St. Mary’s School, located in the remote village of Behiang in Manipur State and run by the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (MCBS), celebrated India’s 79th Independence Day along with its Convocation Ceremony on August 15, 2025, in the school hall.
The inaugural address was delivered by Fr. Paul Lelen, who was recently awarded an honorary doctorate. In his speech, he emphasized the unity enshrined in the Constitution, saying, “We are all Indians, regardless of our backgrounds or where we live.” He added, “Our land is as precious as gold. More importantly, we are valuable children of India. We can become better individuals if we abide by the laws of the land.”
The event was graced by six priests, local MLA Chinlunthang, Janglal, Inspector of Police in Behiang, Captain Sachin from the AR 37 Battalion with his soldiers, and Jubilee Moi, the Chief of Behiang, along with students and community members.
Fr. Athanasius Mung, Parish Priest of St. Thomas Parish in Singngat, blessed the students who excelled in their recent matriculation exams.
Jubilee Moi expressed gratitude to the priests for keeping the celebration of Indian Independence alive. She encouraged everyone to make the Catholic school a model institution and urged the community to maintain discipline and obedience for a brighter future.
Students and staff showcased cultural dances, songs, and performances.
Reflecting on the school’s journey, MLA Chinlunthang said, “It has been 15 years since we established this school. I see a great deal of improvement since we started. The school is growing significantly.”
During the event, more than 14 students who passed their matriculation exams received mementos from the school management. The students also performed a heartfelt rendition of the song Proud to be Indian.
In his inspirational speech, Captain Sachin reminisced, “This reminds me of my school days. Many challenges will come your way as you strive to achieve something in life. Freedom is never free; that’s what makes it so special.”
He also highlighted the urgent need to combat drug abuse in society and urged the entire community to unite against this menace for a better future.
“Wearing a uniform and serving the nation is a proud moment,” said the captain.
“To achieve something, you need to cultivate good habits, complete small tasks, and show respect to your teachers and parents. Learning cannot happen without respect. You can’t learn respect if you do not first practice it,” he concluded.
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