Communication for Development Convocation
02-August-2014
The first Convocation for Communication for Development for the Academic year 2013-14 of Xavier Institute of Communications was held on August 1, 2014 in the Assembly Hall of Xavier Institute of Management and Research, St. Xavier’s College Campus at 4.30 p.m.
The course commenced on 29 July 2013 and ended on 31 July 2014.
Fr. Lawrence Ferrao SJ, Director of XIC welcomed the audience, which included students, friends, faculty, course heads, NGO who partnered us in offering internships for students and staff of XIC. The Chief Guest for the evening was Mr. S. Anand. He is the co-founder of Navayana. For his radical approach to publishing he has been called "an authentic partisan” by The Telegraph. He was invited as Chief Guest based on his works with the tribal and Dalit communities and his strife to include lower castes in all walks of life.
The comperes (by rotation) for the event were Taarika Chandy, Alex George and Vishal Mehra. The ‘Best Student of the Year’ was awarded to Ms. Mahima Sashank amidst thunderous applause! Director Fr. Lawrie admitted that it was a difficult decision to come to, as all the students were excellent in their own right, but that Mahima met all the criteria required for the award. The award was presented by S. Anand.
This year a new Award was introduced during the 44th Annual Convocation, - The Ignatian Award, to exemplify good Academic, Social and Spiritual values as per the Jesuit ‘MAGIS’ tradition. This award was tied between Bhani Rachel Bali and Ashvin Kumar Mishra, both from C4D course. The award was presented during the 44th Convocation on April 25, 2014, but they were presented with miniature trophies at their convocation. The trophies were presented by Dr. Fr. Anthony Dias Board member XIC & Director, Xavier Institute of Social Research.
Dr. Jehangir B. Mistry, Board Member and Dean of XIC gave a review of the first Academic year of C4D, he said that this was a new venture for XIC and through all the apprehensions and challenges of conducting a course away from the usual corporate related courses at XIC, this young group of students came out shining.
The Award for Best Short Film was won by "Seesaw”, a 3 minute film that takes a satirical look at the domestic violence that exists in homes through the eyes of children, who don the role of adults in a game of "House”. The film is made in the style of the silent movie with dialogues to support the actions. The team members were Vishal Mehra, Pratishtha Chhetri, Apoorva Tadepalli, Aditya Gaur and Alex Geroge. The award was presented by Dr. Fr. Anthony Dias Board member XIC & Director, Xavier Institute of Social Research.
The evening ended with a vote of thanks by Vishal Mehra, Class representative, followed by refreshments and an informal gathering.