PM hails missionaries at St Xavier's 150 years celebration

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hailed Christian missionaries for their contribution in the field of education while addressing the 150th anniversary celebrations of St. Xavier's College in Kolkata

In his speech, he appreciated missionaries' development of education and rational thinking in the country.

A Christian Minority Educational Institution, St. Xavier's was founded in 1860 by Society of Jesus, a Christian Religious Order of Saint Ignatius Loyola.

Gracing the concluding ceremony of the sesquicentennial celebrations, Prime Minister Singh said he was honored to be in an august institution that has produced individuals who have led in various fields worldwide.

"I'm also honoured to be speaking at an the institution which is located on a street named after Mother Teresa, another great person who lived and worked in this great city," he added.

Lauding the Jesuit efforts, Singh said the missionaries evoked "scientific temper and rational thinking among students."

He continued: "The Jesuit fathers had an inclusive approach when it came to education. They embraced the rich and the poor and helped the spread of English education in Bengal and India."

He also recalled that St Xavier's alumni included famed names like Rabindranath Tagore, Jagadish Chandra Bose, Jyoti Basu and many others.

Expressing satisfaction over the growing literacy rates, Singh said he would like to see a sharp increase in the enrollment of girl child so that they have adequate opportunity.

"Every child should have access to school education within a reasonable distance from their house. We must aim for 100 per cent literacy across India," he stressed.

Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and governor Devanand Konwar were among many distinguished hosts who graced the event.