Moodubelle: Dr. Kusum and Dr. Alwyn Vincent D’Sa honoured by the Lions Club

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 31 October 2010: It is a matter of great pride to Belleans that a number of scholars from the village have been rendering  great  service in the field of education and also enhancing their own qualifications. Among these,  Dr. Alwyn Vincent D’Sa, professor of English literature in St. Aloysius College, Mangalore was awarded Ph.D. degree by the Karnataka State Open University, Mysore recently. His wife, Dr. Kusum  who has secured her Ph.D. degree in education from the  MAHE, Manipal is also working as the Academic Coordinator in a reputed educational institution in Manipal. This distinguished scholar couple was felicitated and nonoured by the Lions Club of Moodubelle during its monthly meeting on Saturday, 30th October 2010 at 7.30 pm.

 

The Lions Club meeting was presided over by Ln. Cyril D’Souza, president of Lions Club of Moodubelle.  Ln. Vijayakumar Shetty, Regional Chairman of Region 3 was the chief guest. Other guest of honour was Ln. Ratnakar Shety, District Chairman in charge of Road Safety. Ln. Devdas Hebbar compeered the programme and welcomed the guests. Following the introduction of Dr. Alwyn  and Dr. Kusum D’Sa by MJF. Ln. Elias Lobo, Ln. Vijaykumar Shetty honoured both Dr. Kusum and Dr. Alwyn by presenting them shawl, garlands, fruit basket and mementos in the presence of the mother of Dr. Alwyn, Mrs. Theresa D’Sa, MJF. Ln. Commodore Jerome Castelino, Ln. Fr. Paul Sequeira, Ln. Cyril D’Souza, Ln. Henry Fernandes- secretary, Ln. Ratnakar Shetty,Ln. Devdas Hebbar and Lns Florine D’Souza.

 

In his reply to the honour  accorded by the Lion Club of Moodubelle on himself and his wife Dr. Kusum, Dr. Alwyn said that when he was approached by the officials of the Lions Club  requesting him to receive the honour, he could not resist the invitation as the honour for the son of the soil comes from the organization which has been working for the betterment of the village. Speaking about his research for the Ph.D. degree, Dr. Alwyn recalled the influence that his late father, Louis D’Sa had on him who was also a teacher. He said that his father was very close to the nature. In spite of his busy teaching schedule in the Edmeru School, he never failed to do agriculture or other horticultural activities which gave him immense joy and happiness. Thus, Dr. Alwyn said that he chose contribution of the American nature writers, especially two journalists of New York Times-Annie Dillard and Wendell Berry as the topic for his doctoral research.

 

Dr. Alwyn Vincent D’Sa, after studying up to PUC in St. Lawrence Composite PU College did BA from Mysore University and MA in literature from Mangalore University. He has been working  as a lecturer of English literature in St. Aloysius College for the last 20 years. He has been a guest lecturer to the Post Graduate students of the Mangalore University since five years. Besides teaching in the undergraduate and Post Graduate sections, Dr. Alwyn has been training students in soft skills and interview skills for campus recruitment. He has translated two English stories into Konkani which were published in local Konkani weekly, published three research articles in reputed journals and also written two handbooks or Teachers’ Manuals for teaching English fluently. He has also worked as the Election Commissioner in the College elections, Coordinator of the Language Laboratory which conducts short term certificate courses in foreign languages such as English, French, German and Spanish, editor of the College magazine, coordinator of the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities of the college, Vice President of ‘Manavatha Vedike’ and Secretary of Rotary Club of Mangalore North.

 

 

Dr. Kusum, who has done MA in English from the Mangalore University has also done PGDHE in French, Journalism, Research Methodology and Computer Applications and Film Appreciation. She acquired Ph.D. degree from MAHE, Manipal in the year 2004. Presently, Dr. Kusum is pursuing MBA in International Business at the Mangalore Univeersity. Dr. Kusum has 18 year of teaching and administrative experience. Presently she is the Academic Coordinator of a reputed educational institution in Manipal. She has been visiting professor in IB, Manipal University and JSS University, Mysore. She has presented more than 20 research papers in various national and international  journals. She was a member of Group Study exchange Programme to South Korea by Rotary International in 2007. Dr. Kusum had received Dr. TMA Pai Ph.D. Research Fellowship from the  MAHE, Manipal and Dr. Ambedkar Fellowship Award-2000 for social service and literary activities on social sensitization by Dalit Sahitya Academy, New Delhi.

 

In his message, the chief guest of the evening, Ln. Vijayakumar Shetty appreciated the work done by the Lions Club of Moodubelle and lauded the leadership of the Charter  President-MJF. Ln. Commodore Jerome Castelino. Ln. Henry Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.