Think global, not local to keep pace with the changing times.
This was the mantra that Father Alex Ekka, director of XISS, gave to the 1,000-odd students of St Xavier's College, Ranchi, who had gathered for their graduation ceremony on the Purulia Road campus on Monday.
"Autonomous St Xavier's College has been recognised globally. Hence, you should think globally. Change is the law of nature and one must learn to keep pace with change. But, you should keep your values intact so that it guides you wherever you go," said Father Ekka who was the guest of honour at the ceremony for the 2013 batch.
The convocation was attended by 1,312 students, half the total strength of around 2,600 graduates (2010-13) and postgraduates (2011-13). But, enthusiasm was no less, especially among girls who outshone boys.
The toppers of all the 31 undergraduate and postgraduate disciplines received gold medals. Among them 26 were girls. They received their medals and certificates from the chief guest, Ranchi University (RU) vice chancellor Ramesh Kumar Pandey.
Admitting the delay in the RU convocation for those who completed graduation, postgraduation and vocational courses in 2013, for which St Xavier's had to wait to go ahead with its own ceremony, Pandey said they were trying their best to regularise the system.
Addressing the students, the vice chancellor said there was no alternative to hard work. "One has to strive hard to achieve the desired goal. This college has developed in terms of infrastructure and is getting better with each passing year. Students should avail of the facilities for their academic growth," he said.
Echoing the XISS director, Pandey added students should adopt modernity, keeping traditional values intact. "Don't get disturbed by adversities as life is full of challenges. We all know challenges make life meaningful. We are not supposed to succumb to it, but face it without fear. Education helps us sail through hard times," said the VC.
The two-year delay in organising the graduation ceremony led almost half the students of 2013 batch to skip the function. There were many who had left the city for higher education but some made it to the ceremony.
Shreya Jessica Dhan, who topped in MA (political science) with 72.2 per cent, came from JNU, New Delhi, where she is pursuing MPhil.
Another gold medallist, Sazia Sana (graduate in video production and mass communication with 77.92 per cent marks), came with her mother Rizwana Tarannum who her daughter was the only girl in their family who was pursuing higher education.
St Xavier's principal Nicholas Tete and pro-vice chancellor M. Raizzuddin were among other dignitaries present on the occasion.
