The function was inaugurated by the Chief Guest – Mr Allen Pereira, Former CMD, Bank of Maharashtra; Guests of Honour – Rev. Fr Joseph Lobo, Director Designate – SJEC, Rev. Fr Henry Mascarenhas, Asst Director – SJEC and Dr Joseph Gonsalvis, Principal – SJEC, President – Rev. Fr Valerian D'Souza, Director – SJEC, Dr. Prakash Pinto – Dean - MBA, Ms Smita Jesudasan , Faculty Coordinator and Kailas Bhat, Student Co-ordinator.
Mr Allen Pereira, Former Chairman and Managing Director, Bank of Maharashtra in his Inaugural Address remarked on the significance of Philanthropy in the world of scams and economic slowdown. He stated that the students should have the intent to give rather than receive and they should lay down their footprints for their peers to follow. He stated the proverb, 'Do unto others what you expect from them'. He cited the example of Chen Shu-Chu, a 59-year old selling vegetables in Taiwan's Taitung market since 1963 who was recognized for her philanthropy. Her donations include US$32,000 for a children's fund and US$144,000 to help build a library at the school.
Rev Fr Joseph Lobo, Director Designate – SJEC in his Guest of Honour Address affirmed that the MBA and MCOM students should give time, talents and treasure philanthropically to the society and emerge as transformers to make the world a quality dwelling place.
Dr Joeph Gonsalvis, Principal – SJEC in his Guest of Honour Address greeted the participants and expressed that the students should learn to give wholeheartedly with whatever minimal they possess and receive.
Rev. Fr Valerian D'Souza, Director – SJEC in his Presidential Remarks commented that the theme of Zephyr 11 – 'Philanthropism' was befitting the current scenario. He also added that philanthropy should not be sermonized but practiced by the students as a way of life.
The SJEC MBA team choir invoked God’s blessings and graces. Dr Prakash Pinto, Dean, MBA welcomed the dynamic gathering. The SJEC MBA student team presented a video snapshot of the theme 'Philanthropy'. Mr Kailas Bhat, Student Coordinator proposed the Vote of Thanks. Mr Rayan D'Souza and Ms Lin Pinto compered the Inaugural Session. The students team from Ten colleges are participating in Zephyr 11.
