Chennai: As India celebrates Independence Day, this historic date also concludes 76 years of our existence with free India.The trajectory of our evolution and growth runs parallel with that of the nation and we find ourselves in a rapidly changing and evolving interconnected global environment that impacts every aspect of our daily lives.This date is also a testament of our vision - to giving our country, women devoted to academic excellence, all-round development and service. On this special occasion, our chief guest,Tmt. Uma Maheswari IAS, Secretary, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission hoisted the national flag and, in her address, stated that hoisting of the flag symbolises the memorialisation of our country’s freedom fighters. She recalled the role of women during India’s freedom moment especially women from Tamil Nadu and urged the students to do well in their respective fields.Dr. Sr. Stella Mary fmm, Principal i/c, Stella Maris Collegeduring her address spoke about having hope in our youth to change the world to make a better place for every being on planet earth. A documentary video on the concept “My India, My Pride” was also released in whichour students representing different states, cultures and languages spoke on their opinion about freedom - what it meant to them and the pride that they had about being an Indian. As a prelude to our Independence Day celebrations, the Students’ Union organised Culture and Heritage Day on 11 August 2023 to celebrate our rich culture, ethnicity and diversity. The annual college magazine and the first copy was handed over to Tmt. Uma Maheswari. The thematic framework was the G20 summit and its relevance. The celebrations culminated with a cultural programme on the theme ofIndia’s G20 Presidency - “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ followed by a cake cutting ceremony.About Stella Maris College:Stella Maris College (Autonomous), Chennai is a Catholic Minority College run and governed by the society of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.