Udupi/Shirva: John D’Silva Foundation Mumbai and Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh honour student achieve
By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network
Udupi/Shirva, 7 Sep 2014: John D’Silva Foundation, Mumbai along with Catholic Sabha, Udupi Pradesh organized the Felicitation Function to honour students from the Udupi Diocese who had excelled in SSLC, CBSE and PUC examinations held in 2014 on Sunday, September 2014 at 10.30 am in the Don Bosco Hall, Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva.
Bishop of Udupi, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo was the chief guest and guests of honour included J.R. Lobo- MLA Mangalore South, John D’Silva-Chairman, John D’Silva Foundation, Mumbai, Mrs. John D’Silva, Ivan D’Souza-MLC Karnataka, Johnson K.G.-Assistant Labour Commissioner, Belagaon Division, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves-Spritual Director, Catholic Sabha, Udupi Varado, Rev. Fr. Gerald-Assistant Parish Priest Shirva, Elroy Kiran Casto-President, Catholic Sabha, Udupi Pradesh and Melwyn Aranha-President of Catholic Sabha, Shirva Unit.
The programme commenced with prayer recital by Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves followed by welcome dance presented by Joyce Pereira, student of Manasa Pamboor.
Following the dignitaries occupying their respective seats on the dais, Melwyn Aranha welcomed the guests and the gathering. Elroy Kiran Crasto in his introductory address outlined the purpose of the function. Thereafter, the felicitation function was formally inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the dignitaries on the dais.
The Bishop symbolically unveiled the box containing articles prepared by the students of Manasa and an appeal was made by the MC to the audience to patronize Manasa by purchasing the boxes exhibited behind costing just Rs.100/- Irwin D’Souza-Secretary of Manasa in an emotion filled voice narrated briefly the service rendered by Manasa to the mentally and physically challenged students which has been one of the major projects of the Catholic Sabha and sought support and encouragement from philanthropists and well-wishers.
J.R. Lobo and Ivan D’Souza were honoured by the Bishop and other dignitaries. Speaking on this occasion, J.R. Lobo greatly appreciated the service done by the Catholic Sabha and Manasa, Pamboor and also John D’Silva for recognizing the student achievers and felicitating them. Speaking about the importance of the youth in nation building, J.R. Lobo said that 65 percent of India’s population comprises of the youth and the progress of the youth will determine the development of the country. Lamenting on the negligible presence of Christian youth in government service and military, J.R. Lobo said that Christians have contributed much more in other services such as education and health rather than seeking opportunities in bureaucracy and military. In order to have continuous training for the Christian youth, he suggested the establishment of an academy. He made an appeal to the student achievers to put in their efforts and appear for IAS, KAS and other government service examinations and also join the armed forces.
Ivan D’Souza in his address traced his roots to Mudarangady, the place of his birth and Shirva where he acquired education. He also narrated his gradual rise in political field and said that he had to work hard for 30 years to achieve the position of MLC. He asked the students to have an aim in life and work hard with commitment to achieve that aim. He assured ten lakhs of rupees each year of his six years tenure as MLC to Manasa from the MLC fund and asked the office bearers of Manasa to prepare the necessary paper work.
Emphasizing on the preparation of the students right from their high school stage, John D’Silva sadi that it has been a sorry state of affairs that many parents and students do not know the government facilities such as scholarships that are available for the bright students through National Talent Search (NTS) Examinations at the end of the eighth standard. This would help the students not only to have financial support from the government but also prepare them to face the competitive examinations such as IAS. Further he said that Christians are least bothered to avail various government schemes. He also stressed on the fact that more and more Christian youth should join government services and work for the upliftment of the community.
Six teachers who were selected as the ‘Best Teachers’ at the Udupi District level and honoured on the Teachers Day on 5 September 2014 were felicitated by the Bishop and other dignitaries on the dais.
K.G. Johnson, addressing the achievers explained how he could join the government service and how a student can prepare himself or herself to face the competitive examinations. He said that there are certain misconceptions among Christian youth such as competitive examinations are difficult; it is difficult to Kannada medium students to achieve success; preparation for such examinations is difficult and costly; influence has to be used and bribe has to be paid for getting into the government service, etc. K.G. Johnson, in simple language tried to clear these misconceptions from the minds of the students and said that the competitive examinations are just like any other examinations. However, one has to prepare right from the beginning. While viewing television or reading newspapers or magazines one has to keep in mind and note down the information that is available for the point of view of the competitive examination. He assured the Bishop that his services are always available to guide the students who wish to pursue competitive examinations such as IAS and KAS.
Bishop, Most rev. Dr. Gerlad Isaac Lobo, Mrs and Mr. John D’Silva felicitated the student achievers in the SSLC, CBSE and PUC examinations held in 2014, and their parents. In SSLC, one student from each of the 48 parishes of the Udupi Diocese who had scored highest marks among the Christian students of the parish, one student from each of the five varados (Udupi, Kallianpur, Kundapur, Karkala and Shirva) in CBSE and PUC (Arts, Commerce and Science) who had passed with highest marks were honoured with a medal, certificate and cash award and their parents with flowers.
Three students, representing the achievers speaking in reply to their felicitation thanked John D’Silva Foundation and Catholic Sabha, Udupi Pradesh for recognizing their achievements and honouring them which would encourage them to pursue their higher education. They also expressed their gratitude to their parents and teachers for guiding and supporting them in their endeavour.
In his message, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo echoed the sentiments expressed by the earlier speakers about the lack of presence of Christians in government and military services and pointed out the efforts undertaken by the diocese in encouraging the promising youth to undergo training in preparation for the IAS examination. He hoped that by 2020 at least 25 youths from Udupi Diocese will join the IAS cadre. The Bishop further said that in order to offer guidance to students who wish to join the government services, an office has been opened in the Youth Commission premises manned by an officer with Post-graduate degree and specialization in Human Resource Development. He advised the interested students to register their names in that office so that they can avail the necessary guidance and material required to prepare for such competitive examinations.
Walter Cyril Pinto gave away financial support to two economically disadvantaged students from Kalattur who are pursuing their college education. Speaking at this occasion, he outlines the main purpose of the Catholic Sabha and its vision and mission.
Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo honoured Joyce Pereria from Manasa who had presented the welcome dance, Michael Rodrigues of Mangalorean.com who was appointed as the Media Coordinator for the Diocese of Udupi and Melwyn Aranha and other office bearers of catholic Sabha, Shirva Unit for organizing the Pratibah Puraskar 2014 at Shirva.
Mrs. Alice Rodrigues, Secretary of Catholic Sabha, Shirva Unit proposed the vote of thanks and Gilbert Pinto, teacher in St. Mary’s High School, Shirva compeered the programme.