Accolades

Ode to my Alma Mater
Lord I thank thee for yet another day.
I thank thee for the creations around me; grant me the wisdom to appreciate.
I thank thee for my nation; grant me the wisdom to realize the sense of universal brotherhood.
I thank thee for my family, all those who have supported me, loved me and grant me the wisdom to recognize their contributions.
I thank thee for my institution and all that I have gained through this; grant me the wisdom to appreciate all the good things happening around me and the sense of belonging. Give me the strength to recognize my limitations and go beyond them and also accept the things that I cannot change. Give me the courage to accept the challenges of this world and the strength to live up to them. Bless Garden City College and bless those who are responsible for its evolution and growth, my colleagues and well-wishers.
Grant me your everlasting peace and success in all that I do today.

“I thank thee, the Almighty…”
For some of us, these might be just the starting lines of a morning prayer but for many others like me, these were the inspirational lines that carried us through the phase of life in college. This prayer that has been part of my existence for the past three years on each and every morning is heard once again. Probably for my last time!
The quest for my degree is complete and time has come for me to return back to my motherland. As I bid a tearful adieu to GCC, a noble institution that has molded me to be the person I am today, full of colour and glamour (as I believe), it undoubtedly due to this amazing place and the efforts that went into preparing us to face the challenges of this world.
GCC provided us with memories, laughter and bright cheers that I will treasure and value for the rest of my life. My stay in Bangalore can be termed as the best years of my life.
It is with a heavy heart that I pen down these few words of separation while bidding farewell to my alma mater, offering my heartfelt gratitude for shaping me to be a complete and polished graduate that I am today.
Tears flood my eyes when I wake up to the realization that I will no longer be a part of this Garden City College student community. But I will always be proud to consider myself to be a successful Gardenian in whatever I do and that is a promise to this noble institution - to live up to the spirit of a true Gardenian.
GCC was always a home away from home. No matter how much we cribbed, got annoyed or frustrated at the end of the day in college. This was all forgotten because deep down in our hearts, the brotherhood among Gardenians kept us going. There was always the feeling that we still belonged to one family and united under one big umbrella – GCC.
5 continents, 55 nationalities and more than 4,500 friends kept us going in a place that was far away from home. The bond of affection, admiration, love and care made us respect each others differences and learn to co-exist in this unique but one of a kind institution that has added spice to our lives by providing the platform to master diverse skills that I will find to be of great help to serve mankind in every possible way. I believe that human existence is solely to be of service to fellow brethrens, understand each other in times of distress and despair and lend a hand to the destitute, desperate and the needy.
And here I am ready to take the world in my hands in order to make a difference in the lives of my brethrens to create a difference in the way we all think and act.
Millions of gratitude to my alma mater for helping me to imbibe the virtues of patience and the values that will help me fulfill my worldly tasks.
From classroom sessions to extra-curricular activities, whatever it was, the lessons were immense.
The teachers were the best inspiration that kept the flame burning for the carefree youth that tried to find every possible means to evade lessons. They made us realize the gravity of life and the long road in pursuit of happiness. They were like angels who guided us in the right direction when we were lost. They made our path smooth when it became rough and tough.
Words are insufficient to express my gratitude to these people who deserve the best and nothing less in life. May the Almighty shower his blessings on them for their efforts as well as hard work, they definitely proved to be helpful.
From the cafeteria till the Fresheterian, memories keep coming to my mind as I drown in my thoughts of college life. The fun, enthusiasm and the laughter that we all shared are now left to be cherished as I walk around one last time trying hard to take my eyes off the place that meant so much to me through all the years.
It is not easy to find a better way to express my gratitude for this great place of knowledge for all its contributions to make us have a smooth journey down life’s lanes.
Hats off to all the officials who worked tirelessly to make every Gardenian attain the best of life... Thank you. May the Almighty shower his blessings on this institution and its members to grow from strength to strength!

Ms. Raifa Giado is BBM alumnus of GCC Class of 2007-08 She hails from the island nation of Sri Lanka and was the Student Convenor of Gardenia Internationale -Confluence ’08.