Shirva/Manchakal: Under the Theme “ NOT ME BUT YOU “ National Service Scheme (NSS) of St. Mary’s College, Shirva was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro (Correspondent, St. Mary’s Educational Institutions, Shirva) on Thursday the 17th November 2016. The week long NSS Camp will be held from 17th to 23rd November was inaugurated at Jeevan Asha Home for the Aged situated close to St. Mary’s College, Shirva.

The event began with a prayer song by NSS students followed by a warm welcome by Hanumanth ((NSS Volunteer) to the guests of honour present on the occasion namely Fr. Stany Tauro, Prof. Rajan (Principal, St. Mary’s College), Mr. Thomas Barboza (President, Jeevan Asha), Mr. Richard Barboza (Managing Trustee), Mr. Ajit D’Mello (NSS Officer), Ms. Namratha (Training Program Officer), Ajit Suvarna (NSS Joint Secretary).

The inauguration was done by lighting the traditional lamp by Fr. Stany Tauro accompanied all the honorary guests on dais.

In his Presidential address Fr. Tauro said that he asked Ajit D’Mello why the camp is being held nearby rather than a different village or place away from Shirva. But he said it is decided to hold camp at Jeevan Asha Home for the aged for two purposes, 1) to get the surrounding cleaning and 2) to spend little time with the old people over here. Fr. Tauro further said “ it was a wise decision as it is important to spend a valuable time with the inmates as they have no family members or their children or grandchildren. They are here due to circumstances which we can’t explain. There are about 35 inmates here and they live like one family. Other inmates are their brothers and sisters. I am sure they will be very much missing their children and grandchildren. It is your duty to fill their place for the time being and spend as much as valuable time with them. My dear students be their children or grandchildren for the time being. I am sure they will not leave you easily at the end of the camp here. You will definitely create a strong family bond with them and also you will learn when you go back how to give respect to your parents as well as old people in your respective houses when you return home.

There is nothing more painful than leaving children and staying in an old age home. I’m sure today tears will flow from their eyes when they see you all here remembering their little ones. You are their hope now and please spend as much time as possible with them and be a part of their family. There is nothing bigger blessing than that.”

He thanked Mr. Thomas Barboza and Mr. Richard Barboza for allowing the NSS camp in their premises so that not only student engage in social service but also in spending their valuable and meaningful time with the inmates here.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Rajan said that usually the NSS camps are held outside of the college. In the previous years it was held in Manasa Pamboor Village and then in Udupi Baliga Old Age Home. But this is it is kept here purposely to have a little valuable time with the old people here so that the students will share their pain and also gain a lot of experience of life from the inmates they are interacting with. He further said “ It will definitely will bring change in your life after spending a week here and you will know how to take care of your grandparents when you return. The training provided here will also make you good leaders in the future.

NSS student Vikesh proposed the vote of thanks. The program was conducted efficiently by Miss. Swathi. The week long NSS camp shall be co-ordinated by Ms. Namratha (Training Program Officer), assisted by Ms. Sushma (Co-ordinator), Mr. Sandeep (Asst, Co-ordinator), Joint Secretary Ms. Jeena Saldhana, Joint Secretary Ajit Suwarna under the supervision of Mr. Ajit D’Mello (Officer NSS).