‘Golden Girl’ PT Usha and Minister ‘Pramod Anna’ inaugurate Fr Muller Indoor Stadium-Gymnasium
“Golden Girl” And “Payyoli Express” Former Indian track and field athlete PT Usha and Minister for Sports Pramod Madhwaraj, fondly known as “Pramod Anna” inaugurated Fr Muller Indoor Stadium-Gymnasium and Multi-Level Parking Facility at Fr Muller charitable Institutions on Tuesday, 13 March 2018
Mangaluru: It was the initiative and dream of Former Director of Fr Muller Charitable Institutions-Fr Patrick Rodrigues to have a state-of-the-art Indoor Stadium-Gymnasium and Multi-Level Car Parking- and that project has materialized today, even though sadly, Fr Patrick Rodrigues is not among us, whose unique idea of this project would benefit lots of staff and students of FMCI-May his Soul Rest in Peace! Yes, Fr Muller Charitable Institutions-Mangaluru has added yet another feather to its Cap- and established yet another milestone by launching the State-of-the-Art “Father Muller indoor stadium, gymnasium and multi-storeyed parking zone” which was inaugurated today( Tuesday, March 13 )at 9:30 am.
Following close on its heels after the City’s largest convention Hall- the 38,750 sqft “Fr Muller Convention Centre” was launched on 12 March 2017, here we have this mega-infrastructure, the “Fr Muller Indoor Stadium Stadium/Gymnasium/Parking Zone constructed in on a 1 lakh 25,000 sq ft space at a whopping cost of nearly Rs 30 crores. State minister for fisheries, sports and youth affairs Pramod Madhwaraj, the chief guest and former Indian track and field athlete P T Usha as the guest of honour of the event inaugurated the Project by cutting the ribbon, and unveiling the plaque respectively, along with Rev Fr Aloysius Paul D’souza- Bishop of Mangaluru, Director of FMCI-Fr Richard Coelho, among other administrative priests- followed by blessing of the premises by the Bishop.
Two days are embossed in gold with respect to FMCI. March 13 being the birth anniversary of FMCI Founder Rev Fr Augustus Muller, and Nov 1 being his Death anniversary. Through the years, these two days have been celebrated to mark the recognition of various achievements and milestones achieved along the way. On 1 November 2015, the foundation stone was laid by Fr Patrick Rodrigues. Now, this structure has been a testament to teamwork, dedication and commitment of the entire FMCI management. As they say that the principle of “Sports” is competing against yourself-it is about self-improvement, to be better than you were the day before; the very principle is applied to the medical field also.
Therefore “Sports” is an acronym for Skill, Perseverance, Optimism, Resilience, Tenacity, and Stamina. These traits are foundational to the medical profession also- and these qualities enable Healthcare professionals to take difficult and seemingly intractable situations and turn them into opportunities for growth and this is something they do on a daily basis. And therefore for the well being of students of FMCI and staff alike, the need of an All-weather Indoor stadium was envisioned by Fr Patrick Rodrigues. So here is the magnificent state-of-the-art infrastructure, which will cater to the sporting needs of the FMCI family.
Quoting Mark Twain “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”-Director of FMCI Fr Richard Coelho in his welcome address said, ” This is exactly what our Founder of FMCI did- he not only started a homoeopathic hospital to treat the patients, but he also left a legacy of Compassion, Love and care-and to “Comfort and Heal”. Exactly 177 years after Fr Muller was born, we have this unique structure dedicated to him- and also so that the students benefit from it too”. Chief guest Pramod Madhwaraj addressing the gathering said, ” Among all the indoor stadium that I have come across, this is the BEST that I have seen so far, and I congratulate the management of FMCI for constructing such a beautiful Indoor stadium”
“In the state, we have now launched a new ‘Sports Policy’, where students who excel good in sports, will get priority in getting jobs at every govt departments in the state. The government has also come up with a new Kreeda award which will be given every year to an institute which provides the best sporting facility/stadium etc- and I am sure that Fr Muller will bag this award next year- I am very positive by looking at this marvellous Indoor stadium and gymnasium. While FMCI has shown keen interest towards sports, it should also have sympathy and empathy towards patients. Finally, I would like to say that even though I don’t have a good and slim physique, I urge all the youngsters to stay fit, and healthy, and avail all the facilities this stadium provides, for your better healthy lifestyle”.
Bishop Rev Fr Aloysius P D’souza after releasing the video documentary on FMCI, addressing the gathering He said. “This is a great eventful day for FMCI. Youth will jump in joy while looking at this unique and magnanimous Indoor stadium-Gymnasium- I am sure this stadium will attract more students to take u sports, which will surely benefit them in developing their body. To develop a perfect body and health, sports is a must. Students should avail all the facilities that this stadium has to offer. PT Usha is a role model for all of you-so follow in her footsteps and try to become nation’s best athlete or a sportsman/woman. May Her role be an example for all the youth of this institution. Apart from providing good sporting facilities spending lots of money, FMCI has also contributed over Rs 30 crore in helping the needy patients etc. And finally, before I end, I want to remind minister Madhwaraj to keep his promise and give us the Best Kreeda Award for Institution next year” (in smiles)
Fr Ajith Menezes-Administrator of Fr Muller Medical College read out the names of the architect, contractor and all other people involved in making this Project materialized- and they were all provided with mementoes. Fr Rudolph D’sa-Administrator of Fr Muller Hospital proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was professionally compered by Dr Ria and Dr Prashanth of FMMC.
This evening (Tuesday 13 March), the Institutions Day-cum graduation ceremony of Father Muller Charitable Institutions will take place. As many as 654 students from Father Muller Medical College and Allied Health Sciences, Homeopathic Medical College, School and College of Nursing and College of Speech and Hearing will be graduating on that day, which also marks the 177th birth anniversary of the founder Fr Augustus Muller. The chief guest for the graduation day will be Dr Vedprakash Mishra, chancellor, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Karad. Dr Veerabhadrappa, president, Karnataka Medical Council, Bengaluru will be the guest of honour. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangaluru will preside.
About Father Muller Indoor Stadium-Gymnasium- Parking Facility:
“Father Muller indoor stadium, gymnasium; and the multi-storeyed parking zone is one of the finest facilities under the aegis of Father Muller Charitable Institutions (constructed in 1 lakh 25,000 sq ft space). It has four floors alone for car parking where nearly 300-350 vehicles can park in an 85,000 sq ft space. The sports complex is 20,000 sq ft, which is a fully integrated state-of-the-art sports complex of national standard with centralized air-conditioning. The complex has facilities for playing badminton, basketball, volleyball, Kabbadi, Chess, Handball etc- and a state-of-the-art gymnasium with the most modern equipment and a sprawling 4,500 sq ft area with Polyurethane flooring. The indoor sports area holds two pool tables and table tennis, along with a 1,000 sq ft squash court.
The construction was started in mid-2015 and is now completed as promised by the architect Christopher Noronha, builder-Diwakar Constructions. This sports complex is exclusively for the use of staff and students of Fr Muller Institutions at present. The Gym is one of the best and well-equipped gym in town, with the latest and modern equipment from Smith machine, Cable Cross Over, Leg Press, Thread Mills, Cross Trainers, Spin Bikes, and much more. This gym will provide all the facilities who will come here for a workout. Fr Muller Charitable Institutions, established in 1880, with its motto ‘heal and comfort’ is in its 138th year of fruitful service to humanity in the area of healthcare and continues to serve without any distinction of caste creed or religion.