Mangaluru: History was made at Fr. Muller’s, as ‘National Integration Day’ was celebrated for the first time, at the Decennial Memorial Hall, on the 19th of November, 2019, as part of the National Integration Week. It was organized by Father Muller Charitable Institutions and the Student Development Committee, FMMC, in collaboration with the Government of India, Ministry of Youth affairs & sports, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Mangalore.
The program began with a beautiful prayer song by the 2ndMbbs students, followed by Dr.Sanjay Fernandes, Associate Professor, Anatomy, FMMC, who welcomed the packed audience, whole-heartedly. This was followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp, lit by the dignitaries on the dais, who included, the Chief Guest, Lt. Col. Gracian Sequeira, the Director, FMCI, Rev. Fr Richard A. Coelho, District Youth Coordinator, Mangalore, Mr Raghuveer Souterpete, Staff-Advisor-in-charge, Student Development Committee, FMMC, Dr.Sanjay.J.Fernandes and the Student Head, Student Development Committee, Mr.Kevin Menezes.
Mr. Raghuveer Souterpete spoke about integrating youth and the work done by him at NYKS and NSS, joint project ministry of youth affairs and sports, UNV, UNDP, India.
The presidential address was delivered by Rev.Fr Richard A. Coelho, who stressed the importance of coming together, despite religious, regional, linguistic and socio-economic diversities.
Chief Guest, Lt. Col. Gracian Sequeira, from the Karnataka Battalion, NCC, Mangalore, highlighted his personal experiences on the battlefield. “With bloodshed all around and bullets whizzing past me, made me realize, how precious life is and that religion, caste, region, language bear no witness or weight when one’s life is at stake. Hence, we must all rise as one, helping each other in times of need, even if strangers, maintaining the integrity of this nation”, he said.
Rev. Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa, Administrator, FMMCH, presented a token of appreciation to the chief guest as a mark of gratitude for gracing the occasion and for his service to the country.
It concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Kevin Menezes, followed by the institutional anthem. The programme was meticulously compered by Mr. Jeffrey.
The Asst. Administrator, Rev. Fr Nelson Pais, Dr. Jayprakash Alva, Dean FMMC, Dr. Padmaja Udaykumar, Vice Dean FMMC were present.
