International Women’s Day celebrants were honoured at St Agnes College
Mangaluru: The Alumni Association, along with the Women’s Cell, St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March 2025 and felicitated the women achievers in various fields.
The highlight of the event was the address by the esteemed Chief Guest, Mrs Vidhya Dinkar, a proud ex-Agnesian and a trailblazer in her field. She shared her bold and beautiful journey as a student at St. Agnes, reminiscing about the lessons she learned and the challenges she overcame. She inspired the audience by emphasizing the need for women to seize opportunities in the modern competitive world. She spoke about how women today must be confident, well-informed, and proactive to stand as equals in every sphere of life. Her words left a lasting impact on the young women present, encouraging them to strive for excellence in all their endeavors.
The event showcased a vibrant themed dance, symbolizing the strength, resilience, and grace of women through the ages. The chief guest of the day, Mrs Vidya Dinkar, a social activist and alumna of the college, Sr Dr. Venissa A. C., the Principal, and Marjorie Texeira, Vice President of the Agnesian Alumni Association, were present.
Sr. Dr. M. Venissa A.C. formally welcomed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of women’s empowerment and the role of education in shaping strong, independent women.
The celebration further moved towards recognizing exceptional talent among students in various fields. The student achievers of the college were honoured by the awards instituted by the Agnesian Alumni Association.
The Agnesian Outstanding Leader Award, instituted by Carol Pais in honour of her parents Philip and Mariette Pais, was awarded to Ms Privy D’Souza of III BA; the Most Talented Agnesian Award, instituted by Marjorie Texeira, was awarded to Ms Suhani B.C. of III BSc; the Best Scholar Award, instituted by Dr Meera Aranha, was awarded to Ms Deepti Menezes of III BCom; and the Best Sportswoman Award, instituted by Daisy Coelho, was awarded to Ms Trisha Shetty of III BA.
Four eminent alumnae of the college, Mrs Munita Veigas Rao, Ms Lavita Lobo, Mrs Coreen D’Souza, and Mrs Leila Alvares, who have made a mark in the field of music, were honoured by the Alumni association.
The program began on a soulful note with a prayer song performed by members of the alumni association, led by Marilyn and her group. This was followed by a graceful welcome dance presented by the students, setting an uplifting tone for the occasion. The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of motivation and pride. The undergraduate and postgraduate students of the college, the members of the alumni association and the college faculty were present for this event.
The International Women’s Day celebration at St. Agnes College was a resounding success, reflecting the institution’s commitment to empowering women and recognizing their contributions.
