Students and staff members of North Bengal St Xavier’s College (NBSXC), Rajganj and Siliguri campuses, on Monday marked an end to celebrations that they had kicked off to mark the 10 glorious years of the premium educational institution in north Bengal.
‘X-hilaration-2018,’ which the college held at the Dinabandhu Mancha here last evening, was the culmination of a series of events that marked the 10 years of service the college rendered to students of the region.
“Celebrations began in August last year with an interschool and inter-college debate, and collage and chess competitions.
On 21 December last year, a rally was organized with the theme ‘Peace and Harmony’ from Baghajatin Park to our college campus at Gurung Basti in Siliguri and 43 students donated blood then,” NBSXC Principal Father Joseph Victor (SJ) said in his welcome address.
According to him, the NBSXC was established in 2007 with 150 students. Today, the college offers 12 honours courses in Arts, Science and Commerce departments, apart from the electives, to 1069 students.
“I am proud to say that in the last six batches, 13 of our students emerged university toppers with eight gold medals and five silver medals.
Among these proud toppers are 11 girls and two boys,” Fr Victor said. ‘X-hilaration-2018’ was inaugurated at the Dinabandhu Mancha in the presence of other guests, including Bishop Vincent Aind of the Bagdogra Catholic Diocese, Father John Wilfred Lobo (SJ), Provincial, Darjeeling Jesuit Provincial, Matigara, Father Donatus Kujur (SJ), the Principal of St Joseph’s College, Darjeeling, Father Gabrial Tirkey (SJ) Superior of the Jesuit Community, Rajganj, and Dr Sandhya Rai, Principal, Loyola College of Educaiton, Namchi, Sikkim.
A musical event led by Meer and Bandage group members from Kolkata was the main attraction of the cultural programme.
Students of NBSXC were no less than the professional musical performers, as participants like Shreyashi Dhar Sharma, who played a classical piece on her violin, Samartritha Dutta and Piuli Biswas, who presented dances, and staff member Mitali S Majumdar who made a Bengali recitation drew the attention of the audience.
The audience also appreciated the performance of the College Band, ‘Silent Scissors.’ On the other hand, a gallery of photographs of the NBSXC on the theme “The biodiversity campus life and some special moments” earned plaudits.
College officials said the photo exhibition was the result of hard work put in by Saikat Roy, Sylvia Raha, Ananya Das and Debotri Roy under the leadership of Aparna Chatterjee.
Intellectuals also visited the gallery last evening, and one of them, Abhijit Majumdar, associated with the English department of Silliguri College, appreciated the overall presentation of the photographs and art work.