St Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), Mangaluru, celebrated the 80th Independence Day of India with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour on 15th August 2026 at the College Basketball Court.
Rev. Fr. Kenneth Rayner Crasta, Assistant Director, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. He was joined by Rev. Fr. Wilfred Prakash D'Souza, Director of SJEC; Dr. Rio D'Souza, Principal; and Dr. K. Jyothi, Dean – Student Welfare, as the Guests of Honour.
The dignitaries were formally escorted to the flag post by CDT. Vigneshwar Vijay Mayekar, CDT. Anya H. Kottary, CDT. Hrithika S, and CDT. Aakanksh Domnic. The National Flag was hoisted by the Chief Guest, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Rayner Crasta, followed by the singing of the National Anthem with great pride and unity by the gathering.
The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome address by Ms. K. Sanvi Rai, IV Year ECE.
As a mark of deep respect, the Chief Guest and other dignitaries offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. Their enduring vision of justice, equality, democracy, and non-violence continues to inspire the nation.
Cadet Under Officer Sanjay Yokesh G of the SJEC Air Wing invited the Chief Guest to inspect the SJEC NCC Troop. Following the inspection, the NCC cadets presented a formal Guard of Honour. The two troops were led by Cadet Captain Devesh Yadav of the Naval Wing and Cadet Corporal Vijeth P. Devadig of the Air Wing.
Inspiring Address by the Chief Guest Rev. Fr. Kenneth Rayner Crasta evoked a strong sense of patriotism among the audience and encouraged students to embrace the spirit of learning, adoption, adaptation, and innovation. He urged them to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world and challenged them to contribute actively towards building the nation.
Addressing the students, he emphasized the importance of education and knowledge in bringing about meaningful progress. He encouraged the students to dream big and believe that nothing is impossible when they are willing to learn, work hard, and transform their ideas into reality. As future engineers, he urged them to acquire knowledge and use it constructively for the development of the country.
He also highlighted the importance of teamwork and collaboration, drawing attention to the value of group projects in engineering education. He explained that working together helps students learn how to build stronger teams and communities, qualities that are essential for building a stronger India.
The Chief Guest specially appreciated the SJEC NCC cadets who had returned to the college despite the vacation period to participate in the Independence Day celebrations. He described their commitment and presence as an inspiration to others. He also appreciated the achievements of the college's recent NCC achiever who had joined the Indian Army, recognizing the dedication and service of the cadets.
Concluding his address, he called upon the students to dream big, continue learning, work together, and take up the responsibility of contributing to a stronger India. He extended his warm wishes to everyone on the occasion of Independence Day.
A soulful patriotic song by the College Choir further elevated the spirit of the celebration, filling the atmosphere with a profound sense of national pride and unity.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Aditi Jagadish Netrakar, Master of Ceremonies, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, dignitaries, NCC cadets, faculty members, students, and all those who contributed to the successful celebration.
The celebration successfully imbibed the spirit of patriotism, unity, responsibility, and national pride among all present. As a gesture of joy and togetherness, sweets were distributed to everyone at the end of the programme.
