COLLEGE ANTHEM
A solo performer sang 'If I could write a song and get the world to sing along' and yet another set of lyrics proclaimed. 'I'd like to teach the world to sing'. The three young students of Catering College had no such ambition... When Ajit Singh, Nobel Fernandes and Peter Menon composed the college song, little did they realise that it would survive more than two generations of students and many changes in the face of the institute.
It was a moment in time when Mumbai was just beginning to be a happening city. 'Hanging Out' was more than just eating, drinking and smoking. It meant good music and if you could make your won music, so much the better. It was an era that heralded the formation of 'beat groups', as they were referred to then. And so it was that Ajit, Nobel and Peter came together to form a beat group with the unconventional name, Lovegrove purification plant. This curious name was taken from the Lovegrove sewage plant at Worli which is about 5 kms away from our institute. They were backed by a drummer Baba who was not a Catering College student.
While sitting on the steps of the auditorium, during one of the many practice sessions, the college song was born. Once the idea of the trio contributed to it line by line and note by note until they agreed on the final piece. The big moment for the performance was yet to come...
It was to be a surprise, so all involved were sworn to secrecy and practiced in private prior to the day of the performance somewhere in the month of December, 1970. When the day arrived Ms. Thangam Philip had invited Mr Cyril Belfield Smith as guest of honour. They were extremely pleased with the performance and the piece was adopted as the college anthem.
The anthem has transcended the generation gap, the increase in number of students, the transition from state administration to national administration and the conversion from diploma to degree. Indeed, true to the lyrics of the anthem "We change with changing seasons and time", but we hope that those who "Enter to learn" will always pursue the passion to "go forth to serve".
"Enter to learn and go forth to serve"
Young as we are looking up to life,
The aims we set are high,
We go forth to the world to serve,
We are reaching for the sky.
Enter to learn, go forth to serve,
And serve with pleasure, one and all.
Health and joy we spread around,
We strive towards our goal,
We show the world our worth and might,
We are not just wandering souls.
Enter to learn, go forth to serve,
And serve with pleasure, one and all.
We never give in to whims and follies,
We are true to the end,
We change with changing seasons and times,
We are in with every trend.
Enter to learn, go forth to serve,
And serve with pleasure, one and all.
Enter to learn, go forth to serve,
And serve with pleasure, one and all.