Mangaluru: School of Social Work, Roshni NIlaya celebrated their annual day on December 21 at 5 PM. The event was also dedicated to Mlle. Adelaide de Cice, the co-foundress of the congregation of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary, on the occasion of her 200th death anniversary.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Praveen Martis SJ, Principal, St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru was the chief guest. Philomena D’Sa, Provincial, Daughters of the Heart of Mary, India Province South was the guest of honour.
The formal programme began at 5 pm with an invocation after which the president of the student council, Diana S Bangera welcomed the gathering. A digital presentation of the annual report was screened, highlighting the major events during the year.
Prizes were then distributed by the chief guest, guest of honour and the principal of the college.
Addressing the gathering, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Praveen Martis SJ said, “This year is indeed a very special year, as it marks the bicentennial celebrations of the life and journey of Adelaide de Cice. She started a religious society at the time of the French revolution. Being in the midst of the world, yet not of the world, is the charism that the sisters have been following in the past 200 years.” He also spoke about Ruth Pfau, who worked for the leprosy patients in Pakistan and was called, ‘Mother Theresa of Pakistan’. He added, “When I was a child, I grew up in a village. One day, alongside my house in a forest, I found an unfinished exquisite form of art work and a citadel of glory, a master piece that my childhood had seen, an anthill. It was not only the magnificent architectural beauty by the tiny creatures alone, but also the laborious work of the architects, who with their determination and not in a mad race of the world, dreamt to build this beautiful work. Similarly, this institution is built on the magnificent co-ordination and selfless sacrifice by the laborious architects sitting here with me.” He then congratulated the staff and students for being active and socially conscious.
Philomena D’Sa congratulated the students for their academic excellence and participation in numerous extra-curricular activities. She said, “The faculty and parents play a vital role in moulding a child’s life, as the teachers play an important role of a companion in the journey of life.” She then added, “Adelaide was indeed a daring woman, a woman with a vision. Now, Daughters of the Heart of Mary works in 34 countries across the globe responding to the needs of the hour.” She then congratulated the staff, alumni and parents for their contributions towards the programmes of the college.
The cultural programme which followed, compeered by Tiala and Naomi, unravelled the multiple talents of the students in variety of dances, songs and theatre. The day was educative with themes on water resources, gender justice and mental health as well as festive and colourful.
Shravya and Safwan, two students of the college, compeered the programme. The general secretary of the student council, Priyadarshini proposed the vote of thanks.
The founder-principal of the college, Dr. Olinda Pereira, principal, Juliet C J and vice principal, Dr. Jenis Mary were present.
