The Department of History of Carmel College of Arts, Science and Commerce for Women, celebrated Tilak Jayanti on 23rd July 2024, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak. The programme which began at 9.30 am was anchored by Ms. Nathania D’ Costa of TYBA. Sr. Golapi led the audience in prayer, seeking the blessings of the Almighty, that we draw strength from Tilak’s legacy, to work towards the welfare of our nation. A floral tribute was offered to Bal Gangadhar Tilak by Principal Dr. Sr. Maria Lizanne AC, HOD Mrs. Leila Ribeiro, other faculty members and students. 

Ms. Leila Ribeiro threw light on some striking childhood incidents of Tilak, which indicated that he was a brilliant leader in the making. His articles in his two weeklies Kesari and Mahratta, aroused nationalist feelings in the people at large. Having founded prestigious educational institutions, he inspired the masses to take pride in being Indian.  Ms. Ribeiro highlighted the fact that his life in prison did not ‘break’ him; on the contrary it brought out his full potential, with him producing a masterpiece ‘Gita- Rahasya’. His boldness in proclaiming his famous slogan ‘Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it’ and striving to achieve it, earned him the title of ‘Lokmanya’, which means ‘Beloved Leader of the People’.  

Through this talk, students were urged to emulate Tilak in his high thinking, that was always oriented towards the political and social emancipation of India, which he regarded as his highest religion and duty. The programme ended with the Vote of Thanks by Mr. Sanford Pereira and the singing of the National Anthem.