Over 50 yrs’ experience as teacher, 84-yr-old Clemencia D’Couto says, kids make her feel young

News Network
September 5, 2019

Mangaluru, Sept 5: What started as a passion now is an integral part of Clemencia D’couto’s life. Ms. D’couto has been instrumental in framing the early foundational years of more than 3000 children in the Mangalore region. She has been teaching Pre-Kindergarten, LKG and UKG classes for more than 5 decades. 

Ms. Clemencia has worked for many institutions in Mangalore and currently teaches at Early Learning Centre Kindergarten. Besides, she actively takes part in training teachers. Apart from working with children and teachers, she loves gardening, creating things out of waste, designing and stitching clothes.  

“ELC is my second home”, she gushes when asked how she feels teaching every day.  “The management has been very understanding of me, the children, teachers, parents and support staff love me, and I love them too. It’s wonderful to be part of the ELC family”  
 
Ms. Clemencia believes that a warm hug from children every morning and evening is what keeps her healthy and going strong. Talking about her initial days in teaching, she says that she first started teaching out of passion and love for kids, slowly she got trained in it. She fondly remembers, her first salary being Rs. 60/- way back in 1969. Going back in time, she recollects that though Montessori material was available earlier, nobody knew how to use it, but today things have changed, and she is happy that it has changed for good. 
 
Ms. Clemencia is an inspiration to all. She proves that age is not a number and that dedication to a worthy cause can help us all reach beyond our set boundaries. Teaching being her passion, she is a role model to everyone of excellence, hard work and persistence.  It is the joyfulness of little ones and the community of loving caregivers that she cherishes at the end of the day!

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district. 

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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