MOUNT CARMEL: AIMING FOR A BETTER SOCIETY

Rithu Dravid | NT

Bengaluru: Mount Carmel College Autonomous(MCC), Bengaluru, a prestigious women’s college established in 1948 with its vision- ‘Civilization of Love’, has through its journey empowered women and fostered an environment for both personal and professional growth.

The college proudly celebrates the Platinum Jubilee after 75 years of success.

News Trail interviews the newly appointed Principal, Dr George Lekha and Director Sr. M Albina, Mount Carmel College Autonomous.

As educators they share a strong message to their students and say, “It has been a great journey so far, we have reached a significant milestone as we celebrate 75 years of the institution's success. The college provides numerous opportunities for its students to explore their interests, develop their talents and realise their full potential. Our vision and mission is to create a ‘Civilization of Love’, and the other - ‘Empowerment through Education’. We will focus on empowering the younger generations who will in turn build a better society in the future”.

They share the college’s challenges and success through the years while maintaining highest standards of education, learning and helping in selfdiscovery.

How does it feel to have reached the milestone of the platinum Jubilee after 75 years of success for the institution?

We have successfully completed 75 years and celebrated the platinum jubilee. It has been a very nostalgic moment for the Mount Carmel Family as we started with a very humble beginning 75 years ago.

The college had, with it, just over 50 students and today we have multiplied and grown to as much as 8500 students. So, this is our milestone and we are certainly proud of it and we owe every bit to our pioneers and leaders who have paved the path to progress.

Today we are ranked as one of the top institutions in the country and it is because of 75 years of hard work.

Any significant challenges or obstacles the institution has faced in its journey to success and how were they overcome?

“There is always so much of our past in our present” exclaims Dr George Lekha. It has indeed been a journey of so many struggles, success, and that is what has brought us to this stage. We have had excellent faculty and committed staff who have contributed immensely towards the success of the college.

Whatever the challenges we face, we have stayed focused and followed the vision of our Foundress, Mother Teresa of St. Rose of Lima.

Any specific initiatives or programs implemented during the Platinum Jubilee year that have particularly contributed to the institution's success?

Just before the college got its autonomy in 2005, we had only 29 programs. Today we have 70 programs and we see this as real academic progress and celebrate this legacy. Apart from the celebrations we have incorporated five very important programs for social causes.

The programs focused on remodelling government run Anganwadis by setting up study spaces with amenities. We involved our own Interior Management students to execute this program which was a good exposure for them too.

The other programs include a project called ‘Wings’ through which we distributed 75 e-vehicles to the differently abled that lets them travel with ease. The ‘Winner’ program helped empower women entrepreneurs and handheld them through the process from ideation to market. We also helped orphanages, conducted outreach programs etc.

Any success stories or examples of alumni who have benefited significantly from the institution?

Over these 75 years we have churned out such wonderful students who are doing so well in politics, media, business, bureaucracy, research, glamour world etc. Our students are across the world doing extremely well.

During the Platinum Jubilee year we felicitated 75 alumni members of MCC.

Each one is a great success story. We have certain prominent personalities like Nirupama Rao, Former Foreign Secretary of India, Margaret Alva, Indian Politician, Kiran Majumdar Shaw, Managing Director, Biocon, Anushka Sharma, Actor, Deepika Padukone, Actor, Faye D’Souza, Journalist and many more who have kept the MCC flag flying high.

How has the institution helped the economically weaker students study in your esteemed institution?

Recently we have reached out to seven Manipur students who have approached us. They are traumatised with their struggles and we extended help by accommodating them in a few courses along with hostel facilities on our campus.

We will ensure their safety and take good care of them. We are also prepared to take more su