Bangalore: Rahul Dravid Expresses Gratitude to Jesuits in SJCC

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Sep 16: Former Captain of Indian Cricket Team Rahul Dravid, a student of premier institution for commerce education St Joseph’s Commerce College in Bangalore, expressed his gratitude to the Jesuit priests of the College, especially the support and encouragement received by him from the then Principal and faculty of the College, for moulding his personality.

Dravid, the 1994 batch alumni of the college, who has been nicknamed The Wall for his tenacity in the cricket batting skills, was the chief guest at the 40th anniversary of the St Joseph’s Commerce College on Saturday.

In a thoughtful speech, Dravid recounted his memories as a student, his cricketing days and passion for cricket and the values that he had learnt from the Jesuits and the teaching faculty of the college.

''The most outstanding feature of SJCC in particular and almost all educational institutions run by the Jesuits was academic studies as well as sports were given equal importance. In addition, emphasis was given to helping students to actively participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, especially social work and helping the poor and needy,” he said pointing out that the end result was the total development of the students as exemplary role models.

In a lighter vein, he said the importance given to sports and academics by the SJCC had helped him excelling in studies with an overall score of 72 per cent despite his busy cricketing activities.

The college, run by the Bangalore Education Society of Jesus, came into existence in 1972 as an independent institution acquiring the status of Autonomy in the year 2005. It was reaccredited with ‘A’ grade by NAAC in the year 2010, the 40 fruitful years has seen SJCC excelling in various streams from strengthening student intake and achieving academic excellence in curriculum development to meet industrial requirements. Academic excellence of staff in obtaining higher professional degrees, undertaking research work and conducting seminars and workshops are other hallmarks of the SJCC.

Several retired principals, teaching faculty and administrative staff, including Fr Walter Andrade, SJ, Dr Eugence Lobo, SJ, Dr Daniel Fernandes, SJ, Prof G K Govinda Rao, Dr T V Narasimha Rao were felicitated for their long association with SJCC.

''What we teach in class is subject and what we teach outside is what trains the students to become men and women for others,” said Prof G K Govinda Rao, who brought back the memories of the College and his experience with students.

Leading Chartered Account Padam Chand Khincha, who is also an old Alumni of SJCC, experience of a student with the teachers will be remembered as a learning for life. Looking ahead into the future, he stressed that areas like curriculum development, research and development, entrepreneurship development should have more focus.

Rector of the Bangalore Jesuit Educational Society and Chairman of the SJCC Research Team Dr Stany D’Souza, SJ, quipped that the College has ''Become Owner’s Pride and Neighbors Envy” like the tagline of a popular television brand.

''Education in SJCC is not merely imparting information, it is an inseparable mix of faith and toil. The Five Cs of Competence, conscience compassion, commitment and creativity, blended together have made a marked difference to the society,” he said.

Fr Sunith Prabhu, SJ, Director, welcomed while College Principal Dr Lily N David proposed a vote of thanks.