The 67th Republic Day of our country
was celebrated in SJEC on 26th January, 2016 at 8:30 am. Dr Sudheer
M., Head of the Department, Mechanical Engineering graced the occasion as Chief
Guest. Rev. Fr Rohith D’Costa, Assistant Director – SJEC and Dr Rio D’Souza,
Vice-Principal – SJEC, were the other dignitaries. The proceedings were
organized by the Physical Education Directors of SJEC, Ms Vaneesha Rodrigues
and Mr Sachin S. Nayak.
The ceremony commenced with a patriotic song
“Saarejahan se achha, hindostan hamaara”, which set the spirt of the Day. Dr
Sudheer M, hoisted the National Flag. The Security Team – SJEC led the
gathering in saluting the National Flag and rendering the National Anthem.
In his address, Dr Sudheer paid tribute to the
contributions and sacrifices of our great freedom fighters in liberating us
from the tyranny of colonial rule. He reminded the gathering about the history
regarding the birth of our Constitution; from the setting up of the Constituent
Assembly consisting of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, in 1947, to the subsequent adoption of
the Constitution in January 26th, 1950 to become the modern Republic
of India with the declaration of being a sovereign, socialist, secular, and
democratic country. Dr Sudheer spoke
about the significance of democracy, which provides the people the supreme will
to elect their leaders to run the country and take the nation forward.
He spoke about the vision, Dr Rajendra Prasad,
the first President of India, had for the country in 1951, and the fact that,
even today, we as citizens of this country are left fighting to eliminate the evils
of corruption and violence that continue to plague our society. Dr Sudheer told
the gathering that we as citizens need to make and uphold an oath to eradicate
corruption, violence in the form of theft, violence in the form of strikes and
destruction of public properties, violence in the form of rape and crime
against women. The urgent need to work together to eliminate poverty and
illiteracy, as mission 2020, was also highlighted. Dr Sudheer quoted the Former
President of India, Late. Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam, in highlighting the
all-important role of three persons; the father, mother, and the teacher, in
the transformation of society and country.
As responsible citizens, Dr Sudheer requested
all gathered, to renew the tasks at hand with greater vigor to make India a
world power, to take India to its rightful place in world order, and to make
this country a better place to live for the generations to come. Dr Sudheer
signed off by thanking the Management-SJEC and the Administration for the
opportunity and concluded by wishing everybody present a very happy Republic
Day 2016.
Sweets were distributed amidst music, laughter,
happiness and patriotic fervor all around!
Ms Nisha Jennifer Roche, Assistant Professor in
the Department of Computer Science was the emcee for the event and also offered
the vote of thanks.