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Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee at the convocation of St. Xavier's College

The 5th Convocation and Valedictory
January 20, 2012
(By a Staff Reporter):

The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee was the chief guest for the fifth Convocation and Valedictory 2012 of St. Xavier's College/Kolkata on January 20. While lauding the quality education at St. Xavier's, she said, "I will be delighted td see St. Xavier's as a University. I want Xavier's on the top". The faculty members and students responded with thunderous applause. She asked Prof. Suranjan Das, Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University and Fr. Felix Raj, SJ, Principal of the College to formally prepare the documents in this regard and send it to the department of education.

To Fr. Felix Raj's request for more land to set up another campus, Miss Banerjee said, "Let me look into the matter. I will go through the files and surely help Xavier's". Mamata connected well with the students who had gathered to receive their graduate and post-graduate degrees. "If .St. Xavier's becomes a university, it will enhance the prestige of Bengal. I want Xavier's to enter the international arena and become a world-class university," a smiling Mamata said.

In her speech she expressed her eagerness to .remain associated with the College, and requested Father Felix Raj for an associate membership of the College's Alunini/ae Association. Her request was promptly accepted by Father Principal who officially conferred on her the status of "the first associate member" of the St. Xavier's College's Aluinm/ae Association.

A total of 1678 students received their degrees from the Vice Chancellor of the Calcutta University. The Chief Minister advised the students not to forget Bengal after completing their education. "The world will open up for you, but you should always remain faithful to Xaverian spirit and help your state reach greater heights. The Government needs people like you" she said:

She also recounted fond memories of her visit to the College on December 19, 2010, for the Christmas function.

A Xaverian, Sanjiv Goenka, industrialist, and governing body member of the College received the 'Nihil Ultra Award' for 2012 from the Chief Minister.

The ceremony was professionally planned  and beautifully executed, "one of the best in the last ten years" as some in the audience remarked. Fr. Felix Raj, the Principal gives the credit to his staffs and students for such a wonderful performance.
 

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St. Xavier's College, Kolkata
(Autonomous)

FIFTH CONVOCATION &
VALEDICTORY 2012


Chief Guest :
Ms. Mamata Banerjee
Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal

Presided by
Prof. Suranjan Das
Hon'ble Vice Chanchellor,
University of Calcutta

Friday, 20th January, 2012, 12 Noon