Annual Day celebrated at the Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Modubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Padubelle, 06 February 2011: The annual day was celebrated at the Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Pamboor, Padubelle on Saturday, 5th February 2011 from 2.30 to 5.30 pm in the school premises.  The programme was presided over by Ms. Remedia D’Souza. Managing Trustee of the Manasa. The guests of honour included Lalaji R. Mendon, Memebr of the Legislative Assembly, Kaup, Pramod Madhwaraj, industrialist, Malpe, Rev. Fr. Charles Lewis, parish priest of Holy Cross Church, Pamboor, Niranjan Bhat and District Welfare Officer for the Handicapped. Other guests on the dais included Mrs. Veena Shyamsundar, president of the Parents-Teachers Association, Dr. Gerald Pinto, secretary of the Manasa Trust, Sr. Vinney Gonslaves, principal and Sr. Lissa Joseph, warden of the Manasa hostel.

 

Following the welcome dance by the students of the Manasa, Sr. Vinney Gonsalves welcomed the guests on the dais while the students offered them flowers. The Annual Day programme was officially inaugurated by lighting of the lamp on the dais by the dignitaries.

 

Sr. Vinney Gonslaves presented the report of the functioning of the Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre and the various achievements of the staff and students, especially in sports and extra-curricular activities. She said that presently there are 138 mentally challenged students  from different parts of the state and even outside who  besides academic instructions are being trained in different vocations according to their ability.

 

Speaking at this occasion, Pramod Madhwaraj appreciated the wonderful work and service that is being rendered by the Manasa Trust in rehabilitating and training the mentally challenged children and promised financial help of Rs.10,000/- each month. He also made an appeal to the state government to support financially the institute so that the staff and students may get the facilities that a required  t run such an institute.

 

Fr. Charles Lewis, who has completed forty years of his priestly life, was honoured on this occasion by Lalaji R. Mendon. Addressing the gathering, Lalaji R. Mendon expressed his happiness to be among the students and staff of the Manasa institute and greatly appreciated the service rendered by the  Manasa in training and rehabilitating the mentally challenged students which itself is a great challenge. He assured the management of the institute that he will try to help them through the MLA Fund as far as possible.

 

Fr. Charles Lewis while thanking the Management of the Manasa for honouring him on the occasion of the completion of forty years of his priestly service  asked for God’s blessings and generous support from the well wishers and supporters of the Manasa.

 

 

Niranjan Bhat, the District Welfare Officer for the Handicapped made an appeal to the people to change their attitude towards the mentally and physically challenged children and consider them as an integral part of the society. He outlined various government schemes and voluntary endeavours to identify the mentally and physically challenged children in their localities so that these children and their parents can get the facilities that have been granted by the government. Further he said that rather than highlighting the disabilities of such children, it is important to appreciate their hidden talents  and encourage and support them to nurture these talents and abilities so that they can live a life of dignity and honour in the society.

 

In her address, Ms. Remedia D’Souza paid tribute to the founders of the Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre and traced the growth of the institution during the last fourteen years. She earnestly made an appeal to Lalaji R. Mendon to help the institute in acquiring two acres of land which would be utilized as the playground for the students of the institute who have been doing extremely well at  the state, national and international levels.

 

The sponsors of the annual day celebration were honoured by the guests on the dais by presenting them mementos. A  number of students who have excelled in sports at the state and national level were honoured.  This was followed by the prize distribution to the students  for their performance in various curricular and extra-curricular activities. The joy of being honoured and getting prizes could be understood by the excitement and happiness that these students expressed during this occasion.

 

The entertainment programme, especially the dance numbers performed by the students of the Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre was just superb. Under the direction of the teachers, who had painstakingly trained them, the students put in their best efforts and presented flawless performance.  The last item of the entertainment programme, a musical presentation of the fairy story ‘Cinderella’ was  quite emotional and all the participants gave a lively and graceful performance.

 

The entire programme was compeered by  teachers, Shiny M.C. and Hemlatha. The vote of thanks was given by  Miss Ashwini. The guests included Irwin D’Souza, treasurer of the Manasa Trust,  John Mathais, vice president and trustees-Dr. Edward Lobo and Henry Noronha and  Fr. Edwin D’Souza, Dean of PG Studies, St. Mary’s College, Shirva and Alphonse D’Costa, headmaster of St. Mary’s High School, Udupi.