 50,000. “If I had joined the police service then, I would have retired as DIG or officer with some big rank with four to five flats and 5 to 6 kg of gold, but I would not have received such an honour from so many students.” he said to the loud applause of the students.
Another teacher Shambhu Shetty with great emotion stated that not only Kannada medium students are looked down upon even to this day, but English medium teachers too continue to look down upon Kannada medium teachers.
The then physical education teacher Dayanand Rai said that he still sees a football team, a volleball team and a cricket team among the audience (students). The then science teacher and scouts in-charge G K Bhat called upon students to be a TEAM (T-Together, E-Everyone, A-Achieve, M-More) and continue to help the needy. The then headmaster Fr Lawrence Pinto, present headmaster Fr Jerald Furtado, retired teachers - Joyce D’Souza, G K Bhat, H L R Bhat, Ramachandra Bhat, Srinivas Rao, Francis Mascarenhas, Donald Saldanha, Celina Rego, Rita Mascarenhas, Mary D’Souza, Ruby Lobo and Gretta Patrao among others spoke.
Towards the beginning of the programme, St Aloysius Primary School correspondent Fr Eric Mathias lauded the students for the event and urged them to help the poor students, especially those belonging to Dalit and Koraga community by footing their fees. “Koragas and Dalits living in Pacchaanadi striving to make the city clean by sweeping and collecting garbage, have sons and daughters who do not go to school. Help them to get education.”
Felicitation
The 26 teachers and five attenders who were felicitated included Joyce D'Silva, Rita Mascarenhas, Ruby Lobo, Mary D'Souza, Celine Concesso, Gretta Patrao, Celine Rego, Shambu Shetty, H L R Bhat, Sarvajna Achar, Frank Sequeira, Fr Lawrence Pinto, Fr Denis Rasquinha, Gopal Krishna Bhat (Sr), Gopal Krishna Bhat (Jr), Ram Mohan Tholpady, Dayanand Rai, Dr John Pinto, Srinivas Rao, Francis Mascarenhas, Donald Saldanha, G Ramachandra Bhat, Valarian Colaco and attenders Felix, George, Jerald Fernandes, Bonaventure and Herald Misquith (who served St Aloysius for 47 years).
A one-minute silence was observed for the departed souls of teachers - Fr Ronnie Prabhu, Fr J B Frank, Benedict Vas, Sathurin D’Silva, A X Patrao, G Lobo, Bonaventure Menezes, Fr Lawrence D’Souza, Fr A S Rodrigues, Fr Victor, T A Rao, J R D’Leema, Manjappayya, Leo Fernandes, L D’Cunha, Mark Menezes and Ethel Prabhu; as well as students - Nilus, Maxim, Kiran Shetty, Shrinivas, Udaychandra, Lokesh, Raghuveer, Malet, Dakshath, Subashchandra, Ratan Pinto, Melwin and Santhosh Rao Pejavar.
A few students from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Dubai, United Kingdom, Mumbai, Belgaum, Bengaluru and other far off places attended the programme.