Pics: Roshan Prashanth D'Souza

Kasaragod, Mar 9: It was a historic day for the Mangaluru diocese as St Mary's College, the first degree college under its aegis in Kasargod district, was inaugurated at Bela here on Thursday March 9.

St Mary's College was blessed and inaugurated by Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Mangaluru. Ivan D’Souza, chief whip of Karnataka Legislative Council inaugurated the computer lab, Stanley Fernandes, NRI from Oman inaugurated the staff room donated by NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Ronald Colaco, while Roy Castelino, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy inaugurated the college library donated by Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA).

Walter Nandalike, managing director, Daijiworld, Maria Rinna D'Souza of KCWA, Krishan Bhat, president of Badiadka gram panchayat, Adv C H Kunhambu, former MLA, Adv K Sreekanth, member of Kasaragod district panchayat, Fr Jerald D’Souza, secretary, Catholic Board of Education, Mangaluru, Fr Marcel Saldanha, parish priest, Kumbla, Ronald Crasta, NRI based in Abu Dhabi, Ronald Edward Serrao of KCWA, Adv M S Thomas D’Souza, president of Bela Public Welfare Co-operative Society, Fr Denzil Lobo, assistant parish priest, Bela church, Victor Monterio, and Vincent Machado, senior committee members of Bela parish, and Sr Carmin, superior, Capitanio convent were present on the dais as chief guests.

Fr Vincent D'Souza, manager and founder of the new college welcomed all. Sr Jeeva Chako, principal, read a brief report on the College.

The bishop honoured the main sponsors, as well as engineer Paulson and contractor William Crasta.

Adv Thomas D'Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Anitha D'Souza, Jayaram and Deepa compered the programme.