St Xavier's School, Hazaribagh, can now boast a state-of-the-art auditorium, inaugurated on its campus on Thursday amid huge fanfare to mark the 64th establishment day of the cradle.
Built at Rs 11 crore and designed by Ranchi-based Rajeev Chadda and Associates, the auditorium is spread over an area of 45,000 square feet with a tiered seating arrangement to accommodate 1,800.
Though the sound and light work is still pending, the facility was officially thrown open in the day as part of the 64th establishment day celebrations.
Bishop of Hazaribagh Diocese Rt. Rev. Anand Jojo did the honours by lighting a lamp and planting saplings in the presence of Rev. Father Francis Kurien S.J, the provincial superior of Hazaribagh Jesuits. Vinoba Bhave University vice chancellor Gurdeep Singh, BSF DIG Ajeet Kumar Tete, commandant of the CRPF 22 battalion Munna Kumar Singh and school principal Father P.J. James, among others, were also present.
Addressing the gatherings, Father James said the sprawling facility would be used for only educational activities.
"We had held a competition among the students, asking them to suggest names for this new structure. A 7th grader, Ritu Raj suggested six different names. We clubbed two of his suggestions to christen it Magis Jubilee Auditorium. Magis is a Latin word that means more or better. I hope this auditorium will inspire generations to come, besides fulfilling the requirement of the school for the next fifteen years," he said, thanking all those parents and former students who contributed for this project.
According to school authorities, the old auditorium, which was constructed in 60s, have a seating capacity of only 500. Thus, this big auditorium was planned. The foundation for the facility was laid during the school's diamond jubilee celebrations on January 28, 2012, while construction began in April 2014.
"The school organises several functions. Erecting shamianas for every occasion is neither feasible nor advisable for security reasons," the principal said.
Later, all those who were associated with the project were felicitated while students presented plays and other cultural programmes. CRPF commandant Singh released the school souvenir.
