By Carol D'Mello & Flexcia D'souza
St. Xavier’s College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mapusa, held its annual Cultural inaugural programme on Saturday in the college seminar hall. Archbishop Emeritus Raul Gonsalves was the chief guest for the programme. College alumnus Mr. Sandeep Jacques, Director, Municipal Administrations, was the guest of honour.
Principal of the college, Dr. (Fr.) Walter de Sa, in his address, welcomed the eminent personalities. “This is a proud moment and a moment of great joy as the college is celebrating its 50th year, the year of the Golden Jubilee,” Fr. Walter said in his opening speech. “There is no substitute to education. Education is the key instrument, and the only instrument of change. St. Xavier’s, going by its motto, formation for transformation, has since its inception tried to provide a holistic and value-based education to all those who enter into the portals of this institution of higher learning,” he added.
The programme was inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp at the hands of the chief guest, guest of honour and newly appointed general secretary of the college.
Mr. Sandeep Jacques in his address to the students said, “I am proud to be a product of this institution and one should always set high goals and never give up. The youth are the building blocks of the state, and college is the place for them to be groomed. It is important to excel in academics but most important to be an all-rounder by being involved in co-curricular activities.
The college felicitated meritorious students, who secured distinction in the final year, at the hands of the chief guest and guest of honour. Appreciating the meritorious students, Archbishop Emeritus Raul Gonsalves said, “I congratulate the students for their excellence in academics. We should emulate the good students to perform better. Through my observation I have noticed the girls are more in number as compared to the boys. Hence, the boys should overcome or emulate the girls. None should go down, all should do better. One should value excellence, and intelligence has to go with character, use knowledge for the good of the society.”
The youthful students of the college put up a cultural programme that included an invocation dance, Marathi skit, mime, dance and choral piece. The stage performances were collectively presented by the various clubs and associations of the college.
