VERDANT pine trees fringe the entrance road to a campus area of 97,910 sq mt with a spacious playground, An evergreen landscape with refreshing, shaded spots, a gentle breeze blowing, girls (almost all in salwars) and boys rushing for lectures, make up the bustling scene. The groovy place resembles a veritable hill station, but it is not one…it's Sanquelim's Government College. It's motto is "To strive to give back to society independent learners, positive thinkers, skilled workers and conscientious world citizens, perennially in quest of excellence".

A 29-km bus journey along the Valpoi-Sattari route, via Bicholim, lands you at the picturesque college, where the rustic adage "Hard work is the key to success" appears translated into a reality. A 13-year-old institution, Government College Sanquelim, has gradually progressed in academic and co-curricular fields as well as infrastructure facilities. Principal B A Gomes is the throbbing pulse behind the admirable growth, while the teaching, non-teaching faculty, students and benefactors have all contributed their lot to make the college one of the best in Goa's semi-urban setting.

Though still a teenager, the Government College Sanquelim already displays precocious qualities found in adults. With the BSc, BCom and BA facilities dwelling side by side, this institution also possesses a full-fledged Department in Computer Science and Geology, with fully furnished laboratories and classrooms.

The students, generally hailing from the rural interior of Bicholim, Valpoi, Honda, Amona, etc, exhibit hardwork and sincerity in the right measure. The jeans, coke and fast-food bug has not bitten them yet. They prefer their college canteen's bhaji-pao and mirchi to hep pizzas and Pepsi. Besides their regular studies, the students here love Hindi films, and not a single Bollywood hit goes unheard by them. Obedient, disciplined and respectful, they are grateful to the august institution, which instills in them rich moral values.

FUNCTIONS GALORE

The academic year 2000 dawned with the exuberant inaugural function of the Students' Council and various other associations. Suraj Gecome was elected as the General Secretary of the Council.

The Hi-Ma-Ko (Hindi-Marathi-Konkani) Association comanised an Abhang singing competition on August 25. Abhang is a very popular form of devotional music, which originated among the people belonging to the Warkiri sect of Maharashtra. The songs are generally in praise of Lord Vithoba. The students wholeheartedly participated in this event.

The All-Goa Inter Collegiate Debate Competition for the A.G.C.L. shield is a popular annual feature here. The English Literary Association shoulders the responsibility for its comanisation. The topic of this year's debate was "Peace can be maintained only after the Army achieves it". Two participants from each college, one proposing and the other opposing the topic, clashed in a verbal duel on September 16. The chief guest, Mr Trevor Fernandes, Branch Manager, State Bank of India, Miramar, gave away the prizes to the winners.

On July 21, the Science Association hosted an interesting talk cum demonstration on Bonsai by Daniel D'Souza of Green World, Assagao. On the same day, the members of Green Cross, Mapusa, delivered a lively presentation on nature and wild-life. The students were exposed to live snakes and the myths associated with reptiles were cleared. Nirmal Kulkarni of the Green Cross and Harvey de Souza and Neil Alvares of Southern Birdwing participated in the excellent joint presentation.

The College Campus is surrounded by fruit-bearing trees as well as ornamental plants. Nature nurtures the beauty of the government College. The members of the Nature Club, under the guidance of Mr Vaibhav Chindarkar, are always on the move. The club comanised a exciting trip to Amboli on August 8.

The XIII Annual Social Gathering and Prize Distribution Function was a day much awaited-December 20. Chief Guest Mr Pratapsing R Rane, Speaker of the Goa State Legislative Assembly, and Guest of Honour Dr Suresh Amonkar, Minister for Health and Labour-both sons of the fertile Sanquelim soil-praised the efforts of Principal Gomes and his staff, for the laudable achievements of the institution.

The prize distribution was followed by the felicitation of the first batch of college teacher by the Chief Guest. The variety entertainment programme, comanised by the students, consisted of exuberant dances, skits with a students' orchestra for a grand finale.

On the heels of the Annual Day, came a two-day students mela "Explosions 2000". Numerous on-stage and off-stage inter-class competitions marked the occasion and there was a noticeable talent explosion on the college campus. The competitions ranged from cartooning, mehendi, rangoli (off-stage) to glamorous fashion show, mime, skit and dance (on-stage).

SPORTS TOO

On January 20, 2001, the college was a sportsman's haven-it was the traditional Annual Sports Day. The students, smartly clad in black and white, participated in the impressive march past as well as the numerous athletic events, winning prestigious shields and trophies for their respective classes. Games were also comanised for teachers and little children, and prizes were distributed amidst the cheering audience.

FROM THE NSS DESK

Under the guidance of Prof G Mendes, the NSS volunteers of Government College Sanquelim undertook several activities like workshops, talks and a camp. A blood donation drive was held on August 11 on the campus, with the assistance of doctors from the Goa Medical College Hospital. Besides that, an one-day workshop on AIDS Awareness for HSS/Colleges was held on August 26. The Resource team included Dr Silvano Dias Sapeco and representatives of Family Service Centre and Positive People.

A 10-day residential camp was held at the Government High School in Sal from October 21 to 30. The students actively involved themselves with the locals and wholeheartedly participated in the camp. The NSS Youth Week from December 12 o 16, saw the campus come alive with numerous competitions like duet singing, fancy dress, folk dance, etc.

A significant achievement this year was the selection of Miss Shweta R Lawanis, an NSS Volunteer, for participation in the Republic Day Camp at New Delhi from January 3 to 31, 2001.

So friends, here we presented a few glimpses into the bustling and rollicking world of Government College, Sanquelim. It's a wonderful place where academics is the 'hand' and co-curricular activities the 'glove', and both fit each other marvelously.

The students here may appear simple and modest, yet the Third Year Final Results always add a feather to the college cap, with one or more meritorious achievements. Very soon, the college will launch its own website, in the form of a TYBSc student project. So, if you thought that this college is a "rural" one, think thrice or you may lose the wager!