An age-old institution in the heart of Park Street. The reunion of hearts and minds of those who have traversed its stately corridors over the years. And the resurrection of the palmy days of college holding the hands of the palm estates of Tamil Nadu. Such was Sangam 2023, the annual reunion dinner of the St. Xavier’s College Calcutta Alumni Association (SXCCAA) held on December 30 on college premises.
‘To be a Xaverian is to be multicultural, multilingual and multireligious’
A part of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, transformed into a slice of Marina Beach
Replete with red carpets adorned with posters of Kollywood blockbusters and sand-lined photobooths against the serene moonlight of Marina Beach, the latest instalment of Sangam was a treat for the senses. With catering from 6 Ballygunge Place, the menu featured several southern delicacies, from the likes of melt-in-the-mouth mutton vadais to peppery spiced rasams, as alumni members wholeheartedly embraced the culture of this year’s theme state of Tamil Nadu by dressing up in traditional veshtis with pattai tilaks on their foreheads.
Tamil choreographies lit up the first half of Sangam
Sukalyan’s entourage painted the stage red with Tamil choreographies. “Most of our Jesuit fathers are from the southern part of the nation and hence the theme state for this year was chosen as Tamil Nadu,” said Firdausal Hassan, honorary secretary of SXCCAA.
Rev. Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy
“To be a Xaverian is to be multicultural, multilingual and multireligious. What started as a cohort of merely 50 students now boasts of a student body of over 12,000 based in various corners of the world,” noted Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy, rector of St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous) Kolkata, as he greeted all present with a hearty vanakkam.
Amar Sanganeria being felicitated for his contributions as a Xaverian
Soon after, Amar Sanganeria, CEO of Packman Home Furnishings, was invited on stage as the Principal of St. Xavier’s College and President of SXCCAA, Fr. Dominic Savio, awarded him with the “Jewel of the 1988 Batch” honour for his contributions to the industry and for taking the Xaverian name forward through his entrepreneurial ventures.
Rev Fr. Dr. Dominic Savio
“St. Xavier’s has established a name for itself across the globe owing to the dedication of our alumni members who never fail to extend a helping hand to their fellow batchmates and juniors. In the last year alone, the alumni association, which carries forward the legacy of philanthropy by organising at least one charity event every month, has distributed blankets and clothes to over 2,000 families. Sangam is the coming together of such Xaverians, both through physical presence and through spirit,” said Savio.
The batch of 1998, which observed its silver jubilee in the 2023 Sangam, took to the dance floor shortly after to the beats of DJ Jimmy Tangree, a St. Xavier’s College alumnus himself.
‘Sangam is that one night of the year when we come back to rekindle that piece of our hearts we left behind’
Fireworks from Tamil Nadu took over St Xavier’s at Sangam
An elaborate display of fireworks, from Tamil Nadu’s Sivakasi, illuminated the Xavier’s sky. Sky-high tubris, dazzling rockets, mounted spiral sparklers and twinkling crackers, which spelt out the event’s name attracted awe from across the ground.
Srijan Sen and Deepalika Deb
“It’s a matter of pride to have an alumni that’s so well established across the globe. SXCCAA hosts several events in a calendar year. However, Sangam, coupled with the joyous Park Street Christmas spirit, captures a flavour like no other. Being able to network with our seniors who have roamed the halls of this institution much before we set foot into St. Xavier’s expands our horizons by leaps and bounds,” stated Srijan Sen and Deepalika Deb, current students and members of the St. Xavier’s College Students’ Council.
Firdausal Hassan
After the felicitation of Sangam advisers and conveners Rajeev Buvaria, Pawan Dalmia and Sujoy Saha, Hassan, who has helmed SXCCAA for over 12 years now, took to the stage to deliver the vote of thanks. “No matter how busy one is or to what heights life has taken a Xaverian, Sangam is that one night of the year when we come back to rekindle that piece of our hearts we left behind at 30, Mother Teresa Sarani. The spirit of Sangam lies not in its grand canopies, art installations or performances, but in the coming together of people who call this college their second home,” said Hassan, as he ended the evening by announcing the return of Beyond Barriers to college grounds in 2024, which was held across the globe for the past four years owing to Covid-19 protocol.
