WEST BENGAL

History

The history of the AICUF in the entire Nort-Eastern Region owes its existence to the charismatic leadership of Fr. G. Beckers. He was one of the pioneers of the AICUF movement in the northern region. Under his leadership the AICUF flourished right from its inception in 1959. In West Bengal and the North Eastern Region and became one of the foremost student movements.

The whole North East flourished steadily, with Calcutta as the nerve center. Regular annual camps brought diverse regions, languages, cultures together into one Indian ‘family’. Regular meetings andseminars on different topics brought students together. Creating an atmosphere of unity and solidarity, and most of all they served as a means of inculcating social values and responsibilities in the students.

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1948

On July 18^th, “Calcutta Catholic Students Movement (CCSM) was born –55 Catholic students from the colleges of Calcutta participated.

1949

The CCSM was affiliated to AICUF.

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1989

West Bengal State AICUF becomes an autonomous unit according to the new constitution. In October, Puja  Vacation camps were held in Midnapore.

Fr. Felix Raj was appointed State Adviser of the AICUF West Bengal. The resolute new Adviser constantly reminded the students on the “Students Centrality”. He inspired and challenged the students and brought out the leadership qualities in the best way possible.

St. Xavier’s College organized a Human Rights Exhibition for Two days 12^th-13^th December 1989.

“Associate membership may be given to students of other faiths and ideologies, who share the ideals of AICUF as enshrined in the Constitution… Membership in West Bengal may be extended to the plus two students either in school or in college”.

-         West Bengal State Policy Document

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1993

A survey of Catholic Schools and Colleges in Calcuta was conducted by the AICUF, to study the condition of Catholic students in the educational institution.

“In spite of determined efforts there is yet plenty to be done to generate an interest and involvement among the tribal youth. Though the women’s commission took off the launching pad amid great fanfare yet it has somehow lost its sense of direction. This was due to the fact that it was spearheaded by girls students in their final year of college and a yawning gap was left behind on their departure. The absence of a full time animator also added to their woes. The successful functioning of this women’s commission along with the coming of catholic girls to the forefront, is seen as one of the biggest challenges of West Bengal AICUF today”.

1999-2000

• Leadership cum exposure camp at Chamrisai

• AICUF Day celebrated at St. Xavier’s College

• A seminar on “Christian Response to the Challenges in India”

• The leadership training workshop at St. Xavier’s College

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2000-2001

• A seminar on ‘View of Jesus in other Religions’ organised by West Bengal AICUF     at  St. Xavier’s College.

• West Bengal AICUF State Congress organised by St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata.

2001 - 2002

• An Inter Unit debate held at St. Xavier’s collegiate school

• AICUF organised an Inter-unit girl contest at St. Xavier’s collegiate school

• AICUF Women’s Commission of West Bengal relaunched by the  student  of st. Xaiver’s College, Kolkatta

• West Bengal AICUF Puja Camp at Darjeeling.

• The first Women’s Commission seminar at St. Xavier’s College.

• National Youth Convention at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata

• International Human Rights Day celebrated

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2002-2003

• ‘Adivasi Yuva Chetna Manch’ (AYCM) launched

•   Puja Camp held at St.Paul’s School, Raghavpur

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