Media Release
Udupi, Apr 6: Felicitation to Concepta Fernandes and H R Alva couple during the platinum jubilee celebration of Poornaprajna Group of Institutions, Admar.
One of the eight maths of the Udupi Math conclave, the Admar Math, which runs Kannada medium and English medium high schools and a Pre-University College in Admar, celebrated the platinum jubilee of its institutions on April 4, on the Admar campus premises.
In the day-long celebration, a number of activities were planned.
In the afternoon session, 12 prominent alumni of the institutions who have made remarkable contributions to society through their work in different fields were felicitated. Among them, Concepta Fernandes, retired assistant director of Akashvani Bengaluru, was honoured for her achievements in the fields of media and literature. Other alumni who were honoured were from ISRO, Indian Institute of Science, Jayadeva Hospital, Bengaluru, Indian Army (retired officer), MAHE Manipal, clergy, literature, pharmacy, sports, education, administration, entrepreneurship, and other fields.
Concepta Fernandes pursued her studies at the then Admar Junior College, which was later renamed Poornaprajna Pre-University College, between 1978 and 1983, from grade 8 to 12 (high school and pre-university).
Concepta was honoured with a Mysuru peta, Udupi handloom shawl, tray of fruits, citation, and a memento — a brass statue of Udupi Shrikrishna. Her talents in academics, various literary competitions such as essay writing, elocution, debates, contributions to the wall magazine, and participation in radio programmes were highlighted during the felicitation. Dr Yellamma, Education Officer, Udupi, did the honours.
Along with Concepta, her spouse H R Alva (entrepreneur and former student of Poornaprajna College, Udupi) was also felicitated with a Udupi handloom shawl by Kishore Alva, president, Adani Group, who was the chief guest of the programme.
G V Krishna, honorary treasurer, Udupi Sri Adamar Math Education Council, Bengaluru, presided over the function. Maruti, deputy director, PU education department, Udupi; Lokesh C, deputy director (administration), public education department, Udupi; Sridhar K Rao, honorary secretary; and CA Ganesh Hebbar, honorary treasurer, Poornaprajna Educational Institutions, Admar, were the guests of honour.
Sanjeeva Naik, principal, Poornaprajna PU College, Admar; R Srikanth Rao, headmaster, Kannada Medium School; and Kanthi Bhat, headmistress, English Medium School, Admar, were present on the dais.
Concepta and H R Alva’s children, Harsha and Heera, were also present at the event.
Responding to the felicitation on behalf of fellow alumni, Concepta spoke about the bond her family shares with the institution from its first batch in 1950. The Admar High School was founded by Sri Sri Vibudhesha Theertha Swamiji, the seer of Admar Math, in 1950 in the lush green rural village of Admar. Her father’s youngest sister, Emiliana Fernandes, was a student of the first batch and the only female student in the co-educational system. From 1950 to 2012, a total of 14 students from three generations of her family were educated at the ‘Admar School’.
Concepta fondly recalled her student days at the institution, which laid a strong foundation for the all-round growth of students in academics, supported by dedicated teachers and encouragement for co-curricular and extracurricular activities. She thanked all the teachers and her alma mater profusely for shaping the person she is today.