Udupi: Independence Day celebrated by Belle St. Lawrence Educational Institutions with great enthusi

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’belle, 15 Aug 2013: The 67th Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor by  St. Lawrence Educational Institutions on August 15, 2013 from 9.30 am till 12 noon. The Correspondent, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes  unfurled the national tricolor at 9.30 am in the premises of St. Lawrence English Medium High School in the presence of the chief guest, MJF Lion Devdas Hebbar, heads of all the five educational institutions, staff members and students.

 
Prior to the unfurling of the national flag, the chief guest and the guests of honor were led to the school premises from the Church compound by the four houses of St. Lawrence English Medium High School with their respective colour uniforms carrying their respective flags to the accompaniment of band. The members of the Lions Club who were  the sponsors of sweets for the students on the occasion of the Independence Day also participated in the procession. Once they assembled in the school premises, march past was conducted, the chief guest MJF Lion Devdas Hebbar receiving the salute.

 

 
 The flag being unfurled, the national anthem and the flag song were sung by the students. Fr. Paul Sequeira, Principal of St. Lawrence PU College delivered the Independence  Day message in which he urged the student community to cultivate a sense of discipline and contribute to the building of the nation by becoming ideal student citizens.

 
Being the host of Independence Day celebration, Fr. Raj, Principal of St. Lawrence English Medium High School had made good arrangements and had trained the students in the march past. The programme during the unfurling of the flag was compeered by Viola Jyotsna Mathais of St. Lawrence English Medium High School studying in the 9th standard.

 
Following the unfurling of the flag ceremony, all the students and guests proceeded to St. Lawrence Parish Hall for the stage  functions followed by cultural programme. The stage function was presided over by Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Correspondent of  St. Lawrence Educational Institutions. Chief Guest, MJF Lion Devdas Hebbar,  Belle Grama Panchayat President, Rajendrta Shetty, Parish Pastoral Council Vice President-Alphonse K. Alva, Lions Club President Nelson D’Silva, St. Lawrence PU College Principal Fr. Paul Sequeira, St. Lawrence Degree College Principal, Mrs. Sarita D’Souza, St. Lawrence English Medium High School Principal, Fr. Raj, St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School Senior Teacher, Mrs. Hilda Aranha, Church Aided Higher Primary School Headmaster, Sylvester Mathias, Parents Teachers Association Presidents of  St. Lawrence English Medium High School, Mrs. Shanti Alva and  of St. Lawrence Degree College, Mrs. Rita Castelino were on the dais.

 

 
 
                 
Following the prayer song presented by the students of St. Lawrence English medium High School, Fr. Raj welcomed all the guests, heads of institutions, staff members and the students.  The boys volleyball team of St. Lawrence English Medium Primary School and the girls team of the Church Aided Higher Primary School  who had secured first position in the Hiriadka Hobli level  were felicitated by the chief guest by handing over them  shields and certificates. Students of St. Lawrence PU College who had secured first position in the Collage Picture competition organized by Dr. A.V. Baliga Institute of Social Sciences and Rural Management were also honoured during this occasion.

 
In his address, MJF Lion Devdas Hebbar conveyed best wishes to all the staff members and students  and said that as citizens of this free country we should look back  and make an assessment as to how  far the nation has progressed  and what was our contribution.  He complimented St. Lawrence Educational Institutions for coming together and celebrating the Independence Day as one body which manifests the unity and solidarity of the institution. He also reminded the audience about the century of educational activities of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions as the first institution, the Church Aided Higher Primary School is celebrating its centenary this year.

 
In his presidential message, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes  said that this the day of pride for the nation as it solemnly celebrates the freedom of the country from the British rule. He also explained the meaning of the Indian National Flag.  Fr. Joswey also made an appeal to the students to develop a sense of sacrifice and dedication to the nation so that India would emerge as a great nation.

 
Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes offered flowers to Fr. Raj for organizing the Independence Day celebrations in a grand manner. He also felicitated Lion Nelson D’Silva, President of the Lion Club of Moodubelle for sponsoring the sweets for all the students.

 
Mrs. Hilda Aranha, Senior Teacher of St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School proposed the vote of thanks. The stage function was compeered by the teachers of  St. Lawrence English Medium High School,  Miss Chitralatha and Mrs. Sandra D’Souza.

 

 
 Following the end of the stage function, each of the five institutions of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions presented cultural programmes.  Sherlin Almedia of St. Lawrence English Medium  High School studying in 9th standard  spoke on the importance of the independence day in English and Chaitra, second year B. Com student of St. Lawrence Degree College gave the independence day speech in Kannada. The variety entertainment programmes included presentations on national integration, patriotic group songs, dance by little children from K.G. and first standard students and a skit by college students. The cultural programme was anchored by Viola Jyotsna Mathais and Aditya of St. Lawrence English Medium High School. The programme ended exactly at 12 noon and students were given sweets as they dispersed.