The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others – Mahatma Gandhi.
Mangaluru: The 7-day Annual Camp 2022 of NSS Unit of St Aloysius College (Autonomous), commenced on Saturday, March 5 at St Joseph Higher Primary School, Fajir.
The Headmistress of St Joseph Higher Primary School, Rev Sr Inet D’Souza inaugurated the camp. In her inaugural address, she described her experiences and lighted up the minds of the volunteers with the true spirit of being an NSS volunteer. Rev Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto, Rector, St Aloysius Institutions, Mangaluru unveiled the Darpan (reflection of the previous NSS camp) and gave a message motivating the volunteers to give their best during the camp days. Chief guests of the day, Shrikant (PDO Grama Panchayat Fajir) and JC Kamalaksha D Shettigar, (President J.C.I., Mangalajyothi, Konaje) addressed the gathering.
Mary Fernandes (President, Grama Panchayat, Bharathraj Shetty (Member, Grama Panchayath, Fajir), Richard D’Souza (Vice president, Parish Council Fajir), Victor Montero (Secretary, Parish Council Fajir), Jayson D’Souza (President ICYM, Fajir) were the other dignitaries who were present for the inaugural ceremony.
The second day of the camp (March 6) began with the flag hoisting ceremony at about 6 am. Sr Inet D’Souza, Headmistress of St Joseph Higher Primary School, Fajir, hoisted the flag and delivered her blessings and prayers for the successful conduction of the camp. For the daily educational session, the volunteers visited the beautiful farmhouse of C. A. Maxim Fernandez who is a popular agriculturist and organic fertilizer manufacturer of Fajir. He took up an interactive session and explained different types of farming techniques, vermicomposting, recycling of resources, farming machines and encouraged us to follow the same.
The first cultural evening of the camp was presided over by Vincent D’Souza. The theme for the day was ‘NSS ka Talent’ and volunteers presented a variety of performances that was witnessed by the villagers. On the following day March 7, the NSS flag was hoisted at 6 am by Roshan D’Souza (Principal, St Aloysius ITI Mangaluru). The educational session was taken up by PSI Mallikarjuna on Drug Awareness. He explained different types of drugs, the ill effects of using drugs, how it influences and affects the youth, the natural tendencies of adolescents to move towards drugs and the safety measures to remain safe from drugs. The cultural programmes began at 6.30 pm which was presided over by K Ravindra Rai (Rtd H.M Ramakrishna High School, Harekala). Volunteers performed different programs on the theme of Patriotism.
On the fourth day of the camp, March 8, the flag hoisting was done by Shekhar Beejaguri, Member, Grama Panchayath, Fajir. For the educational session, students of primary School were taught action songs and papercrafts by the volunteers. In the afternoon, the group visited Padmashree Award winner Harekala Ajjabba’s house whose life story of becoming a great man from an orange seller inspired the volunteers and taught them to aim high and not to set their limits to anything in life. The cultural programme based on Women’s Day and another programme on the theme ‘what if’. The cultural events were presided over by Prathibha Salian, winner of Mrs India Finesse 2021 award. She spoke about women empowerment and her journey and said that gender is never a limit to any goal and all that matters is the will of your heart.
The fifth day of the camp March 9, began with the flag hoisting by NSS officer Carrel Periera. In the afternoon, the Volunteers went trekking at Dvendha Betta. The cultural events began at 6 pm and the chief guest for the day was Mr Franky Fernandez, J. C. I Mangalagangothri, Konaje. He expressed his joy in having been able to come to the event and praised the discipline of the Volunteers.
On March 10, the flag was hoisted by Dr Prashant Naik, Member of JCI Mangalagangothri, Konaje and Professor at Mangalore University. He described his experiences and motivated the volunteers to do the perfect service. The educational session for the day was taken up by J.C Jayalakshmi, Kannada teacher at Kalarakodi Govt School, Bantwal. She gave an excellent session on leadership qualities and engaged the volunteers in different interactive activities. The cultural programme was presided over by Srikanth, Panchayath P.D.O, Grama Panchayath, Fajir and the volunteers performed dances, songs, dramas, Yakshagana and was the best ever. The day ended with the Shibhira Jyothi, where the NSS family lighted the lamps in unison as patriotic songs were sung alongside marking the ending of the seven day NSS Annual camp 2022.
During the seven days, students have done 20 hrs of Shramadhan for improving the school ground.
The Valedictory Ceremony was held on March 11. Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ, Principal, St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, Dr Alwyn DSa, Registrar of the College, Rev Fr. Anil Joel D’Souza, Correspondent, St. Joseph Higher Primary School, Fajir, Rev Sr. Enet D’Souza, Headmistress, St. Joseph Higher Primary school, Fajir, Florin D’Souza, Member, Grama Panchayat, Fajir, Richard D’Souza, Vice president, Parish Council, Our Lady of Mercy Church, Fajir, John Saldana, School Committee Member, St Joseph Higher Primary School, Fajir were present for the valedictory program. Anand K Asaigoli, Rtd Principal of Madani College, Mangaluru gave the valedictory address, described his experiences and lit up the minds of the volunteers with the true spirit of being an NSS Volunteer. Rev Dr Praveen Martis S J, Principal St Aloysius College, Mangaluru gave a short message congratulating the volunteers for giving their best during the camp days.
The Valedictory Programme was meticulously compered by Vaishak. Carrel Periera proposed the vote of thanks. The NSS Volunteers were awarded NSS Camper awards and various other individual talents awards during the program.
