St Philomena College celebrated International English Language Day with great enthusiasm at the Silver Jubilee Memorial Hall of the College. The event highlighted the global significance of the English language, its literary heritage, and its indispensable role in contemporary communication, education, and professional development.

The chief guest for the occasion was Prof. Leo Noronha, former Principal of the college. In his keynote address, he reflected on the timeless contributions of William Shakespeare, noting that International English Language Day is traditionally observed on April 23, commemorating both the birth and death anniversaries of the legendary English playwright and poet. Prof. Noronha remarked, “Shakespeare’s plays are not just stories rather they are timeless mirrors reflecting the human condition. Through his characters, he teaches us about ambition, love, betrayal, justice, and forgiveness. The wisdom embedded in his words continues to guide us in navigating the complexities of life with grace and understanding. His contribution to English literature is immeasurable.”

Presiding over the function, Rev. Dr Antony Prakash Monteiro, the Principal, emphasized the growing importance of effective communication in English in today’s fast-paced and competitive world. “Curiosity often surpasses knowledge. We must realize how deeply embedded English is in our personal, academic, and professional lives. It acts as a bridge across cultures, a path to learning, and a key to countless global opportunities. We must read and appreciate the rich literary works available in this language,” he said.

A felicitation ceremony was held to honour Prof. Leo Noronha for his lasting contributions to the institution. The felicitation address was read by Bharathi S Rai, Head of the Department of English.

The event began with a prayer led by students from the cultural ensemble of the College. A series of competitions were organized in connection with the celebration, such as: Unleash Your Voice, Mystic Mask, Henna on Sleek, Visual Voices, Beat, Blaze, Crescendo Clash, The World Odyssey, Knowledge Arena, Mime Mania.Asst Professors of the department Ms Novelin D’Souza welcomed, Vinil Rohan D’Souza announced list of winners and Ms Sushma Crasta proposed the vote of thanks. The event was compered by Ms Anusha Bhargavi and Ms Tincy Thomas.

Dr Vijayakumar Moleyar (Vice Principal), Dr Norbert Mascarenhas (Registrar, Academics), Dr Vinaya Chandra (Registrar, Evaluation), Dr Chandrashekar K, Dr Radha Krishna Gowda, Ms Prashanthi, and Dr Dimple Jennifer Fernandes, were present on the occasion. The celebration concluded with a prize distribution ceremony and vibrant cultural performances, making the event both intellectually stimulating and artistically enriching.