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| Sunday, 12 January 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Devi Balika's Golden Jubilee : Memories of small beginnings by Devian Maleeha Rajon "I expect this school to concentrate on quality rather than on numbers. We will look for its achievements not this year or next year, but ten years hence." Fifty years later, these words spoken on the first anniversary celebrations of our school by our founder and friend the late Mr. T. D. Jayasuriya, Director of Education proved prophetic. The Devians are achievers. Devi Balika now stands supreme as a prestigious girls school in the island. The school was founded on a filled marshy land. Classrooms were few, many a lesson was under the shade of the 'Mara' tree. Pioneer students faced difficulties but they opened up new avenues, they paved the way for the Devi daughters of today. It was then and is now a school where ordinary children, most of them from remote villages of our country are given an encouraging environment, motivation and the care needed to become useful citizens. Government Girls' College, Castle Street, Borella is how it all began. A row of semi-permanent classrooms with a hall. This joined another set of classrooms. Then there was a small library, a staff room for the teachers and our dear founder principal had her office facing the lawn. That was all what we had then. Our school began with fifty three students, five teachers and a dedicated principal. Dr. Mrs. Wimala de Silva, a lady who knew each and everyone of us by name. It was a mystery, how she could be just there when you thought you could saunter across the lawn. Corridors. They were the most important physical feature of our school. We walked, we ran, we discussed ideas down these corridors. Greenery cascaded down from the roof keeping us cool. Nothing looked out of place in our school. It was just the right place for those wishing to pursue higher academic goals. Talents that are deep inside us were developed. Even today the spiritual and intellectual capacities of the young Devians are brought into focus. They are thus able to adapt themselves to intricate complexities in today's world. Statistics show that our students have achieved success in many fields in continuous sequence during the last five decades. An encouraging environment helped Devians achieve recognition in any sphere of activity they engaged in during later years. Many Devians are out there, in many parts of the world, committed professionals, noble in character, pursuing excellence. We were inspired to recognize our identity as Devians. The freedom to understand ourselves came from the decision-making that was gracefully handed over to us. We elected prefects, selected the school logo, chose a pattern for the school uniform and even selected a name for what was then known as Government Girls' College. A democratic set up was always encouraged and enjoyed by us. Dr. Wimala de Silva always spoke to us about our motto. "Manasa Sanvutha Dhira" - which means, "He who is restrained in mind is wise." Our logo, the little lotus bud is a daughter about to bloom seeking meaning to life and the lotus in full bloom is the woman completing her education and moulding herself into the world to serve society. The lotus rises above the calm water, rises spreading fragrance all round. It is also with gratitude, respect and affection we remember the late Dr. S. L. de Silva, our founder principal's husband. He was very closely associated with Devi Balika. In his message to our 10th Anniversary Souvenir he said - "The loyalty that this school has inspired in its pupils, both past and present is indicative of how much it has meant to all of you. Such loyalty is only the prelude to the development of this same sentiment in the large sphere as loyalty to our country." We are duty-bound to thank him for the part he played in the destiny of our school. "Devi Balika quietly marches on, geared to her educational objectives, taking on new challenges in a carefree and easy-going friendly manner, that is characteristic of people who are confident of their ability, certain of their priorities and unafraid to be what they truly are" - were the futuristic words of Mr. D. R. L. Samararatne, Former Education Officer (English) Ministry of Education. We remember all of them with gratitude. May thousands of lotuses bloom at Devi. |
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