Vidya Vikas Mandal held its 55th Founders’ Day Celebration on August 04, 2025 at the Ganesh Daivajna Auditorium, Shree Damodar Educational Campus, Margao Goa. This year the program was hosted by Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics.
The Chief Guest for the function was Shri Sajay Dhavalikar, Former Goa State Information Commissioner, Writer and Journalist. Shri Dhavalikar was the former editor of Gomantak and GOA 365 and also the Founder Editor of Dainik Herald and Goan Varta. The function was presided by Shri Nitin Kunkolienker, President, Vidya Vikas Mandal.
The function commenced with an invocation song followed by the lighting of the traditional lamp by the Chief Guest, the Founder Members and other dignitaries. The function was graced by the esteemed presence of the Founder Members: CA Uttam Bene, Mr. Ganesh Daivajna and CA Sheela Gaunekar. In his welcome address, Shri Nitin Kunkolienker President, Vidya Vikas Mandal shared his vision about the change and development envisaged for all the institutions of the Mandal. He said that the skill gap analysis shows a divide between the commerce of the past and the commerce of today, thus, the need to shift from generic commerce education to sectoral commerce education is realized. He dreams of transforming all the institutions under the Mandal thereby changing the educational landscape of Goa. To end with, he urged everyone to join in the efforts and to be part of this mission.
To commemorate the milestones of the Mandal a video presenting the history of the institutions and its outstanding achievements was played. The video also depicted the individual achievements of all the institutions. The guest and the audience applauded the legacy of Vidya Vikas Mandal.
On this auspicious day, retired staff, PhD awardee (faculty members) and the distinguished alumni of Vidya Vikas Mandal’s institutions were felicitated for their remarkable achievements and contributions to society. The retired staff are Dr. Rodney D’Silva and Shri Prakash Tendulkar; former staff – Mrs. M. E. Abranches and alumni CA Balaji Bhat, SP Harishchandra, V. Madkaikar and Shri. Pandurang Patil from Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics. The alumnus felicitated from G R Kare College of Law was Shri. Chandrakant B. Shetkar. The retired staff felicitated was Shri Prakash K. Borkar from Ramacrisna Madeva Salgaocar Higher Secondary School. The retired staff Mrs. Merexi D’silva, Mrs. Tania Monteiro, Mrs. Suchitra C. Phaldesai and Mr. Lau Babu Shirsikar; and the alumni Dr. Kedar Uday Singbal, Ms. Kimberly Pandey and Dr. Nathan Gracias Flor, were felicitated from the Vidya Vikas Academy.
In his address, Chief Guest Shri. Dhavalikar congratulated the founder members and awardees and said that the Mandal is a pioneer educational institute and has produced leaders and influencers in all areas of life. He appreciated the huge complex of the Mandal and that all institutions are closely located in the same premises. He stated that Founders’ Day is not just a day to reflect on the past, but a day to apprise, analyse and appreciate the values inculcated by the Mandal, and the impact of these values on the different spheres of society. Addressing the teachers, he said “You have one of the most important tasks of shaping the future of the world by giving good education to the students, teaching them values, identifying their interest and strengths and also encouraging and guiding them in becoming good humans and responsible citizens”. Commenting on the New Education Policy, he stated that policy aims to transform India’s education system by focusing on holistic, inclusive and flexible learning; emphasising critical thinking, creativity and innovation. Also, teaching students ‘how to think’ and not just ‘what to think’ is essential.
The program ended with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Adv. Pritam Moraes, First Vice President, Vidya Vikas Mandal. The function concluded with the National Anthem.
