‘Be Men & Women For Others’- the Mission of Jesuits’- St Aloysius College New Rector Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto SJ, during Investiture Ceremony of Students’ Council 2020-2021, held on 22 September 2020 at 3 pm
Mangaluru: Today at St Aloysius Institutions, Mangaluru, the prime educational objective is to form men-and-women-for-others; men and women who will live not only for themselves but for others also – for the God-man who lived and died for all the world; men and women who cannot even conceive of love of God which does not include love for the least of their neighbors; men and women completely convinced that love of God which does not issue in justice for others is a farce. This kind of education goes directly counter to the prevailing educational trend practically everywhere in the world. The Jesuits have always been heavily committed to the educational apostolate- and still are. (Ref : St Aloysius College- 140 year Saga of Forming Men and Women For and With Others……. )
It was like the PINTO’s in the PINTO’s during the Investiture Ceremony of Students’ Council 2020-2021, held on 22 September 2020 at 3 pm, where the Chief Guest was Dr ANIL JOSEPH PINTO-Registrar of Christ University, Bengaluru; Fr MELWIN JOSEPH PINTO SJ- the New Rector of St Aloysius Institutions; and GAVIN ABNER PINTO- the President Elect of the St Aloysius College Students’ Council for the year 2020-2021. Quoting M D Arnold-“A Good Leader Leads The People From Above Them. A Great Leader Leads The People From Within Them”- Serving as a President of Students’ Council in a college is a privilege and honor bestowed upon you by fellow college mates.
When you are selected, your buddies have recognized your leadership skills and potential to manage the Council effectively. Your tenure will offer many opportunities to learn new skills, enhance the experience of others and grow as a leader. By taking advantage of the many opportunities to learn and grow, your term can have personal and professional development benefits that will last a lifetime. All of the members of your Student Council are part of your team, and it is the President’s responsibility to guide members toward reaching the Council goals.
Having goals and making plans to achieve them are two key steps to being successful. Every Council member has his/her important role to fill, and by working together, your Council will be able to meet its full potential and serve a vital role in your College, even community. To accommodate these facts, there is a great deal of latitude in how you choose to manage your Council as long as you follow the basic Council rules/standards. In today’s rapidly changing world, individuals must blend their family demands, work commitments and volunteer work. While the responsibilities of an individual association president/chairman may be demanding, he/she is able to share challenges, ideas and perspectives with fellow members- and this is the message from Team Mangalorean to Gavin Abner Pinto.
Like they say that Change in leadership is always good and better, and it was time for change in the Students’ Council of St Aloysius College {Autonomous}, Mangaluru- and Investiture Ceremony of Students’ Council of the 2020-2021 took place on 22 September 2020 at at 3.00 pm. 30 Students’ Council members joined the ceremony via Zoom and the ceremony was broadcasted through the online streaming platform, YouTube. The programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a pre-recorded prayer song. Dr Anil Joseph Pinto, Registrar of Christ University, was the Chief Guest of the occasion. Fr Melwin Pinto SJ, Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, presided over the programme. Rev. Fr Praveen Martis SJ, Principal of St Aloysius College, graced the occasion with his presence. The Director of the Students’ Council, Dr Ratan Tilak Mohunta, and the Asst. Director, Dr Santhosh Wilson Goveas, were present on the dais.The Welcome Address was delivered by Dr. Ratan Tilak Mohunta, Director of Students’ Council.
Following the inauguration, Fr Praveen Martis Sj administered the oath to students’ council leader Gavin Pinto, and Gavin then administered the oath to the rest of his Council members, which was then followed with the college anthem by the choir. The other student Council members are- Vice President: Aparna Prashanth. Secretary: Ms Sneha Dsouza; Joint Secretary: Steeve Thomas Shaji; Cultural Secretary: Ms Paloma Rodrigues; Sports Secretary: Yusuf Shaheer; Principal’s Nominees: Ms Anoma Nehel Lobo and Ms Aditya Kamath. The student council president Gavin Pinto spoke about how he, along with his team, wish to make valuable contributions to the college. “ If you want to shine like the sun, first, you must burn like it, there is no responsibility without accountability” , said Gavin.
President Gavin giving an example said “Here I have a Rs 500 currency note, if I choose to fold it.. will you still take it? The answer is yes. This is because we all believe that this paper has value” He said that Each and every Aloysians, should feel that there is another person who needs my help and that I must help him. He also thanked the Principal for their support and the Office Bearers for their hard work. He also thanked his mentors, the teaching and maintenance staff of St Aloysius College for their efforts. “I know we have challenges, but together we can face them effectively” added Gavin.
In his address, the Chief Guest, Dr Anil Joseph Pinto, spoke of his experiences during his college education. “Undergraduate is the most important period in one’s life”, said Dr Anil. He also stressed on the importance of shattering gender roles in leadership. “Success takes time and it is okay to achieve it later in life, he added. The Principal, Rev Dr. Praveen Martis SJ, congratulated the Students’ Council members and gave them his words of encouragement. ” You are all called to be the leaders of St Aloysius College, so celebrate your leadership. You are representing the 6000 plus students of this institution, which should make you proud. Leadership is the special quality that you have in yourselves now, so make the best of it and show your capacity. A great leader should have- Self-awareness; Ingenuity; Love; and Heroism- so develop all these qualities to prove yourselves as good leaders. Wish you all a successful year, full of activities with great leadership behind them” said Fr Martis. He also wished them courage and wisdom to face any challenges that may come their way.
In his Presidential Address, Fr Melwin Pinto SJ gave his words of wisdom to the council members. “The students have elected you and that makes it special, because somewhere along the line, you’ve won their hearts, and now you have to live up to their expectations. “I take this time to congratulate the leaders for your courage and wisdom to face the challenges ahead. As leaders it is our duty to nurture leadership in others. Follow in the Jesuit mission, to become men and women for others. You are all leaders in a different context. Try to make a difference and be a role model to others. Accept the gauntlet and work hard, with determination and commitment- and go against the current. This pandemic has made many youth depressed, overcome your depression and treat your life precious, and don’t take extreme steps like many do, in committing suicides. Do your best and show the world you are a true Aloysian leader in making a difference in the world. Best of luck”
The vote of thanks was proposed by Ms Aparna Prashanth-Vice President Elect, while the entire inaugural ceremony was professionally compered by Dr Senek D’souza, the Dean of HR Dept. The Controller of Examination, Dr Alwyn D’Sa, the Finance Officer, Rev Fr. Vincent Pinto SJ, Dean of the Xavier’s Block, Dr John E D’Silva, Dean of the Admin Block, Dr Norbert Lobo. Dean of the Arrupe Block, Dr Dennis Fernandes, Dean of Physical Sciences, Dr Prakash Kamath also graced the ceremony.
In conclusion, the energy, the faith, the devotion, the commitment which you bring to this endeavour will light your institution and all who serve it… and the glow from that light can truly light this nation. Best of luck from Team Mangalorean to the Students Council 2020-2021 of St Aloysius College {Autonomous}. I end this column with a inspiring prayer to all the Students’ Council members through God’s blessings to become great Magis {Latin word for ‘More’ and ‘Greater’} driven leaders and the College Anthem :
“God of Love and Life, You have called these young students together as Servants to do your Will, Grant them the light of Your Spirit, to Guide them in their responsibilities as a Student Council representative. May they work together in harmony for the common good. May they listen to one another in a spirit of genuine respect. May they encourage and reverence one another’s unique talents. May they use the gifts of the Spirit in creative love driven leadership. May they approach the decision making through discernment and prayer. May they respond effectively to the needs of the student body in their care. May Your blessings radiate from us to others in a new spirit of service. We make these prayers in God’s name, the Light of the World. May God bless us all”
