Muscat: Ex-Aloysians Meet
by Clarence & Ida Pinto
Pics by Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
“Moments lived yesterday… Remembered today……Will be cherished forever…..Because you inspired a new beginning…..”
Muscat, Feb 7: As announced in daijiworld.com earlier, it was indeed a great and wonderful opportunity for all the ex-students of St. Aloysius College living in the Sultanate of Oman to revive their fond memories of college days and exchange fascinating words with old friends. It was a joyful occasion, organized by the leaders of the Mangalorean community in Oman and ex-Aloysians, to meet and greet ex-college mates of St Aloysius college of Mangalore at Arsalan Hotel – Al Wadi Al Kabir. It was a perfectly organized function – Aloysian Alumni Muscat Reunion 2007 on this day, 07th February 2007.
Fr. (Dr.) Eugene Lobo S. J., Principal and Correspondent of St. Aloysius College, Mangalore was on a visit to the Sultanate and was graced as Guest of Honor.
Many ex-Aloysians gathered at the function truly felt that he was an inspiration to a new dawn of a new chapter in Muscat’s Aloysian Alumni movement. Fr. Michael Lobo, Parish Priest of Maria Goretti Church, Hirgann and Fr. Albert D’ Silva Cap., our own Mangalorean priest of Sts Peter & Paul Church, Ruwi were also present.
The programme commenced with a hearty welcome address by vibrant, gorgeous and talented youngster of Mangalorean community, Annabel Saldhana. She expressed her gratitude to all the ex-Aloysians for accepting a last minute invitation and gathering in large numbers. She was also master of the ceremony and had complete control over the entire function.
Then, Guest of Honor Fr. Eugene Lobo, Fr. Michael Lobo and Fr. Albert D’ Silva were escorted to the dais by the leaders of organizing committee, Julian D’Souza, Henry Martis, Donald Pinto and Stanley Fernandes.
As customary, Fr. Michael Lobo offered prayers beginning with a beautiful hymn invoking heavenly blessings on the program and on all the ex-Aloysians gathered. Chief guest and priests were presented floral bouquets by baby Natasha, baby Elisha and baby Evon.
Nelson D’ Silva one of the powerful speakers of Oman, active member of the Mangalorean community presented a brief introduction on Fr. Eugene Lobo. He briefed the audience the recognition achieved by one of the premier institutions of Mangalore, St Aloysius College by adopting a unique motto “shine and burn”. He also highlighted the selfless service rendered by Jesuits to the educational field in Mangalore. He commended the achievements of Fr. Lobo to various educational institutions including St. Joseph’s college, where Indian Cricket captain Rahul Dravid got his education. He praised Fr. Eugene’s leadership qualities as the head of one of the oldest educational institutions of Mangalore. It was informed to the audience that Fr (Dr.) Eugene got his doctorate in economics and thesis was based on “coffee”
Julian D Souza, prominent entrepreneur of Oman and ardent supporter of many Mangalorean cultural events, presented a memento to Fr. Lobo on behalf of ex-Aloysians and the organizing committee. He thanked the organizing committee for extending their support to him. The wordings on the memento were inscribed as ““Moments lived yesterday… Remembered today…Will be cherished forever…..Because you inspired a new beginning…..”
Peter Pais, one of the elegant speaker and Mangalorean community leader of Ghala Parish narrated his experience with St. Aloysius College and tremendous work rendered by this institution to the development of the community. He praised the works carried out by Fr. Lobo at St. Aloysius College. He then, related the services rendered by secular priests in Mangalore and the recent development at Hirgann Parish, where an English Medium school will be coming up soon. He requested everyone to support the project of Hirgann parish.
In his reply, Fr. Eugene beautifully narrated the short story of Watchmaker and Factory Worker and explained that each one is living with the help of constant human relations. He highlighted the recent developments St Aloysius College and acquiring new premises for postgraduate courses. He briefed the audience about awarding the autonomous status to the whole institution, which is great privilege to the Aloysian family. He stressed importance on forming Aloysian Alumni in Oman and thus, becoming associate of huge alumni family all over the world.
Vote of thanks was proposed by Panglacho Kollo (Jasmine of Pangla) Henry Martis thanking all the sponsors and supporters. He also thanked www.daijiworld.com and their Muscat team for giving true publicity to the event.
The event continued with fun and games for young and old. Games were based on Aloysian themes.
Alwyn Saldhana of Arsalan Hotel, one of the sponsors of the event, has prepared delicious and traditional sumptuous dinner, which will be enjoyed by every one.
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