" Dear Students, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Alumni and well-wishers,

I take this occasion to wish our country and each of you a Very Happy Independence Day ! On the 78 th Independence Day or the 77 th Anniversary of our Independence, I believe that we need to transition from focusing

I take this occasion to wish our country and each of you a Very Happy Independence Day ! On the 78 th Independence Day or the 77 th Anniversary of our Independence, I believe that we need to transition from focusing on “Independence from” to “Independence for” We rightfully spend significant time recounting the sacrifices and inspiration of our Freedom fighters and their ideals and personal sacrifice need always to be put before us as they are our ideal role models.

Yet we need to do more than this. We are the people of the present moment and we have been entrusted with our country, by those freedom fighters, with their legacy. What are we called to do ? Who are we called to be ?

These are my reflections on the questions I have noted above :
1. We are called upon to learn and treasure the ideals on which our country is built. These ideals are brilliantly given expression in the Preamble to the Constitution.
2. We are called upon to daily reflect on how each of us translate those ideals in our daily interaction. For example
a. How have I tried to bring equality among my fellow Indians (those in my class / school / locality) ?
i. Have I greeted poor persons with respect today ?
b. How have I tried to build a secular spirit in myself and around me?
i. How have I tried to learn more and to understand persons who are from a different culture (yet Indian).
ii. Do I try to have a cross-section of friends?
c. How have I tried to live by the ideals of democracy today?
i. Have I been able to graciously accept defeat e.g.in a game, without finding fault in the referee or making excuses?

As I write this message to you, I express my gratitude to Mrs Soma Sur and Mrs Shamane Sequeira who retired from service in May 2024. I wish them every blessing in the next phase of their lives.

I welcome on the staff Ms.Swagata Kundu, Ms Starina Harry and Ms Priyanka Sardar – we welcome them to St Joseph’s and wish that they have a very positive and long term impact on the students of the school.

We are looking forward to our school Fest “Josephtsyna” on the 24 th and 25 th August. I thank the alumni, parents and well wishers for their support. I wish the Staff and students and the event every success.

On the 29 th August we celebrate the death anniversary of the Founder of the Christian Brothers – Blessed Edmund Rice.

The Staff take strength from his reminder that “The good seed will grow up in the children’s hearts later on”. For students and alumni we hope that we nurture the “good seed” by daily reflection / mindfulness and by daily planed acts of service.

Please refer to the sections of the website to get information on happenings in the school.

Wishing us all every blessing of the Divine,
Bro Larry Miranda
Principal