Golden Jubilee Report
St. Xavier's High School, Kolhapur celebrated its Golden Jubilee on the 1st and 2nd December 2007. The staff, students and the ex-Students under the enlightened guidance of Fr. Thomas Salve, S. J., the Manager, planned for the memorable event.
On the first day, Fr. Bertie Rozario, S. J. celebrated a memorial Eucharist at 8.00 a. m. remembering the departed Staff and Students, Thereafter an innovative Torch Rally was organized through the main streets of Kolhapur along with the display of nine Floats prepared by the students depicting ' Global Warming - threat to environment ' It was the first Rally of its kind in the city. The Students and the ex-students joined the Rally in overwhelming numbers in the special T-Shirts made for the occasion. Photo Exhibition of rare photos from 1957 was organized. It was very much appreciated and pulled a lot of attendance.
The evening function was a grand celebration with Fr. Bertie Rozario, S. J. presiding over the programme. The other dignitaries like Padmashri Pratapsinh Jadhav, His Excellency Shahu Maharaj, Raje Vikramsinh and the Vice Chancellor of Shivaji University graced the function. The presence of Fr. Apollo Cardozo, S. J., Fr. Robert Das, S. J., Fr. James Thorat, S. J., Fr. Denis Borges, S. J., Br. Dias Ephiphanio S. J., Br. Eric D'Silva, S. J. and Fr. Mathew Paruvanani, S. J. who had served the Institution as Principals and Vice Principals, added joy to the atmosphere. The School Students beautifully performed ten Folk Dances depicting Indian Culture. The Non Principal Jesuits and Ex-teachers who served the Institution more than thirty years were felicitated. The Vice Principal Fr. Ratnakar, S. J. revived old memories of the School. Mr. Anthony and Mrs. Clara compered the programme.
On the second day, Holy Mass was offered for the Community in the Church on the occasion of the Feast of St. Francis Xavier. Thereafter lunch was served and games were held for the Parishioners in the Church Campus. Meanwhile the Ex-students came on their bicycles to School, held a School Assembly, Sports and Games to glimpse into the past. The event ended with a variety Entertainment Show put up by the ex-students in the evening followed by the dinner on the Lush Green Lawn in the School Campus.
The involvement of the Ex-students in the entire event was noteworthy. They set aside their ages and their busy schedule and dedicated themselves totally to planning and implementation. The School Campus was bubling with life inspite of the vacations. The enthusiasm reached its culmination on the two days of the event. One could notice the attachment of the ex-students to the institution when the tears glistened in their eyes in the memory of the past. It was but another unforgettable episode that will make a permanent print in the chest of memories of all those who witnessed the grand event.
The best out come of the event is the, ex-students' resolve to organize themselves for the progress of the Institution.
By Mr. Wilson D’souza & Mr. Anthony D’souza.