Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 26: The inauguration of a two-day national seminar titled 'Samprathi 2019 - Youth as Catalysts in Social Change' was held on September 26 at Eric Mathias Hall, Maffie Centre for Postgraduate Studies, St Aloysius College (Autonomous), here.
This programme is organized by the department of Postgraduate Studies and Research in Social Work of St Aloysius College (Autonomous).
Prof (Dr) G Gopa Kumar, vice-chancellor, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod was the chief guest and inaugurated the seminar. Fr Dr Praveen Martis, SJ, principal of the college presided over the programme. Programme convenor, Dr Roshan MOnteiro, HOD of PG Social Work, Shwetha Rasquinha, student convenor, Vivian were on the dais.
Prof Gopa Kumar in his speech briefed about youth power and their collective support in nation building. He said that out of 130 crore population of India, 30% of the population are underprivileged and suffering from various evils like disease, untouchability, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy, etc. Only youth power can diminish these evils and help to overcome them. In this regard, the youth need to be educated in a proper way and also maintain their health and social responsibilities. After Independence, our country has had tremendous development and emerged with IT power, nuclear power and communication power, but the social and physical infrastructure is not developed adequately. He urged the students not to be preys of consumerism, instead to be role models in building the nation. Finally, he advised the students to respect their parents and their religious, cultural, social and family values.
Fr Dr Praveen Marits, SJ, in his presidential remarks congratulated the organisers for opting such a need-based theme for the seminar. He said the growth of a nation lies in the hands of the youth. He suggested to the students to involve in national movements which can bring about a change in the growth of the country. He urged the students to involve, emerge and initiate with one another to take the country to greater heights.
Dr Vincent Alva, principal of Milagres College, Kallianpur delivered the keynote address.
Dr A M Narahari, registrar, Dr Alwyn D’Sa, controller of Examinations, Dr Loveena Lobo, director of Maffei block, Dr Dennis Fernandes, director of admin block were present at the programme.
Dr Roshan Monteiro welcomed the gathering and introduced the chief guest. Sai Shree Preethika and Antony compered the programme. Shwetha Rasquinha briefed about the theme of the seminar. Vivian proposed the vote of thanks.
During the two-day programme, there will be two sessions and paper presentations. Dr Juby Thomas, assistant professor, department of Journalsm, Kristu Jayanthi College, Bengaluru and David Kumar, manager, United Way, Bengaluru and Environmental Conservationist will be the resource persons for the sessions.
Besides this, there will be three panel discussions and Dr Alwyn D’Sa, controller of Examinations, SAC will be the moderator for the panel discussions. M P Ramnath, advocate, Mangaluru, Dr Santhosh Prabhu, psychiatrist, K S Hegde Hospital, Mangaluru, Dr Thomas Scaria, former senior programme officer, Colombo Plan Secretariate, Colombo (Inter Governmental Common Wealth Initiative) and Dasharathraj K Shetty, deputy QMR-MIT and faculty member, department Of Humanities and Management, MIT, Manipal were the panelists.
The valedictory programme will be held on September 27 at Eric Mathias Hall and Ln Ronald Gomes, Lion’s Club district governor, DK district will be the chief guest. Director of Arrupe block, Fr Pradeep Anthony, SJ will preside over the programme.