News
International Women’s Day 2026 Celebration
Mar 6, 2026
p>Father Muller College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FMCOPS), in collaboration with Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College (FMHMC), celebrated the 115th International Women’s Day with great enthusiasm on 6 March 2026 from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM at the Seminar Hall, Deralakatte. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Give to Gain – Expanding Access for Women & Girls Everywhere.” The program aimed to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of women and to promote empowerment, equality, and greater opportunities for women and girls in society.The program commenced with the opening session conducted by Mrs. Nishmitha and Mrs. Shanthi, members of the Women’s Guidance and Counselling Committee. The celebration began with a prayer song rendered by the non-teaching staff of both institutions, invoking blessings for the successful conduct of the program.
The dignitaries were escorted to the dais by Dr. Indu O. S., Coordinator, Women’s Guidance & Counselling Committee, FMHMC. The dignitaries present on the dais included:
- Chief Guest: Mrs. Bindiya Nayak, District Officer, Backward Class Welfare Department, Dakshina Kannada
- President: Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions
- Rev. Fr. Donald Nilesh Crasta, Administrator, FMHMC & FMHPD
- Dr. E. S. J. Prabhu Kiran, Principal, FMHMC
- Dr. Sathish S, Principal, FMCOPS
- Dr. Vilma Meera D’Souza, Vice Principal, FMHMC
An encouraging message was delivered by Rev. Fr. Donald Nilesh Crasta, Administrator, who highlighted the courage and resilience of women in overcoming societal barriers and achieving excellence in various fields.
A special highlight of the program was the felicitation of Mrs. Thanuja, a Security Guard of the institution, recognizing her dedication and commitment in a profession traditionally perceived as male-dominated. The felicitation note was presented by Dr. G. Rajachandra, following which the Director and other dignitaries honoured Mrs. Thanuja with a shawl and memento as a token of appreciation. The felicitation acknowledged her exemplary service and conveyed a powerful message that women can excel in any profession with determination and confidence.
The Keynote Address was delivered by the Chief Guest, Mrs. Bindiya Nayak, who spoke about the importance of empowering women through education, opportunities, and social support systems. Her address inspired the audience by emphasizing the need for equal access and the role of women in shaping a progressive society. Following the keynote address, the dignitaries honoured the Chief Guest with a memento as a mark of respect and gratitude.
The Presidential Address was delivered by Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions. The speech highlighted the importance of acknowledging the valuable contributions of women in society and emphasized the need to support initiatives that promote gender equality and empowerment.
The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Dr. Indu O. S., Coordinator of the Women’s Guidance & Counselling Committee, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Guest, the Director, administrators, dignitaries, organizing committee members, staff, and participants for making the celebration meaningful and successful. The formal ceremony concluded with the Institution Anthem, with all attendees standing in respect.
After the formal session, the celebration continued with an interactive session conducted by the Chief Guest, Mrs. Bindiya Nayak, where she engaged with the participants and shared valuable insights. The event concluded with games and fun activities, fostering joy, bonding, and a spirit of celebration among the participants.
The International Women’s Day Celebration 2026 was a memorable event that highlighted the achievements of women and reinforced the message of empowerment, equality, and collective progress.
