Mangalore : BEM Educational Institutions celebrated the 175th years of its existence at the Centenary Hall of the School on September 7, Saturday.

Principal and Joint Director of college of Teachers Education (B.Ed College) Philomena Lobo, inaugurated the event by lighting the lamp.

MLA J R Lobo unveiled logo of the 175 years celebrations and said that, participating in the 175th year celebrations of the oldest education institution of our district is a matter of honour.

He also said that the Basel missionaries worked hard to educate the people of the district and remove the superstitious beliefs present in the society.

The missionary’s effort to develop the port city must be respected. The missionaries started the schools with the aim to serve the people and not for the profit by commercializing it, but today one can hardly find such institutions, he regretted.

Walter Maben, president of the celebrations Committee delivered the keynote address.

Dr Hannibal R Cabral, principal of Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore launched the institution’s new website.

College headmaster Jayashankar welcomed the guests and gathering.

Governing council Vice-president Alwyn Colaco, Treasurer Alwyn Ananda, corporators Rajendra Kumar and Rameeza Nazeer, committee members of the management and staff of the institution were present on the dais.