The calendar pages say January, and the air in the city now carries the scent of festivities. St. Xavier's College means a whirlwind of excitement at this time. The month of January 2026 is set to be extremely emotional for Xaverians. At a press meet on Wednesday, college principal Reverend Father Dominic Savio announced that this year's 'Beyond Barriers' concert is being dedicated to legendary artist Zubin Garg. His untimely death last September had stunned the music world. To pay tribute to that musical magician, Chander Haat will be held on the college premises on January 24.
Under the supervision of music directors Jeet Gangopadhyay and Rathijit Bhattacharya, the college alumni association has organized a special musical tribute. Renowned artists will perform Zubin's timeless songs in new arrangements, accompanied by finalists from Zee Bangla Saregamapa. In Father Dominic Savio's words, 'Zubin was not just an artist, he was a symbol of youth, and preserving his memory is the moral responsibility of the Xavier's family.'
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Flexible degrees, new campuses and a modern vision
In this cultural atmosphere, St. Xavier's College (Autonomous) has also announced a radical change in their education system. Taking a step forward in implementing the National Education Policy, the authorities have introduced an 'exit option' for students. At the end of the current academic year, if any student does not wish to continue studying after completing a three-year course or wants to take a break for special reasons, they will be awarded an honors bachelor's degree upon earning the necessary credits. This flexible decision aims to allow students to choose their own career paths rather than being compulsorily bound to a four-year course. The finalization of details for this process is now in its final stages.
Major announcements have also been made regarding the expansion of college infrastructure. A massive 'Communication and Multimedia Hub' is being built at the new campus under construction in Ajoynagar. Alongside the Mass Communication and Multimedia departments, research-based science branches, a modern incubation center, and a dedicated community radio station will be established there. The college has also emphasized modernizing the Raghavpur rural campus to bring higher education to the doorsteps of marginalized people. A special initiative for women's empowerment has been taken through the establishment of a School of Gender Studies, where 60 percent of current students are female.
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Along with 'Beyond Barriers', the festival calendar this month has been adorned with various other events. 'Javathon 2026' will be organized across the city on January 11. Inspired by Pope Francis's message on environmental protection, a tree plantation program has been undertaken through this marathon. Police Commissioner Manojkumar Barma will inaugurate this run. On January 16, at the 19th convocation ceremony, degrees will be awarded to 2,450 graduates including bachelor's, master's, and B.Ed students, among whom a record number of 20 researchers will receive PhDs.
Kolkata University Vice-Chancellor Ashutosh Ghosh will be present as the chief guest. Professor Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay, former director of ISI Kolkata, will receive the 'Nihil Ultra' honor. The inter-college festival 'Javotsav' will be held on January 17 and 18, with the theme 'Timeless Transience'. All together, with Zubin Garg's melodies, the expansion of modern education boundaries, and the commitment to social service, St. Xavier's College is set to witness a new chapter in history.
