St Aloysius ITI Students Unleash Their Talents on Annual Day Celebration
Mangaluru: One of the most anxiously awaited occasions in any educational institution is its ‘Annual Day’. Great excitement and hurried activities are visible all around. The prize-winners and those who are participating in the cultural programme to be presented on that day are especially elated. Even those who are not actively, involved in the programme are also filled with fun, frolic and amusement. The preparations for the Annual Day begins much ahead of the day itself. Proper arrangements, decorations etc are done prior to the big day- and basically, this is done to impress the Chief Guest, other guests and parents. Another important feature of the preparation is the regular practice session of the cultural programme to be staged on the appointed day. Students, participating in the dance, drama and music programmes, are called for long rehearsals.
Again, those who have excelled in academics and various other co-curricular competitions, are made to undergo the actual practice for the day through a mock-session, so that they know how to conduct themselves in the presence of the august audience. The Student Council leader is made to write out his speech under the guidance of a lecturer and he too is required to rehearse it. The long-awaited day, finally, arrives and everyone seems to be immensely busy and hectic, rushing here and there for one reason or the other. And for that matter, the management, staff and students of St Aloysius Industrial Training Institute {SAITI} -Mangaluru had all geared up for the Annual Day Celebration-2018, on Friday, 18 May 2018 at St Aloysius Higher Primary Auditorium- and the celebration started in full swing, comprising of music, dance and skit, which made this Annual Day a memorable one.
Each of us has different talents, different dreams and different destinations, Yet we have the power to make a new tomorrow”- that’s true and for that matter, the students of SAITI unleashed their hidden talents and mesmerized the audience predominately comprising of management, teachers, parents and well-wishers with their performances-the programme was vibrant and buoyant as it brought to life the blended learning experiences of the students on the stage to the audience. The programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song by students of various ITI courses , followed by a welcome dance by girls of Cutting and Sewing Course, where they welcomed the dignitaries namely- the Chief guest-Bhojaraj Vamanjoor- Tulu Theatre and Film Actor; Guests of honor- Fr Denzil W Lobo Sj – Treasurer/Secretary, Mangalore Jesuit Education Society; Rajendra K P- a Civil Engineer; Fr Leo D’souza Sj – Former Director, SAITI; Fr Eric Mathias Sj- Director, SAITI; Vincent Mendonsa- Principal, SAITI; Naveen Rasquinha- President, SAITI Alumni Association; Umesh J A- Convener; and Thilak M- SAITI Student Council President, with flowers.
The welcome address and introduction of the guests was done by Thilak M, followed by the audio/Video presentation of the SAITI activities, complied by Rabin Vaz and Kiran D’souza, both faculty at SAITI. The presentation of the activities report gave a glimpse of the flash back of what the students did inside and outdoor during the year 2017-18. Then came the distribution of prizes to the students who had excelled in academics and other co-curricular activities by Fr Leo D’souza Sj and the Chief guest respectively. In his address to the gathering narrating of his early days of life, Chief guest Bhojaraj Vamanjoor said, ” I was not a smart student in class, therefore I quit school when I was in VIth std, and joined as a welder and mechanic in a garage. This job was my bread and butter, but I never gave up, instead carried further, and today I own my own welding/Molding firm earning nearly Rs 70,000 a month. So the career you students have taken up is money making profession, which you don’t have to regret for pursuing in this field”
“I appreciate SAITI for offering various technical courses to students irrespective of caste or creed, so that they could make a living when they exit out of this institution. I also compliment the students for their talents in co-curricular activities, which I witnessed earlier. We should all know that more than wealth etc, Education is very important which can make us survive. We should also thank our parents, teachers and elders who have been our pillars and mentors during our lives. Although my earlier days were filled with hardships, but with determination and commitment I moved further- and now I am a full-fledged actor, and also a full-fledged welder/mechanic. So don’t give up hopes-try, try and you will succeed. Best of luck” added Bhojaraj.
Also speaking on the occasion, Engineer Rajendra K P said, ” The most powerful feeling of being alive is when you have a big vision of how you can contribute to the world and an accompanying sense of an important mission that’s going to leave an impact on this world forever. All masterpieces that were created in the world began with a big vision, and so should your life. As the famous quote goes: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” A strong life vision helps you clarify what you want out of life and helps you focus and push yourself. If you write down your life vision correctly, it should serve you as a road map, helping you make your dreams and passions a reality. A life vision is your compass that helps you live life to the full. Also along with your vision, you should also have a Mission, to make your dreams come true”
” You should ask yourself where you would see yourself in 10-20 years from now. You need to set a goal and make achievements happen in your life. When you have your powerful vision, also ask ‘Why”, you become more passionate, more innovative and also progressive in your marketing and communication. Have a dream of your own, and aim big and success will surely be yours. Grab all the opportunities that come your way. Try to be your own boss by being an entrepreneur I starting your own business. If you have the will power, then there is no end to it. Wish you all success in your career that you all have chosen for a better future” said Rajendra.
Fr Leo D’souza Sj addressing the audience said, ” If you go around the City you will notice huge hoardings/banners advertising about BCom/Mcom courses offered at various institutions. But you need to worry, after finishing your B Com or M Com, where would you go to find jobs. There are cases where M Com graduates have taken up jobs as drivers, in hotels and other petty jobs. But a student trained in the industrial or mechanical field will have a job ready, and will also earn more than a college graduate. PM Modi’s Kaushalya project will go a long way in encouraging youth to take up courses in the industrial and mechanical field. I am happy to note that the plumbing course started at SAITI for girls is seeing good results, and someday these girls will make money than others. Plumbing is not a dirty job, its a well paid job these days. Be happy with the career you have taken up at SAITI”.
Fr Denzil W Lobo Sj also speaking said, ” As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”-therefore Education is the key to eliminating gender inequality, to reducing poverty, to creating a sustainable planet, to preventing needless deaths and illness, and to fostering peace. And in a knowledge economy, education is the new currency by which nations maintain economic competitiveness and global prosperity. Education is an investment, and one of the most critical investments we can make. Every student must dream and work hard to make it a reality. Education plays a very important role in the all-round development of a student, however, the mere purpose of education is not to create an educate machine but is rather enhancement of personality along with the inclusion of social and moral values.”
“This premier institution has been at the service of the youth of Mangaluru and its environs, as an educational institution run by the Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society, for the education, formation and professional preparation of young people of all castes, creeds and communities without any discrimination. Jesuit education motivates every student to broaden the mental horizons by excelling not only in academics and extra-curricular but also become good human beings serving the society. The Motto of our institution is ‘Lucet et Ardet’, in Latin means ‘Shine to Enkindle’ refer to the mind and heart. Our Vision is to Empower youth through excellence in education to shape a better future for humankind; and our Mission is to spread the light of knowledge and wisdom and to kindle the ardor of faith that does justice by forming men and women for others, who are academically accomplished, emotionally balanced, morally upright, socially responsible, ecologically sensitive and professionally dedicated, so that they are a powerful force for the transformation of society” added Fr Denzil Sj.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Praveen D’souza- a SAITI student, and the programme was compered by Garell Milton Lobo and Melston Joel Martis, also students of SAITI. The formal function ended with breadth-taking and mesmerizing cultural programme, comprising of dances and skit showcasing the hard work, the students had put in during the rehearsals, reaching its culmination. Amche Kodiyal! That’s right- the cultural part kicked off with a Konkani Dance by the Electrical course students to the tune of medley Goan songs, followed by Fusion Dance by Plumbing/Welding course students; traditional Pooja Kunitha by Cutting/Sewing students; Hip Hop dance by Centre of Excellence Course students; Yaksha Narthya Vaibhava by students of various courses; Mime show and Western dance by Mechanical Motor Vehicle Course students; Karavali Vaibhava by Electrical Mechanic Course students; Filmy dance and Skit by Mechanical Refrigeration and AC Course students; and ended with a group song. Everyone enjoyed the programme, including the parents who went home with happy faces feeling proud of their children talents. Long live the talented students of SAITI.