Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Pics: Venrold Lewis
Udupi, Dec 9: Maryknoll High School, Barkur celebrated its golden jubilee with splendour and enthusiasm on the school grounds on Wednesday December 7.
Nalini Pradeep Rao, president, taluk panchayat hoisted the jubilee flag in the presence of Silvestreena Lobo, school correspondent, B Srinivas Shettigar, owner of Shettigar Industries Ranganakere, Barkur, and Umesh Shetty, taluk panchayat member, Udupi.
A grand holy Eucharistic procession and thanksgiving celebration was led by bishop of the diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo with co-celebrants. Holy Mass offered by Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent and Maryknoll High School of Barkur to mark the golden jubilee celebrations.
Dr Sr Matilda Monteiro, regional chief of Sisters of Charity, Mangaluru inaugurated the newly-constructed building ‘Pragathi Saudha’, which includes a midday meal kitchen, toilets and Austin Memorial sports room.
D Sr Matilda Monteiro in her presidential address thanked all the community sisters and the team for their dedicated and committed service.
Anand C Kundar, proprietor of Geethanand Foundation, Manuru Kota inaugurated the celebration by switching on a light.
K Jayaprakash Hegde, former MP inaugurated the computer lab and released a souvenir of the school on this auspicious occasion.
Addressing the gathering, J P Hegde said, "Teachers are an inspiration to the students. School provides education to children and parents inculcate culture at home and that is how a good citizen can come up in society.
Hegde said that he was an optimist and always believed in positive changes. "Applause encourages artistes. A man who is not eligible to receiving an award, must not receive it. Inviting awardees through application system must be stopped. Only then can a social system be transparent.
"There is need for moral education in schools so that students can be given a good future," the former MP added.
Fr Valerian Mendonsa, parish priest, St Peter's Church, Barkur, unveiled the statue of the school patron an blessed the students.
Many donors, teachers and old students were felicitated on the occasion in recognition of their service and achievements.
The stage function was followed by colourful cultural programmes performed by the college students.
Sister Silvestrena Lobo, school correspondent presented the 50-year journey of the school through a PPT presentation.
Shaila D'Souza, president, gram panchayat, Barkur, Muhammad Rafik Madani of Malik Dinar Jumma Masjid, Barkur, Anand Sis Grace Joseph, secretary of Charity Educational Society, Bengaluru, Sr Treesa John, headmistress, Stany Pais, honorary president of golden jubilee committee and others were present.
Ashok C Poojary, president of the jubilee committee welcomed everyone and Manohar delivered the keynote address.
Swarnalatha and Manohar compered the ceremony.
Prizes were distributed to the winners of the different sports on the occasion.
On the whole, the evening was nostalgic, memorable and historic with the huge congregation of former students, teachers and members of the school managing committee and social workers.
About Maryknoll High School, Barkur
The school was established in 1966, when Fr Aloysius Rosario, parish priest of St Peter Church, Barkur at that time, invited Sisters of Charity to open their convent here and motivated them to start a high school exclusively for girls. Doors opened to the boys in 1981 or around. Co-education helped the institution to have better strength on their roll. The school has imparted value-based education. The institute has experienced faculty and promotes co-curricular activities.
The jubilee committee and the parent-teacher association have completed 10 projects in just three months in the academic year. The school has spent around Rs 30 lac to complete the desired projects.
Objectives fulfilled
Repair and painting of the school building, renovation of the computer lab, installation of a statue of the patron of the school, installation of a board with vision/mission of the school, bringing out a golden jubilee souvenir, beautification of the school premises, formation of a students' welfare fund, construction of toilets, cycle stand and midday meal kitchen are some of the projects completed.
Various politicians and social workers have contributed to the school. Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes contributed towards the establishment of the kitchen. Shobha Karandlaje MP of Udupi – Chikmagalur constituency and Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLC of Udupi donated towards the construction of toilets. Stany Gretta Lewis contributed towards the making of the vision/mission of the school. The John family contributed towards renovation of the entrance. Theresa Fernandes and family donated a sports room in memory of Austin. A shelter to park cycles was donated by Pratapchandra Shetty, MLC of Udupi. Nadoja Dr G Shankar donated towards a well-equipped computer lab.
The screen for the auditorium was donated by Arun Dias and family. Stany Pais donated the statue of the patron of the school.