Women must be financially independent, Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar said. He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Student Cabinet Inaugural of St. Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangalore on Saturday, 20 November.

In the backdrop of administering oath to 32 student council members at Mother Mary Aloysia Centenary Auditorium, Chief Guest of the event City Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar IPS  acknowledged and appreciated the role of educational institutes in upliftment of women. He spoke against social evils such as Sati and the Dowry system. “Indeed more legislation is needed for curbing such anti-social practices. The empowerment of a woman happens only when she is financially independent. Therefore, so much more needs to be done for the education of girls,” he said.

The programme was flagged off with an eucharistic celebration offered by Rev. Praveen Leo Lasrado. This was followed by the College band and NCC cadets escorting the Chief Guest into the auditorium along with other dignitaries.

The student cabinet is a representational body of leaders at the student level. The Principal of St Agnes College, Sr Dr Venissa AC administered the oath to PG student president Sharon Bindu Shibu and UG Student President Rhea Lilia Sequeira who were accompanied by the other cabinet members.

He said, “It gives me immense pleasure to be here today. It is quite fascinating to witness a student cabinet of 32 members running and promoting unique student bodies,”

Acknowledging that great things are not done by one person but by a group of people, the student cabinet has adopted the theme “No one can whistle a symphony, it takes a whole orchestra to play it”. The council will be functional through the academic year 2021-2022.

Sr. Dr Venissa A.C  – Principal,  Sr. Clara A.C  – Vice Principal,  Sr. Carmel Rita A.C  – Administrator, Sr. Dr Lydia Fernandes – Joint Secretary, Sr. Dr Vinora A.C – PG Coordinator, Charles Pais – Registrar, IQAC Coordinators graced the occasion with their presence. Deans, PTA executive members, parents, alumna, faculty, PG and UG students of the college were also present for the occasion.