Hyderabad: St. Francis College for Women, Begumpet, bid a heartfelt farewell to its outgoing batch at a grand Masquerade-themed celebration. The event was held on campus in the presence of distinguished alumna Padma Shri awardee Deepika Reddy, renowned Kuchipudi dancer and founder of the Deepanjali Institute of Kuchipudi. The farewell brought together students, faculty, and guests to celebrate the achievements and journey of the graduating students through an evening of performances, awards, and reflection.
Addressing the gathering, Principal Prof. T. Uma Joseph reflected on the theme of the masquerade, tracing its origins to the Renaissance and its symbolism of identity and self-expression. She emphasized the importance of authenticity, stating, “While masks may add charm to an afternoon like this, they are not something we need in real life. Each one of you has spent years discovering who you are.” Encouraging students to embrace themselves fully, she added, “True success comes when you are comfortable in your own skin… You do not need a mask to belong.” Her words set the tone for an evening that celebrated individuality and growth.
The Chief Guest, Padma Shri Deepika Reddy, an illustrious alumna of the college, reminisced about her own farewell at the institution four decades ago and noted that the spirit of St. Francis remains unchanged. A recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri and the National Sangeet Puraskar in 2026, she has made significant contributions to India’s rich artistic heritage through her work in Kuchipudi.
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She stated “There are three P’s one must follow- Passion, Perseverance and Partnership. Teamwork will make you shine. There is no ‘I’, always a ‘We’. Work hard. Sadhana is key.” She encouraged students to move forward with integrity, reminding them that they will be the force shaping the nation. She concluded on a powerful note of empowerment, affirming that “Sthri Shakthi will always shine.”
The event featured the felicitation of the Student Council, NCC, NSS, Sports achievers, and special recognition awards, including for the college choir. Founder’s prizes and academic recognitions were also presented, with BA PPP and MSc Microbiology awarded Best Class, and Ms. Sara Saiju being honoured as Student of the Year.
The much-anticipated Ms. Francis competition was judged by Ms. Harsha Tallapragada, professional runway model and FDCI Model Hunt 2021 finalist, and Ms. Bhavana Sirpa, Miss Diva Telangana finalist 2020. The titles of Ms. Francis were awarded to Ms. Cilamkoti Kathyaeni (UG) and Ms. Spurthi Sharma (PG), with Ms. B. Siri Chandana as the 1st Runner-up and Ms. Raga Chandrika as the 2nd Runner-up.
Special titles were awarded to Ms. Kunjana Ganguly (Ms. Best Dressed), Ms. Bhavika Adwani (Ms. Talented), and Ms. Sarah Shaiju (Ms. Vivacious). The afternoon continued with vibrant performances and celebrations.
