Mangaluru: It was a day of great joy and celebration for the mentally challenged children, their parents and parishioners of Kinnigoli church as they witnessed the inauguration of the newly constructed school building of St Mary’s Special School by Eminent orthopedic surgeon prof Dr M Shantharam Shetty, pro chancellor of Nitte university on January 21.

In his inaugural address Dr Shantharam Shetty, lauded the efforts of the people of Kinnigoli in erecting a magnificent building providing all facilities to the less fortunate brethren of our society. "It is indeed a noble endeavor that is close to my heart," he said and congratulated all those who were responsible for making this project a reality. He especially congratulated the Lions Clubs International District 317- D and past district governor, Lion Alwyn Patrick Patrao for their substantial financial contribution towards the building construction.

Abhayachandra Jain, Minister for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and sports in his message assured all help from the Government of Karnataka to the school in rehabilitating these children to lead a normal life in the society.

Lion M Kavitha S Shastri, district governor 317 D expressed her feelings, as she herself is the mother of a mentally challenged child and said that parents of these children should take them as their strength and not weakness and take full advantage of the facilities provided by the school.

In his presidential address Fr Vincent Monteiro, correspondent of St Mary’s Special School thanked all those responsible for the success of the project and assured all efforts to provide the best of facilities to the Children of the school to be self reliant.

Fr Stany Tauro, founder of the school in the year 1997, Alfred J Pinto, parish priest Mai De Deus Church Puttur, PDG Lion Alwyn Patrick Patrao, PDG Lion M B Sadashiva - grant administrator, PDG Lion Dr Santhosh Kumar Shastri - president of DK Association of Parents of Mentally Challenged Children, Philomena Sequeira - president Kinnigoli Grama Panchayat and Reshma Serrao headmistress St Mary’s Special School were on the stage and offered their felicitations.

Fr Vincent Monteiro welcomed the guests, Lion Sudhakar Shetty, president Lion Club Kinnigoli proposed the vote of thanks.

Lion Professor Jagadisha Holla and Lion Henry Mathias compered the programme.