A ROYAL SALUTE TO 50 GLORIOUS YEARS H.R. COLLEGE OF COMMERCE & ECONOMICS MEDIA NEWS 2010 Times of India | January 6, 2010 Meet the man who knew Luther King Jr Rebecca Samervel | TNN Mumbai: “Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr were the greatest moral leaders of the 20th century and you are going to be the greatest moral leaders of the 21st century,’’ American theologist Dr Otis Moss Jr told students at HR college on Monday morning. Moss who was recently appointed to serve on a White House Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, was presenting a lecture on ‘Inspiring Leadership’ on Tuesday. A crusader of black liberation, Moss was closely involved in the struggle for civil rights led by Martin Luther King Jr. Commenting on the newly elected American president, Moss said, “We see the election of Obama as a joyous daybreak after a long struggle and fulfillment of a great dream.’’ HASSARAM RIJHUMAL COLLEGE OF COMMERCE & ECONOMICS Dr. (Mrs.) Indu Shahani Principal & Hon’ble Sheriff of Mumbai Mrs. Rekha Bahadur Mrs. Anila Pillai Vice-Principal Vice-Principal - Jr. College Mr. Parag Thakkar Mrs. Deepika Bhatia Vice-Principal Vice-Principal - Jr. College Ms. Shamira Abdulla Director International Programmes Ms. Paromita Chakrabarti Ms. Kamni Bahl Editor-in-Chief Graphic Designer ABOUT US I 1 EDITORIAL CONTENTS “Nine tenths of education is encouragement.” About Us 1 - Anatole France H.R. College of Commerce and Economics is an From the Editor 2 institution that believes in the power of education to effect transformation. It is this belief that inspires our Contents 2 efforts to nurture, develop and enhance student potential. From the Principal’s Desk 3 Realizing that “Empowerment through Innovation” is a vision that needs to be translated into action, students took on ‘Project Chirag’ - a dream initiative that would HSNC Board 4 light up villages through solar energy. Through a Five - Point Transformation model, Students in Free Golden Jubilee Celebrations 7 Enterprise (SIFE) at H.R. College embarked on this mission for rural development. Learning valuable Principal Leads 27 lessons in leadership and management, students of SIFE HRC rallied the entire college around a common cause. With the successful implementation of the project, Sheriff’s Delegations 31 students have been able to install solar lamps in one hundred and ten houses in Ujjaini, and sixty six houses Academic Achievements 43 in Ghaypatpada in Thane. This project has created value not only for the people whose lives have been touched by it but also for our students who were enriched and Internationalisation of HR 85 humbled by working on it. Students have been our pillars of strength and this year Beyond Academics 103 as we celebrate the completion of fifty glorious years we intend to make “Students for Change” our mission. Our Cultural Reports 123 student ambassadors have worked on a number of initiatives that have enabled them to structure, organize Annual Prize Distribution List 148 and facilitate the logistics of event management. For every student involved in such programmes, it has been a huge learning experience. Mentoring students, helping Media Snapshots them realize their potential, encouraging them to chase their dreams and inspiring creativity have always been the defining characteristics of this institution. As the Inside Front Cover college completes fifty years, addressing the needs of students in a rapidly changing society becomes important. It is to address this need that the institution wishes to commit itself to the cause of value based Inside Back Cover lifelong learning that can be acquired not only by indulging in intellectual exercises inside the classroom but also by forging a living contact with the community outside. There is no doubt that the coming years will see H.R. College of Commerce and Economics emerge as an institution that will optimize student involvement for social change, build leadership skills and support constructive dialogue between students and the community. Paromita Chakrabarti 2 I Editorial FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK As H.R. College of Commerce and Economics enters its fiftieth year, the institution prides itself on becoming an epicenter of intellectual pursuits. The journey that began in 1960 has been long and arduous, but with every step, H.R. has grown from being an undergraduate and postgraduate college to an institution where leaders of tomorrow are nurtured today. With a high potential faculty, dedicated non-teaching staff, diligent associates and thousands of energetic students, H.R. College defines the true spirit of education. Courage to lead, commitment to service, and courtesy to all, drives the college to excel in all its endeavors. This academic year the College scaled new heights, explored unknown horizons, initiated several Dr. Indu Shahani projects, and instituted a number of programmes which took Sheriff of Mumbai & Principal education at H.R. to an altogether different level. H.R. College of Commerce & Economics The Golden Jubilee year began with the ‘Homecoming’ on initiatives being carried out by the students of H.R.. The September 5, 2009, when a large number of alumni visited the industry-academia interface that the institution prides itself on college; some of them were from the very first batch. This was promises to be stronger where students not only get encouraged followed by the launch of the Special Cell by the very talented to venture as entrepreneurs but also become harbingers of and perceptive actor Aamir Khan. September 19, 2009 the positive change. college organized a grand function at the Trident which saw a This year HR College instituted programmes that instilled host of luminaries descend on the venue to join us in the Golden students with leadership qualities. SIFE (Students in Free Jubilee celebrations. The occasion saw a convergence of Enterprise) HRC took up project ‘Chirag’ to light up the villages distinguished guests, faculty, students who came to honour the with solar energy. This project was flagged off by Mr. Deepak outstanding alumni in business, politics, trade, commerce, arts, Parekh, Chairman, HDFC Ltd. on 21st January, 2010. This and entertainment. Since time immemorial gold has been project was then unveiled on 8th March, 2010 by Mr. Ratan Tata, synonymous with untarnished value. It symbolizes power, Chairman Tata Group and an introductory session on how the achievement and immortality. It is against this backdrop that our lamp works was shared with His Royal Highness Prince Andrew Golden Jubilee Celebrations assumed significance, with a Duke of York on 9th March, 2010. galaxy of great alumni making this event truly special. The H.R. superstars learnt management while working on the As part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of H.R. College of Golden Jubilee Dialogue Series and organizing the Golden Commerce & Economics, Former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Jubilee Celebrations at Trident on 19th Sept., 2009. The super Abdul Kalam visited the college and addressed our students on ambassadors proved how when students are given responsibility “Empowering the Youth & Igniting Minds.” While addressing and trusted, they can outdo our expectations of them. Every the students he said: “I found that the institution is concentrating super ambassador was charged with perseverance, passion and on the development of leadership skills and expanding pride which translated into efforts that went into organizing the knowledge among the youth. I am sure that the graduates of the most glorious of celebrations that brought in H.R.’s golden year. college will definitely act as catalysts for transforming India into a developed nation before 2020.” Dr. Kalam commended the What stands out among everything else is the sheer dedication, college for harnessing student potential for social change determination and diligence that qualify our super achievers through integrated development. He stressed the importance of who have their eyes set firmly on a mission - a mission to effect inspiring creative leadership in students who would have the change, to lead up-front, to set new benchmarks, to infuse every vision to change the way our society functions. “For a task with passion, to dream big and have the courage to chase prosperous and developed India, the important thrust will be on them. the generation of a number of creative leaders by institutions This year we wish to celebrate our Olympians. In remembering, like H.R. College of Commerce & Economics who will become honouring and felicitating our achievers of yesterday, and employment generators rather than employment seekers," said inspiring our leaders of tomorrow, fifty golden years of HR Dr. Kalam. College of Commerce and Economics become truly meaningful, Mr. Ratan Tata’s visit to the college marked a momentous beautifully resplendent. occasion in the history of H.R.. The staff and students were pleased to have an interaction with Mr. Ratan Tata on 8th March, 2010. The students posed a lot of questions to Mr. Tata who was visibly impressed with the energy around the room and the PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE I 3 PRESIDENT OF THE HSNC BOARD Shri Kishu Hashmatrai Mansukhani H.R. College of Commerce & Economics welcomes Shri Kishu Mansukhani as the new President of the HSNC Board. He has been associated with the Board since May 1974 and is committed to excellence in higher education. The Principal, Staff and Students of H.R. College of Commerce & Economics wish him all the very best in his tenure as the President. After completing his studies in service for the Tata Group for more Mechanical Engineering, and than twenty-five years, he started his Management in the USA, Mr. own business. Mansukhani returned to India as he Mr. Mansukhani is a consultant to was selected for a senior position in many organizations and is also the newly created Export Department actively involved in social, of Telco (Tata Motors).