College celebrates Dalai Lama's birthday

For the first time in the history of SJC, the students of North East and Tibetan Forum (NETF) came together to celebrate the 76th birthday of the Dalai Lama, here on Wednesday.

The programme, which was scheduled to be held at the quadrangle was later organised at themultipurpose hall due to sudden rainfall. However, this did not dampen the excitement among the students.

Fr Daniel Fernandes , Principal of SJC and N Dhondup , Director of the Tibetan Youth Hostel, were the chief guests at the event.

Adressing the students, Fr Fernandes said, "I am happy to see that you have wonderfully preserved the Tibetan culture and tradition. I encourage all the Tibetan students to work hard in promoting the Tibetan culture and keep the dream of going back to a free Tibet always alive."

Speaking about the importance of celebrating this day, Mr Dhondup, said, "Today is a very special day for all the Tibetans living in exile. It is because of him that we have an identity in India. We look up to him as our spiritual leader and saviour. Therefore every year we celebrate his birthday, wishing for his long life and happiness."

Overwhelmed by the response, Phuntsok Tashi, co-ordinator of (NETF), said , "The turn out was huge. I deeply thank Fr Daniel for his support, without whom this event would not have been a success. "

- Srividya and Yangzom, II M S Com

Students Council sworn in for the academic year

“Leadership in a Jesuit institution is a vital role. As leaders, you are not here to garner glory, but to serve the student community,” said Fr Daniel Fernandes, Principal of St Joseph’s College at the inauguration of the Students Council here on Saturday. He was addressing a gathering of over 200 student leaders who were present at the investiture ceremony.

Fr Stany D' Souza SJ, the chief guest

Speaking to the numerous elected student representatives, Fr Fernandes urged them to uphold the tenets of accountability and responsibility in the execution of their work. He emphasised the need for the Student Council members to be sensitive to the concerns of their fellow students. “It is your duty to make every student feel at home in the campus. If you are not able to represent their needs to the staff, you will be failing in your position,” he said.

Fr Staney D’Souza, Rector, St Joseph’s Indian Composite College, who was the Chief Guest at the function, also offered advice to the Student Council members for the forthcoming academic year. “Leaders become great when they create a vision for themselves and set out to actualise it in their daily life. Leadership is the ability to see possibilities around and recognise potential in yourself and in your companions,” he said.

Reflecting on the role of students in the administration and functioning of a college, Fr D’Souza used the analogy of teamwork in sports. “Education is not a 100 meter dash or a relay race. It is more like a three-legged race. Students and teachers must think and feel together to create an atmosphere conducive to growth,” he said.

The oath taking ceremony was administered by Syed Wajeed, Department of Microbiology to the academic representatives, by Godwin D’Souza, Department of Electronics for the class representatives of UG, by Dr Fariyal Shaikh, HOD of Hindi Department for the cultural representatives, Dr Beatrice Sequeira, Department of Microbiolgy for the class representatives of PG and Mr Newton, Department of Physical Education for the sports department.

All the students who were in attendance for the event were primed with a sense of eagerness towards carrying out their role in the coming academic year. As Suhas H.V., an academic representative from III PCM, pointed out, “We recognise that as members of the Students Council, we act as a bridge between other students and the staff. We hope to achieve this objective to the fullest.”

- Parinitha Shinde, II M S Com

- pics by Supriya and Vignesh, II M S Com