Queen Mary’s college celebrates centenary year
College alumni, former principals and faculty sharing their nostalgia during centenary celebration
Chennai: Queen Mary’s College for Women, the first government college in South India, celebrated its centenary with college alumni, former principals and faculty sharing their nostalgia on Wednesday. The college commenced in July 1914 with its name as Madras Women’s College. Then it had just 33 women students. Today, the college has more than 7,000 students with 25 departments.
The name of the college was changed to Queen Mary’s College in 1917. The college is part of the Chief Minister’s study abroad program and six postgraduate students of this institution have been selected to spend one semester in a UK based university this year. Despite making rapid strides in the field of education since Independence, India has a long way to go to ensure more girls get education, Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah said in his valedictory address.
Women constitute almost half of the population in the world and improving their status brings about development, he told participants. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, the Governor said there is no chance of the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. It is not possible for a bird to fly on one wing. Today women have left no field untouched and they have proved their mettle in all spheres. “Work with dedication, determination, zeal, incessant quest for success and willingness to walk an extra mile towards achieving your goals,” he said. Earlier, he released the centenary souvenir. Higher education minister P. Palaniappan received the first copy.