Udupi: Manipal University’s message of unity & brotherhood on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 1 Nov 2014: Manipal University, Manipal celebrated Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on Friday October 31, in a variety of ways.

 

All institutions, teaching departments and Centers of Excellence organized their own programmes, all carrying the message of unity and brotherhood. The main function was held at the manipal.edu building in which heads of Institutions and faculty members attended.

 

Chakrabarty Sulibele, journalist and founder of Jago Bharath was the chief guest. He spoke on how Sardar Vallabhai Patel strove for unity of the country throughout his life.

 

Manipal University pro-chancellor Dr H S Ballal, vice-chancellor Dr K Ramnarayan, pro-vice chancellor Dr H Vinod Bhat and registrar Dr G K Prabhu were present.

 

 

Walk for unity, painting and debate competitions, talks, street plays, filming of Sardar, quiz, collage making and a whole lot of other programmes were the highlight of the day’s functions at the various colleges and departments of the University at both the campuses -- Manipal and Mangalore - and supervised by the Dr G K Prabhu.

 

The Mangalore campus observed Ekta Divas with the staff and students of Kasturba Medical College (KMC), College of Dental Sciences and Manipal College of Nursing jointly organizing different programmes at Dr T M A Pai International Convention.

 

A large number of students and faculty members were administered the oath by Dr Suma Nair, director of student affairs, Manipal University in the presence of Dr M V Prabhu, Dean KMC, Dr Dilip G Naik, Dean, MCODS, Dr Christopher Sudhakar, Dean, MCONS, Dr B Unnikrishnan, deputy director student affairs and the members of Student Council.

 

In Manipal, the faculty and students of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) organized an Oath taking and Run for Unity along with the International Centre for Applied Sciences (ICAS). The event was held in front of the Innovation Centre building of MIT. Dr Veena Maben, Associate Director (Student Welfare) welcomed the gathering.  She gave a brief introduction of Sardar Vallabbhai Patel.

 

Virag Jasani, president of the Student Council, MIT, highlighted his great contributions in unifying an independent India and also administered the oath both in English and Hindi. Dr D Srikanth Rao, joint director, MIT was the chief guest.

 

United we stand, divided we fall was the underlying message that went out to the students and faculty of Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA) and the Department of Culinary Arts (DCA). Competitions in quiz, collage-making, extempore, screening of the movie on Sardar Vallabhai Patel, inter-house football and a skit were held. The students also marched to the main University building and took the oath there.

 

School of Communications screened the film Sardar for the benefit of the students, faculty and others who were keen to see the film directed by Ketan Mehta and written by noted playwright Vijay Tendulkar in the institute’s lecture hall.

 

Speaking on the occasion SoC director Professor Varadesh Hiregange said, ‘One should attempt to understand history, particularly Indian freedom struggle because the elements of the present come from the past.’

 

Manipal College of Nursing Manipal and Manipal School of Nursing Manipal jointly observed the National Unity Day with a painting competition which had the theme Unity and integrity.

 

A walk for unity was organized from Manipal College of Nursing Manipal to KMC Greens. The students walked with placards and banners which had slogans like Unity is power, unity, safety and security etc. A debate competition was also held. Dr Praveen Kumar, Associate Professor, department of geopolitics and international relations gave a talk on the topic for the day. Dr Linu Sara George, Professor and head of department of fundamentals of nursing administered the oath.

 

The department of European studies organized a group discussion on Unity in Diversity: Challenges for India and Europe led by faculty member Stefano Greco. The students of MA European Studies, faculty members and researchers took part in the discussion.