PM, Bommai, Siddaramaiah among others greet Ex-PM Deve Gowda on his 91st birthday
Bengaluru (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar among others have greeted JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on his 91st birthday.
In a tweet, Modi said, "Greetings to our former PM Shri @H_D_Devegowda Ji on his birthday. His contribution towards our nation is noteworthy. Praying for his long and healthy life."
Bommai had made a telephone call to Gowda to greet him on his birthday, the outgoing CM's office said in a statement.
Gowda's son and former CM H D Kumaraswamy in a tweet greeting his father said, "He is my strength, motivation, beacon, the great spirit of JD(S). His contribution to the country and Kannada naadu is unforgettable. His experience is 'amrutha dhaare' for all of us. May the Lord grant him good health. May he continue to lead us all for a long time to come."
Gowda served as the 11th prime minister of India from June 1996 to April 1997. He was previously the 14th Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1994 to 1996. He presently is a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha representing Karnataka.
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah, who according to Congress sources is likely to be the new Chief Minister of Karnataka, has also greeted Gowda.
"Best birthday wishes to former Prime Minister and senior leader of Janata Dal Shri @H_D_Devegowda. I wish him good health & happiness. May he continue to guide us to protect the interests of Kannadigas and our land, water and language," he tweeted.
KPCC President D K Shivakumar, who according to the party is all set to be the new Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, wishing Gowda said, "The steps taken by him in state and national politics are a driving force for leaders like us. I pray that God blesses him with good health."
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Pro-chancellor of St Aloysius University, Fr Melwin J Pinto SJ passes away at 63
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Mangaluru: Fr Melwin J Pinto SJ, Pro-chancellor of St Aloysius University Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, and Vice President of Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society (MJES), breathed his last on Friday, April 10. He was 63.
Born in 1963, Fr Melwin Pinto completed his schooling and college education at St Aloysius before joining the Jesuit order on June 20, 1981. He was ordained as a Jesuit priest on April 14, 1997.
Over the years, he held several academic qualifications, including an MA in English, a Master’s degree in Education, and diplomas in psychology and counselling as well as school administration.
He began his career in education as headmaster of St Joseph’s Primary School and High School in Hassan, serving between 1996 and 1999.
He later founded St Joseph’s Indian PU College and served as its principal until 2007. He subsequently served as headmaster of St Aloysius High School, Mangaluru, from 2007 to 2011, and later as principal of St Joseph’s PU College, Hassan, until 2012.
Fr Melwin Pinto also worked with Vatican Communications and Radio in Rome, contributing to its English desk for Asia and Indian languages.
He later served as superior and director of Fatima Retreat House in Valencia for two years from May 2017, before being appointed as superior of the Jesuit study home ‘Vidyaniketan’ in Dharwad.
He was also closely associated with the development of St Aloysius Institutions and played a key role in securing the status of a Deemed-to-be University. His contribution to the education sector and efforts towards innovation were widely acknowledged. He was known for maintaining close relations with people from all sections of society.
Legislative Council MLA Ivan D’Souza, in a statement, said the demise of Fr Melwin J Pinto was a huge loss to the educational and religious fields and had created a significant void in society.
Dakshina Kannada District in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also expressed grief, stating that his service and contributions to education would always be remembered.
Details regarding the funeral are yet to be announced.
