We got a chance to sit down and talk with Rev. Dr. Fr. Felix Raj, Founder Vice-Chancellor, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, and understand what goes behind establishing a University, how the economic policies of a Nation are formed, why and how the Jesuits set such a high standard in their educational institutions, the lifestyle of a Jesuit priest, and more. Dr. John Felix Raj, SJ (born 1954) is a Jesuit priest in Kolkata, the City of Joy. He is the Founder Vice-Chancellor and a Professor of Economics of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata. He is the former Rector (1996 to 2002) and Principal (2009 to 2017) of St. Xavierโs College (Autonomous), Kolkata. He is also the director of The Goethals Indian Library and Research Society. He was the West Bengal state advisor to All Indian Catholic University Federation from 1989 to 2017. His specialization includes development economics, liberalization, privatization and globalization, public sector, disinvestment, spirituality, leadership skills and training. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from RabindraBharati University, Kolkata. Fr. Felix Raj was appointed member of the West Bengal Education Commission by the Governor of West Bengal to prepare a Road Map / Vision Document for 2020 and 2030 of the state's education sector. He was also the Vice-President and Secretary of the Bengal Economic Association. He is the Founder-President of SNEGAM, an NGO. His initiative, โCollege to Village and Village to Collegeโ at SXC and SXU Kolkata, is a novel effort in transformative education. He is the recipient of thirteen awards including Banga Bibhushan and Siksha Ratna from the Government of West Bengal and Nihil Ultra award from St. Xavierโs College. He has authored and co-authored nine books and has published numerous papers and articles in journals, international and national conferences and newspapers. #twistedtruths #dandgshorts #felixraj #frfelixraj #sxuk #jesuits #education #stxaviersuniversity Host & Creative Director: Joydeep Sen Creative Producer: Lal Bhatia Director: Shivam Makhija Show Producer: Payel Adhikary Sound Engineer: Harshit Pandey Video Editor: Bipplab Ghosh Cinematographer: Debargha Bhattacharya Parichay Samanta Backup Crew: Nilendu Gharami & Bapi Maity (00:00) Introduction ๐ (01:45) Deep Respect for Father Dr J Felix Raj ๐ (02:03) Gratitude for the Opportunity to Speak ๐ (02:11) Father's Association with the University ๐จโ๐ซ (02:28) Excitement for the Viewers' Benefit ๐ก (02:34) Celebrating Six Years of the University ๐ (02:42) Fondest Memory of the University ๐ค (03:22) Inspired by Chief Minister's Suggestion ๐ก (03:40) Quick Execution of the Idea โฐ (03:58) Foundation Stone Ceremony in December 2013 ๐ (04:16) Alumni and Student Involvement ๐ค (05:05) Chief Minister's Extended Presence โฑ๏ธ (05:43) Making People Happy through Growth ๐ (10:32) Difference between Religion and Spirituality โ๏ธโจ (10:44) Possibility of being Religious without Spirituality โ๏ธ (10:51) Importance of Spirituality in Religion โ๏ธโจ (11:02) Faith, Belief in God, and Spirituality โ๏ธ๐ (11:25) Transformative Education Dynamics in Kolkata ๐๐ซ (11:31) Reasons for Father's Career in Education ๐จโ๐ซ๐ (11:37) Family Background and Interest in Teaching ๐ช๐จโ๐ซ (11:42) Superiors' Suggestion to pursue Teaching ๐ฃ๏ธ๐จโ๐ซ (12:13) Joining St. Xavier's College for Teacher Training ๐จโ๐ (12:25) Teaching as a Mission of forming students ๐ผ๐จโ๐ซ (13:36) Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Growth in Education ๐ญ๐๏ธโโ๏ธโ๏ธ (13:48) Living with Hearts, not Minds ๐๐ง (13:55) Love vs Likes in Relationships ๐๐ (14:07) Difference between Love and Likes ๐โค๏ธ (30:57:00) Conversations about Silence ๐ฃ๏ธ (31:03:00) Meeting God ๐ผ (31:09:00) Every Person as an Image of God ๐ (31:21:00) Impact of a Spiritually Deep Lady ๐ (31:39:00) Transformation of Individuals and Communities ๐ (31:45:00) Bengal's Special Role in Fame โญ (32:00:00) The Importance of Bengal ๐บ (32:06:00) Worship of Goddesses in Bengal ๐ (32:14:00) Puja and Goddess Worship โจ (32:21:00) Kolkata's Contribution to Mother Teresa ๐ (32:28:00) City of Joy's Elevating Role ๐ (32:47:00) Father's Involvement in West Bengal Education Commission ๐จโ๐ซ (33:20:00) Evaluating and Renewing Education System ๐ (33:27:00) New Education Policy 2020 ๐ (33:33:00) Four-Year Undergraduate Courses ๐ (33:45:00) Changes in Educational Systems ๐