Text & Pics: Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, March 8: The Vijaya College Mulki Global Alumni Association (VCMGAA) held its annual celebration with a grand assembly, guruvandana (tribute to teachers), and felicitation ceremony at the Peninsula Grand Hotel, Andheri East, Mumbai, honouring alumni who have excelled across fields globally.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Dr Padmanabha V Shetty, director of Payyade Hotels Pvt Ltd, said, “It is commendable that children who were once mischievous in their youth have grown into accomplished individuals. I could not study at Vijaya College as my childhood was spent in Mumbai, but the college’s academic contribution is truly remarkable.”
The celebration was presided over by Vasudeva M Saliyan, while Anand Shetty inaugurated the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The dais featured eminent personalities including CA Shankar B Shetty, Prof Venkatesh Bhat, advocate Shekhar S Bhandary, Prof Bhaskar B Shetty, CA Rohitaksha Devadiga, and Praveen Bhoj Shetty.
Retired faculty members were honoured, including Prof Parvathi Amma (English Department) and Prof G S Hegde (Accounts & Audit), along with their spouses. Distinguished alumni felicitated included CA Sadashiva Shetty and spouse Sunanda, retired HDFC Bank assistant general manager Rajkumar Karnad, and writer-journalist V T Shetty and spouse Meera Yogesh Shetty. Each awardee expressed gratitude on stage.
Former students’ children were also recognised for their academic achievements. Prominent alumni present included Satish R Shetty (Peninsula), Ramesh Shetty, Ramprasad Das, Annappa Shetty, Petemane Prakash Shetty, Sunil Kumar Shetty, Ravindra Shetty Kotrappadigutthu, A K Hareesh, Kishore Chouta, CA Ashwajit Hejmadi, Bhaskar M Saliyan, Ratnakar Shetty Deppaniguttu, and Shyamsundar Shenoi.
Speaking at the event, Prof Parvathi Amma said, “The global outreach of this alumni association is inspiring. Former students who once struggled with language subjects have now become global achievers. This honour truly recognises the dedication of every teacher.”
Prof G S Hegde added, “Our students’ success is a reflection of faculty support. Today’s learners benefit from alumni contributions, achieving top ranks thanks to this guidance.”
CA Shankar B Shetty emphasised the need for active alumni participation. “The accomplishments we celebrate today are the result of Vijaya College’s dedicated teaching. Let us continue contributing generously to education and literacy,” he said.
VCMGAA president Vasudeva Saliyan highlighted alumni cooperation as pivotal to the association’s success. “Our contributions to the college are our way of giving back. May alumni support grow further in the future, and may scholarships increase,” he said.
The programme featured a cultural segment with dance performances by alumni children and a musical presentation by Rajkumar Karnad. Shashidhar Bangera compered the programme, and a moment of silence was observed in memory of distinguished alumni who had passed away.
Other dignitaries in attendance included CA Somnath Kundar and Mohan Das Hejmadi, who paid tributes and felicitated the college and alumni. The event began with a welcome by Anand Shetty, prayers led by Chitra Ganesh Shetty, the annual report read by Bhaskar B Shetty, and the previous year’s accounts presented by CA Rohitaksha Devadiga. Alumni Vidya Shenoi and Sarita Rao introduced the honoured teachers, while Lakshmish Rao and Shashidhar Bangera introduced the awardees. Hareesh Hejmadi compered, and Shekhar Bhandari delivered the vote of thanks.