Excess pride is dangerous, says Litterateur

Five presented Eminent Aloysian Alumni Awards 2010

Delivering the annual Aloysian Lecture as part of the Aloysian conclave at the AIMIT campus in Beeri here on Sunday, he pointed out that fight over any of these is meaningless. He also suggested an equilibrium, with knowledge and intelligence on one side and art and culture on the other. All of these should coexist to maintain a healthy living, he added.

Delivering the talk on the ‘Culture and heritage of Tulunadu,’ he pointed out the contributions of Rani Abbakka and Karnad Sadashiva Rao who did not get their rightful place in the history of Indian freedom struggle.

 “Abbakka was the first lady warrior to fight against the British in India, even before Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. But for some reason, she is not known well outside Tulunadu,” he lamented.

“Anybody who came to Tulunadu were warmly welcomed, we gave them shelter. The vestiges of that culture is still seen even in the names of our ‘Daivas’ like Arabi Bhoota, China Bhoota and Ali Daiva,” Someshwar said and appreciated the open mindset of those days.  Earlier, five people, including Someshwar were presented with ‘Eminent Aloysian Alumni Awards’ for excellent performance in their respective fields over the years. Lt Gen B C Nanda from Kodagu, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Lawrence D’Souza from Kuwait, Head of the Nuclear Agriculture and BT division of Bhaba Atomic Research Centre Stanislus Francis D’Souza from Mumbai and former President of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Executive Council Member of London based Nautical Institute Capt John Prasad Menezes were the four others honoured on the occasion by Rector of Aloysius Group of Institutions Fr Joseph Rodrigues.

The programme was jointly organised by Aloysian Partners International (API) and Aloysian Partners of North America (APNA).

Chairman of the organising Committee Joe Gonsalves, Secretary Niel D’Souza, Director of AIMIT Fr Denzil Lobo and eminent Aloysian Alumni were present on the occasion.