Dear Friends

The month of September is indeed very special – First of all to us Catholics, as  we celebrate the birthday of our Universal Mother – Blessed Virgin Mary – popularly called “Monthi Fest” which also coincides with the harvest festival. The  newly harvested corn “Novem” is shared round a family meal thus kindling the values of family unity and oneness.

In India it is also a great month for our dear teachers as we remember them very specially on September 5th – Teacher’s Day. Teachers mould the lives that they influence. They break down barriers and reach into the souls of the students that they are responsible for do not get the recognition or gratitude they have earned. We should always respect our teachers. Teachers need encouragement and support from the community to feel that their devotion to students is appreciated.

In India 5th September is celebrated as Teachers' day. 5th September is the birthday of a great teacher Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. When Dr. Radhakrishnan became the president of India in 1962, some of his students and friends approached him and requested him to allow them to celebrate 5th September, his "birthday". In reply, Dr, Radhakrishnan said, "instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers' day". The request showed Dr.Radhakrishnan's love for the teaching profession. From then onwards, the day has been observed as Teachers' Day in India.

Sr. Moira with her two younger sisters Sr. Marita A.C. and Sr. Marilyn A.C.

Women Vision brings to you Sr. Moira – a Great Teacher who has completed over 50 years in the field of education. Having served the Xavier Board of Higher Education for over 17 years as Secretary and Treasurer, she was instrumental in starting the Carmel Centre for Continuing Education (CCCE) Mangalore, to cater to school drop outs, lower income groups, mute and handicapped persons and helping them earn their livelihood.

Doris Aloysia Muriel Saldanha is the second  daughter of (late) Theobald and (late) Cecilia Saldanha of M/s PFX Saldanha Coffee Curing Works Mangalore. Her elder sister (Late) Renee was married to (late) Jossie Coelho. Her younger two sisters Sr. Marita (in Goa) and Sr. Marilyn (at Calcutta) followed her footsteps and joined the Apostolic Carmel and her youngest sister Patsy (married to Lindsay Rego of Bangalore) was only five months old when her father died.

Due to the premature death of her father Sr. Moira had to discontinue her schooling at St. Mary’s School Marjil and join St. Anne’s Mangalore. She  graduated from St. Agnes College Mangalore with the 1st Class 1st position.  She further went on to do her Licentiate of Teaching.

On completion of her B.A.L.T., she was assigned the post of Head Mistress of Agnes High School. A few years later she was sent to Patna Women’s College to her post graduation and secured the 2nd rank in M.A. She was assigned the post of Professor in the newly opened College at Calicut and a few years later she returned to her Alma Mater – St. Agnes College. As a Lecturer in English  Sr.Moira had the advantage of working in three Universities – Madras, Kerala and Karnataka.

Sr. Moira has touch with the ancient Hindu Culture and is also an accomplished pianist. In the B.T. (at present B.Ed), Sr. Moira was able to bring a high tone to a College of Teacher students in the second year of its inception.

Sr.  Moira served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the  Xavier Board of Higher Education in India (a National Association of 125 Catholic Colleges)  for a period of 17 years.  She was recommended by Mother Carmelita (the General of the C