From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 21: As many as 13 of the 15 Principals and Vice Principals of the educational institutions belonging to the Christ (Deemed to be University), including the Vice Chancellor Fr Dr Thomas C Mathew, will be felicitated during the 49th Alumni Family Day organised by the University’s Alumni Association on the Republic Day.

Addressing a news conference, Fr Dr Abraham V M, Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr Anil Joseph Pinto, Registrar, and Jugnu Uberoi, Association President, in Bengaluru on Monday, said a large gathering of the Alumnus of the CHRIST (Deemed to be University) will join the Alumni Family Day along with their family members on January 26.

"The 49th Alumni Family Day is a most significant event of the golden jubilee of CHRIST (Deemed to be University),’’ Uberoi said.

Of the 15 Principals and Vice Principals of the college, junior college and pre-university college including those of the evening and residential colleges, Bishop Mani Giles, who was Principal during 1969-77 and 1978-1983, and Fr Augustine Joseph, Principal during 1977-78 and 1983-89 have expired. All the other Principals and Vice Principals will be attending the function.

Among the felicitants are the Bishop of Mandya Diocese Antony Kariyil, who was Principal during 1989-97 and the present Vice Chancellor Fr Dr Thomas C Mathew, who was Principal during 2004-2008 and Vice Chancellor since 2008.

The other Principals and Vice Principals being felicitated are: Fr Sebastian T A, Fr Dr Abraham V M, Fr Jose C C, Fr Sebastian Mathai, Fr Thomas T V, Fr Viju P D, Fr Sebastian Mathai, Fr Biju K C, Fr Sebastian Elanjickal, Fr Sebastian T A and Fr Thomas Mangara.

The Alumni Association of the University is the most vibrant body and has been offering scholarships to needy poor students to the tune of Rs 25 lakh last year and Rs 30 lakh this year, Uberoi said explaining that Fun Fiesta for the faculty members, medical check-up camp and blood donation camp were the major activities of the Association every year.

The Association is also involved in tree planting in a massive scale with over 20,000 trees planted last year, which were being looked after by the students, Uberoi said.

Fr Abraham and Dr Pinto said the University was proud of the active involvement of the Association in the various activities, especially under the dynamic leadership of Jugnu Uberoi, who has been continuously serving as President since the last 18 years.