It was an occasion for double celebration at St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Aldona, as the World’s Biggest Biblical Concordance in Roman Konkani was unveiled coinciding with the Founder’s Day celebration. The Portrait of Fr. Peter Marie Mermier, the founder of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales which manages the St. Thomas Educational Complex, was garlanded by the Chief Guest Rev. Fr. Agnel Simoes, Assistant Parish Priest of St. Thomas Church, Aldona. A short prayer service was conducted by the students on the theme: Living the Legacy of Fr. Peter Marie Mermier – A Life of Mission, Humility and Faith.
The Biblical Concordance which is a reference tool having words from the Bible arranged in an alphabetical order giving their detailed location in the Bible, was unveiled at the hands of the Chief Guest. The author of the Biblical Concordance Mr. Ives Tavares, who was the Guest of Honour, was much appreciated for earning laurels for the Konkani language. In his interview with Tr. Larisa Fernandes, Mr. Tavares spoke about the challenges he had to overcome in creating the concordance as well as his future endeavours, including entering the Guiness Book of World Records. The book which weighs an astounding 200 kgs, with 36,98,550 words, is an international recorder holder. It has several records to its credit such as The Limca Book of Records – Thickest Book 2023, India’s World Record -Longest Book 2021, India Book of Records – Thickest Book 2021, Asia Book of Records – Thickest Book 2021 and Universal Book Forum Records 2022.
Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Sr. Anna D’mello, Principal of St. Bridget Institute Home Nursing Aldona, Fr. Terry Pinto, Mr. Nelson Fernandes – Vice Chairman of the PTA and Senior Teacher Amarnath Panjikar. The Manager of the school Fr. Jerard Sahayraj in his address extended the Founder’s Day greetings and appreciated Mr. Tavares for the colossal work. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest praised the management for doing exceptional work in the field of education. Demonstration on the practical use of the book was given by the author followed by an exhibition of the concordance for the students and dignitaries. Mr. Bonifacio D’cruz introduced the author of the book while Tr. Daryl Abranches proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Tr. Larisa Fernandes.
