Goa’s first autonomous college, Chowgule College hosted former Captain of the Indian Hockey team and Arjuna awardee Viren Rasquinha.
Chowgule College celebrated Founders Day with former captain of the Indian Hockey team Viren Rasquinha. The internationally celebrated Olympian interacted with students and shared his experiences with them. Addressing the gathering on the occasion of Founder’s Day Rasquinha engaged the audience with his life stories and stories of athletes he meets and works with. “It is always important to create an environment conducive to excellence, only then can we move forward and do better. One should always give their 100 per cent no matter what and always stay strong as a team. And lastly, everyone big or small has an important role to play in whatever you’re doing. Take pride in whatever you do, understand your potential and make the best of it,” said Rasquinha. Concluding his speech he went on add, “Always have courage and fire to follow your passion. Defeat is not the end, always come back stronger and give your best shot.”
Founder’s Day celebration is an annual fixture on Chowgule College’s calendar of events. Regarded as one of the pioneers of industrialisation in the state, Vishwasrao Chowgule fought against odds to create what he believed in. A philanthropist at heart, he founded Smt Parvatibai Chowgule College in the year 1962. He had a clear vision for the college and was committed to advancement in the field of education. Founded in memory of his mother, the college was inaugurated by a woman, then external minister Lakshmi Menon on June 23, 1962. Since then the college has come a long way under the able guidance of trustees of college society and has achieved numerous milestones in the field of education, sports, academics and cultural events.
To mark the celebration of Founder’s Day, every year, Chowgule College, gives away special awards to staff members and students who have contributed work towards the betterment of the college and society. Sanjay Gaikwad received an award for Excellence in Research and Consultancy, Sachin Moraes was awarded for Outstanding Performance in extracurricular activities related to students. The award for Best General Administration and Accounts was given to Anirudh GS Kunde and Shekhar D Gaude received an award for the Best Support Staff. The prestigious Hira Wagh Award was presented to Shweta S Gaonkar for all round excellence in academics, extracurricular activities and sports.
Principal of Chowgule College, N N Sawant said: “Bhausaheb Bandodkar complimented Vishwasrao Chowgule saying that he does everything first and the rest follow suit. The college is no exception to this rule. Chowgule College is the first college to be established in Goa, it’s the first college to get an NAAC accreditation, the first to include computer studies in their curriculum and recently we have the honour of being the first college in Goa to be conferred the Autonomous status”.
He concluded the speech by saying there is a lot of competition that will follow, we cannot rest, we have to keep moving faster and be the differentiators.