All’s Well that Ends Well!‘SEVA SAPTHAH’at St Aloysius College Concludes
Mangaluru: St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru observed a week-long programme, ‘SEVA SAPTHAH’ from 20-25 August, 2018 to commemorate the 450th Birth Anniversary of its Patron, St Aloysius Gonzaga in the College with theme, “Selfless in Service.”
Day 1 – Workshops on “Poetry, Creative Writing and Collage”
The theme of the first day of the programme was Eco-conservation: Save Air, Water and Soil. To conscientize the students on the theme, the College organized Workshops on ‘Poetry, Creative writing and Collage‘.
The inauguration of this event was held on 20th August 2018 in Fr Robert Sequeira Auditorium. Sri Dinesh Holla, an Environmentalist and Founder Member of Sahyadri Sanchaya, Mangaluru was the Chief Guest. Dr Vasanth Kumar Perla, Assistant Station Director and Head of Programs at All India Radio, Mangaluru, Ms Artha Perla, a Bharathanatyam Dancer and Doordarshan Artiste and Tharanath Kairangal, Art Teacher, Govt High school, Manchi were the Guests of Honour. Rev. Dr Praveen Martis S.J. presided over the programme. Dr Alwyn D’Sa, Director, Administrative Block and Workshop Coordinator, Dr Jyothi Miranda, Associate Professor, Dept of Botany were present.
Chief Guest, Sri Dinesh Holla, said in his address that the initiative taken by the College towards environmental protection should continue forever and students should make an attempt to change the society. He explained how students can convey the message of environmental conservation through poetry, creative writing and collage. He urged the students to develop reading and writing habits.
Addressing the students, Dr Alwyn D’Sa said that this land does not belong to us but we belong to the land. Hence, we should not use it as we want, instead we should protect it and make it a pleasant place to live. He quoted how man-made changes have led to the recent natural calamities in Kerala and Kodagu.
Rev. Dr Praveen Martis, Principal, in his presidential address, urged and encouraged the students to involve in eco-conservation activities in and around the college.
Ms Megha and team conducted the prayer. Workshop Coordinato,r Dr Jyothi Miranda, Associate Professor, Dept of Botany welcomed and introduced the guests. Ms Piya compered the programme. Vineeth Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology proposed the vote of thanks.
Day 2 – ‘Inter-faith Harmony Day’ – Bakrid Celebration
St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru organised Interfaith Harmony Day by celebrating Bakrid on 21 August, 2018 in Fr L.F. Rasquinha Hall, LCRI. Rev. Fr Clifford Fernandes, St Joseph’s Seminary, Sri Manohar Prasad, Chief Editor, Udayavani, Dr Abubakkar Siddiq, Associate Professor, Mangalore University were the Chief Guests. Rev. Dr Praveen Martis S.J., Principal, St Aloysius College (Autonomous) presided over the programme.
The theme, ‘Humanity is the greatest religion’ was reflected through Eid-Ul-Adha by depicting the essence of faith, sacrifice, peace and joy. The formal programme was followed by greetings and messages by the chief guests of three different communities. Besides this, the students performed cultural programmes including a skit depicting the significance of Bakrid.
Dr Abubakkar Siddiq, in his message, congratulated the Principal for organizing such programme. He explained the meaning and significance of Bakrid by narrating the story of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail. Bakrid is a feast of faith and sacrifice. It signifies truth and loyalty towards Allah. He also said that meat or blood cannot reach Allah, instead pure devotion reaches Allah. People must understand the right way of celebrating Bakrid by sharing and caring for the needy.
Sri Manohar Prasad spread the joy of the occasion by his thoughts and humour. He remembered his early career writing an article on ‘Tissue Culture’ lab developed at St Aloysius College. He explained the real meaning of Bakrid which means peace and belief. He applauded the college for rendering humanitarian service to the society in various capacities without consideration of caste or creed. He urged the students to surrender to God. “We all must be socially and serve the society with love”, he added.
Rev. Fr Clifford Fernandes in his message urged the students to believe in one religion called Humanity and explained the real meaning of Humanity. He gave the message “Live and Let others Live”. He quoted Swami Vivekananda’s saying – “I don’t believe in the religion which does not wipe the tears of a widow.” He also exhorted students to eradicate social evils such as cheating, pretensions and hatred. He wished all the Muslims brothers and sisters Happy Bakrid.
Principal, Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ, in his presidential address, greeted the Muslim community on the eve of Bakrid. He stressed the importance of sharing and caring. He also said that the students of St Aloysius College always strive to take care of the society. He mentioned that the students’ council members had collected Rs. 2,00,000 and donated to the flood victims of Kerala and Kodagu. He expressed his views on Bakrid and said that we all are living in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious country; hence we, at St Aloysius College symbolically celebrated this festival.
Registrar, Dr A.M. Narahari, Finance Officer, Fr. Pradeep Sequeira S.J., teaching and non-teaching staff were present to the programme. Shameema K.A., Department of Biochemistry welcomed the gathering. Anup Denzil D’Souza, Assistant Professo, Dept of English introduced the guests. Ms Nishath Fathima compered the programme. Alfaz Hameed proposed the vote of thanks.
Day 3 – Workshop on “Fine Arts and Plastic-free campus”
The theme of the third day of this programme was “Go green, Go organic, Plastic free Campus and Waste Management.” To convey this message to students, the College organized a Workshop on “Plastic free campus and Fine Arts”. The inauguration of this event was held on 23rd August, 2018, in Fr Robert Sequeira Auditorium. Prof Rajamani Ramakunja, Retired Professor of Kannada S.V.S. College, Bantwal was the Chief Guest. Eranna Thippannavar, Artist, Prasad Art School, Mangaluru
Chief Guest, Prof Rajamani Ramakunja, in his address, said that the initiative taken by the College in conducting such Workshop on awareness on Environment is praiseworthy. A clean mind and a clean heart are necessary for a clean environment. Students should make an attempt to facilitate a Plastic Free Environment. Mother Nature is a parent, guide and a nurse. He explained how students can convey the message of environmental conservation through Fine Arts and by participating in Plastic free Campus workshop. He urged the students to promote 3 R’s : Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Addressing the students, Dr John D’ Silva urged the students to make proper use of the time through skillful activities like Fine Arts.
Rev. Dr Praveen Martis, Principal, urged and encouraged the students to involve in maintaining a plastic free campus. He insisted that the group of students become role models to the rest of students in the Campus.
Ms Chinmayee and team conducted the prayer. Workshop Coordinator, Dr Jyothi Miranda, Associate Professor, Dept of Botany welcomed and introduced the guests. Ms Olinda compered the programme. Mrs Rashmi, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany proposed the vote of thanks.
Day 4 – “Love for Labour” Day
St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru held a one-day programme on “Love for Labour” on 24 August, 2018 in the College Campus. During this programme, the students actively engaged themselves in cleaning the campus by substituting the support staff of the college in their work for a day. The students cleaned various places in the campus and experienced the pain of the support staff. This is a new concept initiated by the Students’ Council and several students took part in this programme. Besides this, the Support staff was felicitated with gifts as a token of appreciation and respect for their daily dedicated labour by the Students Council. ‘Best Clean Classrooms’ of different blocks were awarded prizes.
Fr Pradeep Sequeira SJ, Finance Officer was the Chief Guest for the valedictory of the programme. He applauded and encouraged the students in taking this noble initiative. He also said that the real meaning of satisfaction lies not in receiving but in giving or sharing.
Principal, Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ in his address mentioned the efforts taken by the students to organize such a touching and meaningful programme in the college. He said that this is totally a new concept initiated by the Students’ Council and appreciated their hard work.
Anup Denzil Veigas, Dept. of English briefed about the programme. Principal, Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ welcomed the gathering. Ms Pia Menezes compered the programme.
Concept: Love of Labour
Labour has always played a crucial role in the making of human history. From early times of the “hunter – gatherer humans” to our own “postmodern time,” the history of labour has been a long journey of extraordinary human effort that shaped the world we inhabit today. However, the chain of economic activities that supports and runs the giant system called capitalism has become so complex, that we cannot easily understand its working mechanism that determines our life. The things we see around us; the buildings, roads, automobiles and commodities appear to us only as different forms of money and not as products of human labour. This is the tragic paradox of the “Consumer Society” we belong to.
As greedy consumers, we often unconsciously transform all living and non-living forms by objectifying them as commodities. This tendency of commodification has turned labour too into a commodity that can be appropriated into the technological processes of production. In such a scenario, it is very important to remind ourselves the significance of human labour and try to uphold the dignity of the working classes. When our institution celebrates the 450th year of the birth of St Aloysius Gonzaga as jubilee week, under the name of “SEVA SAPTHAH,” the Students’ Council of our college has decided to dedicate this day, 23 August 2018 to the cause of service through work. Members of the council showed solidarity with the support staff of the college by substituting them in their work for a day.
Day 5 – Valedictory
The Valedictory of the week-long programme ‘SEVA SAPTHAH’ was held on 25 August, 2018 in Eric Mathais Hall. Passionate Environmentalist and Entrepreneur, Sri Geeth Milan Roche was the Chief Guest. Sri Madhava Ullal, Green Activist, Mr Daniel Tauro and Mr Shivaprasad, both alumni of St Aloysius College were the guests of honour. Principal Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ presided over the programme. Registrar, Dr A.M. Narahari, the Directors of various blocks, Dr Richard Gonsalves, Dr Loveena Lobo, Dr John E D’Silva, Dr Alwyn D’Sa and Fr Pradeep Anthony SJ, Finance Officer, Fr Pradeep Sequeira SJ were present for the programme.
Ms Precilla D’Silva, the Co-ordinator presented a comprehensive report of all the events conducted during the ‘Seva Sapthah’ through a PowerPoint Presentation. Students shared their experiences by taking part in all the activities conducted during these days. Principal, Rev Fr Praveen Martis SJ shared his views on organizing this week-long programme and applauded the staff and students who really worked hard in various capacities in organizing the activities of ‘Seva Sapthah’. Saplings were distributed among students by th dignitaries and the programme concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by Mr Vineeth Kumar, Department of Zoology.
