By Louis Rodrigues –
Belgaum: Belgaum Diocese Board of Education (BDBE), is organising the valedictory ceremony of Golden Jubilee Celebration at St. Xavier’s School Ground at Camp in Belgaum in Karnataka on Tuesday, January 15 at 5 pm. Archbishop Rev Dr Peter Machado will be presiding over the ceremony.
The board runs 107 schools and colleges in Belagavi, Dharwad, Baalkot and Gadag districts in Karnataka and Kolhapur district in Maharashtra. BDBE Chairman and Administrator of Diocese of Belgaum Rev Fr Eusebio Fernandes addressing media persons here on Monday said it is a matter of pride that the board was celebrating its 50th year since it was founded in 1969 by the then bishop Late Dr Ignatius Lobo. Imparting impeccable services to the underprivileged in the society in the field of education and social welfare BDBE is working with a motto of ‘Transforming Lives Through Education’ and striving tirelessly to provide education for all children irrespective of barriers of caste, creed and colour.
BDBE has reached out to the poorest of the poor in the society comprising of the poor, downtrodden backward sections in providing quality and value based education through its 107 institutions which have spread over five districts Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, Gadag and Haveri in the north Karnataka region and Chandgad in Maharashtra. More than 45,000 students were being imparted education while 2000 teaches working in this institute towards achieving the goal of transforming lives in informed.
Giving further details BDBS Secretary Fr Allwyn Sudhir said, Padma Bhushan Nandan Nilekani who co-founded Infosys and architect of Aadhar card, IAS officer Dr Vishal are some among the luminaries who are alumni of our institutions, former Primary and Secondary Education minister Basavaraj Horatti worked as teacher in Fatima High School.
“As part of golden jubilee year celebration BDBE is organising various enrichment and training programs while Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy had attended the inauguration programme and unveiled the plaque,” Fr Allwyn recalled.
As part of the programme students would be performing a short 20 minute drama to highlight about the 50 years history and achievements among other cultural programs. Alumnus Mohammad Kaif Mulla who secured 1st rank in SSLC will be inspiring the students while MP Suresh Angadi, Rajyasabha member Prabhakar Kore, legislators from the region and other dignitaries will be participating as guest.