Mangaluru: Mount Carmel Central School recently celebrated Kannada Rajyotsava and Deepavali.

The programme commenced invoking God’s choicest blessings, praise and thanks giving for the bounties received from the Almighty through a graceful dance. Various songs and dance exhibited by the students wearing emotion of pride highlighting the rich heritage and culture of Karnataka was worth watching.

The students gave an overwhelming performance on the fable ‘Punyakoti’ thus arousing in every student the virtue of truthfulness and honesty. The best of all, the programme was in the state language Kannada and the little ones performed so well that they impressed everyone present.

Another set of students adorned the stage in their colorful shimmering costumes and ‘diyas’ who danced to glory and lit the light of the festive season of ‘Deepavali’ once more. The chief guest, Kannada teacher Ashwini cited in her message the role of responsibility and honesty through a heart touching Kannada poem. The programme concluded wherein all the artists came on stage in unity and pride.

Grade VI B and C hosted a similar programme for the students of classes IV–X. The programme commenced with a prayer song. The significance of the day was given by Ashuthosh Sharma and Anubhav Savur of class VI C. A short skit was enacted depicting the importance of using Kannada as a state language which was followed by a dance performance on the culture of Karnataka. A group of singers sang a song highlighting the various achievers of Karnataka in different fields. A dance on lights lingered the mood of Deepavali in the students. The chief guest of the day Reshma D`Souza, Kannada teacher, addressing the students brought out beautifully the value of loving one’s own language and respecting other languages.

Drishya B K of class VI B welcomed the gathering. Anchan Shenoy of class VI C delivered the vote of thanks.

The programme ended with the state anthem ‘Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Tanujate’.