Living the 150th year: St Xavier's College to have 365 days of festivities

City's iconic St Xavier's College, which was established in 1869, will witness a year of festivities as it enters its 150th academic year. Well-known alumni of the college had gathered on Thursday, to launch the sesquicentennial celebrations just as the heritage building underwent extensive facade-cleaning.

The college, known for its Arts stream and its ever-increasing cut-offs for admission, had a humble beginning with two students in the year 1869, about 20 years before the grand Victoria Terminus (presently CSMT) station was inaugurated. It then grew not only in stature but also came to be known for academic excellence and the liberal values that it bore.

"The events which include a tri-lingual theatre festival, an inaugural mass, a social sciences forum, a classical music concert have been spread across the calendar, to mark the 150th year," said Fr Roy Pereira, Vice Principal, St Xavier's College, who is coordinating the sesquicentennial celebrations and presenting the theme 'Made of Xavier's' intended to reach to the wide-spread alumni of the college.

A new logo of the college, inspired by the heritage building's arches, was unveiled by Josy Paul, National Creative Director, BBDO India, also an alumni of the college.

The alumni who attended the launch came from different backgrounds both professionally and ideologically. Ashish Bhasin (Chairman, Denstu Aegis Network), Dr Swati Piramal (a scientist and vice chairperson Piramal Enterprises), Shaina NC (BJP spokesperson and fashion designer) were among those present.

"This college apart from the love for History which I developed here, gave me an opportunity in the field of Social Work. I was associated with the Social Service League when I was as student and the feeling of compassion is something that this college imparted into me." said Anu Aga, a businesswomen and a social worker, who retired as the chairperson of Thermax Ltd. in August.

Vice Principal Pereira, also expressed hope that soon the college which is currently autonomous will receive full-university status. In the meanwhile the college has doubled its efforts to reach out to alumni across the country and even abroad, to connect and raise funds.

"We are increasing our presence on social media and enabling digital payment facilities to ease fundraising which is needed for the plans such as an incubation centre for startups which we intend to setup soon." said the Vice Principal.

Aditya Thackeray, president of the youth wing of Shiv Sena, also an alumni, offered to work out a partnership between the BMC and the college, in setting up the incubation centre.

STORY OF HERITAGE

• The college, known for its Arts stream & its ever-increasing cut-offs for admission, had a humble beginning with two students in the year 1869, about 20 yrs before the grand Victoria Terminus (presently CSMT) station was inaugurated
   
• Now, the college has doubled its efforts to reach out to alumni in country & abroad, to raise funds