St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) celebrated the 77th Independence Day in the university campus on August 15, 2023 with great pomp and participation.

Amid the presence of Jesuit Fathers, Sisters, Officers of the university, faculty members, support staff members, students and other dignitaries, Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of SXUK hoisted the National Flag infront of the Britto House.

The present audience collectively chanted the National Anthem, “Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya Hey….” The security personnel officially honoured the National Flag after the Vice-Chancellor had hoisted the same.

In his Independence Day speech, Father Raj first wished everyone a happy Independence Day. He then addressed the audience with a note on the sacrifices made by the patriots to make our motherland free from the clutches of the foreign rule.

He said, “We are following their footsteps to dedicate our lives for the progress and development of our country”.

Recalling the Jesuit philosophy of forming men and women for others, Father Raj said, “SXUK has carried out a series of activities in last one year to commemorate the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, announced by the Government of India.”

He said, “We have observed the Constitution Day, celebrated the Earth Day and the International Yoga Day where faculty members, support staff and students of this university actively participated.”

Keeping in view the changing pattern of education, he said, “We have commenced the 4-year UG programme from this year. The new curriculum empowers the students to enhance their skills, values, creativity and independent thinking.”

Father Raj said, “SXUK has been continuously working for the development of the higher education. This year, we have awarded UG and PG programme completion degrees to 770 students.”

“Beginning its journey in 2017 with only 400 students, SXUK is now the home to around 4000 students enrolled in 17 different undergraduate and postgraduate programmes,” he further added.

In a historic move on part of the university, Father Raj said, “We have conferred the D.Litt (Honois Causa) on Mamata Banerjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal this year in the fourth Convocation ceremony for her generous contribution in the field of higher education.” “She generously instituted the St. Mother Teresa Chair Professor for peace in the university,” he added.

Praising the research outcomes of the university, Father Raj said, “We are happy to announce that one of our professors, Dr. Manonita Kundu Das has recently coordinated a capacity building project with ICSSR funds.” He further added, “We have started 3 more Ph.D programmes in Law, Social Work and Psychology from this year.”

While talking on the social work carried out by SXUK, Father Raj said, “We have recently conducted a 10-day tailoring workshop for the poor women from the neighbouring villages. This project was in collaboration with Seva Kendra, Kolkata and WBSEDCL.”

Regarding the industry-academia collaboration, Father Raj said, “Our Law School has signed an MoU with the NUJS. Initiated by the Department of Computer Science, we have signed MoU with Webel. We are about to sign an MoU with NKDA for development of New Town.”

Expressing his deep love and care to the alumni members of the university, Father Raj said, “St. Xavier’s University Kolkata Alumni Association has been regularly carrying out series of philanthropic and fellowship activities in and around the city and in different parts of the state. The 3000-member strong association is highly supporting and promoting different academic activities of the university.”

Father Raj equally expressed his deep grief over the recent happenings in Manipur, caused by fundamentalist and divisive forces. He said, “The Independent India is for everyone. Everyone must experience the spirit of freedom. We must be peace-makers spreading harmony, fellowship and brotherhood everywhere.”

While concluding, he quoted the words of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore and advised everyone to stand with a righteous attitude courageously infront of all odds and carry out the work with dedication. He said, “As Xaverians, we must have the courage, freedom and boldness to stand for peace and justice. We must have minds without fear, and hold our heads high to let our country awake.”

Somak Sen.