Adiga donates part of Booker money to alma mater

BANGALORE: Part of the prize "The White Tiger" won will go to help educate the underprivileged students residing at Aloysian Boys Home at Ullal in Mangalore.

In a mail to Fr Denzil Lobo SJ, director of St Aloysius College, the Man Booker Prize winner Arvind Adiga, has expressed his desire to donate part of his prize money to his alma mater.

He said he felt deep gratitude for the college where he got a fine education. According to his expressed wish the sum of Rs.15 lakhs he made available for the purpose shall be used to start a special scholarship fund for the higher education of the under-privileged children at Aloysian Boys Home which is a project of St Aloysius College.

Adiga's message said, "I have donated a part of my prize money of the Man Booker Prize for 2008 to my old school, St. Aloysius College of Mangalore. I wish to donate the money in the name of the late Fr Victor D'Souza, a great teacher of physics and chemistry, who also always reminded his students of their responsibility to help and defend the poor and underprivileged. St. Aloysius is one of the gems of Mangalore and I hope it will continue to shine brightly in the years to come, as it has done for over 100 years."

Fr Denzil told DNA on Thursday he had a telephonic talk with Adiga the other day, and he assured the writer the college will ensure that his desire is fulfilled. The director said the college will honour Adiga on January 4 during the Aloysian Conclave which will be attended by Aloysian alumni from all over the world. Fr Denzil said he remembered Adiga and his brother. Adiga was a brilliant student and had earned rank in the 10th, he recalled. "It is very kind and thoughtful of him," the director remarked.

The sum has already been sent to the Rector of St Aloysius College. There are about 120 underprivileged children college whose expenses are met through contributions of friends and alumni of the college.

Fr.Denzil said Adiga wants this scholarship to be named after his teacher and mentor Fr Victor D'Souza, who was a science teacher in St Aloysius High School since 1977 till he retired in 1990. Fr Victor is held in high esteem by his students not just for his interesting classes but the values he inculcated in them.

Adiga is also expected to be the chief guest for the St Aloysius High School annual day on Saturday January 3, 2009. He is billed to deliver a special lecture to commemorate this event. Aloysian Conclave is an annual event wherein some of the distinguished alumni are honoured for their meritorious service to mankind in various fields.

St Aloysius College, established in 1880 has come a long way. Its growth in the past 10 years has been phenomenal.