Mangalore: AICUF Working to Empower Marginalized Students - Fr Henry

By Fr Francis Almeida
Pics by Prajwal Ukkuda
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 10: The inauguration of AICUF Mangalore Region was held on Saturday 8th August 2009 at St. Aloysius High School Hall, Mangalore. It was inaugurated by Fr Henry Mascarenhas,  Assistant, Director, St. Josephs’ Engineering College, Vamanjoor who was the Chief Guest.

Fr Henry in his address said,”AICUF is such a movement which empowers the students to work for the marginalized.”

Fr Francis D’ Almeida SJ, the State Advisor, introduced AICUF to the gathering. In his introduction, Fr Almeida acknowledged the contribution of Fr Swebert, Fr Henry, Mr Manoj Louis, the Sate Animator, Christabel, the Co-convener of National Women’s Commission, Dezma, Milton, Roydon and Mishclin Secretary and National Team member of 2007-08. He said that though AICUF was started in 1924 at St Joseph’s College Thiruchirapalli  as CSU, today it is grown into a mighty institution all over India, with its 4 wings of the thrust areas: dalits, women, tribals, and refugees. “The motto of AICUF”, he said “we are born in an unjust society; we are determined not to leave it as we have found it.” 

Geo D’ Silva, member of Judicial Body, CWC Dist DK & Board Director Rural Welfare Trust Belgaum, was the Guest of Honor. He cited three examples wherein the drivers in the city of Mangalore near Kankanady Circle have killed three young students because of the reckless driving of the buses in one month and asked the youth to agitate against the ruthless behavior of the bus drivers. He said that the youth is a power and we have 50% of our population in the bracket group of 15 to 35 and he gave a clarion call to the youth to fight against injustice and corruption. Manoj Louis the state animator in his address appealed to the students to be more creative, grab the opportunities given and work for the betterment of the people so that everyone in this world feels free to live in dignity, peace and harmony.

Fr Swebert D’ Silva SJ Principal of St. Aloysius College praised Fr Francis D’ Almeida SJ for bringing back AICUF to the campuses of colleges in Karnataka. He told the students that all revolutions have occurred because of youth, especially the French Revolution, recent uprising in Thailand, the uprising against the iron curtain of injustice in China under the Maoist regime, at the Tiananmen Square in recent years in which hundreds of students were massacred by the Chinese army.  He further said that AICUF is the only Institution existing for the catholic students nationwide, which works for the downtrodden and the marginalized.

Cristabel D’ Souza the co-convener National Women’s Commission presented the report of the activities of AICUF in Karnataka for 2008-09. Earlier Milton Peres the Secretary of AICUF Karnataka welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. The AICUF choir rendered the prayer song. Roydon D’ Souza, Vice- President AICUF Karnataka, proposed the vote of thanks. Altogether, 10 colleges were represented. Nearly 200-students and the animators participated in the inaugural. Later there was ice breaking session and the planning for the year at the College as well as the Mangalore region level. The Programme ended with the singing of the song Bind us Together.