Beyond Boundaries III, the annual global convention of St. Xavier's College (Calcutta) Alumni Association hosted by Singapore Chapter was held in the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore on the 11th to the 13th of May, 2012. Rev. Fr. Dr. J. Felix Raj, S.J, led a delegation of 100 Xaverians from Kolkata including JAAI President Naresh Gupta. Members from Bangalore, Bangladesh, Dubai, Mumbai apart from Singapore flocked in to make the conference of the most well organised and attended chapters of beyond Boundaries.
Welcomed by the traditional Lion Dancers of Singapore, the conference started with a bang – the morning session being graced by the Hon. Deputy High Commissioner of India in Singapore, where the traditional lamp was lit. Danseuse Jaya Seal Ghosh performed the traditional Ganesh Vandana to invoke the spirits for the success of the event.
The Global Xaverian Awards were conferred upon Mr. Ashoke Mitra, currently settled in Indonesia and Sayeed Manzoor Elahi of Bangladesh, for their outstanding achievements in the true Xaverian spirit of Nihil Ultra (Nothing Beyond).
“Success Beyond Boundaries” a panel discussion comprising of Sanjeev Sanyal, Sandip Roy and Arvind Agarwal, Moderated by Abhijit Ghosh with inimitable participation of Rev. Fr. Dr. S. Xavier, SJ had the audience enthralled.
“Beautiful Bengal” – the Xaverian tribute to the home state was chaired by Hon. Father, Rev. Dr. J. Felix Raj, S. J. The Hon. Minister of Industries, Government of West Bengal who flew all the way from Kolkata to participate, saw a galaxy of industrialists from Bengal and beyond, along with representatives of three trade bodies sharing the dais. The first of its kind, the event was an effort by the alumni of an institution to attract investments for the home state, by highlighting the opportunities that Bengal has to offer. The event was graced by the Indian High Commissioner in Singapore, Hon. Mr. T. C. A. Raghavan and was generated a good amount of interest among the local industrialists.
The evening was rendered memorable by the up and coming Xaverian duo “You & I” who harmonized popular numbers with their raga roots in the most melodious manner.
The All Chapters Meet witnessed the spirit of Nihil Ultra, when within a matter of minutes, Xaverians from around the world pledged INR 42 lakhs for the college. The occasion was the launch of “Lakshya” where Xaverians can personally or collectively pay the College INR one lakh or more. It is my ardent request to all of you to take part in this movement. Matters concerning the college, the alumni movement and the developmental programmes in hand were discussed threadbare.
Usha Uthup and Xaverian Bikram Ghosh set the stage on fire as Xaverians dropped all inhibitions and danced their way to nirvana. Arindam Sil as the master of ceremonies excelled in his inimitable was as Nusrat Jahan added the glamour. The duo auctioned a painting of college alumnus Rabindra Nath Tagore and a cricket bat signed by Sourav Ganguly to raise another INR 9.5 lakhs for the college.
The event could not have been such a huge success without the active participation of every member of the Singapore Chapter, led from the front by Sunil Patwari and Promod Gopalan, who ignited the spirit of Nihil Ultra in Singapore.
Beyond Boundaries IV will be held in London in 2013. The Global Xaverian Award will be conferred on Mr. L.N.Mittal and Mr.Sanjeev Goenka.
The US Chapter of the Alumni Association, our sixth international chapter will be unveiled on the 8th of July, 2012 in Las Vegas. It is my request to all of you to mail us the contact id’s of any Xaverian that you may know in the United States so that we may invite them to be a part of this momentous event.
With Best Regards,
Firdausul Hasan
Hon. Secretary
SXCCAA
City:
- Singapore