Udupi, Sep 24: “If students take an interest in extra-curricular activities along with their studies, they can excel in physical and mental agility”, said district pre-university education department deputy director S S Shindha.

District pre-university education department sports in-charge Vishwanath Bayiri, SVS Pre-University College Alumni Association president Prem Kumar, District Physical Education Teachers’ Association honorary president Vasant Shetty, vice-president Joseph D’Souza, secretary Chandrashekar Shetty, taluk Physical Teachers’ Association president Sitaram Shetty Kalattoor, and youth sports officer Narayan Rao, were present on the occasion.
 
Katpady SVS Pre-University College principal P Krishna Rao welcomed and presided over the programme.  Lecturer K Janabharat Sharma proposed the vote of thanks.  College physical education teacher Yuvaraj compered the programme.
 

Kundapur and Udupi North Zones Emerge Victorious:
 
The boys of SVS Pre-university College, Gangolli, under Kundapur zone, bagged the first place in the district-level volleyball tournament.  The girls of Sri Durgaparameshwari Pre-university College, Mandarti, under Udupi zone, bagged the first place in the throwball tournament. 
 
The boys’ team of Gangolli defeated Sri Durgaparameshwari Pre-university College, Mandarti, 2–1.  The girls’ team of Sri Durgaparameshwari Pre-univesity College, Mandarti, under Udupi south zone, defeated Dandateerta Pre-University College, Kaup, 2-0. 
 
Earlier, the boys’ team of SVS College, Gangolli, defeated Dandateerta College, Kaup, 2–0 in the semi-finals to qualify for the finals while Mandarti Pre-university College defeated Karkala Government Pre-university College for 2–0 to reach the finals. 
 
Mandarti College girls’ team defeated Gangolli team in the semi-finals while Kaup Dandateerta College defeated Karkala Government Pre-university College in direct sets of 2–0 to reach the finals.

The small children entered in a procession and surrounded the statue of Monti Saibin (Infant Mary) that was decorated with flowers. Melwyn DSouza led the prayers. The assembled sang the traditional hymns – Sokkod Sangatha Meliya, Moriek Hogolsia and Naval Vortavalan.  Enthusiastic children joyfully offered flowers to Infant Mary.

SAKATH president William Rodrigues welcomed the gathering. Speaking on the occasion, Rodrigues highlighted the importance of Monti Fest and prayed for the farmers during this festive occasion.

On behalf of Daijiworld, editor-in-chief Walter Nandalike and Michael Castelino were present. Nandalike in his brief speech informed about the launch of Daijiworld Weekly and highlighted the necessity of having a weekly for Indian community to raise the issues related to the community, thereby showing the community’s strength and unity to the world. He also requested the gathering to support this noble cause by subscribing to Daijiworld Weekly. 

Interesting games were conducted by sports secretary Ravi Almeida and his team. On the occasion SAKATH declared that it will donate Rs 1 lac along with the entire amount that was collected during the game, Housie-housie to St Ann’s Play Home, which is under construction by the Sisters of St Ann’s Convent Thottam.

Traditional meal was served by Winny’s Restaurant with variety of vegetables, fish with rice and sweet vorn. To bring back the good-old memories of Thottam, sugarcane was distributed to the gathering  

The function began with Nanu Marol Thottam, MC, reminding the gathering the preparation period (Novena) and the feast days of earlier years when children went around gathering flowers and bringing them to the church decked in big plates and baskets, to shower on to Infant Mary. Nanu Marol Thottam compered the entire programme.

Ashok Kumar Shetty will be take over the charge as vice-president at a ceremony held at Bangalore on Tuesday September 22. He is a professional photographer and owns studios in Kundapur taluk. He is also instrumental in establishing Dakshina Kannada District Photographers’ Association, in Mangalore where he serves as president. 

He is also the director of Maravante Odakere Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Bank and actively involved in various social service and voluntary organizations. 

Sharjah, Sept 18: The feast of nativity of Mother Mary(Monti Fest) was celebrated by Byndoor Parishioners of UAE at   Rudolph Pereira’s residence at Sharjah on 18^th Sept.  The celebration was organized by Byndoor Catholic Association.

The program started with the prayer dance ‘Sobit  Fulam’ by little children. President of BCA       Rudolph Pereira welcomed the gathering. Archie Fernandes spoke about the importance of the feast of nativity & also its importance in the coastal area which brings unity among families as well as in the society.

Rolphy Nazareth conducted the prayers.

There were variety of entertainment programs such as songs, dances & skits. Sensational   filmy dances were performed by small children Melwyn, Benita & Reola.  Some melodious songs were sung by Ruvita, Rikita, Robert and Ephiphania. 

Ronald Nazareth (Rony Byndoor) sang some melodious konkani songs during the occasion.  Various rib-tickling skits were performed by Ashok Dias & team who left the audience in non- stop laughter.

Traditional food (Novem Jevon) was served during the occasion which was prepared by the members of the BCA itself. 

More than 120 Byndooreans attended from various parts of the U.A.E. 

Dolphy Nazareth proposed the vote of thanks. The entire program was ably compered  by   Archie Fernandes.  It was indeed a fun filled day for all Byndooreans.