Mangalore, 03 September 2012: CSI Shanti Cathedral, 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee and Karnataka Christian Educational Society jointly celebrated Teachers Day on Sunday, September 2012 at 4 pm at the Bishop Jathanna Auditorium, KTC Campus, Balmatta, Mangalore. Rev. fr. Prashant Madtha S.J., retired Principal, St. Aloysius College and presently Director, Ashirwad, Bangalore was the chief guest who also delivered the keynote address. Rev. Dr. H.R. Cabral, Principal, KTC and Secretary, KACES presided over the function.
The function began with prayer song sung by the students of the Karnataka Theological College. Prayer was recited by Rev. Edward Karkada. Dr. Basel Hans, president of the Rotary Club delivered the welcome address.
Dr. Maben of Balmatta Church gave a brief review of the activities undertaken on the occasion of the celebration of 150th anniversary of the Shanthi Cathedral. Dr. Charles Furtado introduced the chief guest, Rev. Fr. Prashant Madtha S.J.
Following a special song sung by the teachers of Shanthi Cathedral, Rev. Edward Karkada and Rev. Dr. Hanibal Karwal honoured Rev. Fr. Prashant Madtha S.J.
In his keynote address, Rev. Fr. Prashant Madtha S.J. said that the Protestant Misisonaries started education in Mangalore even prior to 1868. Earlier, education was limited to few privileged sections of the society. The emphasis was on futurology, mathematics and Sanskrit. It was only after the missionaries began building educational institutions that the doors of education opened to people belonging to every section of the society. Hence, the contribution of Christian institutions in bringing about the social transformation is really great.
Explaining the role of teachers, Fr. Madtha said,” God is the Creator, parents are the pro-creators and the teachers are the co-creators.” Teachers have a responsibility to shape the students in a desirable mould.