Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh and John D'Silva Foundation, Mumbai jointly organized Prathibha Puraskar and Felicitation Function in Mount Rosary Millennium Hall, Santhekatte, Kallianpur on 6 September 2015. One student from each parish of Udupi Diocese who scored highest marks in SSLC examinations held in March/April 2015 and also one student from each Varado in CBSE and PUC-Arts, Commerce and Science examinations held 2015 were honoured.
The Felicitation function was presided over by Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi. Rev. Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Spiritual Director, Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh, Mr John D'Silva, Chairman, John D'Silva Foundation. Rev. Fr Philiph Neri Aranha, Parish Priest, Mount Rosary Church Kallianpur. Mr Elroy Kiran Crasto, Mr William Machado, Mrs Alice Rodrigues, Mr Herbert Lewis, Mr Valerian Fernandes and Mr Santhosh Cornelio were Present on the dais.
The function began by welcome dance by the students. Then followed the welcome address by William Machado, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo inaugurated the programme by unfurling the ‘Pingara’ and honoured with Medal & Flowers one student from parish who had scored distinction marks in SSLC.
Mr Anthony Maria Emmanuel M Addressed the Gathering and Congratulated every student who got distinction. While complimenting the meritorious students for their stellar achievement he said that the teachers and parents were greatly responsible for their success and they should make it a point to improve on their success. Consistency in their efforts is necessary to achieve greater heights in future as well. Further, Mr. Anthony said that besides aiming at engineering and medicine, students should think of other avenues in which they can make their own mark. He emphasized on the need for the Christian students to enter the civil service and pointed out how one can prepare himself or herself for such competitive examinations.
Mr and Mrs John D’Silva and the Bishop felicitated 68 students who had scored highest marks in SSLC and one student from each Varado who had scored highest marks in CBSE and PUC (Arts, Commerce and Science) along with their parents by offering them medal, certificate, cash prize and flowers.
Three students from three Varados-Kallianpur, Kundapur and Shirva representing the meritorious students who were felicitated expressed their feelings. They thanked Catholic Sabha, Udupi Pradesh and John D’Silva Foundation for recognizing and honouring them. They said that they would keep up their efforts and achieve better results in their future studies as well.
Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves traced the origin and growth of Catholic Sabha since 37 years in undivided Mangalore Diocese and since 3 years in the newly formed Udupi Diocese and its role in socio-political field.
On this occasion, Mr and Mrs. John D’Silva were honoured by the Bishop and dignitaries by offering them shawl, huge garland and fruits.
In his message, Mr John D’Silva narrated the reason behind the establishment of John D’Silva Foundation and its contribution in promoting education among the Christian students of Udupi Diocese.
Most. Rev. Dr Gerald Isac Lobo addressed the gathering and thanked Mr. John D’Silva for his generosity and prayed for Divine Blessings on him and his wife who had just celebrated the Golden Jubilee of marriage. The Bishop complimented the students for their achievements especially Anil Pinto of Hirgan who secured 622 marks out of a total of 625 and stood first in Udupi and Mangalore Districts and secured second rank in the state of Karnataka. Meanwhile, the Bishop pointed out that while many students get distinction marks at SSLC, in PUC few students hold on to their distinction marks. Further he lamented that he could find hardly any Catholic student in the list of those students who cleared CET or any other qualifying competitive examination. He asked the students to have dreams like the late President APJ Abdul Kalam and work hard to achieve their dreams. He said that he himself has a dream for the Udupi Diocese that in ten years at least 25 Catholic youth should enter civil military service.
Mrs Alice Rodrigues Secretary of Catholic Sabha Central committee proposed the vote of thanks.
