December 18th 2014, marked the Red letter day in the History of Jyothi High School, Ajekar, which is a unit of Bethany Education Society, Mangalore.
Jyothi High School, Ajekar Started in the year 1964, completes 50 fruitful years in this Malnad area - the mission station, Ajekar. The Jubilee Year was inaugurated on 22.06.2013 the actual date of opening of the school by laying Foundation Stone to the multipurpose mini hall. The closing programme was held on 17.12.2014 with a Thanksgiving Eucharistic Celebration officiated by Rev. Fr. Lawrence Martis, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Church, Ajekar. It was followed by the School Flag Hoisting and Annual Prize Distribution. This Programme was officiated by Rev. Sr Cicilia Mendonca BS, the Provincial Councilor and Headmistress of Sacred Heart High School, Kulshekar. She appreciated the hard labour of the sisters in the past and present who have made an impression on the students and the people of the locality. It was nice to see the ex students now in high position in the society being the chief guests seated on the dais viz. Mrs. Heera Shetty, President, Ajekar Grama Panchayat, Mr. Benjamin Dias, SI Ajekar Police Station, Dr. Janardhana Nayak, HOD, Nitte College, Mr. Panduranga Nayak, Businessman, Bangalore, Mr. Ramesh Suverna, Kabaddi Coach, Ajekar.
The dream of the ex students was fulfilled on 18.12.2014 when the Golden Jubilee Memorial Building ‘Suvarna Smruthi’ was inaugurated by their Headmistress Sr M Christella BS the Assistant Provincial Superior and member of the managing committee, BES, Mangalore. The plaque was unveiled by the ex student Mr. Sadashiva Prabhu, the AC of Dakshina Kannada District.
The concluding programme which followed thereafter was attended by 3000 people. It was presided over by Rev. Sr Wilberta BS, Superior General of Bethany Congregation and President of Bethany Educational Society, Mangalore. Rev. Fr Lawrence Martis wished the function well. The Guests of honour were Rev. Sr Mariette BS, Provincial Superior, Mangalore Province and Corporate Manager, BES, Mangalore Province, Rev. Sr Rose Celine BS, Secretary BES, Mangalore, Mr. Sunil Kumar, MLA, Karkal Constituency, our ex students Rev. Fr Jerald DSouza, Secretary CBE, Mangalore, Mrs. Mamatha Adhikari, member Jilla Panchayat, Bajagoli, Dr. Sudhakar Shetty, Dr. Santhosh Kumar Shetty and Mrs. Lilly Britto, Retd. Headmistresses, BM Hr, Pry. School, Karkal. Mr. Valerian Danthi, the Vice President of PTA and Mr. Ranganath Bhat, Vice President of the Alumni Association were present on the dais.
All the retired Teachers, the past and the present headmistresses were honoured at the occasion. An Education Fund was opened and was sent to the audience as a support for the maintenance of the school and education of the poor students. Golden Jubilee Souvenir was released on the occasion. Sr Mariola BS, the Correspondent welcomed the gathering and Sr Reena, the Headmistress proposed vote of thanks.
The main attraction of the Day was ‘Swarna Jyothi’ a Ballet on the history of Jyothi High School from its foundation to date enacted by 205 students, composed by Shri Sumukhananda Jalavalli and directed by Shri Suresh Attavar. It was highly appreciated by the people of Ajekar saying that such a programme was never organized so far in Karkal Taluk and they are seeing it for the first time.
Sr Reena BS
Headmistress
