Confronting the heavy rains in the morning at 9.00 a.m., the students, who gathered in large number, had large smiles with festive looks. After a short wait of 10 minutes, to subsidize the pour, SPL Preetham Acharya, of the High school, called the attention of the gathering consisting of teaching and non- teaching staff, old students and parents and invited the chief Guest, Mr. Archibald Furtado to unfurl the national tricolor.
After hoisting the flag, the students sung the national anthem Jana Gana Mana, Vijayi Vishwa Tiranga and other patriotic songs.
The followed stage programme was meticulously arranged and senior teacher Ms. Swarna Latha took charge of the whole proceedings. Joint Secretary of the Management Committee and Former Superior IHM Convent, Sr. Sylvestrina Presided over the function. Once the Guests Mr. Furtado, Mr. Satish Amin, Rotary Secretary and a well-wisher of the High School, Parents Teacher forum President Mr. Govind Nayak, newly appointed Superior Sr. Jasmita, were escorted and lead to the podium by Head Master Mr. Ramananda Rao. In his welcome address, briefly explained the significance and importance of this 73 rd Independence Day and offered gratitude’s to the freedom fighters and military who guard our country’s borders and introduced the guests to the gathering and the Student leaders offered roses to welcome all of them.
Chief Guest Mr. Archibald Furtado, in his key note address, outlined the meaning attributed to each and every small action of flag hoisting ceremony, which just not a formality, but it commemorates the plight of slavery, fight for freedom and triumph of national spirit, liberty and fraternity…..as the string control the flag on the post, it symbolize the duties towards the nation, society and its welfare.. ‘Future of this great country lies in the hands of youth and we have just left with only two tools to safeguard the freedom, (he expressed his grave concern as the Press failed in its duty a great extent in these days) viz the Constitution and the Voting rights, at different levels, which must be exercised judiciously’ he stressed.
Mr. Sathish Amin extended the Independence greetings to all students and in short address called upon them to dedicate themselves in national welfare in small measures such as swatch Bharath, conservation of environment, not wasting food and adapting discipline in their daily lives. In presidential address Sr. Sylvestrina, focused on students to utilize every given opportunity to expose their hidden talents and truthfulness, dedication, sincerity and fear of God to be the guiding posts leading them in their mission…Her simple words encouraged the students. Prior to her address recipients and Winners and participants in Drawing competition were honored by Chief Guest and President with cash prizes and mementos.
Teacher Ms. Sulochana, proposed vote of thanks and the students too enlightened the audience with freedom fighters sacrifices in their speech and the group patriotic songs. Old Student of MHS and Physical Director Dolphy D’Souza and all teaching and non teaching staff enthusiastically participated in the festivities and trained the students for this occasion.
All were served with sweets and the day saw a relief from rain while returning home.
New & Pictures by – Mr. Dolphy D’Souza, Barkur.