Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Mangaluru, Jan 25: Lourdes Central School Bejai celebrated its silver jubilee on Thursday, January 25, marking 25 years of educational excellence.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker U T Khader said, "I congratulate all the principals, faculty, management, managers for their constant effort in the Lourdes Central School journey of 25 years. Patriotism is not one who speaks in the mike but building such an educational institution to create treasure in the form of students is real patriotism. It’s the students who make the country strong. Apart from IQ (Intelligent quotient), EQ (Emotional quotient), and SQ (Spiritual quotient) are very important. If a student studies engineering he will become an engineer, if he studies law he becomes a lawyer, but if a student learns to become a politician in the future he will be the only one who can bring changes in every field."
Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, commended the school, saying, "I congratulate Lourdes Central School for reaching 25 years and adding a feather to its cap. Reaching 25 years is not so easy, and taking 100% result for a long period of time where a lot of efforts have been put up in the 25 years of the journey of Lourdes Central School."
Prof Mathew C Ninan, director of Little Rock Indian School, Bhramavar, praised the school's progress, stating, "I need to compliment Lourdes Central School for their remarkable progress in the last 25 years. Children should feel happy in school; if they feel secure and happy, then they will grow up as useful to society. If they are not happy and insecure, they will have a personality disorder, which will turn them into an enemy of society."
Outstanding student achievers in national and international fields, including Shriyan S Mallya, Ahaan P Amin, Athish S Shetty, Rudra Rajeev, Aarna Rajesh, Anaggha Rajesh, Tanmay Shetty, and Vraddhi Jain, were felicitated during the celebration.
Speaker U T Khader and director Prof Mathew C Ninan were also honored. Past principals, managers, and late dignitaries were remembered and honored.
Fr Robert D'Souza, the current principal, provided insights into the 25-year journey, and Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha released the school magazine, Lourdite 2023-24.
The event included the felicitation of past principals, managers, and dignitaries, including Grace Noronha, Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Fr Micheal Lobo, Fr Victor Machado, Fr Wilson Vitus D'Souza, Dr J B Saldanha, late Fr Bernard D'Souza, and late Fr J P Tauro.
Various dignitaries, including Secretary Catholic Board of Education Fr Antony M Shera, Fr Suraj Lobo, Fr Vincent Sequeira, Fr Leston Lobo, vice principal Anitha Thomas, Bejai Parish Pastoral Parishad vice president Ashok Pinto, secretary Cynthia Avitha Pinto, former vice president Bejai Parish Pastoral Parishad Augustine Rodrigues, benefactor Michael D'Souza, PTEC vice president Rithika Jinda, Dr Rashmi D'Souza, and student representatives Ridhi Chowta, Riyon Jake Monteiro, along with others, were present.
The event's comperes were Kshithi G Shetty, Sharvi Shetty, Keith D'Souza, Dia D'Souza, Dia Rodrigues, Naman Acharya, Esther Fernandes, Saanvi Rai, A B Cheryl, and Dhanvi Rai. The programmeme was convened by Shaila Pereira and Deepa D'Souza.