‘Use Weapons For The Betterment, Not Destruction’, Dr Akkai Padmashali during Ayudha Puja at St Aloysius ITI
Mangaluru: Ayudha Puja was celebrated at the St in the institution with joyful spirit and enthusiasm. Students had decorated their respective workshops with creativity.
Former Director of the institution Dr Leo D’Souza SJ conducted the prayer and the equipment and tools were blessed by the Director Fr Eric Mathias SJ.
In the stage programme that followed, the Chief Guest Rajesh Kadri launched the Annual Magazine of the institution “Kaushalya”. The Guest of Honour was the world acclaimed social activist and icon of the transgender community Dr Akkai Padmashali. She was felicitated on behalf of the institution for her achievements in the Social service sector. She is a male to female transwoman and is the co-founder of “Ondede”- an organisation of feminists, activists, thinkers and academics that works for children’s rights, women’s rights and the rights of sexual minorities. She is the first trans woman in the world who received ‘Ashoka Global fellowship’ to fight for the rights of Transgender and Sexual Minorities. She has received the Karnataka Rajyotsava award for her work in the Social Sector.
Addressing the students she said, “Machines/weapons could be used for good as well as bad. Use them for the betterment of life and the Society and never for destruction. ”Talking about the unemployment problem prevailing in India she said, “The present Government has not succeeded in creating employment opportunities for the youth in India. Institutes like St Aloysius ITI are playing a very important role in empowering youth and facilitate employment”. She urged the students to make the best use of the opportunity being presented to them and build a successful career.
Speaking on the occasion Fr Eric Mathias SJ- Director of the institutions said, “Dr Akkai Padmashali is like a candle which melts itself away to give light to others. She has undergone a lot of discrimination and harassment from the society. But, instead of surrendering, she courageously faced all the troubles and now is a globally known social activist”.
Students of Electrical trade had taken the initiative to organise this programme. Melston Martis welcomed the gathering. Lakshith Kumar delivered a speech on Ayudha Puja. Ankith N delivered the vote of thanks and Praveen D’Souza compered the programme. Students put up a colourful cultural show. The programme concluded with the National Anthem. Sweets were distributed to all.