JAAC Foundation Day – Roots and Wings, 27th August, 2025

27th August. 2025 was a landmark day for the Joseph’s Alumnae Association (JAAC). Our school stepped into its 165th year since its foundation. Quite fittingly on this day, we celebrated our first-ever JAAC Connect Day – Roots and Wings. A few of us, JAAC members, made it back to our roots to connect with the present students, teachers and Sisters.

We hoped to motivate students to fly with their 'wings' through their  journeys with perseverance, courage, and curiosity; ready to embrace change at various crossroads of life.

The excitement was palpable in the SJC auditorium as students started filing in. It was not a regular school day. The past came calling and brought with it tugs of nostalgia and reminders of an inescapable connection that defied distance and time.

We were not there to only reminisce the past; we had an important mission – we were the very messengers of time. The years had wrought many successes, trials by fire, and many of us stood testimony to how such successes were achieved and trials overcome because our roots ran deep in our Alma Mater.

The event was anchored by Ms, Suchorita Bardhan, who encouraged us to have courage like the three young ladies from France who sailed along the Hooghly till they reached Chandannagar to establish our school.

Mrs. Mandira Bose, our JAAC President, gave us a powerful reminder of how JAAC is not just about meetings and events, but connection, opportunity, giving back, and being a helping hand in times of need.

We showcased the journeys of notable alumnae through a video, ‘Her Story’ – Dr. Sharmistha Basu Dutt an engineer and educator from the batch of 1980, Ms. Panchali Banerjee from the batch of 1984, Founder of Orchvate that champions inclusiveness in the workplace; Ms Anindita Sengupta, from the batch of 1983, who has occupied many a Civil Services post over her tenure; Dr. Sanghamitra Bandyopapdhyay from the batch of 1985, who is the Chief Scientist of CSIR, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow; and of course, the well-known story of Rajasi Chakraborty, from the batch of 2019, who survived cancer, loss of parents at a young age and a neurological disease called Moya Moya. Srilata De and Dona Sen complemented this video session with their personal journeys of triumph.

We were also mindful to add value to this celebration by inviting resource people to demonstrate exclusive sessions for students.

The Yoga performance by Moumita Singha Sarkar through dance and recitation highlighted how yoga can help one's physical and mental wellbeing.

Another captivating session was on 'Healthy Periods, Healthy You', acupressure for menstrual care conducted by Dr. Chanchal Agarwal and her team 'Healing Touch.' Their active engagement and hands-on approach made the atmosphere electrifying, especially when the auditorium danced to the beats of ‘Try Everything’.

Sr. Anna Maria was a true patron, whose strong support of JAAC’s purpose and for the current generations to join our ranks echoed through every corner of the auditorium. We are ever grateful and thankful to her.

Belinda Dias Gomes wrapped up the day with a vote of thanks, acknowledging each and every individual who contributed to the success of the first ever JAAC Day.

In her words, we met at a crossroad full of energy and vibrance.

All of us took home memories and renewed to keep the SJC banner flying high even when we had handed over the baton!