‘Saare Jahaan Se Achcha’! MCCS honors 4 Veterans
“At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity with pride”. – Jawaharlal Nehru.
Mangaluru: “Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labour in freedom” – It was a moment of pride for the Mount Carmel family as tehy celebrated the 70th Independence Day with great respect and honour. It was more meaningful this time as they had the military ex-servicemen with them. The celebrations began with the hoisting of our National Flag by Chief Guest Vinay Bangera, Training Head, Diya Systems and his wife Dr. Blessy Bangera. It was indeed a breath taking moment when everyone saluted the National Flag and emotionally sang the National Anthem. This was followed by the March Past led by the School Head Boy Chinmaya H.N. The students marched rhythmically at the beat of the school band. They displayed placards with pictures of great leaders like Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi whose footsteps they intend to follow. The Chief Guests and other dignitaries were then escorted to the Auditorium by Sr. Melissa AC-Principal and the Administrator Sr. Carissima AC. The MC’s Darshitha of Class XI and Craig D’Souza of Class IX led the programme.
Cultural programme began with a meaningful prayer service led by Class IX students. The welcome dance was indeed a meaningful gesture of welcoming all the dignitaries. Saakshi Pinto and Deon Miranda of Class IX welcomed the gathering. Chief Guests Mr. and Mrs. Vinay Bangera and the ex-servicemen Cyril D’Souza, Ligoury Leo Rego, Cyril Baptist Rodriguess and Gopal were given a floral welcome by the students of Class IX. There were two skits performed by Class IX and XI students – One was on the sacrifice of military men for the defense of the nation and the other was a skit to show the dreams of present youth for their nation. There were rhythmic dances by Classes III, IX and XI depicting spirit of patriotism and India’s varied cultural heritage
The Chief Guest Vinay Bangera and other dignitaries were then escorted to the dais. Ex-servicemen Cyril D’Souza, Ligoury Leo Rego, Cyril Baptist Rodrigues and Gopal were honoured and felicitated for their service to the nation. Vinay Bangera in his address spoke on the sacrifices of freedom fighters and military men. He raised a question to the audience – is India really free from corruption, poverty and violence? He asked the coming generation to keep the country clean, stop corruption and help the needy so that our country achieves freedom in its right sense. The ex-serviceman, Subedar Cyril D’Souza expressed his sentiments of gratitude for honouring them and encouraged the students to join the armed force and to serve the nation.
The dignitaries were then escorted back to the audience. The cultural programme continued with the rhythmic dances of Class IX girls and XI boys. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by Lester Lobo of class IX and distribution of sweets. It was indeed a day of celebration filled with spirit of patriotism and honour for our Mother land India
About these Ex-servicemen they have done great sacrifice i fighting for our freedom. As we celebrate our country’s 70th Independence Day, the colours of freedom in different shades arouse our admiration to those who have served the nation in the interest and the well being of us Indians. Our great leaders who fought the fight are honoured and remembered with gratitude for giving us, this our Independent nation.
In our capital city about 11,000 people will witness the Independence parade with tight security – Independence on one side and insecurity on the other. Today MCCS honored four local veterans who have served the nation in the military to keep us secure and peaceful, who usually are forgotten or not recognized enough on this great day. We should be all happy and proud to have them amidst us and take delight in honouring them.
About Cyril D’Souza – had 26 years of service in 28 units as Subedar. He had witnessed China aggression, 65 action, 75 action and served in the active field. We should be stunned at his bravery. Ligoury Leo Rego – having 28 years of service as Subedar in the Indian army from 1958 to 1986 has created a trust in us. He is a great source of motivation to our younger generation. He is also the paternal grandfather of MCCS student – Esther Nicole Rego of Class I B.
Cyril Baptist Rodrigues – is as an inspiration with his service as Non commissioner officer for 18 long years from 1965 – 1983 and served in Dehradun, Himachal Pradesh, Assam etc. We should congratulate him for his service and dedication to his duty to the nation. He is also the maternal grandfather of MCCS student – Esther Nicole Rego of Class I B. Gopal – Ex Naik has served in the Indian Army artillery for 17 years from 1982 – 1999 at Jammu Kashmir, Bikaner – Rajasthan and Sikkim. 17 years of service in military force perhaps is an attraction to the youth to serve the nation today as it faces threats on all sides. Inspiring people is no easy task, but he has done it by hisvery life of service to the nation.
Ending this column with a thought-provoking words of Rabindranath Tagore-
“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action–
Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.”
