Education is an empowering process and the future of the society is laid in the schools: Raajiv Yaaduvanshi
Report: Rashmi and Karthika
Port Blair, April 24: Carmel Senior Secondary School, was founded in 1968 by the sisters of the Apostolic Carmel under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Port Blair on request by the islanders for an English medium school in the Islands. Starting off with just a hundred students, they now have a strength of two thousand. Carmel Sr. Sec. School celebrated its 50th year jubilee celebrations on Sunday, with an array of prominent guests. The Chief Guest of the celebrations was Principal Secretary (Education) Mr. Raajiv Yaaduvanshi, joined by prominent members Fr. Dharampal, Vicar General (A&N Catholic Diocese), Sister Marcella (Provincial Superior Carmel), Sister Sabela, Mr. Sandeep Jaques, (Secretary Civil Supplies, A&N Administration), Mr. Bannerjee, Secretary (Law A&N Administration).
The event was attended by hundreds of ex-Carmelites, Carmelites as well as parents of students studying in the school. The programme began with lighting of the traditional lamp by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Yaaduvanshi was filled with both pride and hope in the future of the school. “Education institutions are built over long years, and seasons of time where the foundation of a human being are laid needs continuous support and commitment on behalf of parents, teachers and the school. It is an empowering process, and the future of the society is laid in the schools”, he said.
“From my own experience, the most beautiful moments of the child’s life are in school. It is indeed a miracle. The guiding light we require to continue our mission is found in the lives of our own children as well as those of others. Raising a child is like agriculture of crop, as the crop grows, so do weeds. It is the duty of the teachers and parents as well as the child themselves to remove these weeds before it can affect the personality.”
He ended the speech by saying that Carmel School represents the cream of the society of the islands, laying the foundations as a pioneer school and wishing the institute a hundred more years of success.
Addressing the gathering the Principal of Carmel Senior Secondary School Sister Maria Reshma stressed on how the school provides education, irrespective of caste and creed. It endeavours to create leaders who are competent, upright, integrated into the society and people who will champion the cause of justice, love, truth and peace. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, she conveyed.
A cultural program was conducted, followed by the Chief Guest unveiling of the Golden Jubilee logo designed by Editor of Andaman Chronicle and an Alumnus of the school, Mr. Denis Giles. Earlier during the evening, a Holy Mass was offered which was followed by the Carmel Flag hoisting by Fr. Dharampal and Sister Marcella.
Among the others who addressed the gathering were Fr. Dharampal, Sister Sabela (one of the Sisters who laid the foundations of Carmel Port Blair), Mr. Johnson Abraham on behalf of the Carmel Alumni and Mr. Saji Samuel, Parents Representative and an Alumnus of the school.