Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Feb 27: A splendid event marked the annual day celebrations of St Joseph Engineering College, held at the College premises in Vamanjoor here on Friday, February 26.

Addressing the gathering, chief guest Dr Richard Vincent D'Souza, IAS, joint commissioner (West) BBMP, Bengaluru, said, "It gives me immense joy to be part of this annual day celebration. In a short span of 14 years this College has reached great heights. It is not an easy task. This excellence comes because of the achievements of the students.

"In India we have excelled in technology in every sector, be it agriculture, aerospace or any other field. We have achieved this excellence because of our engineers. We have made infinite number of achievements as a country in many fields. Our GDP has grown to 8 percent, while that of many developed countries is at a standstill," he said.

"The need of the hour is good administration. Good administration can come only when talented youngsters like you join the Indian Administrative Service or Karnataka Administrative Service. We require entrepreneurs in our country. You should think about becoming a job giver to many. I congratulate the institution on its achievements, it has great faculty and staff which has enabled it to achieve this excellency," he added.

Guest of honour D B Mehta, president, CREDAI, Mangaluru, said, "It is kind of nostalgic whenever I attend a college day function. It reminds me of my college days, the trouble we used to be to the faculty. I recall the year 1986, I was one of the recipients of the meritorious award from the Bombay University. I was the topper in the Bombay University in final year of BCom. My heartiest congratulations to students who have been awarded for their excellent performance in academics and co-curricular activities.

"When I was practicing as a chartered accountant I used to interact with government officers, that is IRS officers, and I wondered how life would be on the other side. So that was challenge to me, I asked myself why I could not be on the other side. Accepting a challenge is the road to success. The day you stop accepting challenges, your journey to success comes to a halt. I worked as an IRS officer in different capacities. When the department was not posing any challenge to me, I was just an employee and not an employer. I wanted to be employer, so in the year 2001 I started my journey as an entrepreneur.

"Here is a message to all you aspiring youngsters - what you begin with, you need not end with. I am happy and proud being an entrepreneur for 14 years. We pay Rs 2 crore as income tax to the government and employee 100-plus people directly or indirectly. This is self-actualization to me and it gives me satisfaction that I indirectly help 100-plus families. You have to grapple with this point in life - what is success and what is self actualization for you. I was successful as a chartered accountant, as a bureaucrat, as an entrepreneur. But I felt self-actualization in giving employment to many. You will be determining your own success, your own self actualization which you should follow. With these few words I wish all the students a bright career," he said.

Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Mangaluru in his presidential address said, "I am delighted to be part of the 14th college day celebrations of SJEC. We have two eminent personalities here. I thank them for their presence and message, it has indeed been a motivation to the students. I want to thank the director, assistant director, principal, vice-principal, staff and faculty. It is your efforts and contribution that have resulted in this achievement. I congratulate the students who have excelled in the academics and co-curricular activities. I advise you students to study well; we want you to be achievers and not just performers. Let us remain thankful to the lord and our patron for guiding us all these years."

Students who achieved laurels in various spheres like sports, cultural activities and academics were honoured on the occasion. Dr Richard Vincent D'Souza and D B Mehta were felicitated.

Director of SJEC Fr Joseph J Lobo welcomed the guests. Principal Dr Joseph Gonsalvis read out the annual report.

Vice-principal Dr Rio D'Souza, Fr Rohith D'Costa and others were present.