With Strong Motto of ‘DISCIPLINE, RESPECT to ELDERS, and UNITY Among STUDENTS’ the ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS UNION (ACSU) 2019-20 was inaugurated by Youth Icon Mithun Rai, the President of District Youth Congress. Rahul Suvarna of St Aloysius College (Autonomous)-Mangaluru as President will lead ACSU in 2019-20, along with 2 Working Presidents, 4 Vice Presidents, 6 Secretaries; 6 Joint secretaries; and 6 Chief secretaries.
Mangaluru: If you happen to pass by St Sebastian Church-Bendore-Mangaluru around 11 am or so, you would have seen a large gathering of students assembled in the Church parking lot, who all happened to be the supporters of the newly elected leaders of the All-College Students Union- and had come to witness the inauguration of the ACSU 2019-20. There was jubilation, fun and frolic, along with the beating of Chende, which marked the celebration of this unique Students Union, which is the ONLY One recognized by Mangalore University.
Even though Congress leaders like Harish Kumar, Ramanath Rai, U T Khader, Ivan D’Souza, among others were supposed to grace the inaugural ceremony, but due to the sudden visit of former CM Siddaramaiah to Mangaluru International Airport, on his way to Chikkamagaluru’s Kalasa where he has to meet the family of a farmer who committed suicide and also address general public., they all had gone to meet Siddaramaiah, thus skipping the event here in Mangaluru. Oh well, but the inauguration of ACSU didn’t stop, instead carried on with determination and commitment, and the inauguration was done by Mithun Rai by lighting the lamp, along with other dignitaries on the dais, namely- Ex-MLA J R Lobo, Former MCC Mayor Mahabala Marla, former MCC Corporators-Praveen Chandra Alva and Vinaya Raj, Nithesh Shetty- President ACSU 2018-19; Primus D’souza (ACSU Vice 2018-19) Roopesh Shetty- President State NSUI; Arjun Kapikad and Pratik Shetty, both Tulu film actors; among other youth leaders.
In his inaugural address, Mithun Rai said, “Our aim is to fight for students voting rights and that college student leaders should be elected and not selected as per the present rules set by the institutions. I am overwhelmed to see a large student crowd here in spite of being a holiday, which shows the support, determination and commitment you all have towards this Student Union, which firmly believes in Discipline, Respect towards Elders, and Unity among the student body. We are happy to have our former MLA J R Lobo, by whose efforts Mangaluru has turned vibrant and beautiful. The election of ACSU started in 1974, but now the voting rights in the college for ACSU has been denied by the institutions”.
“During the forthcoming ACSU 2019-20 agenda we will raise our voice against to have voting rights for students pertaining to the Union; and every Saturday and Sunday, the ACSU will involve themselves in the Mangaluru Swachh Abhiyan to keep our city clean and green; and we’ll also raise our voice against harassment and atrocities on women and moral policing, and we will fight to stop them. ACSU should be a model to other student unions, and try our best to reach greater heights and make a difference in the society and nation. And remember you all are leaders, even though you didn’t get a post in ACSU, but do great things and take credit for yourselves. Let’s work in unity and make a difference- and yes we can, if we all make up our minds” added Mithun Rai.
Also speaking on the occasion, Ex-MLA J R Lobo said, “Today’s mammoth crowd od students gathered for this Union inauguration speaks in volumes the support that is shown by you all, even though being a holiday. We need to compliment young and dynamic youth leaders Mithun Rai for his motivation, coordination and efforts in uniting you all to form this Union and make it a strong body. You should know that 60%
of Indian population is under 40 years of age, and so you are all the future leaders who should build this nation with your hard work. Youth power is always a must for the growth of a nation, and if there is unity and love in the Union, we can make a difference without any difficulties. Let’s all work for the growth of this nation, leaving behind religion, caste, creed and color. Let’s work as one and think India as One for all people”.
Actor Arjun Kapikad in his witty speech congratulated the ACSU team of 2019-20 and said that it is the youth which has all the raw power can make a change, and youth like you all will definitely bring a change in the nearest future, with all the blessings and support from the youth Guru Mithun Rai. While Mithun has been the backbone behind the ‘Pili Nalike'(Tiger dance) event that takes place prior to Dasara, I am happy to announce that a Tulu movie with the title “Pili Nalike” will be launched, and I am happy to play a role in it. You youth are the future of India, so show your youth power when you are still young, and make a change, which is very much needed now”.
Former MCC Mayor Mahabala Marla, and ex-MCC Corporator Praveen Chandra Alva also spoke and encouraged the youth to work in unity in the ACSU and raise the Union to greater heights and make it a role model to others. The ACSU Team of 2019-20 took an oath administered to them by Youth Congress President Mithun Rai, and they all repeated after him. The entire proceedings of the inaugural ceremony was professionally compered by young and dynamic “HERO” Suhan Alva, who Mithun Rai considers him as one of his strong pillar among four others?
