St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) celebrated the 75th Republic Day in the university campus on January 26, 2024 with great pomp and ceremony.

Hon’ble Justice Dr. Sambuddha Chakrabarti, former Judge of the Calcutta High Court was invited as the Chief Guest in this programme.

The celebration started with the hoisting of the National Flag by Rev Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of SXUK infront of the Chief Guest, Fathers and Sisters, faculty members, support staff members and students. Everyone sang the National Anthem collectively.

While delivering the welcome address, Father Raj said, “This day is very significant to us because 75 years ago, on this day, our leaders declared that India is a country of the people, by the people and for the people.”

While narrating the significance of the Republic Day, Father Raj said, “Loyalty and dedication begin from our homes and from our institutions where we study and work. Every little drop of water makes a mighty ocean. So, every drop is important and precious to build the nation.”

Justice Dr. Sambuddha Chakrabarti said, “In December 1929, Pundit Nehru declared that ‘purna swaraj’ would be the goal of Congress. Accordingly, it was decided to hoist the flag on the last Sunday of the month of January, 1930. This fell on January 26. Thereafter, till India attained independence in 1947, for all the 17 years 26th of January was observed as the ‘purna swaraj’ day.”

Justice Chakrabarti further said, “In the memory of ‘purna swaraj’ day, the Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. Thus, we resolved to constitute India into a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic country.”

While concluding his speech, he mentioned, “I end with a sense of re-assurance that despite everything India has truly come up to its present position and is now an international entity to be reckoned with all seriousness. She has come out from her age-old image of the yester years and has made unprecedented progress in various branches of science and learning.”

The vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Mario Martin Louis.

Somak Sen.