The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee called up Jesuit Father Felix Raj today who is in New York to address the Alumni of St. Xavier's and requested him to return by May 20 to receive the  State's highest award, BANGA BIBHUSAN. The WB Government decided on Thursday, May 15 in a Cabinet meeting to confer the prestigious award on Father Felix Raj in recognition of his enormous contribution to education. The award will be conferred on May 20th at a public State function in the Science City auditorium, Kolkata.
Father Raj thanked the Chief Minister over the phone for her Government's recognition and appreciation of Jesuits' work in West Bengal and expressed to her that he was unworthy of such an award.
Father Felix Raj is the Principal of St. Xavier's College, Kolkata.
He is currently in USA to meet his alumni/ae at NY, San Francisco and California. On May 3, he inaugurated the Europe chapter of the St. Xavier's College's Alumni Association in Luxembourg.
Father J. Felix Raj: A Profile
Fr. John Felix Raj, (born 1954) is the principal and former Rector of St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. He is professor of economics in this renowned institution. He is the director, the Goethals Indian Library and Research Society, Kolkata and the West Bengal State Advisor to All Indian Catholic University Federation.
Raj is a well-known writer and has presented papers in many national and international conferences. Raj has lectured in many universities in Europe, USA and Canada. He is an educationist, associated with a number of NGOs and engaged in many philanthropic activities. Parivartan and Snegam, NGOs engaged in social and educational activities, are his brainchildren. His initiative, “College to Village and Village to College” at St. Xavier's College is a novel effort in education.
He is the recipient of:
(2006) - Mother Teresa Millennium Award by Mother Teresa's International and Millennium Awards Committee, Kolkata.
(2008) - First CAB Community Development Award by Catholic Association of Bengal
(2008) - MahdeolalSaraogi Award by Rotary Club of Kolkata
(2011) - Lifetime Achievement Award by Core Sector Communiqué, Kolkata
(2013) - Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Memorial Award by West Bengal Board of Madrasa Education, Kolkata.

He is the author of six books and numerous articles in the fields of economics, education and spirituality respectively.

“ Fr. Felix Raj is a true icon not only for those who have gone through or will go through the portals of St. Xavier’s College, but also for those who study in other competent institutions as well.” He has demonstrated that classrooms are not solely intended to impart knowledge but in equal measure to inspire the students to search for truth and arrive at their own conclusions. I am sure that St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, would be richer with the presence of someone like Fr Felix Raj.”
H.E. M. K. Narayan
Governor
West Bengal