Berkley Center

Background: As part of the Education and Global Social Justice Project, in May 2011 undergraduate student Deven Comen interviewed Abhay Mital, an undergraduate studying economics, mathematics, and statistics at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, India. In this interview, Mital discusses the Jesuit mindset at St. Xavier’s and his personal Social Involvement Program (SIP) experience.

What brought you to St. Xavier’s?

I am studying economics and statistics. What brought me to Xavier’s is the diversity of the campus. My [International Baccalaureate] high school was an elitist school, not just in terms of academic excellence, but also in terms of the socioeconomic standards. For me, Xavier’s shows the diversity of interests among students such that it is a mini university in itself. I really like it. It is one of the only colleges in India that allows for excellent academics, extracurriculars, and social work.

How was the shift from a secular to a Jesuit school?

The thing that strikes me the most about Jesuit education is the discipline. I had been to a few other colleges in Mumbai, but the 75 percent attendance requirement at Xavier’s is unique. The teachers, while friendly, maintain a distance. I really appreciate that discipline because I am an academically oriented student and prefer to study in a nice, vibrant, but secure environment.

Even though this is a Jesuit institution, Father Frazer [Mascarenhas, Xavier's principal] is quite a secular man. We have students coming from many religious backgrounds. I couldn’t tell you a difference between a Jesuit institution and another one, except for this sort of mindset.

Can you tell me about your SIP experience?

I am mentoring three or four children at this NGO called Youth for Youth in Bandra. For the last six or seven months, I was attending three times a week, twice a week. Youth for Youth is an organization associated with the Jesuits. It is an after-school program for kids with disadvantaged background. It is not necessarily at the grassroots level, but the children are in government schools and need the extra support. The kind of work I did gave me insight into the lives of these children. It was a bit difficult for me to connect with them in the beginning, but they eventually opened up to me. It was hard for me to work with the seventh grade syllabus. During the course of SIP I realized it is not so much about poverty—although they lived in a different background than me, they were so vibrant. They gave me a sense of gratefulness for what I have. I really am happy to see how they have progressed. For me, it was more about giving them a sense of skill than imparting knowledge. It helped me a lot as well. I noticed that the teachers emphasized rote learning and memorization over learning how to do well in life. I used make it a point that I would give a once-a-week session around a particular social issue. I realized although they had a basic understanding, they weren’t really into it. I thought it was important to teach the basics about topics like HIV and hygiene. I ended up teaching them how to debate. There is enormous benefit in having a civilized discussion with someone else.

Can you tell me about the student body here at Xavier’s?

The diversity is on a number of levels. I had friends who are national archery champions. I know students involved in the fashion industry. Besides interest diversity, the backgrounds are very different. I have friends from Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, the rural areas. For me to interact with those students was quite an experience.

Can you further describe the Jesuit “mindset” you mentioned?

Even though our college does not propagate any religion, I specifically remember Father Frazer telling us the specific four important policies of St. Xavier’s: academics, extracurriculars, social work, and the spiritual. Over the course of the year, I realized spirituality is quite different from religion. Religion is often mandated, but spirituality is within us. It is all about having a good outlook towards life, doing good for others, and working towards a common good.

Many students plan to get a job and live a nice happy life. In my opinion, we tend to forget the contribution that society has given us. For a number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the fact that the government is subsidizing education is quite significant.

The spirituality element of college wasn’t forced. It happened gradually. Being good and nice is all that counts in life.

What’s next for you?

I am now undecided as to whether I want to become an economist or enter the financial world. My service work has become an integral part of my life. I’ve realized when I do it, I’m happy. It is not a matter of compulsion. A number of my friends participating are concerned about the SIP hours. For me, the reflections and the hours gave me quite a lot. Definitely it will be taking a backseat once I start working. Finding the balance between my work and these sorts of opportunities will be a challenge. But if I can find time to hang out with my friends, why can’t I be involved in work that benefits society?

Many of my ideas have been shaped by the process of Reiki that I practice. My thinking has evolved such that I want to be involved in these sorts of activities. That is the spirituality element in my life. It becomes a way of life, called the attitude of gratitude. Living in the moment is quite important.