The inaugural programme of St Aloysius Institute of Civil Services (SAICS), a unit of St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru in collaboration with Alternate Learning System (ALS), Delhi was held on 4 June, 2019 in the Audio-Visual Hall of St Aloysius Gonzaga CBSE School. Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese was the Chief Guest. Sri Sasikanth Senthil, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada, Sri J.R. Lobo, KAS, Former MLA, Mangalore South Legislative Constituency, Sri Michael D’Souza, NRI, Philanthropist and Sri Rithesh Handa, CEO of ALS, Delhi were the Guests of honour. Rev. Fr Dionysius Vaz, SJ, Rector, St Aloysius Institutions presided over the programme.

Addressing the gathering, Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha said that the College has added one more feather to the institution by introducing the Civil Services Academy. He said that this academy has been the long cherished dream of Mangaloreans and people of the coastal districts. The objective of the academy is to empower young men and women by rigorously training them to be responsible and enlightened citizens of the country. He quoted APJ Abdul Kalam’s sentiments and belief that “education was to build character and human values by inculcating dignity and a sense of moral responsibility”. He also said that the academy will take the youth towards value-based orientation and mould them into committed and honest officers. He urged the UPSC aspirants to sincerely attempt to make India a corruption-free country.

Deputy Commissioner, Mr Sasikanth Senthil, IAS, said that this is a momentous milestone in the history of St Aloysius College. He congratulated the IAS aspirants for joining this institution. He said that the preparation for Civil Services Examination is not an easy task. The faculty and aspirants have to focus on character building. He requested the aspirants to become deeply conscious of the issues and concerns of the society.

Sri J R Lobo, in his address, congratulated the Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society and Jesuits for initiating the noble venture of the IAS Academy. He said that the youth should have the willingness to serve the society with highest degree integrity and excellence. He urged the IAS aspirants to work hard and become good officers to create a corruption-free society.

Philanthropist, Sri Michael D’Souza said the youth should have a great desire to serve the country. He exhorted the students to become good citizens of the country and serve the society with zeal and enthusiasm.

Rector, Fr Dionysius Vaz, SJ, in his presidential remarks said that Civil Services is not a profession, it is a vocation. It is a call from the Almighty and this call has made the aspirants to join this institution. We have started this institution to prepare future leaders for our country.

Dr Donald Lobo and Dr Rose Veera D’Souza, Co-ordinators of SAICS, were present on the dais.
Principal, Rev. Dr Praveen Martis, SJ welcomed the gathering. Dr Joyce Sabeena Lobo compered the program. Dr Rose Veera D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks.