Maharashtra Governor presents ‘Xavier Ratna’ awards to Adi Godrej, Deepak Parekh

The Governor of Maharashtra CH. Vidyasagar Rao presented the ‘Xavier Ratna’ awards to chairman of the Godrej Group Adi Godrej and non executive chairman of HDFC Deepak Parekh at the 150thAnniversary celebration of St. Xavier’s School in Mumbai on Saturday (5th Jan).

Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan, renowned Cardiologist Dr Eric Borjes and cricket star Sunil Gavaskar (in absentia) were also honoured with the Xavier Ratna Awards. All the ‘Xavier Ratnas’ are alumni of the St.Xavier’s School. The school was founded in the year 1869 by the Jesuits.

The felicitation function was organized by the School and the St Xavier Alumni Association.

President of the Alumni Association Shabbir Beguwala, Manager of St Xavier’s School Dr Francis Swamy and Principal Sharmila Sunny were present.

Schools will have to reinvent themselves to stay relevant: Governor

Speaking at the 150th anniversary of St. Xavier’s School in Mumbai, Governor CH. Vidyasagar Rao noted that dramatic changes are taking place in the field of school education. He said henceforth schools will have to strive hard to attain and maintain excellence. In this connection, he cautioned that schools failing to understand the emerging trends and aspirations of students might face closure.

Mentioning that parents and students are seeking international learning experience from schools, Vidyasagar Rao said, schools will have to constantly innovate, reinvent and reorient themselves to meet the growing aspirations of students. He said managements will have to think of forge alliances of schools with the best schools in the world and adopt newer teaching practices. The Governor felt that alumni of schools should play a more active role in the transformation and rejuvenation of their schools.