President's Address

We are living in one of the most interesting and challenging times in modern Nepal’s history. It is no longer the Nepal that was when Fr. Marshall D Moran first established St. Xavier’s in 1951 in Godavari. The nation has gone through many changes in the last 50 years, changes that few had dreamt of back then but that which was inevitable. Never before in our short history after the creation of the state have Nepalis stood up so united for a common cause, that of building a Nepal where all Nepalis have the right to live their lives with dignity and freedom. We have not reached the end of history yet for only now has the process of making history truly begun.

There are plenty of hurdles in our path to create this new Nepal that each of us dreams of, for the task of nation building is of Himalayan proportions. But every challenge is an opportunity in itself. This is where we as Xavierians have one of the most important roles to play as a privileged lot that got the best on offer. It is not that we have ignored the call of the country, for though we may have chosen to contribute in our own little ways, St. Xavier’s alumni have excelled in every profession that we have stepped in. That alone is proof that with we can make significant contributions to creating a better Nepal.

For the last 40 years the Godavari Alumni Association has been involved in uplifting the underprivileged of Nepal and helping our own members develop leadership skills. As an apolitical organization under the compassionate wisdom of late Fr. Eugene Watrin who changed the lives of thousands of lesser fortunate citizens of the country our own members recognized the need to look beyond personal gains. Today the nation calls on us to play a bigger role in leading the way to a better tomorrow.

Our executive committee elected on 2 September 2006 has in the last six months been working hard to bring about a new enthusiasm among younger members and strengthen our network. It is our belief that we as Xavierians can help bring about changes that will benefit the people of Nepal and serve as an example to the rest of the world in these challenging times.