ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE

"The water is your friend... you don’t have to fight with water. Just share the same spirit as the water, and it will help you move."  — Alexandr Popov

With the spirit of unity, discipline, and competitive excellence, St. Joseph College, Prayagraj had the honour of inaugurating the CISCE UP Regional Swimming Meet 2025–26 on 24th July, 2025. The event brings together passionate young swimmers from across the state, diving into days of fierce but friendly competition, where every splash carries the dreams of perseverance and triumph.

The event began with Mrs Shabana James serving as the Mistress of Ceremony, who warmly welcomed the guests and participants. She confidently introduced the event and set the tone for the proceedings with grace and enthusiasm. Along with the Chief Guest, Rev. Dr. (Mrs)Vineeta Eusebius, the occasion was graced by our Principal, Rev. Fr. Walter D’Silva , Headmaster, Rev. Fr. Melvin Pais, Administrator, Rev. Fr. Gladwin Fernandes, Additional Administrator, Mr A. McGowan, Staff Coordinator, Mr Jyoti Dubey and College Counsellor, Dr. Mrs Aparna Ranjan.

The day began with the Bible reading and a solemn Prayer by Mrs Srijita Chattree, followed by a melodious prayer song by the College Choir, setting a tone of reverence and gratitude.

The audience witnessed a graceful synchronized swimming display by the Swim Past swimmers of Prayagraj Zone.Trained at Prayagraj Aquatics under Mr Gaurav Agrawal, Mrs SaumyaAgrawal, and chief coach Mr K.C.Biswas,the swimmers impressed everyone with their coordination, officially initiating the meet.

The audience was then introduced to the distinguished Chief Guest, Rev. Dr. (Mrs) Vineeta Eusebius, an inspiring academic and leader. She is an award-winning scholar, having received the Chancellor’s Bronze Medal, Sita Ram Jaipuria Gold Medal, and the Acharya Narendra Dev Silver Medal for her top-ranking performance at the university and college levels. A former topper in B.Sc., M.Sc., and B.Ed., Ma’am has had a remarkable 33-year career as a Professor of Zoology, serving in capacities such as Head of Department, Chief Examiner, Proctor, and Director of Moral and Religious Education at Ewing Christian College, Prayagraj. She also headed the Department of Office Management and Secretarial Practices for 19 years and has represented India globally as a resource person. Since 2012, she has been serving as the Principal of Girls’ High School & College, continuing to inspire students and educators alike.

As a symbol of our gratitude and eco-conscious values, a sapling was handed over to the Chief Guest,Rev. Dr. (Mrs) Vineeta Eusebiusby our honourable Principal,Rev. Fr. Walter D’Silva.

 Our beloved Principal,Rev. Fr. Walter D’Silva, delivered an inspiring welcome speech, urging students to challenge themselves and compete with their own potential to emerge as true winners. He emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities, saying that success comes to those who are ready to grab every chance that comes their way. With astrong message of hope, perseverance, and self-belief, he wished all participants the very best of luck, motivating them to keep striving for excellence both in sports and in life.

The Chief Guest,Rev. Dr. (Mrs) Vineeta Eusebiusgraced the swimming competition with her presence and delivered a warm and encouraging speech. She began by welcoming all the participants, staff members, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Principal,Rev. Fr. Walter D’Silva and staff of SJC. She appreciated the spirit and enthusiasm of the swimmers, saying it was a joy to witness their energy. She urged everyone to enjoy the thrill of competition, noting that the participants had already pushed their limits and were all winners in their own right. Quoting that “every winner was once a competitor,” she congratulated all and wished them the very best for the three-day event. Concluding her speech with pride She declared the meet open.

Our beloved Principal, Rev. Fr. Walter D’Silvapresented amemento to the Chief Guest, expressing deep appreciation for her gracious presence.

 A total of 12 zones participated in this regional meet, representing various districts across Uttar Pradesh:

1. Agra – Boys & Girls
2. Bareilly – Boys & Girls
3. Kanpur North – Boys & Girls
4. Kanpur South – Boys & Girls
5. Ghaziabad – Boys & Girls
6. Gorakhpur – Boys & Girls
7. Lucknow A (North) – Boys
8. Lucknow A – Girls
9. Lucknow B (South) – Boys
10. Lucknow B – Girls
11. Prayagraj – Boys
12. Prayagraj – Girls

The swimming competition was organized under the leadership of Mr Shabi Rafiq, the event secretary and school sports coordinator. The NCC cadets, under the guidance ofLt.Azhar Usmani, also played an important role in the smooth conduct of the event.

All the events were conducted on a time-trial basis.

The presence and encouragement from the audience, team coaches, and mentors greatly inspired the swimmers. Their cheering and support motivated the participants to give their best performances in the pool.

Announcements and scheduling were seamlessly managed by Mrs Joanna Robinson and Mrs Shabana James, ensuring the smooth flow of the day’s program.