Kundapur, Dec 13: It is imperative on the part of each and every student to respect their teachers and the leaders of the society, said Fr Antony Lobo, parish priest of Kundapur church and correspondent of Rosary English Medium School, here recently.

He was speaking at the annual day celebration of the School.

Prof S Narayana Rao, principal, Bhandarkar’s College was chief guest on the occasion. He distributed prizes to the winners of the sports meet.

Earlier, Basil D’Souza, vice-president, Holy Rosary Church, here hoisting the school flag wished all the best for the function.

Connie Menezes, headmistress of the School read out the annual report. Teachers Nita D’Souza, Nagaraj Shetty and Chandrashekhar Beejady called out the names of prize winners. School pupil leader Ranya R was also present on the dais. Panchami compered the programme. Teacher Selwyn D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Various entertainment programmes were staged on this day.

Padukone, Dec 14: The festival of the Mother of Immaculate Conception was celebrated on a grand scale at St Antony’s Church, Padukone near here recently.

The belief held by the Church followers is that the statue of the great Mother of Immaculate Conception installed in front of the Church at the time of Portuguese had turned its face towards the rising tides of the Arabian Sea. While the latter were pounding the foundation, the sea receded immediately on seeing the serene face of the great Mother.

Since then the tradition of offering special prayer to the Church deity to commemorate the miracle is being followed every year with great devotions. The elders of the locality also attribute several other mysterious events to the statue. It is significant to note that the people of other communities also offer prayers to the Mother of Immaculate Conception by burning the candles.

When the Padukone Church was constrcuted for the convenience of the family of undivided Gangolly Church, the statue of the great Mother was given as an offering to the former. Fr Boniface D’Souza, the Carmelite priest offered the Eucharistic solemn mass and performed the rituals of the festival including the carrying of the statue in the palanquin. Nearly 2000 devotees were present on this occasion.

Udupi, Dec 12: Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmastal offered motion for the 74th All India Kannada Literary Convention, here on Wednesday December 12.  

Dr Heggade in his inaugural address said that Kannada has not restricted only to the district and the state but its glory has covered the entire country.  In the globalization, privatization and localization era, Kannada has significantly contributed for discussions, economics, and cultural development besides expressing human virtues.  Moreover, Kannada has survived in the country and around the world, despite IT revolution. This is proved by the way World Kannada Literary Convention which was held recently at Washington, US attained great success.  A large number of NRIs settled across the globe arrived to uplift Kannada language, literature and culture, he stated.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat, which represents over five crore of Kannadigas in the state, has been striving to get due place for Kannada in state administration, courts, educational institutions and in every walk of life while it has become successful in unification of Karnataka.  

Prof L S Sheshagiri Rao, president of 74th Kannada Literary Convention, in his presidential address, said that, over five crores of Kannadigas are truly proud of Kannada culture and its contemporary glory which ought to be guarded from complacency.  Great ancient poet Pampa, psalmist Basaveshwara, Jnanapeet awardees, eminent singer Gangubai Hanagal, the majestic Mysore Dasara, convey the treasure trove of true Karnataka.  Moreover, the media has to play pivotal role in resolving the recent political instability plaguing the state for the betterment of every Kannadiga.  Further, every Kannadiga has the earnest duty to safeguard the Kannada in their religious upbringing, he cautioned.

I M Vithalmurthy, state chief-secretary of tourism department, released the souvenir, authored by Mohan Muwali.  

Ex-minister V S Acharya and K K Pai, chairman of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) released the new book published by Kannada Sahitya Parishat. K M Balakrishna, post-master general, released the new postal stamp of great Kannadiga litterateur ‘Shivaram Karanth’ on the same occasion.

Kayyar Kinhana Rai, B M Iddinabba, Manu Baligar, Prof Kaverappa, vice-chancellor of Mangalore University, Harikrishna Punaroor, ex-president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Uppunda Chandrashekar, president, district Kannada Sahitya Parishat, were also present.

Jaraganahalli Shivashankar, Dr H Jayamma Kariyanna, S R Arun Kumar, Veena Sharath compered the programme.

The grand procession was held passing through Ajjarakad, Joduraste, taluk panchayat office, Diana circle, Alankar theatre, service bus stand, city bus stand before finally concluding at the venue, which was attended by over 20 thousand people.  Over 5000 students from various schools and colleges, across the district also added touch to colourful procession. 

Udupi, Dec 12: The much-awaited spectacular 74th All-India Kannada Literary Convention was off to a grand start on Wednesday December 12 morning.  The three-day convention which is being held for the 7th time in the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada was inaugurated at the specially prepared Dr Gopalkkrishna Adiga stage in the MGM College premises near Manipal here.

The convention was officially set on roll as former minister Dr V S Acharya, Chandrashekhar Patil and L S Sheshagiri Rao hoisted national flag, state flag and convention flag respectively.

Meanwhile a colourful procession with more than 100 tableaux, cultural extravaganza by more than 30 troupes from all over the state began from Ajjarkad grounds.  Goddess Bhuvaneshwari's statue was taken on a decorated vehicle amidst the sea of people who had thronged to 'Temple City' from all over the state.

An MGM College premise has been specially adorned for the three-day literary bash. Hundreds of stalls depicting the rich culture of the state, a special dining hall etc have been a special attraction of the convention.  All the school and colleges across Udupi district have been declared holiday for three days in order to provide an opportunity for teachers and students to attend the convention.

Udupi, Dec 12: Oscar Fernandes, central minister for labour inaugurated the Glowin Star School auditorium here on Tuesday December 11.

Fr Mathew Vas, parish priest, Mother of Sorrows Church blessed the auditorium.

Speaking on the occasion the minister said that the existing central government had given the utmost priority to education. The measures that were taken so far had been towards the fulfillment of this noble object, he added.

Further he pointed out that the earlier the children used to migrate to foreign lands in search of opportunities for higher education, but now the foreign younger generation migrates to India in search of good education, he said. This indicates the tremendous improvements in the field of education, he added.

Fr Mathew Vas presided over the function.

Unveiling the photo of the late Rocky Fernandes, father of minister Oscar Fernandes, Dr Thomas Quadros, the managing trustee of Glowin Star academy said that the late Fernandes was an outstanding teacher. To commemorate his memory the photo was timely and gratefully unveiled in the presence of his son.

Raju Poojary, president, Udupi zilla panchayat, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Syndicate Bank director and ex-MP, Ragupathi Bhat, ex MLA, Vijay Balal, dharmadarshi, Dian Fernandes, editor and  Blossom Fernandes were present on the occasion.