74th independence day was celebrated at Lourdes Central School – KONKANCATHOLIC.COM

74th independence day was celebrated at Lourdes Central School

August 15, 2020

Mangaluru: “May the light of freedom coming to all darkened lands, flame brightly until at last the darkness is no more.”

Independence day marks the end of British rule in 1947 and the establishment of a free and independent Indian nation. This day reminds the country’s citizens of all the sacrifices the freedom fighters have made to secure the country’s future.

Swatantrata  Divas, India’s 74th independence day was celebrated at Lourdes Central School  on the 15th of August 2020  amidst the cloud of corona pandemic  by observing all the health protocols like social distancing, wearing facemask, limited gathering etc.

Programme started at 8.00 am in the school open grounds with a prayer song.

Mrs. Therese Monteiro welcomed the dignitaries on the stage – School Manager Rev. Dr.  John Baptist Saldanha, Principal Rev Fr.Robert D’ Souza, Vice Principal Mrs. Belita Mascarenhas, Asst. Parish priest Fr. Pramod Crasta, Mr.Ashok Pinto  Vice President, Mrs. Preethi Gomes  Secretary of Bejai Parish Pastoral Parishad   and  the staff and the parishioners gathered. The ceremonial raising and unfurling of the national flag was done by the School Manager Rev. Dr. John Baptist Saldanha. Significance of the day was highlighted by Ms. Sangeetha Salins. The feeling of Mother India was awakened through a patriotic song sung by our teachers.

Rev. Dr. John Baptist Saldanha, in his presidential address commemorated the supreme sacrifice of the great martyrs who gave their lives for the sake of India’s independence and reminded everyone to follow the ideals of these great leaders. Father insisted on developing smart, self reliant India through  Unity ,though various factors try to divide us.

The event was organized by the staff of LCS. Ms Shamitha Machado compered the programme. The event was web casted in order to reach out the students and parents who were not able to participate. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by Ms. Flavia D’Cunha.

A week long programme was organized for the students of LCS.  It began on 10th of August. Talk by teachers and student representatives to enlighten the students   about the valiant freedom fighters who fought selflessly to attain freedom from the colonial rule. Periodic film was shown in the virtual classroom to kindle patriotism in them. Students had solo and group performance of patriotic singing and acting. Pledge was taken by the students and teachers to create awareness. In connection with this celebration, a series of competitions were also arranged on a virtual platform for students to add liveliness and passion. Flag making, colouring the flag, Collage, Chart making were some of the competitions for students upto class 4. Classes 5 to 8 had Tricolour food making, and vegetable carving. Painting and photography competitions were held for classes 9 to 12.These competitions provided them a great platform to display their talents as well as arouse nationalism. Indeed, it was a day of joy, reminds us to love and respect our country and make it a better place for us to live and experience the freedom, peace and unity in diversity.