P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, Hon’ble Governor of Goa; Shrinivas Dempo, Chairman, Dempo Group of Companies and Dempo Charities Trust; Prof. Dr. Vrinda Borker, Principal, Dempe College of Arts and Science. (Right) Governor Pillai unveiling the logo in the presence of Shrinivas Dempo and Prof. Dr. Vrinda Borker
Dhempe College of Arts and Science inaugurated the Vasantrao Dempo Diamond Jubilee Lecture Series: ‘Where Ideas Converge’, on 10 August 2021, in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of DCT’s Dhempe College of Arts and Science.
The program was graced by the presence of Goa Governor, P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, who delivered the inaugural lecture to kick-start the lecture Series.
Principal of the College Prof. Dr. Vrinda Borker addressed the gathering at the start of the function, and highlighted the way DCT’s Dhempe College of Arts and Science were, and still are, pioneers for Goan education who focus on a comprehensive approach to education.
The Principal’s address was followed by an address by the Chairman of Dempo Group of Companies and Dempo Charities Trust, Shrinivas Dempo. He eulogised the founding visionaries of the Dempo Charities Trust whose main goal was to make quality education accessible to the Goan population in the very first college established after Goa’s Liberation. He also commended the College for continuing to make quality resources available to the student community.
The 60th year – Diamond Jubilee Logo was unveiled by Governor Pillai; and Mandar Naik was felicitated for designing the logo.
The Governor delivered the keynote lecture on the theme: ‘Re-thinking the Indian Education System’ in light of India’s New Education Policy. The Governor began his speech by quoting Swami Vivekananda who said that education is the manifestation of perfection. Governor Pillai highlighted the fundamental importance of education in the integrated development of every individual, and urged educators to adopt a holistic approach towards the same. He expressed his enthusiasm at the NEP’s emphasis on quality education in the mother tongue as it will strengthen every Indian’s connection to their roots. He further stated that New Education Policy needs to aim at harnessing the potential of the demographic between the ages of 18-35. This age group is a huge percentage of the Indian population, and its potential should be directed towards technological advancements and moral development, which can transform India.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Vice Chancellor of Goa University, Prof. Varun Sahni; Trustees of the Dempo Charities Trust, Pallavi Dempo; and Yatish Dempo; the Director of Higher Education, Prasad Lolayekar; Officiating Registrar of Goa University, Prof. Dr Radhika Nayak; and Administrator of Dempo Charities Trust, Rajesh Bhatikar.
The ceremony was live-streamed on YouTube, and saw a virtual viewership of over 500 people. The inaugural lecture was followed by a virtual prize distribution ceremony where meritorious students of the College were conferred awards.
