Mangalore: St Aloysius College celebrated its 142nd annual day on Friday May 13, 2022 in Loyola Hall. Prof.P L Dharma, Registrar (Evaluation) of Mangalore University was the chief guest. Rev. Fr Melwin Pinto, SJ, Rector of St Aloysius Institutions presided over the programme. Rev. Dr Praveen Martis, SJ, Principal, Dr Alwyn D’Sa, Registrar of the College, Rev. Fr Vincent Pinto, SJ, Finance Officer, Student President, Vijoy Ashwin Carodza, Dr John E D’Silva, Convenor, Co-convenor, Prof. Lawrence J M Pinto, Co-convenor, Directors and Deans of the College were present on the dais.

The programme began with a customary prayer and dance, followed by a contemporary blindfold dance and a hip-hop dance featuring the themes “Caring for the Blind” and Doctors as Covid Warriors” respectively. The Aloysius theme song was played next.

Prof. P L Dharma in his inaugural address said that “College Day is a day to celebrate. Students should not just leave with degrees and prizes, but should try to inculcate great values in their life,” Lauding the students unique dance performances on different social issues, he said, "The dance performance by the students was really heart touching. Students who have shown the courage of addressing all kinds of social issues at this young age are also capable of facing challenges in society.” He also spoke about the theme 'caring the uncared' and said that the "College Day is a day where you are trying to reflect on what you have done for the past year. To care and particularly to take care of those who have not been cared for. College Day is one such event where you have a retrospective view of your journey in the college for three years. During your college days, you met wonderful teachers and different kinds of students for three years. Wait for the days when you will care for a larger number of people who have not been cared. You are blessed to be in Mangaluru. At least for me, Mangaluru is a laboratory. It tries to teach you every day. When you meet each person in a day, you learn the art of life. Not only reading books or going to the library, but here, you get to learn many things. Mangaluru tries to teach many things which are unique. Our country is the finest country in the world. Students, you have the responsibility to make it more and more beautiful and to see that every one of us lives happily.” 

Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto SJ in his presidential address said, "We have finished a couple of years of fear. But, now we are seeing some sought of relief. It was not just disease but it was also despairing and distress. Basically, it was everything negative. There was depression and disinterest. Especially, teachers had a fear that if students return back to college and if they have a mood for studies. All the students returned back to the college and brought life to the campus. During the pandemic, we had contact with friends over social media but we had no chance of meeting personally with friendship and love. But, now everything has returned to normalcy. ”He also said, “Let us learn from each other to make life meaningful. Education means passing on information. Through that information, you should make a formation in life. Formation means to become a great individual. From formation, you should make transformation in the society.”

This was followed by the Prize Distribution ceremony. Students were awarded certificates for scoring the highest overall, subject wise, semester wise, as well as, on merit scholarships, best achievers in sports and various academic activities. Prizes were given to the Student Council members as well. 

After the Fr. Principal’s introductory speech, the crowd witnessed an audio-visual tour of the college and campus. The evening was filled with several thematic dances and plays, such as the Kannada play “Parivartane”, a contemporary dance themed “Heal the World”, an Indian ethnic fusion dance and a short play showing the challenged faced by various social minorities. 

Lisha Pereira, Ian Castelino, Noorain Sheik and Gauthami C. S. compered the programme meticulously. Student Council President Vijoy Ashwin Cardoza proposed the vote of thanks.