Mangaluru: St. Aloysius B.Ed College, a leading institute for teacher education in the city, welcomed its 17th batch of students recently.

The programme commenced with introductory remarks by Preethi Pais, vice-president of the Students’ Council, followed by the College choir offering a prayer song.

Principal Dr. Farita Viegas, in her welcome speech, said, “The first day of new students in the College is one of the important days that initiate the transition of students. A teacher education programme is not just to earn a degree to get a job, but a course that is designed to prepare teacher candidates competent to face the challenges of the developments and trends of a dynamic society. The crux of the entire process of teacher education lies in its curriculum, which is sensitive to develop in pre-service teachers an understanding about the philosophy of education, child psychology, educational management, teaching skills, creating learning environments and a capacity to observe and analyze.”

Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Dr. Praveen Martis SJ, director of the College, narrated the evolution of Jesuit Education in India and, later, in Mangaluru. He highlighted the importance of the core values of Jesuit Education, namely, competence, compassion, commitment, conscience, creativity, character and collaboration. He also spoke on the significance of these values in the lives of teachers and students in forming a harmonious society.

Elizabeth Sebastian, who belonged to the 2019-21 batch, motivated the new students by sharing her experience, speaking on how the programme helped her improve her teaching skills and refine her talents.

“Teaching has always been the most sought-after and respected profession. Teachers shoulder a huge responsibility of enlightening the lives of students and opening the minds to a world of possibilities. B.Ed is an excellent course that helps trainees and teachers gain an in-depth understanding of the world of education. Teacher proficiency would enable the teachers to meet the requirements of the profession and face the challenges in the future,” she added.

The programme ended with the singing of the College anthem.

College staff members and family members of the new students attended the event.

Sandhya, staff in-charge, compered the programme.

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Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.

India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.

During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.

The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.

Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.

The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.

Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.

By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.

Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.

Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.

The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.

Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.

Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.

Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.

This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.

Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.

Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.