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THE MILAGRES COLLEGE, KALLIANPUR.
The ‘Milagres Educational Institutions’ in general and College in
particular, had a significant role to play, over the years, in the
life and living of educated Barkurians, by guiding their career. A
place believed to be the oldest in Canara, to be inhabited by
Christians, once the only and the oldest Church in the North of
the District having colourful history of more than 325 years.
‘Kallianpur High school’
probably one of the oldest, established in 1931, and first of its
kind, to be located other than a Taluk or District head quarters.
At that time, in 30’s and 40’s, few well to do families of Barkur,
only used to send their children to Kallianpur, most of them asked
to stay with their relatives, as there were two rivers to be
crossed and no transport facilities. The scenario changed once
Barkur had the
National High School
in 1948, but for those aspiring higher studies, distant Mangalore
was the dream target or the next option to land in Mumbai and the
thrust for knowledge of exceptionally few got satiated.
The bridge over Sita, in 1967, changed the life of average middle
class Barkurian’s and the National High school promoted to be a
Junior College in early 70’s the PUC pass was the highest
qualification for most. Around same time in 1967,
Milagres College
started and the place was ideal, fairly near to us Barkurians,
compared to Kundapur or Udupi, perusing Degree studies in Arts and
Commerce i.e. B.A. and B.Com.
Me too feel very proud to be an Ex-Milagrian, 1979 – 1982, to
study here and remain grateful to Almighty and the founding
fathers, for giving this opportunity.
Fine, now there are three or more Colleges much nearer to Barkur,
and one need not travel and spend one’s time, money and energies
to wait for transport.
Now I understand from sources, still Barkurian students are
studying here in good number. Science faculty also introduced in
1980. A batch of qualified Lecturers doing a wonderful job. To the
best of my knowledge, Milagres got one of the best Libraries in
the Mangalore University, with thousands of volumes, even
to take care of one’s masters or doctoral studies.
It is said that the goodwill of an Institution also depends upon
the Principal or Head of the College, then the faculty. To start
with, historian and versatile Dr. P. Gururaja Bhat, the
founder Principal, the College successfully tide over early trials
and tribulations, then Dr. Peter Th. D’Souza, during
our time, had 700 plus students, that only in arts and commerce!
Though I have little information of later years, Fr. Lawrence
Mendonca, Fr.J.B.D’Souza, have their own share in the growth
of this institution. A sea change took place when Fr.Valerian
Mendonca took over as Principal, a talented priest with a
difference, and now Fr. Fredrick Mascarenhus, a man earlier
served as Head Master in the Milagres High School
is at the helm of affairs. Among others, I feel Prof.
K.N.Kedlaya, Head of the Commerce Dept. deserve a mention
here, as he was the de-facto Vice Principal, over 30 long years -
a disciplinarian, an educationist, both in and out of College
campus.
But the academic result or the percentage and number of ranks, is
the general barometer to common man to evaluate the quality of
education. But I strongly feel it is the student’s community of
that particular time call the shots, to brand a College best or
average.
Let me call back my student life, ours was the last batch of
students affiliated to the erstwhile
University of Mysore
– 1982.
Mangalore University
started in 1980, has co-inciding by the start of new Colleges, two
in the north and two in the South of Kallianpur, for example,
SMS Brahammavar, St. Mary’s Shirva etc. in the same year. Our
batch had best students and a classmate named Mr Madhusudana
Bhat got 7th Rank in B.Com. in that year and best
results, at the time the feelings like MGM, PPC or
Bhandarkar’s only get ranks! It is not the College but the
quality of students in that College gets ranks.
In these years, College education lost its glitter and youth
attracted by professional courses once they come out with PUC. The
jagirdari or monopoly of few reputed Colleges to enrol best
students also no more as, in these days the bright students are
there in all Colleges.
Students don’t commit the mistakes we done in our time:
During College days, the first thing we used to do was to look at
the Notice Board and find out, which Lecturer is absent?
Then plan the afternoon to a matinee movie… good number of
afternoons were spent in the theatres, at times at the cost of
useful lectures, now a matter to repent in leisure. Not at all
bothered to participate in the extra-curricular activities of the
College… not used the Library facilities to enrich our
knowledge…but involved actively in agitations, many a times not
bothering its course and intentions…
Student lives comes but once in lifetime, make the best use of it,
keep your teachers at their toes and pressurise them to take
special classes, if syllabus is not completed…!
Treat this temple of education, dedicated to Mother Mary, as your
own and be a member of alma mater by rising to heights of success
in your career.
Be the proud feeling of A MILAGRIAN be yours in your lifetime.
On behalf of Barkur.com - an ex-student of Milagres College,
Kallianpur.
P. Archibald Furtado,
Muscat.
28/09/03 |
