Occasion – Patrician Walk during College’s 175th Anniversary Celebrations (March 14, 2025)

Dear Fr Rector, Vice-Rector, Staff of St Patrick’s College, Reverend Fathers, Sisters, Old Boys and Students of the College and well-wishers,

First of all , may I congratulate the old boys for taking part in celebrating the 175th anniversary of the College. Some of us will not be there for the 200th year celebration, but I am sure the torch will be carried by the youngsters. I am pleased that you came all the way from overseas to show your solidarity with the Rector, with the staff and the students of the College. A big thank you to you all.

As you know, St Patrick’s still has a long way to go to be comparable to many other schools. We don’t have an indoor sports complex – the building of which I have now initiated and am giving 50 million rupees and the balance needs to be collected little by little from old boys’ contributions. You can see the work is already in progress. Another addition will be the swimming pool and with that the Patrician Campus will be completed. I hope it will be completed before I retire.

As you also know, I have started building the Patrician Institute of Higher Studies where the undergraduate departments will be housed which will include studies in business administration and other similar courses. We will then apply to affiliate the Institute with the Grants Commission and obtain approval of the Certificate. The building is nearing completion and it is opposite the Cathedral where the old Upper School used to be located. I hope, as old boys, you will give your moral support to this project. Since I have been Rector here, I have been going through the papers and writings of Fr Timothy Long. I believe the sports complex and the institute of higher studies will fulfill Fr Long’s dream of achieving the building of the greater St Patrick’s. As you know, the Church has never involved itself in tertiary education after so many years and so, it is time that we enter this field and I hope the old boys will provide advice and pass on their knowledge in getting this on track. Once again I thank you all for coming all the way to show your support, that you are there for St Patrick’s and encourage the students for the future.