ಅನ್ನದಾನಾತ್ ಪರಂ ದಾನಮ್, ವಿದ್ಯಾ ದಾನ ಮತಃ ಪರಂ । ಅನ್ನೇನ ಕ್ಷಣಿಕಾ ತೃಪ್ತಿ:, ಯಾವಜ್ಜೀವಂ ಚ ವಿದ್ಯಯಾ ।। :so goes a subhashita. Handing out food to the needy is considered a noble act of kindness, but providing education is nobler than that. Food will have a feel-good factor only temporarily. The satisfaction derived from education endures unto the last. Education is a primordial element in evolving a civilisation and a bulwark of empowerment. Considering the importance of education, individuals and institutions dedicated to serve the humankind, have strained every sinew to set up educational facilities that have proven positive ramifications in the nook and cranny of the nation. Apart from bridging the urban-rural divide, these facilities have helped the underprivileged sections to muster strength to stand up and get noticed. In the forefront of this noble mission, the CBE, Mangalore enjoys a distinct place. An array of learning centers established from time to time as per the need of the hour are a testimony to the service rendered to the society by the Missionaries. Sacred Heart College is one of the distinguished institutions managed by the CBE. Over the years the college has gone from one strength to another. Only stars have meteoric rise. Institutions rise in phases. The pulls and pressures of deficiencies bog down a young institution, but the undesirable situation is short lived. Interventional measures serve as pick- me- up. The unheralded rural setting has been a formidable challenge. The rustic young talent is restless to express itself here. A pragmatic approach of the Management has mitigated the hardships. In the last 15 – 20 years consolidation process has been constantly on. The results are tangible. Our students albeit their rustic background have risen to the occasion when it mattered the most and stood tall in the area of action – be it academic or cultural or sports and games. A big tally of medals earned by our students in the last couple of years is an unfailing testimony to the institutional efforts towards quality enhancement and accomplishment, fortitude and focus of the students as well as the intense will of all the Sacred Heart members to conquer. In the years that I have been assigned the leadership role at our esteemed institution, I have reasons to feel overwhelmed by the achievements of the College. Our talented young sports stars have displayed their mettle in the sporting arena in areas as diverse as Kabaddi, Football, Ball- badminton in both men and women sections at the University and State open Tournaments and returned with rich exploits. The icing on the cake is the dominant performance in the Football tournament. The acid test awaited the Institution this academic year, which incidentally happens to be the last year of my teaching and administrative career. The entire year was a beehive of activities as the college was in preparation mode for Reaccreditation by the NAAC. Every member of the Sacred Heart family contributed their lot to land the coveted top grade.

'Together we can' were the buzz words and going an extra mile was the creed. Our sincere and focused efforts returned rich rewards. We retained the top grade 'A' in the Fourth cycle of NAAC accreditation. Not a mean achievement for a rural college!!!. The up ticking graph of academic facilities has been further bolstered by adding another batch to the BCA Programme. The roof top of the majestic indoor stadium has been given a facelift with additional safety features so as to make it withstand the vagaries of natural uncertainties. The efforts to make the campus a Centre for excellence are relentlessly on. The coming years hold much more to Sacred Heart College. May the legacy of dream, work and achieve continue forever. I am greatly indebted to the Management, thankful to the well wishers, grateful to my loving companions and happy for my dear students.