(from left): Former President of the Anglo Indian Association-Mysore, Richard Sherwood, Association President Henry Dove, Anglo Indian MLA Vinisha Nero, Association Secretary G.A. Edwards and Lawrence Nero at a function held at St. Philomena’s High School in city on Sunday.
Mysore :
“I will strive to uphold the interests of the community, work from the grassroot level, represent the community with their problems and uphold the culture of the community,” said Vinisha Nero, the newly-nominated Anglo Indian MLA here on Sunday.
Speaking at a programme organised by The All India Anglo Indian Association-Mysore Branch, at St. Philomena’s High School here, she said that having been brought up with middle class values had helped her to understand the importance of education, respect for elders, integrity and hard work.
Stating that a helpful nature and high aspirations were her fortitude, she added that she was humbled and honoured to accept this position, to serve the Anglo-Indian community and further contribute to the greatness of the State and the country.
Vinisha called upon the youth to respect elders as they were the guiding force behind them and also asked them not to get tired of working and learning as it takes them to greater heights.
She also called upon every one to give respect to their mother tongue and other languages too.
Henry Dove, President, All India Anglo Indian Association Mysore Branch, speaking to Star of Mysore, said that Vinisha Nero had an experience of 31 years in the Administrative field from small beginnings, worked hard and progressed in her career.
He further said that Vinisha had worked in top MNCs like Microsoft, Cisco, Capital One, Clutch Group, besides personally managing the visit of Bill Gates during his visit to Bangalore and added that her job had given her experience in dealing with people at all levels, solving problems, being a team player and a facilitator.
Former President of the Association, Richard Sherwood, said that Vinisha has served in various positions in The All India Anglo Indian Association and the Boards of Managements of various prestigious educational institutions.
Secretary of the Association G.A. Edwards, Lawrence Nero (husband of Vinisha Nero) and other committee members were present on the occasion.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / February 18th, 2014
The seven-hundred year history of the Wadiyar dynasty came to an end on December 10, 2013 with the passing away of Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar. There was not a dry eye in Mysore on that day when the shocking news of his death came and in this 24 X 7 television era the visuals started beaming live into every household. The respect for the erstwhile rulers by the citizens of Mysore was very evident when the whole city closed down spontaneously.
Lakhs of people witnessed the funeral procession of the last scion of the Mysore Royal family with many coming from the nearby districts and villages realising that it was the last time they would be seeing a royal in the truest sense of the term though not in flesh any more.
The banners, the buntings, the flexes depicting the photo of Wadiyar that adorn to this day many a street corner shows the tremendous respect the Mysore royal family had gained which had not faded over time. Sadly, the last royal never realised the true significance of the popularity and the respect he commanded while alive.
There are many who have known Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar closely and also moved with him. I also being a Mysorean knew about him and seen him from a distance and later at very close quarters. Here is my impression of him.
The mischievous smile, the hearty laughter, the childlike innocence, the utter simplicity and humility, is all gone now. All that is left is the memories. It was equally shocking for me when he died so suddenly, as I had moved very closely with Wadiyar and the innocent face is what comes in front of me. He was literally larger than life but also like a true Maharaja a very private person.
Growing up in Mysore as contemporaries, the first image of Srikant as he was fondly called by his father Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar and his immediate family members and friends, is that of him playing on the Maharaja’s College Cricket grounds. The crowd would come in large numbers to watch the “Prince” as he was addressed by the common people. He would surprise everyone with his ability to play the game in spite of his girth. He was an opening batsman and also a medium pace bowler and according to a few who faced him he was surprisingly nippy. Of course he would be fielding in the slips all the time and there was lot of mirth doing the rounds about his inability to move to pick the ball in any other position.
It was years later that I came to know him very closely when he one day called me to talk about the politics and the way people were thinking about him. By then, of course, he had won a few elections and also lost. Entering into the world famous Amba Vilas Palace was a great privilege and honour and sitting in the big drawing room that overlooks the Eastern Gate even as I passed the famous Palace Library with a great collection of books was an unforgettable experience. Years later, he shifted to Bangalore disappointed with the way things were happening in politics. It was around the same time that I also moved to Bangalore and started visiting the Palace regularly. I had become such a familiar figure there that security guards would acknowledge as I entered the Palace. He settled down comfortably in the Bangalore Palace and the first thing he did was renovate the office. He had an artistic eye and his knowledge about history and politics was remarkable.
Wadiyar’s memory was also truly phenomenal. He shared the reason about this unique trait with me. “As a child my memory was not very good. My father understood this and when I was nearing ten, one day he administered the ‘Shakti Mantra Beeja’ in my ears. From that day on my memory power improved vastly,” he recalled. Asked why he always kept his finger close to his eyes all the time, he told me, “My eyes are very powerful. It can even turn people to ashes if they try to misbehave with me. I always keep it half closed to see that they are not harmed unwittingly.”
He was a perfectionist in everything he did and this was in evidence every time he threw a party. He celebrated his 50th birthday in the Mysore Palace in the year 2003 in a grand way. That was the first time his interest in fashion became public. Thereafter every year he used to hold the fashion shows where he would display the sarees designed by him and his wife Pramoda Devi Wadiyar. Was his interest in fashion his undoing? Because I recall I had written about it in a newspaper and ended thus, “Will the real Mr. Wadiyar stand up or will he be lost in the world of fashion?” He was obviously very upset to read about him being shown in a poor light. When I told Mrs. Wadiyar about this, she had said, “Don’t worry, he will be alright in a few days.” And sure enough he was once again his normal self.
The first time when he stood for the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) elections for the President’s post, he was very confident of winning. Once he won, he made his presence felt in true Maharaja fashion building a room for the President overlooking the cricket pitch just like the one the Secretary had. That was the time when he was called for an interview by the All India Radio. The interview was early in the morning at 8 and he came on time. There was an air of expectancy as the Maharaja himself was coming to the radio station. Many people had lined up to watch him enter. And as my friend who did his interview said, “He carries himself like a true royal. We are very fortunate to have him with us today.” There was also an opportunity for people to ask him questions and there were questions galore from all parts of the State and one common refrain was, “Maharaja you please come back, we will vote for you.” Unfortunately, he never gave it a serious thought and instead he ventured from one business to another hardly focusing on any of them.
Speaking once to this reporter about the Curse of Talakad, he had said he was in constant communion with the soul of Alamelamma and the effect of the curse had worn off. A strong believer in astrology, he himself had studied it quite closely. There were also a few astrologers hovering around him all the time. He would go by whatever they told him and he had also visions of becoming the Chief Minister.
He had a terrific sense of humour and once when I told him that a book called “Untold Story of the Wadiyars,” had been published, his wry, witty remarks was, “What is that untold story that I do not know about.” Once sitting in his refurbished office in the Bangalore Palace and as was his wont, he was sitting on the floor with his legs stretched and we were sitting uncomfortably, he narrated how the famous film maker and actor Raj Kapoor who had come to Mysore to shoot and was staying at the Rajendra Vilas Palace atop the Chamundi Hill entertained his guests. Wadiyar reminisced, “Raj Kapoor had a very costly scotch for himself but was serving the ordinary one for others. But he did give me the one he was having.” The other anecdote he narrated was on Ambarish, the actor turned politician and now a Minister in the Siddharamaiah Cabinet. “When I used to stay in Delhi during my MP days, he would sometimes call me over to his quarters. There would be all these people sitting and playing cards and it would go on till early morning. It was so difficult for me to stay that I would somehow escape at the opportune time as I was not interested in playing cards,” he recalled with a loud laughter.
Asked about Privy Purses which were abolished in 1971 and how it would have been if he was still getting it, Wadiyar’s reply was very candid: “I am glad it has been abolished. Otherwise I would have been entitled to just about Rs. 25 lakh. With this kind of money I could not have maintained anything. Now with my hard work I have grown again and I am able to maintain such a big establishment.”
But it is very sad that his death was so unexpected that it has plunged everyone into deep grief even as the cute face of Wadiyar sitting in the Golden howdah during the Dasara procession as a boy along with his father in the front and his uncle by his side, lingers hauntingly on my mind as the royal elephant walks majestically into sunset. Will this memory of the royalty passing away fade with the passing of time? Being true Mysoreans and proud of our rich past, I think it will never happen.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature articles / February 16th, 2014
The silver coin issued by Tipu Sultan, minted at Srirangpatanam. / The Hindu
Extremely rare and unique silver coins issued by Tipu Sultan will come under the hammer in Bangalore this weekend as a Silver Double Coin, also called as “Haidari”, and a half Anna, have been put on the block by a Delhi-based collector.
These two coins are among many other rare coins from the collectors’ kitty that will be auctioned during the three-day National Numismatic Exhibition, organised by the Bangalore-based auction house Marudhar Arts, starting from Friday.
The “Haidari”, which weighs 23 grams, according to Rajendra Maru of the auction house, has come for auction in India for the first time in several decades. “The last time we heard about the coin was some years back when a fake Haidari was in circulation. There are less than 100 such coins known to be with collectors,” he added. It is being auctioned with a base price of Rs. 1.5 lakh.
The Haidari was issued on March 16, 1790 by Tipu Sultan in honour of his father Hyder Ali. The coin minted in Srirangapatna was equivalent to 32 copper coins. The other coin issued by Tipu Sultan is an extremely rare half Anna silver coin issued in 1785 that weighs just half a gram and is 7.33 mm in size.
First time
A nearly 3,000-years-old silver coin belonging to Pauravas (Kura dynasty) of Kausambi region has also come for auction for the first time and has been categorised as extremely rare. The other first timer on the block is a punch marked Gold Pagoda coin issued by King Barma Bhopala (1187 AD -1188 AD) of Toragale dynasty in Dharwad region. According to a release, Bhopala ruled for just four to five months.
A lead coin issued by the Marathas of Tanjore that is categorised as exceedingly rare is also being auctioned along with very rare Re. 1 and Rs. 5 currency note of King George VI that was in use even after independence.
The exhibition will be held at Bell Hotel, next to the Bangalore City railway station between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and entry is free.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Special Correspondent / Bangalore – February 19th, 2014
Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza as the chief celebrant solemnized the annual feast of St. Lawrence on Wednesday, 29 January 2014 at 10.30 am. He was joined by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of Udupi, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, PRO of the Udupi Diocese, Rev. Fr. George D’Souza, Rector of St. Lawrence Shrine and a number of other priests from Udupi and Mangalore Dioceses. Unprecedented crowd participated in the feast mass.
In his homily on the theme of the annual feast “Christian Families-Cradle of Faith”, Bishop Aloysius D’Souza specially mentioned the three basic principles of a good Christian family that were put forward by the present Pope, Francis addressing families from 95 countries of the world when they had gone to Vatican on a pilgrimage. These three basic principles are: Prayer, Faith in family and Happiness in the family.
Elaborating these three basic principles, Bishop Aloysius D’Souza said that family prayer especially reciting Rosary by all the members of the family together fosters the sense of unity in the family. Faith is the important factor in family life. Further he said that the faith should be like the faith that was expressed by St. Paul and Christians should bear witness to the faith that they profess. Regarding the happiness in family, Bishop said that modern gadgets would not provide lasting happiness to the family members. People should find happiness through unity and togetherness where God finds a place within the family. The Bishop further said that correcting mistakes of children is an obligation of the parents. Giving the example of the Holy Family of Jesus, Joseph and Mary, Bishop Aloysius D’Souza said that Jesus should be the model for the 3 children whereas Joseph and Mary should be models for parents.
At the end of the Feast Mass, one book in Konkani titled “Sant Loresachim Dhirvim” (Treasures of St. Lawrence) and informative pamphlet on the history of the Shrine of St. Lawrence written by George Castelino, recipient of National Award for Best Teacher were released by Bishop Aloysius P. D’Souza along with the Bishop of Udupi, and Vicar General. Bishop of Mangalore also honoured George Castelino with a shawl and bouquet of flowers. Steven and Florine Mendis, proprietors of the Divine Channel and producers of the film on the life of St. Lawrence were also felicitated by the Bishop of Mangalore.
Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo honoured Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza by offering him shawl and Rev. Fr. George D’Souza offered him a bouquet of flowers as a sign of respect to the Bishop of Mangalore who obliged the diocese as the chief celebrant of the solemn annual feast mass.
Earlier in the morning at 8.30 am, most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Makkuzzi, Bishop of Belthangady offered Holy Mass in Malayalam language. The Bishop of Udupi Gerald Lobo accompanied the Bishop of Belthangady to the altar. Rev. Fr. George D’Souza, Rector of the shrine welcomed the Bishop of Beltahngady and offered him a bouquet of flowers. This was the first time that a Bishop offered mass in the Malayalam language in the Shrine of St. Lawrence. Quite a large number of people attended the mass. The choir and the faithful participated in the singing.
There has been continuous flow of pilgrims to the shrine throughout the day. Masses for the benefit of the pilgrims have been arranged right from 12.30 pm till 11.30 pm including one at 5 pm in English and another at 8.30 pm in Kannada.
source: http://www.bellevision.com / Bellevision.com / Home> News / by Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle / Bellevision Media Network / Karkala – January 29th, 2014
“Kanakadasa is a large cultural asset. He was a question for the pride based on caste. He swam against current without sacrificing his principles and lived a life of stress. His literature reflects different phases of his life”, said Dr H S Anupama.
Anupama was speaking after inaugurating a lecture here recently on the late Kanakadasa held by Goregaon Karnataka Sangha – Library section and Mangalore University Kanakadasa research center. Famous author and intellectual Ravi R Anchan presided over the programme.
“Ramadanya Charithe” poem written by Kanakadasa reminds us of rice and millet and appears like a statement against discrimination in society. So far birds, trees and nature were the feature for poems but meditation made by Kanakadasa as a feature for his poetry shows his excellence in talent”, said Anupama.
He explained the purpose of lectures advising not to fight for caste and creed. “He is influential as a poet and lyricist among us. However his poems have not influenced us the way they should have. The university has attempted to make them reach the people here. We are glad to see the desire”, said Dr Shivarama Shetty, convener of Mangalore university Kanakadasa seat.
“Kanakadasa was a poet and a warrior. He is equal to poet Pampa of Champoo era. He is also a saint poet. His poetry echoes among common people even now. Questions whether he is a Srivaishava, Vaishnava or Shaiva have no meaning. His poems show that he was a rational human being”, said Ravi R Anchan in his presidential address.
Members of the sangh sang poems of Kanakadas under the leadership of Vidya Deshpande, Nikhita Amin, Seema Kulkarni, Vasudha Nayak, Usha Shetty and Rakshita Nayak. Vasanthi Kotekar, Veda Suvarna, Mohini Poojary, Sushila Nayak, Rama Nayak, Nagaratna Nayak, Sumita Gujaran, Akshari Anchari and Pratiksha Nayak accompanied them.
Shankuntala Prabhu, director of Grantayana welcomed the gathering. Vice president Laxmi Shetty wished everybody well. Petri Vishwanatha Shetty set the programme in motion and Usha Shetty proposed vote of thanks.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld / Home> Mumbai / by DaijiWorld Media Network – Mumbai / Friday – January 24th, 2014
1) Kuvempu (2) A front view of Kuvempu’s house ‘Udaya Ravi.’
by K. Vijaya Kumar, Former Jt. Director of Information & Publicity
Udaya Ravi, Rashtrakavi Kuvempu’s house in Mysore (5th Cross, V.V. Mohalla), is not just a simple house but has a greater significance since Kuvempu wrote his magnum opus Sri Ramayana Darshanam sitting in his room from this home. Acharya Vinobaji during his padayatra in Karnataka (Kuvempu had great reverence to him) was eager to visit Kuvempu’s house since he had come to know about Ramayana Darshanam. When (on 25.9.1957) Vinobaji enters inside Udaya Ravi, Kuvempu records in his diary, he pronounces in Hindi three times ‘Bahut prashanth hai’ (very peaceful atmosphere).
Tarini Chidananda, Kuvempu’s daughter, in her book Magalu Kanda Kuvempu (Kuvempu as seen by his daughter), vividly describes how much Kuvempu was sentimental and attached to Udaya Ravi and the garden he had raised with various flowers and fruit plants in front of the house. Kuvempu built this house in 1937 and the then President of Ramakrishna Ashrama Swami Deshikanandaji sent a Bengali contractor, one K.C. Dham (who had migrated to Mysore and a devotee of Ramakrishna Mission) who had earned a good name as a committed person in his work.
Tarini, who spent most of her life in Udaya Ravi and taking care of Kuvempu after the death of her mother Hemavathi, writes how her father after building and living in Udaya Ravi, got married, worked in the University, wrote most of his works and breathed his last in the midnight on 11.11.1994 in Udaya Ravi.
Many of those who had visited this house, just to cite a couple of them as recorded by Tarini — a Soviet Delegation, UGC Chairman C.D. Deshmukh and his wife Durga Bai Deshmukh had expressed great appreciation of Udaya Ravi and its garden and complimented Kuvempu and his wife Hemavathi for their efforts in maintaining it so neat and tidy.
It is appreciable that the State Govt. has declared Kuvempu’s native place Kuppalli where his body has been laid to rest in Kavishyla as a memorial of Kuvempu and entrusting it to Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Pratishtana to maintain it, who have opened a Kuvempu Museum for visitors.
I recollect here my memory of 30-35 years back, when my Dept. of Information was producing a documentary film on Kuvempu, directed by Chaduranga, the noted writer, my numerous visits to Udaya Ravi to meet Kuvempu in that connection and on many several other occasions, I fondly remember the pious moments spent with the poet in his house.
Many felicitations to Kuvempu used to take place at Udaya Ravi only as the poet was reluctant to accept it and I remember one such felicitation organised by State Bank of Mysore in early eighties wherein I was made the chief guest.
I sincerely feel and as many other literary figures of yesteryears, who were direct disciples of Kuvempu, with scores of others who have high liking for Kuvempu’s literature, might also agree that Udaya Ravi in Mysore where Kuvempu spent most part of his life needs to be declared by the Govt. as a Memorial in his memory and a Museum could be established entrusting it to be run and maintained by an organisation locally, either University of Mysore or a similar body like Kuvempu Prathistana. I am sure scores of Kannadigas will support this cause.
Even now, quite a few visitors, particularly student groups on conducted tour visiting Mysore do come to see Udaya Ravi. Though inconvenient to Tarini and her husband Prof. Chidananda Gowda who reside there, do not disappoint the visitors. Besides many even in Mysore and around have not been able to see the place though they have a desire to visit.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature articles / by K.Vijaya Kumar e-mail: kumarkv59@gmail.com / January 29th, 2014
A picture can tell a thousand stories and infuse life into moments long gone. For those wanting to travel back in time, here’s your chance to visit Bangalore Cantonment of the yore. A rare photo and stamp exhibition organized as part of the 66th Army Day at Vismaya Gallery, Metro Art Centre, MG Road, takes you back to the black-and-white era. One of the rare and oldest photographs on display is that of BRV Theatre, a landmark of Bangalore Cantt. Located on Cubbon Road, it was built in Tudor style by Madras Sappers in 1911. The other must-see frame is of the Oriental Building on St Mark’s Road, Kumble Circle, also built by the Madras Sappers in the early 20th century. Don’t miss the first motor car in Bangalore among the numerous frames, and the photograph depicting the Battle of Seringapatam; it’s as good as turning the pages of history.
PRIDE OF INDIA
A collection of rare stamps and First Day Covers by Lt Col Harbaksh Singh Dham gives you an insight into the cultural diversity of India. Called the Pride of India collection, the 25 stamps are minted in gold-plated Swiss silver. Some of them are: Taj Mahal, Satyajit Ray , JRD Tata, the tiger, Indian cricket, Red Fort, New Delhi.
ARMYSPEAK
The 100-plus photographs on display have been compiled by various units of the Army. We want Bangaloreans to know about us and our activities through these photographs. We are proud of our collection and wish the photos motivate the younger generation to join the Army and serve the nation. This is the first time we are holding such an exhibition.
WHAT’S ARMY DAY
Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year to commemorate Lt Gen (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa’s taking charge as the first commander-in-chief of the Army in 1948.
BITES FROM VISITORS
* The exhibition is informative. It’s a good initiative by the Army to create awareness about the city’s culture and heritage. As outsiders, we didn’t know much about Bangalore. The exhibition is a brief introduction to the city.
Mrudula Pradhan, Darjeeling
* It’s very informative. It’s provides interesting information about the Army’s contribution in building Bangalore. We have read about the city in books, but seeing them through photographs is exciting. Most of them are etched in my mind.
Momili Sinha, Bangalore
MARK THESE
Where: Vismaya Gallery, Metro Art Centre
When: Till January 27
Time: 11am to 7.30pm
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.inditimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Banglaore> MG Road / TNN / January 15th, 2014
Lakshmi, a homemaker from Periyapatna, who delivered her first child at government-run Chaluvamba Hospital here years ago, chose the same hospital for her second delivery, the lack of privacy notwithstanding.
The 27-year-old Lakshmi was one of 200 new mothers crammed into the wards of the century-old hospital, which sees, on an average, 40 new babies coming into the world daily. The rate at which deliveries happen at the hospital makes it Karnataka’s busiest maternity ward.
Like her, many mothers have to struggle for beds as large number of women from across the state comes here. With wards always being full, new mothers have to make do with the floor, awaiting their turn for cots. However, beds and necessary treatment will be provided to them while they wait for cots.
Hospital’s medical chief Dr B Krishnamurthy said that women from Bangalore, Ramnagara, Bidadi and Chikkamagalur have delivered here apart from women from old Mysore region of five districts. He claims may be the busiest maternity hospital in state because even in Bangalore’s Vani Vilas hospital not many deliveries are conducted than us. “I have attended state level health meetings but have never come across so many deliveries taking place in single day in any other hospital in Karnataka.”
Even Sumaya Banu from Hunsur preferred this hospital for her second delivery. Her husband, Jaffer, a driver, says the facility is no less than private hospital. Even 20-year-old Ciema Kauser, who delivered her first child, too was fine with the hospital’s situation.
Biggest challenge is to accommodate all mother to-be arriving here. We can’t say no to anyone but if they agree to the situation, we are okay with it but we ensure to provide quality treatment without for free, the medical superintendent says.
Of the total 420 beds available in hospital, over 50 pc beds are reserved for new moms, who will be treated for three days in case of normal deliveries and five days for C-section deliveries Nearly 80 pc deliveries are normal. Claiming people throng here because of quality treatment, Krishnamurthy, head of department of pediatrics, says we have improved services and security to prevent deaths and baby-swapping over the years.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mysore> Private Hospital / by Lawrence Milton, TNN / January 11th, 2014
St Agnes Convent, Bendore is all set to celebrate the centenary of its Foundation Day (1914-2014) with a public function on Sunday January 12. The Convent was started in 1914 in order to reach out for the education of girls in the suburban area around Kadri and Kankanady. St Ann’s School, Bolar started by the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel, founded by Mother Veronica of the Passion, an English woman, in 1870; St Mary’s School, Falnir started to accommodate the increasing number of students; and Victoria Caste School, Dongenkery, Kodialbail (later shifted to Ladyhill) started at the persistent appeal of GSB Community for the education of their daughters, were the only three schools in South Canara district, to impart quality education exclusively for girls, in the much valued medium of English.
Mother Aloysia, the second Superior General of the Apostolic Carmel after five years of assiduous search and negotiations for some twenty different sites between Kankanady and Kadri, including a plot of “Hulli Mulli” an arid area, and the surrounding plots, which were inhabited by sixteen proprietors in clustered huts and cottages measuring twelve acres of land, were bought on June 29, 1913.
February 8, 1914 was a memorable day in the history of the Apostolic Carmel when Dr Paul Perini, Bishop of Mangalore blessed the whole property and laid the foundation for St Agnes Convent, the residence for the Sisters to carry out their service to women through education. The next day a Secondary English Medium School, as it was called then, was opened with Classes I and II. There were 80 pupils on roll. A week later, an elementary school was opened for the poorer children with 46 pupils on roll. Since then the campus has grown with St Agnes School started in 1914, St Agnes College (the first college in India by an Indian private Management), St Agnes Special School for the Mentally Challenged started in 1970, as the Centenary Memorial of the establishment of the Apostolic Carmel. As the sisters of St Agnes Convent celebrate the hundred years of prayer and service on 12th January 2014, we remain ever grateful to God in transforming the Hulli Mulli Hill into an Educational hub, a light house, a city built on the hill where hundreds of students have been educated and enlightened over the past hundred glorious years and sent out to the wide world as the ambassadors of St Agnes to proclaim to all people that God is our Strength.
The concluding function of the Centenary of St Agnes Convent will be held on January 12. The Centenary Mass will be celebrated by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, with a large number of priests concelebrating with him at St Agnes College Auditorium. The Open Air public function that follows will have the Bishop as the president, Dr Sr Agatha Mary, Superior General of the Apostolic Carmel will be the chief guest, Sr Linette, Provincial Superior, J R Lobo, local MLA and Flavia Agnes, alumna, St Agnes and legal and social activist from Mumbai will be the guests of honour. A documentary on the history of St Agnes Convent and a dance drama on the life and times of Mother Aloysia, the founder St Agnes Convent will be the highlights of the programme. The former Superiors of the Convent will also be felicitated. Among the Centenary projects will be the poor students’ fund to be initiated.
St Agnes Convent – Centenary Celebrations
(1914 – 2014)
“Foremost in the roll of Indian women educationists stands the name of Mother Aloysia of the Sacred Heart, the second Superior General of the Apostolic Carmel. Almost a pioneer in the west coast field of education, she has for half a century and more laboured with untiring energy to raise the intellectual standard of our girls to the highest accepted grade.”
This was the tribute paid by J B Machado, Secretary of the Indian Christian Civic League, Mangalore, for the achievements of Mother Aloysia, in the field of education when nominated for the Kaiser-i-Hind, Gold Medal I Class award from the British Administration, in recognition of her services. We are presenting this valiant woman and her band of committed sisters, who founded St Agnes Convent, Bendore, Mangalore as we are poised to celebrate the Centenary of its establishment and that of the school, St Agnes School. The lamp that was lit by Mother Aloysia at St Agnes in the year 1914 has been kept burning for the past hundred years by every sister who lived at St Agnes with the oil of love, prayer, sacrifice and service.
Old Primary School
St Agnes in 1921
‘The Rest’ where St Agnes Special School was started
Mother Veronica, nee Sophie Leeves, an English woman was chosen and called by God to found a “Carmel for the Missions” in India towards the faith formation of the Catholics and the education of the young girls along the west coast. The dream of education that Mother Veronica harboured in her heart when she was serving in Calicut as a sister of St Joseph of the Apparition, “…all along the coast the young girls are entirely without any means of instruction…”, was realized when she started the Apostolic Carmel in France in 1868 and the three sisters trained by her arrived in Mangalore on 19th November 1870. Mother Marie des Anges, French by origin was the First Superior General and was called the Nurturing Mother while the one who shaped the Apostolic Carmel education was Mother Aloysia nee Mary Pia Rosario. The pioneering of quality education for girls thus belongs to the Apostolic Carmel with the starting of St Ann’s Convent and School in 1870, at Pandeshwar, Mangalore preceding even a school of this caliber for boys’ education which happened only in 1880.
In the first decade of the 20th century, St Ann’s High School flourished and St Mary’s, Marjil, the offshoot of St Ann’s, to accommodate the growing number of students and the Victoria Caste School at Dongerkery, Kodialbail, (later shifted to Ladyhill) the outcome of the persistent appeal of the GSB community for the education of their daughters were the only schools in South Canara district, to impart education exclusively for girls, in the much valued medium of English. These schools were nearer the central location of Mangalore. At this time, Mother Aloysia, who was elected as the Second Superior General and who was literally the brain behind the three schools, with her wide vision and deep apostolic spirit saw the need for extending the facilities to a larger number of girls by opening a school for girls in Bendore, the suburb and an underdeveloped area away from the township at Bolar. After five years of assiduous search and negotiations for some twenty different sites, a plot of “Hulli Mulli”, an arid area belonging to the ancestors of Sr Julia’s and the surrounding plots which were inhabited by sixteen proprietors in clustered huts and cottages measuring twelve acres of land, were bought on June 29, 1913.
February 8, 1914 was a memorable day in the history of the Apostolic Carmel when Dr Paul Perini, Bishop of Mangalore blessed the whole property and laid the foundation for St Agnes Convent. The next day a Secondary English Medium School, as it was called then, was opened with Classes I and II. There were 80 pupils on roll. A week later, an elementary school was opened for the poorer children with 46 pupils on roll. Mother Aloysia chose St Agnes as the patron saint of the convent and of all the institutions on the campus with the motto “God is our strength”. Young girls desirous of studying in English medium flocked to St Agnes Convent from Udupi, Kallianpur, Kundapur, Karkal. Mulki, Kinnigoli, Belthangady and other surrounding villages. The original old cottages were fitted up as dormitories and a boarding house was started.
Realizing that girls from their sheltered homes would hardly dare to go as far as Madras, Mother Aloysia envisioned higher education for girls. July 2, 1921 was another day of significance in the history of St Agnes when a college was started under her dynamic leadership and far sighted vision. St Agnes First Grade College was the only one for women in South India and the first in the whole of India to be run by an Indian private management. To meet the ever growing demands for admissions that came in from the rural areas a temporary “L” shaped building was put up on the plot closest to the road. This block stood for 82 years when more spacious buildings came up to accommodate the growing number of students.
Mother Theodosia another woman of caliber and a dynamic personality with practical experience took charge as Principal in 1934. She took the initiative of introducing Science into the Intermediate Course, an option till then not available to women. By adding subjects such as Mathematics in 1936, Natural science in 1937 and Chemistry in 1939, the college gradually blossomed. Through the years under the leadership of Principals and faculty with dynamism and commitment, St Agnes College has grown with several more courses and programmes. In 2007 St Agnes College obtained academic autonomy. Soon after, the Post Graduate Programmes were introduced and another block was erected for the same.
The Intermediate Course was changed into Pre-University in 1955 and at the same time St Agnes College parted ways from Madras University with the re-organization of states and was affiliated under Mysore University. In 2001 St Agnes Pre-university College was bifurcated and was accommodated in a new building.
The year 1970 was a landmark in the history of the Apostolic Carmel, the year of the Centenary of the establishment of the Apostolic Carmel in India. The pioneers of girls’ education in Mangalore had fresher avenues to explore and the education of children with disabilities was found to be the best Centenary Memorial to fill this void in Mangalore as there was no provision for the education of children with disabilities, in particular, the mentally challenged children. St Agnes Special School, the first school for the mentally challenged in the district, was inaugurated on August 4, 1970 with five children, in ‘The Rest’, a cozy house on St Agnes Convent premises with the motto, ‘In Love We Grow’. In 1973 the children were shifted to the premises opposite St Agnes Convent in the new building that was constructed.
The mission of the sisters of St Agnes Convent in educating the youth from Kindergarten to Post graduation has attained fruition where 5330 students illumine the campus today not merely aspiring towards academic excellence but very importantly using the many opportunities for strengthening faith and values of the students. Besides educating the youth, the sisters offer humane services to the society, the local church and the society at large in every possible way. In 1998 the Apostolic Carmel Association (ACA) was started for the purpose of sharing the spirituality of the congregation with lay people.
With heads bowed and hands folded in gratitude to God, as we, the sisters of St Agnes Convent celebrate the hundred years of prayer and service on January 12, we remain ever grateful to God in transforming the Hulli Mulli Hill into an educational hub, a light house, a city built on the hill where hundreds of students have been educated and enlightened over the past hundred glorious years and sent out to the wide world as the ambassadors of St Agnes to proclaim to all people that God is our Strength.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Sr M Lydia, St.Agnes Convent / Mangalore – January 09th, 2014
A three-day conference on women organized by Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation in commemoration of the 110th year of social reformer and freedom fighter Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya got under way at Nehru Maidan here on Thursday January 9. The conference has been organized as part of the ongoing NBT book fair.
Basti Vaman Shenoy, president of World Konkani Centre welcomed the guests.
Speaking after inaugurating the conference, Kannada writer Padma M Shenoy said, “Mangalore abounds with culture and writers, which is very good. They serve as a guidance for the youth.”
She further said that women’s writing today is improving and as they are sharing their work openly.
Commenting on the issues and problems prevalent today, “In these days in newspapers we only read about gang-rape, molestation, kidnapping and many more bad things. Criminals who are doing all this must be dragged on to the streets and have their faces exposed to everyone,” she said.
“Woman is everything in this world. It is a shame that the youth of our country are involved in bad habits,” she added.
Books ‘Janara Kathegalu’ by Mumtaz Begum, ‘Vaishaka Fullo’ by Padma Shenoy, ‘Nanna Aduge’ by Geetha Kini and ‘Ajjiya Katha Bhandara’ by Geetha Shenoy were released on the occasion.
Writer Prema Bhat, addressing the gathering, she said “The dais looks very clean with none of the corrupt politicians being invited to the programme.”
“Writing is life and life is writing. It is easy to write your life story when you are not corrupted,” she said.
Writer Dr Vasundhara Bhupathi said “I can see women’s writing conferences happening in a few places. We want the youth to read more novels. They must start reading books. A book provides all the information you need. Kannada is a rich language and everyone must spread Kannada everywhere, in all the places. Mangaloreans are lucky to have good libraries. If a person gets addicted to books, he will stay away from all bad habits. Education must teach social values, and encourage youth to stay away from bad habits. Media is being used for wrong purposes these days.”
Writers Vijayalakshmi B Shetty, Janaki Brahmavar, Karnataka Tulu Academy registrar Chandrahasa Rai B and others were present.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MD) / January 09th, 2014
