Mangalore, 03 Sep 2014: St Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), here and its contingent of students from Kerala celebrated the much loved Onam Festival at College campus here on Wednesday September 3.
Students who walked in early in the morning were greeted by an intricately designed colourful ‘Pookalam’ laid out in the quadrangle of the College administrative block. The ‘Pookalam’ was complete with lighted diyas and the traditional ‘Nilavilakku.’
At 8:30 AM, students attired in traditional Kerala dress of Set Saree, Kasav Mundu, and colourful shirts gathered around the Pookalam.
SJEC designated-director Fr Ajith Menezes, assistant director Fr Rohith D’Costa, campus counsellor Fr Joseph Cardoza, principal Dr Joseph Gonsalvis, vice principal Dr Rio D’Souza, staff members were also present.
Fr Ajith Menezes, lighted ‘Nilavilakku’ and offered his Onam wishes to all present.
Fr Ajith explained the significance of this festival which marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali and is also celebrated as harvest festival in Kerala. He praised the efforts of the students in preparing the Pookalam and wished them a good day and Happy Onam.
The gathering was them treated to a melodious traditional Onam song ‘Kuttanadan punjayile’ which raised the spirits of the crowd.
The final year student Jackson Joseph compered the programme.