by Deacon Anil William Crasta
Bidar, Jan 16: Divya Jyothi School is situated in Bhalki Tq in Bidar District. Bidar district is one of the backward districts of Karnataka which doesn’t have sound economy, proper infrastructure, quality education, and good standard of living. Lack of these facilities have impoverished the people. Ignorance, poverty, social evils and superstitions have added woes to their troubles. Education is the eye of life that leads a person to light. Though there are many educational institutes in and around the city of Bhalki, they lack, good school buildings, healthy environment, proper facilities, qualified staff and opportunities to find and develop the talents in the students.
These effect the students and hamper their natural growth. Keeping all these factors in mind the Catholic Education Board of Mangalore Diocese started Divya Jyothi School in Yesu Nilaya premises six years ago. The school had classes till 9th standard and the class for 10th standard is due to begin in next academic year. The school mainly caters to the educational needs of the poor village children.
The school has a spacious building, well furnished class rooms, a huge play ground, a very serene environment away from the hush of the city with plenty of greenery, an experienced management under Rev Fr Ronald Lobo (Manager) and Rev Sr Laura (Headmistress), and a well qualified staff. The school also has a well equipped Computer Lab. The school provides boarding facility to the poor Christian students.
The school children have excelled in studies, general proficiency, cultural activities and sport events. The students have been selected for district and state level sport events. The school was adjudged best in Taluq level Talent Search programme (Prathibha Karanji) conducted by State Government Education Department, by bagging 11 out of 18 prizes.
The school celebrated its Annual Day and Sports Day on Jan 12, 2009. The celebration commenced with the prayer dance. The dignitaries and the guests were welcomed in a unique and a creative way by the students through the LOTUS WELCOME which fascinated everyone. The parade accompanied by school band added flavour to the celebration. The School Pupil Leader along with the leaders of the groups presented the Sports Torch to the Chief Guest. The President of the function hoisted the Sports Flag. Various drill items, Balloon Drill, Kolata Dance, Lesim Dance, Hoops, Dumbles, Karate, and Folk dance enthralled the dignitaries, parents and the audience.
The Director of Orbit Social Service Centre and Episcopal Vicar for Bidar, Fr Santhos Dias, as the Chief Guest the function praised the school management and students for the rapid and steady growth of the School within a short span of just six years. He wished all the success to the school and the students. Rekha Mahajan, the Principal of Sathaya Nikethan College, Bhaki, in her guest address praised the management and the environment of the school. She lauded the sincere efforts of the entire school management for imparting quality education along with high moral values. She also stressed the need of harmony and peace amidst growing communal violence, terrorist strikes and unrest among youth. Brahma Kumari Radhika behenji in her guest address advised the students to be the light of the people through the education that they get form this esteemed institute which has divine atmosphere. Fr Stany Lobo, the Secretary of the Gulbarga Diocesan Education Society, in his presidential address congratulated the School management and students for their stupendous performance. He stressed the students to study hard to build a better life.
Babitha proposed the vote of thanks. Gracy compered the ceremony. The function was arranged in the open air within the Yesu Nilaya precincts. Indeed the well-attired creativity and the beautifully arrayed variety of the programmes amply thrilled the audience. The acute talents of the staff and students turned out to be the pigment that added new hues to the whole event.