Academic inauguration of 2023 has come to a closure.
Melodie Beattie says, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into
enough, and more. It turns everything into wonderful things. Gratitude makes a sense
of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” In the same way,
I am filled with gratitude to God for having gathered us as one VN family under the
banner of Cross.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Fr EP Mathew, the Provincial of Jesuit
Kerala Province. You have inspired us with a thought-provoking homily and infused in
such a positive way with your message to make our journey at VN with enthusiasm and
zeal. You have set us on the right track as Lord Tennyson says in his poem to sail
beyond the sunset, “To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.” Thanks a bunch for
coming over here and making us energetic and enthusiastic.
I would like to thank Fr Jose Mathew, the Rector of St Xavier’s College, and the
community for your valuable presence. Being on the same campus, you accompany us
all through the year and render your help to us all the ways possible. Thank you very
much for coming over here for the inauguration. It was really a great encouragement
for us.
It is my joy to see a number of Jesuits who have come from the neighbouring Jesuit
Communities like Loyola Srikariyam,
Thanks for sparing your precious time for us. It shows your tremendous love and
support for VN. We really value your august presence. Thanks for your presence.
Judith Wright, an Australian Poet says in her celebrated poem ‘the Cycads’ - cycad is
a tree in Australia. She says every year many birds build their nests, hatch their eggs
and flow away after the completion of their stint. Birds may come and go, but the cycad
tree remains the same. In the same way, VN is like a tree in which many batches of
students have nested their academic life, gained knowledge and wisdom and flew away
with flying colours, but the stupendous tree VN is standing here with the grandeur of
beauty now and forever. With these words once again I thank every one. Thank you
very much.