Mangalore: Nithya Sahaya Matha Old Students Meet, Felicitate Teachers
by Anil Fermail
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 5:  It was a red letter day in the history of Nithya Sahaya Matha High school, Meramajal. The organizing committee of the Old Students Association of the high school had arranged a get together of the old students and a felicitation programme for the retired teachers of the institution, recently.

The programme commenced at 10.45 am, with a prayer dance by the students of Nithya Sahaya Matha High School. The blessings of the Lord were invoked by the symbolical lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries. Fr Cyril Pinto, parish priest, Holy Family Church, Meramajal, presided over the function. In his address, he expressed great joy and pleasure at participating in a programme where the old students of the high school had gathered, and  the felicitation of the retired teachers had been arranged. He wished a bright future for the Association and exhorted the old students to be supportive of the school development activities. He also urged the members not to concentrate on what has not been done during the last thirty nine years, and rather, cogitate on what could be done in the future for the school.

The chief guest of the day, Eric C Lobo, chairman of Lobo Teachers Foundation, hailed the organizers of this auspicious occasion, which has happened after a long time, with the aim of sprouting new twigs for the institution. Quoting the words of the late John F Kennedy, former American president, he urged the old Students,”Ask not what the country has done for you; rather, what can I do for the country.” Likewise, he advised the students not to ask what the school has done for them, but rather, think what contributions they have made towards its growth. He spoke on the need to inculcate communal harmony and humanitarian values by everyone.

The touching moment of the programme came in the form of the felicitation of the retired staff of the school - Anna Maria Braggs, John Menezes, Sr Shalini and Radhakrishna Shetty. Anna Maria Braggs expressed her feelings on behalf of the other staff of the high school. She recalled the infancy and the subsequent growth of the school under the able leadership of Mother Andrea and the other headmistresses. She cherished the moments spent here and expressed her indebtedness to the institution.

Former students like Sylvester, assistant manager of Reserve Bank of India, Bangalore, thanked and congratulated the management of the institution for providing a platform to strengthen and renew the bond of relationship after 39 years.

Khader, who is presently a professor in Mangalore University, expressed his indebtedness to the institution. He stated that the present statuses as well as the personalities of the old students were moulded in the classrooms of the school through value based education.

Sunny D’Souza, an agriculturist, said that participation and encouragement received from the staff of the school in co–curricular activities, had enabled him to confidently face the international audiences at Delhi and worldwide.

Laxmi T, a BSNL employee, was emotionally overwhelmed at the joy of home coming, as she recollected that she had been helped morally and financially by the sisters, Mother Andrew and Sr Boniface. She promised her support to the institution to reach out to many girls of the society, who are deprived of education.

Santhosh Lobo, a staff member of St. Aloysius School, expressed his gratitude and love to his Alma Mater.

The programme was monitored by Sadananda Alva. Juliet. Francis, president of NSM Old Students Association, welcomed the gathering. Sr Lucy Mascarenhas , correspondent of the Association, delivered the key note address. Sr Clita, assistant correspondent, proposed vote of thanks.

The highlight of the day was a presentation on the topic, “Navasamaja Nirmanadalli Namma Uru, Namma Shale (Our native place and our school, in the building of new society)” by a former student of the high school, Dr A Jayakumar Shetty, Arkulabeedu, presently working as a professor of SDM College, Ujire. He gave the gathering a few simple rules that can help them to live happily. He gave a clarion call to all those assembled there, to do their best for the growth of the school and thereby bring about a change for the better in the society.

The cultural programme presented later by the students made the day enjoyable.  

More than 150 old students from in and around the city, other parts of India and abroad, were present.