‘In Sharing, We Care’ – St Aloysius PUC hosts 137th College Day

‘In Sharing, We Care’ -St Aloysius PUC hosts 137th College Day

With a Theme “In Sharing, We Care – St Aloysius Pre-University College celebrates 137th College Day

Mangaluru: Nelson Mandela once said, ” Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the World”- that’s right. And for that matter whoever got education from St Aloysius Institutions have reached greater heights and have also become great assets to the Nation and also the world. Before I go further on my report, I feel proud to grace this Annual College Day of St Aloysius PUC (SAPUC) for two reasons – one being an Alumnus of this great institution where I completed my PUC and B Sc, and I salute SAC for making me what I am today.

Secondly, I feel proud that today’s Chief guest for the occasion Dr Rajshekhar M ( Director, Curriculum Development, Nitte University) was my Classmate in PUC and B Sc, where we sat together in Class, and we still cherish the good old days that we had at our Alma Mater. Long live St Aloysius Institutions for its commitment, service and dedication towards the betterment and growth of its students. Since our completion of our education at SAC in the 80’s, me and Dr Rajshekhar feel that this institution has got an extreme make-over, with many new buildings, departments, modern facilities and new courses being added, which were lacking during our time. Time has changed, so also the trend at St Aloysius PUC which in its fifteenth year of independent existence, has been continuing the rich legacy, the cherished ideals, secular outlook and futuristic thinking inherited from its Mother Institution which is already 137 years old.

The purpose of having education at SAC is that every student who passes the portals of this College learns to attain the fullness of life not merely by amassing information, but also by transforming into persons with concern and commitment to the marginalized of our society. With the theme “In Sharing, We Care” chosen for this Annual College Day”, SAPUC has shown that leadership is all about caring and sharing-caring for people and sharing the success with all, following in the footsteps of St Mother Teresa who cared for the poor and shared with the poor. She not only shared the material poverty of the poor but also the spiritual poverty of those who feel, unloved, unwanted and uncared for- and these students of SAPUC under ‘Cause’ Team have been striving hard through various community projects to bring smiles on people by sharing what they have and caring for others’ needs.

Fr Melwyn Mendonca SJ- the Principal of SAPUC while delivering the College Annual Report quoting Napolean Hill said, “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way”- and it is the deep desire of our Alma Mater to present to our society and to the world, men and women from our institution with minds bright with knowledge and creativity and hearts burning with genuine love and concern for others. Our college has given prime importance to value education for all our students, including spiritual formation through retreats. SAPUC seek to be the place where the search for knowledge complements with a sense of responsibility to the life of the community, where a sense of community sustains men and women in their pursuit of education, fostering a conviction that life is only lived well when it is lived generously in the service of others”.

Thanking all those who were responsible for the growth and success of SAPUC, Fr Mendonca said, “I am sure with God’s grace, the loving care of our patron St Aloysius Gonzaga, the constant support and encouragement from parents and staff, we will strive to impart quality education to our students without compromising on values and principles before they go out into the society. we will also try, never to lose sight of our primary mission i.e- to be at the service of the deprived and underprivileged sections of the society, to uphold the hallowed tradition of Jesuit education. Let us align ourselves with values of the soul-harmony, co-operation and reverence for life and join together in the mission -In Sharing, We Care”.

The glamorous, extravagant and glittering “137th College Day” celebrations of SAPUC held on Saturday, 17 December in open-air ‘Pretorium’ premises began with a prayer and welcome dance, followed by the Annual Report delivered by Fr Melwyn Mendonca SJ- it was continued with an excellent audio-visual presentation well put-together by Reena J Monteiro (Dept.of English), and Praveen Kumar N (System Administrative Dept.). The chief guest for the occasion was Dr Rajshekhar (Director, Curriculum Development-Nitte University); presided over by Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ (Rector, St Aloysius Institutions); guest of honour- Allen CA Pereira (Former CMD, Bank of Maharashtra), along with other dignitaries on the dais namely- Fr John Lang Bosco SJ (Finance Officer, SAPUC); Seema Shenoy (PTA Vice President); Rekha Alva (Vice Principal, SAPUC); Muralikrishna GM (Convener), and office bearers of Students’ Council- Shreyash S Shetty (President), Sonal D’Souza (Secretary) and Hazel D’Souza (Jt. Secretary).

Prizes were handed over to the winners in various academics, sports and co-curricular activities. Chief guest Dr Rajshekhar addressing the gathering said, “I feel proud to be the alumnus of this prestigious institution. Lots of changes have taken place since I left St Aloysius in 1980’s. Mangaloreans are lucky to get education from the institution run by the Jesuit priests. You should be grateful to be the students of SAPUC-once you get out from here, whatever career you chose, you’ll always cherish the education that you got from SAC. Your education at this institution will benefit the nation and also the world. As you move into the real world you’ll thank SAC for the education you got here. Like Mahatma Gandhi who said, ‘Be the change that you wish to see in the world’- go and make a difference in the real world, and you’ll always remain a proud alumnus of your Alma Mater.”

Guest of honour, Allen Pereira speaking said, “No matter what corner of the world you are, you’ll always be proud to say “I am an Aloysian”. This institution is the most preferred institution and one who receives education here will be a great asset to the nation and also the world. We need to respect our mentors and teachers who led us to the right path and gave us good education. The truth is, times have changed. Long gone are the days when a teacher’s presence alone demanded respect — from students as well as their parents. Today, in a society where good morals are on the decline and self-centeredness is on the incline, teachers can’t afford to educate students the way our teachers did back in the day. Teachers have to get respect the hard way, and they have to earn it. So my humble request to the students is respect your teachers and elders – you’ll feel good”.

Rector Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ said that SAC has always been a lighthouse to the City, other than the other Lighthouse which is now obstructed by buildings. Students are fortunate to have education at SAPUC-this place is a challenge for students to learn and grow. As a Rector, I feel blessed for the vast and tremendous growth that has taken place here, and I love to join in the celebrations. Everyone works in a team for perfection. The vision of this institution is to empower youth through excellence in education to shape a better future for humankind. It is the deep desire of this Alma Mater to present to the world and to our nation, men and women with minds bright with knowledge and creativity and hearts burning with genuine love and concern for others. Always be proud that you are a Aloysian”.

Following the vote of thanks by Student council president, Shreyas Shetty, the formal function ended with a mind-blowing, glamorous and glittering cultural programme comprising of a Theme song and presentation; North-Easter Dance from students hailing from Nagaland; Folk Dance; Western dance; Dance Drama and UV Dance- all the performers put a fantastic show which was loudly applauded by the huge mass of audience. Thanks to Prof, Mohan R for training these students in this cultural showbiz – and he deserved to be felicitated during the occasion – which was done by the College Principal Fr Melwyn Mendonca. These students simply rocked the scene. Long Live St Aloysius PUC!

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