[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Inaugural address:
All of us are born to win something in life – We are here to achieve our heart’s desire. The quest is for the meaning in life. Our life would not make sense unless we find ourselves useful to others. In the fullness of others’ lives we find ou own contentment of heart.
But the reality might look apparently non-conducive: In a village two groups of people were making claims to one piece of land. Their argument became violent – One of the very elderly persons was asked to mediate and settle the dispute. He first listened to one side and then to the other group – Both staked claims for the land. Then he went to the piece of land, bent low, and put his ear to the earth and listened for a long time. All were looking at him amazingly. Then he came back and told them: You see, you claim the land and you too claim the land. But do you know what the land says? The land says that both of you belong to the land. When everything is said and done you would be taking refuge under the soil and thus you would belong to the land. Then, why do you quarrel now?
So far we are self-centred we are not going to find joy and happiness. Today selfishness leads to violence. Groups and even nations try to find peace through violence – Whether it be war or terrorism. But violence is not the solution – And no one can bring out peace through wars. At the same time we cannot be islands of peace – Today the world has shrunk into a global village. Either we swim together or we sink together. We, as the academics, are responsible for the welfare of our fellow human beings.
In the science fiction ‘Sparrow’ a group of scientists (in the novel they are Jesuits) capture notes of enchanting music from the space – They want to meet the source of music and thereby establish harmony with living beings in a remote planet. They leave in search of the beings who could sing so beautifully – After 17 light years voyage they reach a planet. But unfortunately, during their search they are affected by a strange disease and they die one by one – But the leader, by sheer will-power, continues with his search. And finally he finds out the group that sends out melodious music – He learns the language and tries to communicate to them. Why all these troubles? To understand others in their perspectives and to extend the hand of peace and harmony to others irrespective of nation and of planet. Life becomes meaningful when we reach out the other especially those in need.
As we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Fatima College there is nothing more beautifully inspiring than the words of Jesus of Nazareth who speaks of Jubilee year as follows:
The spirit of the Lord is upon me and I have come to proclaim the good news to the poor. The good news is freedom to the poor and those in captivity. And his whole life was searching for the poor and the needy and he enriched their lives and made them find meaning in their lives. He so much identified himself with them that he was even ready to give up his life for their ultimate freedom.
Following his footsteps Mother Rose began this college for the good of others especially to the neighbourhood girls. I watched the beautiful documentary entitled ‘Legacy of Mother Rose’. It is excellently documented and beautifully narrated. Mother Rose came to this very place and put up beautiful buildings brick by brick. More than that she built up the society through education and social service in the neighbourhood. It was crystal clear to her that the backbone of the society is women. She proclaimed the liberty to the womenfolk through education. And today we salute the great missionary as well as visionary, Mother Rose. She had a dream – That dream became her vision. The vision evolved into concrete goals – And today this great institution bears witness to what she intended to do and what she has achieved and what remains yet to be done. Our jubilee is celebration of her dream-come-true.
Her vision is women empowerment. She realized that real empowerment could be brought in through education – It was very insightful of her to organize study centres as well tuition to the neighbourhood children. Many, especially the dedicated members of the faculty, gave concrete expression to her vision. And today Fatima College stands as a beacon to the society and as a symbol of women liberation and empowerment. And this college has been working towards forming the students as women for others and people with others in need.
As you come into the college here you come with dreams and ambitions. You learn and become learned here. When you leave the portals of the college you should have the clarity about what you should do in the world. You have been created for a specific purpose since each one of us are unique and we are created to fulfill a specific role in the universe. Along with the clarity you should have the inner strength and confidence that you could do your best in the society. We should make our contribution to the society – When we leave this society it should be a better place for others to live in. Challenges would come and difficulties and obstacles would crop up but you should have the confidence that you would do your part for the good of the society.
Amidst difficulties do not give up. Remember the words of John Kennedy on the day of assuming office as the President of the United States: Much is to be done. We may not achieve everything in the next 30 days – We may not do it even in 1000 days. But what is important is that we have begun. Let us begin today and begin with enthusiasm and confidence. We shall march with the light of optimism that we would change the face of the world. All that is needed is singleness of mind – not to be distracted on the way. Let us remember the words of Robert Frost – Many a time when I visited his farm house surrounded by forest I realized his words coming alive. He said:
The woods are lovely – dark and deep
But I have promises to keep
And miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep.
But very often we behave as though we misquote the lines of Frost such as:
And miles to sleep before I go
And miles to sleep before I go
Life is short, we cannot afford to waste time and energy. Let us march forward and do our best for the society. Let us find meaning for our lives in making others find meaning in their lives, especially the less fortunate, the marginalized in the society.
Remember these beautiful buildings were constructed not on a single day. But today they sing silently the greatness of people who have come in and gone out. Some of the trees have seen Mother Rose as they watch us today. This is a temple of learning where thousands and thousands earned their degrees and gone out with joy and happiness – But today we are invited once again, as we celebrate the golden jubilee, to take out the lamp of knowledge and the torch of wisdom out into the world to enlighten others and to enliven the downtrodden. Let us march forward for the good of others and let us give our best to the rest of the society.
I congratulate the Sisters of St Joseph’s of Lyons for their wonderful services – I admire the wonderful services of hundreds of faculty members and other staff members who played a major supportive role in achieving the vision of the foundress – And I wish all the best for the student-friends to transform the society. Have a nice celebration – Thanks.
Francis P. Xavier, SJ
St Mary’s, Dindigul
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