Teachers’ Day and Decennial Celebrations of CESU – Catholic Education Society Udupi

A decade of Excellence, CESU Celebrating 10 years of learning and growth…

Teachers’ Day and Decennial Celebrations of CESU – Catholic Education Society Udupi, on Saturday, 14th Sept. 2024.

As the Saturday’s stunning sunrise so pleasing with fresh sea breeze, the Teachers of Udupi Diocese were in a hurry to reach the St Mary’s English Medium High School in Kannarpady the lush green venue, unusually decorated and ready to welcome them. The occasion was Decennial Celebration of CESU, Catholic Education Society, Udupi Diocese and the Teacher’s Day.

At sharp 10.00 am on 14th September, 2024, after the customary breakfast, the colourful event unfolded with the soulful prayer Hymn, to seek heavenly blessings by the students of Milagres PU College, Kallianpur. It was scintillating welcome dance performed by the Nirmala English Medium School Brahmmavar gave the perfect start to enthral the delegates and impressive audience which was about 1000.

The Secretary of CESU, Very Rev Fr Vincent R. Crasta escorted the distinguished guests and dignitaries to the dais, soon after the formal inauguration by respectfully offering flowers to the decorated portrait of Dr S Radhakrishnan, a model and all time ideal teacher.

In crispy welcoming address, Very Rev Fr Charles Menezes, the Dean of Udupi and the Correspondent of St Mary’s Institutions briefly introduced the honoured guests – Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese and Vice President of CESU, Chief Guest Mr Cyprian Monteiro, Director – Primary Education, Commissioner Office Bangalore, Guest of Honours - Rev Fr Leo Praveen Lasrado, Secretary CBE, Mr Maruthi, DDPU Udupi Dist.– Education Dept, Mr Ganapathi K DDPI, Rev Fr Anthony Sherra, Former Secretary CBE, Rev Fr Vijay J DSouza, Principal of St Mary’s Eng Med School and specially all serving teachers, retired teachers and other staff, special achievers and students who brought laurels and recognitions to the respective Institutions managed by CESU in the just concluded academic year 2023-2024.

It was a solemn emotional moment to remember and pay homage to departed souls of our teaching, non teaching staff and students as the Emcee’s called out their names and services and a minute of silent prayer was observed.

As a memorial of milestone 10 years of service of CESU a new website and Social Media network was launched by Rev Fr Anthony Sherra, who was deservedly felicitated for his cooperation and services during infant years of CESU by draping traditional shawl and memento by Vicar General and other dignitaries. In his message, reminded the glorious past of Kannada Medium Schools and while thanking the organisers, complimented the hard work CESU in general and Secretary in particular.

Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves who presided over the stage programme, along with guests on the dais, released the commemorative Souvenir of the Decennial Celebrations - 2013 – 24. On behalf of the Editorial team Prof Archibald Furtado was present on this occasion.

It was a heart-touching moment as the Principal of Milagres PU College, Mrs Savitha Kumari invited the retired teachers, non teaching staff and others to receive the honours and appreciation from the dignitaries for their dedicated service and contribution for the cause of education and wished all of them happy, healthy retired life.

Guest of Honour, Mr Ganpathi K DDPI of Udupi District was honoured on this occasion and in his exhaustive speech complimented CESU institutions for their yeomen service, high standards set for quality education etc over the years, especially registering top slot in SSLC results and II position in PU during the previous academic years.

Award winning teachers and Ph. D holders were honoured for their unique and distinct achievement, as Mr Vijay J DSouza, Principal of St Mary’s ITI Chitpady gave a brief introduction to the audience.

DDPU of Udupi District Mr Maruthi Education Dept (PU Section), Guest of Honour was introduced and honoured with traditional shawl and memento on this auspicious occasion who had high respects for Christian educational institutions shared his feelings and gave useful tips to the teachers to update them with familiarising modern teaching techniques.

Rev Fr Vijay Joyson DSouza, Principal St Mary’s Eng Med. High School, called out the names of academic toppers in Class X and PU Public Exams from various Schools / PU and Degree Colleges to receive certificates and special prizes on this special occasion.

Guest of Honour Rev Fr Leo Praveen Lasrado too was specially honoured on this glorious occasion for his support and care for CESU by draping of traditional shawls etc and in his insightful message gave a call to all the teachers to be constant learners and respect their profession to be model by not only imparting knowledge but by their behaviour, communication and care.

Special achievers who excelled in extracurricular and Sports and Games too were felicitated by the Bishop of Udupi as Rev Sr Anitha, HM Milagres High School read out the names.

Dr Cyprian Monteiro, Director Primary Education, Commissioner Office, Bangalore was the Chief Guest of the landmark event was honoured by the Bishop the Chairman of CESU along with all the dignitaries present. ‘Who is a real teacher? And what a teacher means… was beautifully narrated in his well worded speech as ‘the task of building the nation, the society id rightly in the hands of you the instructors…’ he opined.

On this momentous occasion, Bishop of Udupi Diocese honoured past and present Members of the CESU Governing body by draping traditional shawls and presenting memento’s in appreciation of their service, involvement and guidance as their names were called out by Prof Edward L DSouza, Lecturer St Mary’s PU College Shirva.

Two men worked hand in hand with CESU Secretary Rev Fr Vincent Crasta were – Very Rev Fr Charles Menezes, Joint Secretary of St Mary’s Group of Educational Institutions Udupi and Rev Fr Vijay J DSouza, Principal St Mary’s Eng Med High School, who hosted and worked tirelessly for the spectacular success of this special event were thanked and honoured.

Mrs Lucy DSouza HM of LVP Higher Primary School, Puttur – Ambagilu read out the list of CESU Schools and Institutions who registered a spectacular 100% results in all categories – State Board, CBSE, ICSE and PU Colleges with mementos by Bishop of Udupi.

Indeed it was a proud moment, as the Milagres College Kallianpur established in the year 1967 was recognised by NAAC A+ with 3.29 GPA, an all time record as its proud principal Dr Vincent Alva and IQAC Coordinator Dr Jayram Shettigar the duos who worked tirelessly with their team were honoured on this special occasion by the Bishop and other dignitaries on the dais.

In his address Vicar General Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves congratulated all achievers who were felicitated on this day and profusely thanked and wished a very happy and healthy retired life to seniors today and conveyed his greetings on this Teachers Day celebrations, teaching not just injecting knowledge but it must equip the children to imbibe high values for life moral to be responsible citizens… as ‘the journey will go on you the teachers being our partners and friends torch bearers for youngsters and children …’

Bishop Most Rev Dr Jerald Isaac Lobo, in his presidential address gave a clarion call to all the teachers to be adaptive to the changing circumstances with knowledge and wisdom and to impart best value based education in our Schools and Colleges. He had very special thanks to CESU Secretary Very Rev Fr Vincent R Crasta, who was deservedly honoured by the Bishop, left no stone unturned to improve the standards and working atmosphere in CESU governed institutions during his tenure Bishop recalled with appreciation.

To conclude the glittering event Very Rev Fr Vincent Crasta the Secretary CESU thanked each and everyone who made this well attended programme a spectacular success, a journey marking 10 years of achievement, together to educate, inspire and thrive and continue in our mission….! The students from Mount Rosary Eng Med. High School, Santhekatte – Kallianpur, presented a beautiful felicitation dance as the programme was concluded at 1.25 pm with sumptuous vegetarian lunch served to all the teachers and guests.

Reported by: P. Archibald Furtado.