Udupi: The Catholic Education Society of Udupi (CESU) observed Teacher’s Day at St. Mary’s English Medium School premises at Kannarpady near here. It was the confusion with participants including media men as per the invitation, the exact location of the event that not at St. Mary’s School Premises at Udupi. St. Mary’s School located at Mother of Sorrows Church premises while the event was at Kannarpady St. Mary’s English Medium School.

During the event on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, felicitation program was held for retired teachers and to retire teachers’ during this academic year as well as non teaching staff of educational institutions, meritorious students and those educational institutions securing cent percent results in SSLC.

Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi Diocese as well as President of CESU was presided over the function. Pramod Madhwaraj Minister of Fisheries, Sports and Youth Empowerment as well as in a charge Minister of Udupi district was the chief guest. Rev Fr. Lawrence D’Souza Secretary of CESU, Ramakrisha B. Nayak Deputy Director of Pre-University Education, Udupi district was the guest of honour and Very Rev Fr. Fredrick Mascarenhas Dean of Udupi Deanery, Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church and Correspondent of St. Mary’s Educational Institutions were present on the dais.

During the occasion Pramod Madhwaraj was felicitated by Bishop on being Minister in Karnataka state government. Pramod Madhwaraj was introduced by Very Rev Fr. Anil D’Souza Dean of Kundapur Deanery.

Rev. Dr. Prakash Anil D’Souza Campus Director of Milagres PU & Degree College, Kallianpur, Prof Vincent Alva Professor of English Literature at Milagres College, Kallianpur who both awarded Ph.D. degrees in their respective fields of research. He was also felicitated Rev Fr. Mahesh D’ Souza Principal of Don Bosco English Schools, Shirva also felicitated by the Minister for being conferred the Best teacher Award last year. All three of them were introduced by Dr. Gerald Pinto Principal of Milagres College, Kallianpur.

After the felicitation Pramod Madhwaraj during in his message said that both undivided D.K. and Udupi districts have been in the forefront in SSLC and PUC compared to other districts in Karnataka. One of the reasons for this excellence in the education would be the contribution of Christian Educational Institutions. In the fields of Human Development Index, once again, both the districts score with high points and all the Panchayats in these two districts have been above average. This has been chiefly because of the progress of education and spread of literacy for which he complimented all the teachers.

The inauguration programme held after the chief guest address that the Minister booked with his busy schedule and inauguration of the event held by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo by lighting the lamp. All the heads of educational institutions held lighted candles as Rev Dr. Lawrence D’Souza administered the oath to the teachers to be Ambassadors of Peace in their respective educational institutions.

Followed by teachers from the primary section to college level and non-teaching staff who had retired and would be retiring were felicitated by Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo. Top scores among students in public examinations held during the last academic year right to SSLC to Post Graduate were felicitated during the occasion. Meanwhile the heads of some of the education institutions received honors for securing the cent percent result in SSLC and PUC level.

St. Mary’s English Medium High School faculty presented a song in English language highlighting the importance of the teachers.

In his address Ramakrishna B. Nayak congratulated the achievers and wished to all those awarded the honored on their retirement. He pointed out the importance of the Teacher’s Day by narrating the finer qualities of Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of Independent India, whose birth anniversary has been celebrated as Teachers’ Day that Dr. S. Radhakrishnan could shoulder the responsibilities. He said it is the privilege to wish all the teachers of Udupi district.

Mrs Leena Tauro ad Rev Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves on behalf of the retired teachers expressed their feelings during their teaching life.

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo during in his presidential address said that the teachers should be quite satisfied with their service of brightening the future of thousands students who would grow to be good citizens and the fine human beings and he said the real meaning of education in the lives of individuals. He said securing the cent percent result is not so important, but indeed need achievements in the society at large. Education should help to bloom the talents and education would be for life. Teachers should become students while on duty. He quoted the message of Pope Francis during the World Youth Convention in Poland that the three important words such as ‘thank you’, ‘sorry’ and ‘please’ should be imbibed in the hearts and minds of the modern students.

Earlier Rev Fr. Fredrick Mascarenhas welcomed the gathered. Rev Dr. Lawrence D’Souza proposed vote of thanks. Suresh Hegde Lecturer in Milagres PU College and Mrs. Mariette Sequeira Senior teacher at Milagres English High School compered the programme.

At the end of the stage programme the students of St. Mary’s Higher Primary School Udupi, St. Mary’s English Medium High School, Kannarpady and St. Lawrence PU College Moodubelle presented cultural programmes with meaningfully. The skit played by St. Mary’s English High School, Kannarpady with excellent lesson for all. Meanwhile Mrs. Martyle Lewis, Principal of St. Mary’s English Schools and staff members were responsible for the excellent arrangements for the Teachers’ Day celebrations.