St Xavier’s College celebrates Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary

Of the many institutions that celebrated Rabindranath Tagore’s 162nd birth anniversary on Tuesday, one was his alma mater.

St Xavier’s College celebrated the birth anniversary of the former pupil, who did not complete his formal education but went on to become one of India’s greatest icons.

In the late 19th century, Tagore had studied briefly at St Xavier’s Collegiate School. 

He was one of the founder vice-presidents, along with Acharya J.C. Bose, of the alumni association of the institution in 1927. 

In his writings, he mentions being inattentive in class and the kindness of his teacher, Jesuit priest Father Alphonsus de Peneranda.

On Tuesday, a sombre programme was organised by the college in collaboration with the St Xavier’s College (Kolkata) Alumni Association. The principal of the college and the president of its alumni association, Father Dominic Savio, along with other Jesuit priests, professors, students and alumni paid tributes to Tagore.  

“We have decided to remember him on his birthday not only for paying tribute to a true Xaverian who preached universal humanism, but also to get inspiration from his writings, his philosophy, particularly at this trying time,” said Father Savio. 

“He took an active part in a fund-raising programme for the flood victims initiated by the alumni association in 1931. Tagore presented a statue of Mother Mary to the institution which is kept in the principal’s office even today,” the organisers of Tuesday’s programme said in a note.