The state government on Sunday awarded the Shiksharatna award to Father Dominic Savio, the principal St Xavier’s College, and 60 other teachers on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.
“The award has definitely given recognition to the high standard of academics pursued in St Xavier’s College, but also the high values of social commitment the institution instills among its students and alumni,” said Father Dominic Savio.
“We have resolved to sponsor anyone whose parents have passed away due to Covid,” he later told The Telegraph. “The teachers should not restrict themselves to textbook teaching. They need to emerge as friends of the students,” said education minister Bratya Basu, who handed over the award to the recipients.
A few months ago, Father Savio got an opportunity to act in a Bengali film, which was being shot in the portals of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. “Initially I was in a dilemma. But when I got to know that the movie, Mahananda, is based on the life and work of the legendary personality Mahasweta Devi, the writer, social worker and activist who spent her life for the tribals, marginalised and downtrodden, I thought, by taking part in this film, I shall be able to pay my tribute to this warrior.
I really felt so while acting in a very short role and that too of a college professor, which is my actual occupation. So, I was not very nervous because I could do in the shooting what I normally do in the college as a professor,” Father Savio had said in July.
