Annual Day Celebrated in St. Lawrence Enlish Medium High School, Moodubelle

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Pics: Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 07 Mar 2022: The Annual Day 2021-22 was celebrated by the St. Lawrence English Medium High School, Moodubelle on Monday, 7 March 2022 from 3.30 pm to 6pm in St. Lawrence Community Hall. The Annual Day programme was presided over by Fr. George D’Souza-Correspondence of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions. Padmas Shri Harekala Hajabba was the chief guest and Mrs. Ida Gibba D’Souza-Presdient of Rotary Club, Manipura was the guest of honour. Other dignitaries on the dais included Br. Philip Noronha-Principal of St. Lawrence English medium School, Leeladhar Kamath-President of PTA, Ms. Marvel D’Souza-Alumnus of the school and Ashley D’Souza-SPL.

 

The theme of this year’s Annual Day Celebration was "Dare to Hope".

 

Following the prayer and welcome dance by the students, Br. Philip Noronha read the report of the school highlighting the achievements of the students in curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Presently, the number of students in the school from LKG to tenth standard is 502. In the last SSLC examination, the school had recorded 100 percent result.

 

 

Prizes were awarded to students who excelled in various curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular competitions. While the names of the winners were read by Mrs. Sumalatha, prizes were distributed to the students by the dignitaries on the dais.

 

In her address to the students, Mrs. Ida Gibba D’Souza said that students should take advantage of various opportunities that they get in their school to achieve greater success in various fields. They should set goals in their lives and work hard with determination to achieve those goas and aims. She appreciated the great work done by Padma Shri Harekala Hajabba by establishing a school in his native village to provide education to the poor students.

 

 

Padma Shri Harekala Hajabba was honoured by the dignitaries on the dais by presenting him shawl, garland, fruit tray and memento. He was introduced by Mrs. Joyce D’Sa.

 

Harekala Hajabba was born into a Muslim family of very modest financial means, he dropped out of school at an early age in order to earn money and contribute towards family expenses. Many years ago, when a foreign tourist asked him the price of an orange in English, he did not understand what had been said and felt embarrassed. He had not had the privilege of any kind of formal education. That day he vowed to make a school in his village, which was deprived of school. He kept part of his savings from selling oranges, to start a school in his village, Newpadapu. He was able to start a small school. Today, the school, which has grown with government support and donations from private individuals, is known as Hajabba School. He is affectionately known as ’Akshara Santa’ (letter-saint). He is known for the extraordinary contribution he made, despite his own relatively constrained circumstances, to the cause of education in his native village. Hajabba’s next dream is to build a Pre-University college in his village.

 

In his message, Padma Shri Harekala Hajabba narrated about his struggle and the circumstances that led to establishing a school in his village. The recognition and support that he received from people belonging to different communities and various awards that were conferred on his including the Padma Shri Award by the President of India  in 2020.

 

 

Fr. George in his presidential speech said that he was extremely happy that Padma Shri Harekala Hajabba graced the annual day function of the school as the chief guest. He urged the parents and students to develop the practice of speaking in English language as that language would help the students in achieving success in the competitive world. St. Lawrence English Medium School being in the rural area, the students should not lag behind because of their lack of proficiency in the English language. He further said that students are the future of their families. They are the assets and hope of their families. They should have definite aims for their future and be committed to that aim and achieve those aims with determination. He made an appeal to the parents and teachers that everyone should join hands in building a strong and great institution.

 

Principal Br. Philip Noronha presented mementos to the guests on the dais.

 

SPL Ashley D’Souza welcomed the guests, Mrs. Savitha proposed the vote of thanks and Angel Grace and Vishith Shetty compeered the stage programme.

 

Commodore Jerome Castelino. School Management Committee Member and Edward Larsen D’Souza-Principal of St. lawrence PU College, Moodubelle were present.

 

 

Following the stage programme, the students right from LKG to tenth standard presented cultural programme in the form of dances including folk dance, Hindi Remix dance, Punjabi, Telugu, Western and Kannada dances. The last two dances-Tiger Dance and Military Dance brought out the best talents of the students.

 

The cultural programme was compeered by Angel D’Silva and Jenisha Machado.