Udupi: Mrs. Leena D’Silva, HM of St. Lawrence High School, Moodubelle given warm sendoff

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 31 Jan 2018: Having served as a teacher of Mathematics for 33 years and  the last three years as Headmistress, Mrs. Leena D’Silva retired from St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School, Moodubelle on 31 January 2018. She was given a warm send off in a farewell function held in St. Lawrence PU College hall on Wednesday, 31 January 2018 at 10 am.

 

Following the welcome dance presented by the students, the farewell function was presided over by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Correspondent of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions. Rev. Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu, Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese was the chief guest. The other dignitaries on the dais included: Fr. Lawrence Cutinha-Assistant Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle, Vincent Fernandes-Vice President of Parish Council, Wilson Rodrigues-member of Udupi Zilla Panchayat, Mrs. Ranjani Hegde-President of Belle Grama Panchayat, Naveen Correa-Principal of St. Lawrence PU College, Chandra Nayak-Education Coordinator of Udupi District, John Menezes-former Principal of St. Lawrence PU College, Gerald Fernandes-President of Parents-Teacehrs Association, Maxim D’Sa-Presdient of Old Students Association and Sagar Acharaya-School Pupil Leader (SPL). 

 

Soon after the welcome address by Naveen Correa, on behalf of students, Rishal Noronha of tenth standard  expressed her feelings about Mrs. Leena D’Silva. Speaking on behalf of the staff members, Mrs. Jacintha Lobo, Commerce lecturer said that she had the privilege of being student and later a colleague of Mrs. Leena D’Silva and highlighted her fine qualities as a teacher and human being. 

 

In his message, Rev. Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu said that a teacher’s worth can be judged by the quality of students he or she produces. The success of  the students in life and career is the greatest award a teacher can get. In his speech, Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu gave the examples of Kudmul Ranga Rao who made it a mission to educate the underprivileged students from scheduled castes, Karnad Sadashiv Rao, great freedom fighter from South Canara and former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam who never forgot the Jesuit priests who had given him admission for PUC and helped him in completing his graduation in St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchinapalli, Tamilnadu.  Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu appreciated the contribution of Mrs. Leena D’Silva as a teacher and wished her well in her retired life. 

John Menezes, who was the principal of St. Lawrence PU College when Mrs. Leena D’Silva joined the institution as a Mathematics teacher  spoke highly about her professionalism, sincerity and dedication. He further said that Mrs. Leena D’Silva had motherly affection towards all her students and fulfilled her responsibilities in utmost dedication.

 

Gerald Fernandes, President of PTA , speaking on behalf of the parents of students appreciated the service rendered by Mrs. Leena D’Silva in educating their children especially in the subject of Mathematics. He along with Maxim D’Sa, President of Old Students Association felicitated Mrs. Leena D’Silva with shawl and flower bouquet.

 

Chandra Nayak, Education Coordinator of Udupi District in his message said that Mrs. Leena D’Silva was not only an ideal teacher but also an efficient organizer. He appreciated the way she organized the Udupi District level Athletics Competition for the higher primary and high school students in October 2017.

 

The dignitaries on the dais felicitated Mrs. Leena D’Silva by offering her shawl, garland, fruits, memento and citation. Mrs. Sunitha Kamath read the citation prior to felicitation. Mrs. Leena D’Silva’s sons, Naveen and Pritesh  as well as her daughter-in-law  Preval and granddaughter Nevala also joined in felicitating her.

 

In her reply to the felicitation and farewell function, Mrs. Leena D’Silva expressed gratitude to all those who had been instrumental in her education and career as a teacher. She fondly remembered late Fr. Harold Menezes who was the Correspondent when she joined the institution. She thanked all the correspondents, principals, colleagues and students who stood by her and helped her in her journey as a teacher. She said that as a teacher she considered it her duty to see to it that the students did not suffer, especially the tenth standard students who had to appear for the SSLC examination.

 

Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu who had completed 50 years of priesthood recently was honoured on this occasion. Edward Larsen D’Souza introduced Rev. Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu. 

 

In his presidential address, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas thanked Mrs. Leena D’Silva for serving the institution for 33 years as a teacher and last three years as headmistress and wished her well in her retired life. 

 

The farewell function of Mrs. Leena D’Silva was attended by Fr. Denis D’Sa-Parish Priest  of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar and PRO of Udupi Diocese, Fr. Alphonse D’Lima-Rector of Diocesan minor Seminary, Naalkubeedhi, Fr. Peter D’Sa (OFM Cap) from Goa, cousin-in-law of Mrs. Leena D’Silva, Mrs. Kusuma Kamath, Principal of MGM College,Udupi, Mario Mathias, Manager of Syndicate Bank, Moodubelle, Mrs. Veera Fernandes, Headmistres of St. Lawrence English Medium High School, Sr. Irene Veigas, Headmistress of Church Aided Higher Primary School and many well-wishers.

 

John Castelino proposed the vote of thanks and Sudhir Nayak compered the programme.

 

About Mrs. Leena D’Silva:

Mrs. Leena D’Silva was born on  26 January 1956 as the fifth among 11 children of late Boniface and late Mary D’Silva of Padubelle. She had her primary education in the Church Aided Primary School, Pamboor, higher primary in Church Aided Higher Primary School, Moodubelle, high school education in St. Lawrence High School, Moodubelle, PUC in St. Mary’s Junior College, Shirva, BSc in MGM College, Udupi and MSc in mathematics from Mysore University. She did Bed course in St. Annes’ Teachers Training Institute, Mangalore.

 

Mrs. Leena D’Silva started her teaching career in Gulabi High School, Bengalore administered by the Bethany Sisters in 1983. Following her marriage to Francis D’Sa, Mrs. Leena D’Silva shifted to Moodubelle and later joined St. Lawrence High School on 20 December 1984.

 

Though Mrs. Leena D’Silva could have obtained lecturers post in colleges due to her MSc degree in Mathematics, she opted to serve as a Maths teacher in her own alma mater, St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School and continued her service for 33 years. During the last three years, Mrs. Leena D’Silva served the institution as Headmistress.