Ode to the past: Mumbai colleges celebrate milestones with festivals

Some of the eminent colleges in the city are celebrating the milestones they have reached in their academic journey, from the time of their establishment.

Sophia College, which celebrated its platinum jubilee, last June, revelled in its constancy. As part of the platinum jubilee celebrations, the college unveiled a book encapsulating its 75-year-old history. The book, written by former principal Sister Anila Verghese and history professors Rashna Poncha and Swarupa Kamat, is called ‘Down the Corridors of Wisdom: 75 Years of Sophia College for Women.’

This year, two other iconic colleges in the city have reached important milestones in their academic journey this year While St Xavier’s College will mark its 150th anniversary, RA Podar College celebrated 75 years of its existence in February.

Students at these colleges are celebrating their institutes’ history through festivals and special events. They are showcasing the legacy and culture of these iconic institutes through festivals other events.

To mark their 150th year, St Xavier’s College will organise a special edition of their annual cultural festival – Malhar. It will be called ‘Malhaar: A Time Turner,’ and will be held on August 15.

Nivedha Kanna, one of the organisers of the festival said, “The festival will be an ode to the past, a breath in the present and a vision for the years to come.”

Additionally, students have been conducting charity events, and interactions with the differently abled and underprivileged. At its charity yard-sale – Mini Malhar – students had an interactive event with children with special needs. This is to acknowledge their college’s history as an institution run by an order of Roman Catholic priests who are in the service of providing education to the community.

Shobhana Vasudevan, principal, RA Podar College, said their commemorative events are a platform for interaction between its alumni and current batches.