Mangalore, 30th November, 2018 : The year 2018 is a propitious year in the chronicles of St. Ann’s College of Education. Within the hallowed portals of this great institution the teacher educators hold the challenge to be dedicated and committed to service to the society. This day was a very special day recalling the past 75 years and all the good things that came along. The day signified saluting the memory of all those who have had left a rich inheritance.
The Day began with a thanksgiving mass celebrated at St. Ann’s Convent Chapel in the morning. Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese as the main celebrant and Rev. Fr. J.B Crasta, Rev. Fr. Pius James D’Souza OCD, Rev. Fr. Alwyn Serrao, Rev. Fr. Vicotr Machado, Rev. Fr Joachim, Capuchin, Rev. Fr. Prakash D’ Cunha OCD, Rev. Fr. Victor D’Souza , and Rev. Fr. Santhosh Rodrigues were the Con-celebrants.
The wonderful evening began with receiving the President Sister M. Susheela A.C, Superior General, Apostolic Carmel Congregation followed by the chief guests Sister M. Carmel Rita A.C, Provincial Superior, Karnataka Province; Dr Sister Lydia Fernandes A.C, Former Principal and General Councillor for Education, Apostolic Carmel Generalate; Mrs Philomena Lobo, KES, Secondary Education, Dept for Public Instruction accompanied by Rev. Fr J.B Crasta, Rector of Rosario Cathedral; Sister Ida Barboza A.C, Secretary, Apostolic Carmel Educational Society; Mr. Abdul Lathif, Corporator, Mangalore City Corporation; Dr. Mercy Pushpalatha, Programme Consultant in South Asia, United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia being the Guests of honour.
Dr. Mrs Vijaya Kumari S.N, Associate Professor and the Convenor, St. Ann’s College of Education, Sr. Maria Kripa A.C, Superior and Joint Secretary, Dr. Sr. Clare A.C, Principal were also present. The formal programme began invoking God’s blessings through invocation. A vibrant fusion of traditional sounds and rhythms with various dance forms of our country India lead by the B.Ed students was performed to traditionally welcome the gathering. With a blend of quality of melodious voices, the M.Ed and B.Ed students sang the Jubilee Song composed by Rev. Fr Ben Britto Prabhu O.F.M, Cap.
A video presentation called the ‘reminiscences of platinum years’ – a report that places on record the achievements of the past as well the focus for the future was presented by Dr. Sr Clare A.C, Principal, Mrs. Rose Pinto, Sr. Dorothy A.C and Sr. Zeena A.C, teaching faculty highlighted impressive academic records of the past 75 years.
To equate performance with attempt and surpass the curricular activities, the B.Ed Students in the present and the past have been the recipients of many awards. The deserving students for founded prizes, scholarships and results were honoured by Rev. Fr. J.B Crasta, Rector, Rosario Cathedral ; Mrs. Philomena Lobo, KES, Director, Secondary education, Dept of Public Instruction; Sister Carmel Rita A.C, Provincial Superior, Karnataka Province and Dr. Sr. Lydia Fernandes A.C, Former Principal and General Councillor for Education, Apostolic Carmel Generalate.
To recognise and reward the achievements of those special people in the form of Alumnae, Former Principals and all those who have contributed in a special way, five outstanding personalities were cordially felicitated for their unending pursuit of excellence.
Mrs. Philomena Lobo, KES, Director, Secondary Education, Dept of Public Instruction, recognised as an impeccable philanthropist and a distinguished Alumna.
Sr. M. Vincenza A.C, for her laudable services as the former Principal of St. Ann’s College of Education from 1973-1989.
Dr. Sr. Lydia Fernandes A.C , General Councillor for Education, Apostolic Carmel Generalate, Bengaluru and Former Principal, St. Ann’s College of Education from 1989-2003 and identified as the sculptor of determination and self-confidence for ceaselessly chiselling excellence among the students and Staff.
Sister Susheela A.C is a person coupled with delegation and resourcefulness and is the highest authority of Apostolic Carmel Educational Society, Karnataka Province.
Dr. Mercy Pushpalatha, Programme Consultant in South Asia, United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia and Former Principal of Lady Dock College, Madurai for being an eminent personality influencing people across the globe through her benevolence and goodwill.
Dr. Mrs Vijaya Kumari S.N, Associate Professor; Dr. Mrs. Flosy D’Souza, Associate Professor; Sr. Dorothy D’Souza A.C , Vice Principal and Mrs. Anitha Gomes, Graduate Assistant and Alumna, St. Mary’s High School expressed words of felicitation for the honouring ceremony.
For a milestone to be cherished, the College has brought out a Souvenir as a memory containing exemplification of accomplishments from these platinum years where many great minds have contributed their vision in this Platinum Jubilee Souvenir and the guidance has been done under the editorship of Dr. Flosy D’Souza, Associate Professor, St. Ann’s College of Education. Sister Susheela A.C, the Superior General, Apostolic Carmel Congregation, Bengaluru along with other dignitaries released the souvenir as a token of remembrance.
The Chief Guests enthused the audience through their significant messages.
Rev. Fr J.B Crasta, Rector of Rosario Cathedral spoke about how we as teacher educators need to be veritable ‘torch bearers’ to the society keeping in mind the spiritual and professional development of oneself.
Sister M. Carmel Rita A.C, Provincial Superior, Karnataka Province, gave a stupendous note focussing on how one needs to be more self-reliant and achieve high goals.
Dr Sister Lydia Fernandes A.C, Former Principal and General Councillor for Education, Apostolic Carmel Generalate, emphasized on four important points which spoke about how each one of us as teacher educators need to come out of our comfort zones in order to harness the hidden talents and grab every opportunity to prove ourselves to the world to become successful women leaders.
Mrs Philomena Lobo, KES, Secondary Education, Dept for Public Instruction in her talk awakened an explorative zeal by sharing her pat experiences in the college and her professional career.
Dr. Mercy Pushpalatha, Programme Consultant in South Asia, United Board for Christian Higher Education In Asia and the Guest of honour, in her message thanked the management for being very supportive in all scholastic activities of the college and expressed appreciative thoughts about how the college strives in preparing women teachers to society.
The President Sister Susheela A.C, Superior General, Apostolic Carmel Congregation in her message reflected on how each one of us need to look forward to grow in overall excellence and welcome every opportunity that contributes to the educational process.
The students created a shimmering and an impressive performance through a dance drama entitled ‘Jnana Jyothi’ directed by Vidhwan Suresh Attavar that expounded the history of the College where the light of knowledge was imparted through the charisma of foundress Mother Veronica whose interest laid in the welfare of women and upliftment of the neglected masses.
The Programme ended with a thank you note by Dr. Sharmila Mascarenhas, Asst. Professor, St. Ann’s College of Education. Dr. Sr. Clare A.C, Principal welcomed the gathering. Mrs. Rose Pinto, Asst. Professor, St. Ann’s College of Education compered the programme. The Convener of the Programme was Dr. Vijaya Kumari S.N, Associate Professor, St. Ann’s College of Education.