Annual Sports Day 2011

The annual sports day was held on December 9. The highlight of the event was the colourful march past by over 2000 students.

A video by Vignesh and Sandra of II M S Communication.

Choirs sing for Sikkim earthquake victims

The season of Christmas was ushered in by the annual feature of the festival of carols, Humanitas, on Sunday, December 18. A number of choirs from city colleges took part. The prominent ones were St Joseph's College, St Joseph's College of Commerce, Christ University, Mount Carmel College, Jyoti Nivas, among others.

The choirs sang both traditional as well as contemporary carols, which included Go Tell it on the Mountains, Mary rock your baby, Baby Jesus is born, besides many other renditions that set the mood of Christmas.

This year the collection made from this charity show will be donated to the Sikkim earthquake victims, the organisers said.

Over 2000 students march past at Annual Sports Day

It was indeed a historic day for St Joseph’s College on Friday, as, perhaps, for the first time in its 129 years of existence, over 2000 students from 64 classes took part in a colourful march past at the Annual Sports Meet. It was a sight to watch what with enthusiastic students clad in a variety of attire marching to the beats of the band, filling almost the entire College grounds. What was unique about the whole march past was the fact that even many class mentors marched along with their students, adding to the festive mood on the campus.

The successful march past was the culmination of weeklong practice sessions held repeatedly by the students. In many cases, the teachers took the initiative to teach the students to put the right marching steps. It all ended so well, with almost 100 per cent participation and co-operation both by the students and the teachers.

The Annual Sports Day was inaugurated by Anumpama Shivappa, internationally renowned hockey umpire. In her message she motivated the students to focus on the goal and strive hard to achieve it. “I urge you students to have a goal in anything that you do and work hard to achieve it, no matter what the difficulties are,” she said. She also added that it gave her a special feeling to be part of such a wonderful gathering.

Principal, Fr Daniel Fernandes said that sports day was a special day to recognise the contribution of so many students who brought laurels to the College. “We have so many students who are good in sports and are bringing honour to the Collge. It is our responsibility to recognise their talents and honour them,” he said.

The mood at the inaugural of the Sports Day was one of fun and excitement. Rightly was a student overheard saying, “What a special feeling!”

Festive mood at Alumni Reunion

The annual Alumni Reunion of St Joseph’s College had a festive mood this year what with the entire campus decked up with flags, graffiti, balloons and flex banners. The symbolic College colours blue and white stood out as scores of alumni members trickled in to relive the old memories here on Sunday, October 30. All were in a nostalgic mood, meeting their classmates and teachers, even as the musical band of Fabian and Co went down memory lane playing vintage old numbers like Alice and Hotel California.

Retired teachers Louisa Mathias and Dr Koppikar were felicitated by the Alumni in the morning. The new Principal Fr Daniel Fernandes too was formally welcomed and honoured by the President of the Association Mr Lakshminarayana.

In his address, Fr Fernandes said that the attachment to the institution begins right from the school days itself. “As former students all of you are called to bring about some change in society, especially in the lives of the less fortunate,” he said. He also invited the alumni members to take active role in the growth of the institution and constantly be in touch.

Ms Louisa Mathias and Dr Koppikar relived their memories of their teaching days and agreed that some of their best days were spent in the College.

It was fun and frolic thereafter. The old students, right from 1950s to those who passed out just last year, were seen meeting and reliving their past days. Some of them even agreed that they felt attached to the old campus on Residency Road.

The instant photo session and caricature activities were a big hit among the alumni. Many were seen taking umpteen pictures with their friends and teachers.

A giant LED screen was set up for the audience to watch the live telecast of the inaugural FI race which was won by the Champion Sebastian Vettel of Ref Bull. The chilled beer helped them cool down the excitement.

Most were of the opinion that it was one of the best organised Alumni reunions.

Exodus 2011

Exodus, the Christian festival was held in the campus recently. This year the response was better than any other years. Many colleges from the city took part. St Joseph's College of Commerce was the overall champion.

Independence Day at SJC

The College celebrated the Independence Day with much fanfare. Besides honouring the national flag and remembering the freedom struggle of the great leaders, students also gave expression to their national sentiments through dance and singing.

A video by Sandra, Khubi and Yangzom

Principal calls upon students to become leaders

Principal, Fr Daniel Fernandes has called upon students to be responsible and work towards bringing about harmony and change in India.

He was addressing the students after unfurling the national flag on the occasion of Independence Day celebration in the campus here on Tuesday.

He said: “Our country is a great country. However, evils like corruption have done harm to us. Our own state Karnataka ranks first in the list of most corrupt states. Men like Anna Hazare are working hard to restore the lost pride of our nation and the young people must support him.”

Making reference to the survey conducted by the Times of India which states that rural youth are the most disadvantaged as regards education, he said: “We have 40% our population between the age group on 13 to 35. It is a young nation. The challenge before us is only 11% of the youth make to the higher education. What happens to the other large number of our youth? Either they are unemployed, underemployed. They too have dreams and aspirations like any of us. As we celebrate the Independence day its our responsibility to be sensitive to the youth of our country.”

Fr Principal also said that poverty was yet another major concern in the country and called upon students to contribute their mite to work towards alleviating poverty. "In spite of the progress we see in some pockets our country, there are a large number of our people in the villages and tribal areas who lack basic necessities for a meaningful existence. As responsible citizens of the country we should never loose sight of this fact," he said.

Fr Principal further added, “Ours is a young nation and hence the future lies in the hands of the young. It is, thus, important that young people come forward and join politics and take leadership in this country.”

He also said that education is the key to the future of the country. “Only through education can a nation grow. The government must make sure that all children get education and thus are able to come up in life.”

Protocol Officer, Mr Anuplal led the ceremony to perfection. There was also a short cultural programme after the flag hoisting where students from the Cultural Committee sang patriotic songs and performed a dance.