Udupi/M’Belle: St. Lawrence PU College bids memorable farewell to Mrs. Chandrakala BE

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Pics by Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 26 Jun 2016: St. Lawrence PU College, Moodubelle gave a warm and memorable send off to one of its first teachers, Mrs. Chandrakala BE, who served for  34 years as Kannada lecturer and the last eight months as Principal on Saturday, 25 June 2016. Mrs. Chandrakala had retired 30 April 2016.

 

The farewell function was presided over by Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza-Secretary of Catholic Education Society of Udupi (CESU). Besides Mrs. Chandrakala other dignitaries on the dais included: Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas-Correspondent of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions, P.D. Kamath-former lecturer of Political Science, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Cutinha-Assistant Parish Priest of Moodubelle, Alphonse Alva-President of Parents-Teachers Association, Naveen Correa-Principal of St. Lawrence PU College and Mrs. Leena D’Silva-Hedamistress of St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School.

 

 

Following the prayer song by PU students and  welcome by Naveen Correa, Preston D’Souza of Second Year PU Science representing the students and  Devaraya Shanbagh, lecturer of Statistics, representing the staff  spoke about Mrs. Chandrakala and highlighted her finer qualities and talents as a teacher and a person.  Devaraya Shanbagh said that Mrs. Chandrakala actively participated in three major events of the institution, namely, Silver and Golden Jubilees of St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School and Silver Jubilee of St. Lawrence PU College.

 

P.D. Kamath in his address narrated the circumstances that led to the appointment of Mrs. Chandraka way back in 1981 July when the newly established St. Lawrence PU College was in search of new lecturers. He said that as a senior teacher, he was there to welcome her as Kannada lecturer and 35 years later he had the privilege of being the chief guest for her farewell function.  He praised Mrs. Chandrakala for her excellent teaching  ability and many talents such as signing, acting, writing articles and poems, etc.

 

Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza along with other dignitaries on the dais felicitated Mrs. Chandrakala by offering her shawl, jasmine flowers, fruits, citation and the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Earlier, Joseph D’Souza-Physical Director of the PU College read the citation.

 

The PU College student group sang farewell song in English in honour of Mrs. Chandrakala.

 

 

The PU College s well as high school staff felicitated Mrs. Chandrakla by offering her flower bouquets. Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Cutinha, Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza and other invitees also honoured Mrs. Chandrakala so also student representatives from different classes.

 

In an emotion filled tone, Mrs. Chandrakala went down the memory lane of nearly 35 years and fondly recalled Rev. Fr. Alexander Lobo, the then Principal and founder of St. Lawrence PU College who had appointed her as lecturer of Kannada. She also remembered with great respect the names of the past Correspondents and principals. Having become the Principal of the PU College during the last eight months, Mrs. Chandrakala said that she learnt many things and realized the ups and downs of the post of Principal. She expressed great satisfaction of being the teacher and made an appeal to the students to learn things from nature. She further said that the students are the asset s of educational institutions.

 

Rev. Fr. Clement thanked Mrs. Chandrakala for rendering great service, first as a lecturer and later as the Principal of St. Lawrence PU College and wished her good health and happy retired life.

 

Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza in his message said that St. Lawrence PU College was enriched by Mrs. Chandrakala through her dedicated service as a lecturer and Principal. She had great love for the institution, profession and students. On behalf of the CESU, Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza wished her well in her retired life.

 

Mrs. Jacintha Lobo, lecturer of Commerce compered the programme and Mrs. Leen D’Silva, Headmistress of St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School proposed the vote of thanks.