Jamshedpur, Aug. 29: Jamshedpur's largest auditorium was inaugurated today by Tata Steel managing director T.V. Narendran on the premises of Loyola School in Bistupur.

The three-storied air-conditioned Fasy Auditorium, named after the older one which was demolished in 2012 to make way for this, is one with world-class facilities, can seat 1,578, at least 170 more than Tata Auditorium.

Principal Father Sebastian Puthenpura maintained the auditorium would not be let out on commercial purposes, as they were a Jesuit organisation. "But any educational institution can approach the school managing committee to stage their functions," he explained.

The new auditorium, spread over 2,953 sq metres, has been built at a cost of over Rs 6 crore. Construction started on December 1, 2012, and was completed a week ago.

Apart from two green rooms on the second floor, the auditorium also has four special classrooms - for music, activity, reading and computer.

A Calcutta-based company has installed a sophisticated sound system with separate equalisers for around eight amplifiers. Special microphones with ability to catch high-resolution sound have also been installed, besides special absorption and reflection panels for better acoustics.

The hall also boasts of a huge projection screen of 27x24sqft on the main stage. For illumination, energy efficient LED lights have been used.

Father Sebastian was particularly happy to note that the school could now host the national ICSE school principals' meet, usually attended by around 1,500 principals from across the country.

"It was not possible to host such a huge gathering in any school properly. We can now host such meets at the school campus itself," he said, adding that construction work was in line with the Jesuit theme of excellence.

"For imbibing leadership qualities, one needs non-linear growth that goes beyond academics. All the schools, nowadays, conduct extra-curricular activities and a hall of such magnitude will help students excel in theatre, elocution, debate and quiz,"?the principal added.

Narendran claimed that Loyola was one of the best cradles in the city that boasts of many good schools. He asked the school to impart knowledge on futuristic lines.

"Knowledge is the biggest differentiator today. One can succeed by planning and thinking about future. The role of schools and colleges is going to change manifold in the digitalised economy and it should impart value-based education," said Narendran.