Thanks Mr. Fernandes, you highlighted and stretched it bit further the challenges in front of MHPSchool. All facts, I too agree. At and around Barkur, in the recent past, new Schools also emerged and smaller one developed to be big one, as Primary to elementary and Elementary to be High school / Jr College and so on... but where the pathfinders failed to offer better things to sustain the competition to this almost Century old School? I feel even today, the School best located, have the goodwill, but why not a single visionary? Dear reader's, many of you are old students here, how you feel....is it possible to do something collectively..?

Vincent D'Souza , 02/10/2003

At times, just murmuring within self, for not finding regular updates, the just online few things, gave the recipe and I should thank the host and writers guild comprising of James, Archie, Fr Tony, and yet another new face Charles. Needless to state, all above names most popular to barkur.com visitors. Let me ask organizers, is it possible to have pedruchi chavi, booklet online...?

M.M.Alvares. 02/10/2003

Milagres College, a dream project of Late Msgr. Denis J.D'Souza, realized at his 80's, has served us for the last 35 long years. The Roll of Honour also decorated with couple of names from Barkur too. Let us preserve this legacy - 'temple of learning' guided by Our Lady of Miracles. Thanks a lot for your beautiful article, specially the last paragraph, a sensible, frank piece of advice to Students.

G.S.Lewis, Kallianpur, 02/10/2003

Dear Visitors,

barkur.com started the Q n A section for you, on your demand. Now it looks like stuck on part 3 forever, accept for an occasional question addressed to the panelists...! Come on friends, dart your questions...anything that you feel like asking... Our panel of experts are waiting for your questions.

barkur.com team, 30/09/2003

Vincent D'Souza:  You pointed out about two or three areas or challenges about this school:

Decline of admissions:  Decline of admissions to catholic schools is halved in the USA, since '30s, and is definitely reduced in the rest of the world.   In olden days, a couple had 5 or 6 children.  Today, perhaps 2 or 3 children per family on an average, I suppose.  Besides, as someone pointed out, people are leaving Barkur, thus causing a shortage of children.   In Chicago diocese, at least 1 or 2 schools (and churches/parishes too) per year are closed down, mostly due to the financial constraints caused by reduced enrolment.

Secondly medium of teaching: More and more private schools, offering job-winning English language as the medium, are cropping up in Brahmavar, Sastan, and lately one High School  in Barkur too.  Every one (Hindu, Muslim or Christian) in this Barkur region has realized that knowing the English language is the key to success. No Latin or Sanskrit, or Konkani can give a job in a bank or factory.  Thus perhaps encouragement to switch to English medium Schools is obvious.  Religion, especially Christianity, catholics or protestants, played an enormous role to bring about modern education, right from kindergarten schools to universities, all over the world, whether run by nuns, Jesuits, or laymen, which lead to the modern discoveries in medicine, transportation, technology, food/agricultural products, or space research.  If I was still in Barkur, I too would send my kids to English medium    schools, because the farm income is insufficient to retain more than one kid in Barkur!  Yes, Vincent, you, truly pointed out that enrolment is practically nil for lack of English as the medium.  The decision to run a parallal English medium school must be falling on the Diocese/Church/Nuns/school board, however, if all the families unite and urge and demand, I guess, an English medium school is possible.   Can the families face the financial challenges?  Since this school is slow to make the change, for reasons known only to them-selves, I guess alternative solutions must be sought.

May be all those Barkurians in the Middle East could unite, pool some money, and open an English Medium School, attached with boarding facilities, since lot of mothers too are away.  Those Barkurians in Bombay, or elsewhere, may not support this move much, because, their children are not affected, unless, as usual they want to support Barkur, in return.

You also mentioned about priorities, as to quality of teaching or building of halls.  I think a hall is very much necessary.  That skinny structure called stage and the open air hall needs a facelift.  Well, not at the cost of quality education.  By the way, Adiga, Chooda, Dias, or others might have discussed bringing English, but they were not the decision makers.  And lastly, hiring teachers must be based on 'the best qualified' ones, whether from Barkur, Brahmavar, or Burma. 

Two candidates came to a job interview.  The interviewer had one question, "What is 2 + 2?"  The first candidate answered, "Four." The second candidate answered, "Whatever you say, Sir."  The second guy got the job.  Sometimes, it is not 'what' or 'how much' you know, or 'whom' you know, but .....(you got it.)

Celebrating success, in the form of Jubilee, is a common practice. I saw a detailed financial report in the souvenir.  I guess, they made some money out of this jubilee and donated a computer, etc.  Lot of people slogged, (created jobs?), it looked like, uniting the people, making friends, and building relationships, which are intangible benefits of celebrations, and encouraging youngsters, opening the doors to 'hope'.  Songs, drama, skits, public speaking opportunities during these celebrations cannot be measured in dollars or cents.  I guess, it is not "All play", all the time. 

I do not have solutions, nor any worthwhile answers, but just loud thinking, perhaps futile....

James Fernandes, USA, 30/09/2003

Dear Mr. Fernandes and Panel Team, In 1965 to 1985 - 700 plus students, 2 divisions, 15+ teachers, now during my latest visit understand no sufficient students for Class 1. Being a pioneer Institution, would have been promoted to have English Medium side by side, act according to situations, what stops mgmt. to introspect? Otherwise it will be too late, the correspondent and Mgmt. what is your response? It is better to have a good School than construct Halls.... and spend money in Jubilees and celebrations....! Simply seeking donations not enough, give us plans? Appoint local people as teachers...!

Vincent D'Souza, 27/09/2003

"Some awards are great, as they conferred on great people" - President ICYM Ex-Members. You spelled out exactly, what I thought... Naveen Sequeira, you are decorated with 'Vavradi Award' let this boost you further in your mission.

Philiph Richard. 27/09/2003

Seen photograph - agriculture go hi-tech, now tell me, these preparations for First Crop or Suggi? Sept...! All the best.

Bhaskar L. Poojari, Mumbai,  27/09/2003

A TRUE KONKANI VAVRADI IN SPIRITS AND DEEDS……….

It is said 99 out of 100 of us are, followers or supporters, for a good cause, but you Mr. Naveen Sequeira a self-starter, a pathfinder….. and pioneered first ever Konkani Site in Kannada script!

e observed in certain people, both in Mangalore and in Mumbai, to that extent in this part of the world viz Gulf, ‘conversing in Konkani is treated below one’s status or dignity’, but hats off to you, Naveen, you chose this field, to be a Vavradi of Mother tongue.

 Certain honors are great because they are bestowed on great people and so are you and Konkani Kullwar Kuwait, got recognized by conferring an Award to a true worker!

We, on behalf of ICYM Barkur, Ex-Member’s Association, congratulate you and thank all who played a role in noticing in-depth love for the language in you!

The President, Office bearers and Members. Ex-Member’s Association, ICYM Barkur, 24/09/2003

Need Contacts , We are living in Johannesburg, South Africa since 1999. For our disappointment we never able to met or came across any Mangalorean family. Although a very few Indians family residing here in Johannesburg, we did not found any Mangalorean. My request is with you, if you have any friends and relatives living in South Africa, please feel free to contact me on my e-mail address: stonescapeafrica@hotmail.com or Jerome@telkomsa.net. Alternatively you can contact me on my cell phone: 0027 –82-3542179. Isn’t it the better way to come across our people! Regards from,

Manoj Sequeira and Family. ( Kachur village) Johannesburg. S.A,24/09/2003

Hello Vincent D'Souza:

Please elaborate your question and specify what are the challenges the institution, (served by these renowned teachers such as Chooda, Adiga, Cyril, or Dias), is facing? Please clarify whether the challenges are 'Scholastic/teaching' or 'Administrative.' type. Thanks.

Thank you folks for increased participation in Sandesh.

James Fernandes, USA, 24/09/2003

Dear Old Students,

We request you to be members of the Alumni Association of your Alma Mater-Milagres College, Kallianpur. Kindly contact the Principal

Phone- 0820-2580235      0820-2580035 (res) ,Email Address-milagres_kallianpur@yahoo.com

Principal, Milagres College, Kallianpur , 23/09/2003

Yes we need to know something more of P.N.Bhoja Rao, JRM Picardo, John P.Sequeira, A.Ramanna Shetty, Dr. Krishna Bairy, N.R.Shetty and so on.... the people with a cosmopolitan approach and educationists who started mighty National High school of Barkur, way back in 1948 or so.... The legends of above and their social concern if someone call back for the benefit of today's generation, the value of education will be meaningful....!

Barkurgar. 23/09/2003

Many of your articles gives solace to mind and successful in keeping updated of Barkur.  News are verygood and views in messages too good.  Questions and answers folder needs more participants. POM section glorifies deserved sons of soil, photographs needs a special pat, a great job all together!

Bhaskar L.Poojary, Mumbai, 23/09/2003

Message to Charles Felix Lewis of Bahrain. Hi Charlie, Hope you remember me! It is almost over two decades since we last heard each other. Your message in this website really thrilled me and glad to note that you are still in Bahrain. Kindly go to the "Directory" and click "J" for my email ID and contact phone numbers. Please get in touch with me ASAP. Your pal,

Jimmy, Kuwait 23/09/2003

Many Happy returns of the day Naveen. We wish you good luck, health and happiness always.

Friends – Kuwait, 23/09/2003