Mangaluru:  St Aloysius Evening College kicked off its golden jubilee celebrations at St Aloysius High School hall here on Saturday July 11.

While, Prof K Byrappa, vice-chancellor of Mangalore University was the chief guest, J R Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru South constituency and Fr Denzil Lobo, rector, St Aloysius College Institutions were the guests of honour. Dr Stanislaus D’Souza, provincial, Karnataka Jesuit Province presided over the function.

Prof Byrappa speaking at the gathering said, “Mangalore University has a lot of respect and committment towards this great institution of St Aloysius. In earlier days, the Maharaja of Mysuru had great concern for social justice, development and higher education but still Mysuru city lacked an institution for higher education, as compared to South Kanara. The love and affection of this district for higher education is the same even today. Mangaluru city is known as the city of education and a hub for higher education. In the past, people used to look towards (the then) Madras, Bangalore, Pune and Calcutta even for graduation, but later the trend changed and people started to come to Dakshina Kannada.

“Every year during April and May you see bustling activity in Mangaluru, as students come for CET and GATE coaching. It shows the discipline and committment of the people of this region. I congratulate this institution which was established over 130 years ago and started evening college in 1966. It is due to the remarkable vision of the then rector Fr Mathew Lewis and the then principal Fr Stany Vaz who realized the importance of this evening college which has now completed 50 years. I salute these two great visionaries,” he lauded.

“The College has progressed remarkably and even its faculty members have achieved great success. I request the College to engage in faculty improvement and encourage the teachers to pursue PhD. That way they can render better service to society. I wish great success to this institution,” he added.

MLA J R Lobo also spoke at the function. “This is a great event marking the 50 years of service of the Evening College. St Aloysius is a well-known in the country in the field of education. It is because of three institutions – St Aloysius, St Agnes and Government College that Dakshina Kanna is a century ahead of other parts of Karnataka. The service rendered by missionaries such as Basel Mission, the Jesuits and others in this region has helped this part to develop.

“Education is not only about obtaining knowledge but about developing one’s entire personality. We are 100 years forward because of the selfless service rendered by certain people that has changed the entire place. As an elected representative and a citizen, I bow to the service rendered by this Institition,” he added.

A new initiative ‘One Rupee Revolution’ was launched. Fr Denzil Lobo became the first official donor of the this programmed by St Aloysius Evening College. Representatives from the students, staff, parents, and alumni/nae joined the rector in donating 1 rupee.

Fr Denzil Lobo emphasised the Jesuit principles of special option for the poor which prompted the novel and noble venture. He also announced the special donation made by noted author Aravind Adiga who instituted a scholarship in the name of Udaya Holla, former attorney general of Karnataka by contributing Rs 10 lac. He said that the amount would be used to support deserving students coming from weaker economic backgrounds.

Dr V Basil Hans compered the event. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Donald Lobo, organizing secretary of the golden jubilee celebration committee. A colorful cultural extravaganza by the students and alumni/nae brought the programme to a close.

Dr Manohar V Serrao, John D’Silva and others were present.