Old students of St. Johns High School – SSLC Batch 1992-93 donate desk top computers

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Shankerpura, 01 Sep 2021: As the old saying goes “A little kind thought will have a much bigger impact” Naveen Amin’s a single message in WhatsApp group of his SSLC batch did result in a great response in funding Rs. 2 lakhs to purchase 4 desk top computers to their old school.

 

While speaking to students during the computer distribution ceremony he said “It is not important to ask the school what they have given to the students but it is very important to question ourselves what we have given to the school.”He said in their Old Students batch-1992-93 groups there were only good morning and good night messages and b’day greetings. He was fed up with these daily irritation and one day could not control them and sent a message instead of this why can’t we do  something to our school?  We have benefitted immensely from the school and it is time we give back something. That triggered the thought among the members “Yes, why not?” and finally they held zoom meetings and resulted in funding over Rs.2 Lakhs which enabled Naveen and his friends here in Shankerpura to purchase brand new four desk tops. He also read out the names of donors who responded his call for help namely, Wilfred R. Pangla, Jerald Quadras, Alban, Jyothi, Steven, Asha, Wilma, Colin Martis, Sujith Alva, Sujan D’Souza, Leena, Mark Martis, Anil Kumar, Meera, Sathish and Naveen Amin. He also promised that he will be contact members of all Old Students Association to help the school with more computers.

 

Ashwin Rodrigues, Head Master (St. John’s High School – Kannada Medium) welcomed the guests and applauded Naveen’s efforts in getting the desk top computers. He also accorded a warm welcome to the honorary guests on dais Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves (Correspondence, St. John’s Academic Institutions), Mr. Naveen Amin (old student and donor), Ms. Clara Mendonca (Former HM, St, John’s High School), Mr. Mohandas R. Shetty, Mr. Wilfred R. Pangla (Old Student, donor), Ms. Seema Margerett D’Souza – President JCI, Ms. Flavia Menezes, President Rotary Club Shankerpura, and students.

 

The students of class X rendered the prayer song.

 

 

Speaking on the occasion donor Wilfred R. Pangla said that Naveen was a back bencher in their batch but he is first in everything today as he is involved in many social service activities and a great supporter of St, John’s Kannada Medium School and a successful businessman as well. He congratulated the students and urged them to make best use of this golden opportunity.

 

Former HM Mohandas Shetty remembered the 1992-93 Batch and said both Naveen and Wilfred were very active students whereas Wilfred contributed to the cultural side such as poems and chutuks while Naveen contributed sports and he was also the captain of NCC (National Cadet Corps). He thanked all the donors and wished them good health and successful life.

 

Ms. Clara Mendonca too spoke and how eagerly they were waiting for the computers since last five years and when she got a call from Naveen four days ago she just couldn’t believe it is happening. She narrated how they had prepared the special room for the computers 5 years ago on the promise of education board that the school will be provided with 15 computers. The school received chairs and tables and the room was prepared with the help of finance from the parish fund and waiting for long time and finally the board said the computer distribution project is cancelled. It was very difficult to inform the then Parish Priest and correspondence Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza as he was keep on asking her when the computers will arrive and he was transferred and the computers never arrived.  She thanked Naveen Amin for his initiative and grateful for him and other donors who contributed.

 

The donors who were present on the occasion were offered with roses as a token of gratitude.

 

Addressing the students Fr. Ferdinand said it is more valuable that the students learn education in their mother tongue. However, currently there is more demand for English medium schools but it is up to the parents to send their children wherever they want. He also pointed out that this year those who passed out in Kannada Medium SSLC exams have been enrolled for PU College in our own college where the English medium students have gone out to other colleges which he didn’t expect. He further said that the students should not feel inferior if they are studying in Kannada Medium Schools as we all seniors studied in Kannada Medium and are very successfully reached better positions in life.  He also thanked Naveen Amin for his initiative in getting the computers and other donors who have contributed towards this noble deed which will be very help for the students.

 

Ms, Sunith Leena D’Souza (High School Teacher) proposed vote of thanks while the entire event was conducted by teacher Deeksha. For the computer distribution ceremony the students of 9th and 10th class were present.