MANGALURU: In 1921, one courageous woman dared to dream of higher education for women and her dream gave a future to 40,000 women. As thanksgivings to their alma-mater, alumni of St Agnes College here say it is time they don the mantle of Mother Mary Aloysia and help other girls achieve their dreams.
As the first college for women in
South India is nearing its centenary celebrations, its alumni have decided to contribute a centenary memorial block named after its foundress Mother Mary Aloysia at a whopping Rs 15 crore. The three storeyed building spanning across 75,000sqft will house a
library on one floor, an auditorium on another and classrooms on the third. Foundation stone for the building will be laid this Independence Day.
"Our nuns have toiled hard to raise this institute brick by brick. Hence, we were able to introduce computer room and library only in the later stages. However, with technology fast catching up and as imparting quality education has always been our motto, we decided to have a sophisticated building for these purposes," said Sr Jeswina, principal, St Agnes College.
Academician Meera Aranha, who is an alumni and centenary convener, told TOI the college has shaped lives of 40,000 women who are now settled in various parts of the world enjoying plum positions. She said they would take great pride in contributing towards their alma mater.
Brick concept
To make payment easy and avoid ambiguity, the alumni association of the college has come up with brick concept. Each brick is valued at Rs 5,000. "Alumni are requested to contribute at least one brick. They could contribute as many bricks as their heart prompts them to. We have also named contributions to the tune of Rs 1lakh as silver bricks, Rs 5lakh as gold bricks and Rs 10lakh as platinum bricks. Individual donors contributing Rs 50,000 and above will find a special mention on a plaque in the new building/classroom," Meera said.
To explain the initiative and seek a helping hand, a committee associated with the upcoming building travelled to the UAE, Muscat and
Kuwait in May. "Our alumni association has informal chapters across the globe. We have passed on the message through these chapters and through
WhatsApp to all alumni in far flung countries," Meera said.
St Agnes College began in the year 1921 and the management and alumni intend to open the new building for service in 15 months.
