‘Religion to faith’ book released

‘From Religion to Faith’ a book edited and introduced by Dr Fr Ambrose Pinto, Principal of St Joseph’s College (SJC) and Dr Etienne Rassendren, English Professor at SJC, was released here on Thursday. The book presents a collection of testimonies and multi-religious experiences by the staff and students of SJC.

Rasheed Kappen, journalist from Deccan Herald, Dr Manu Chakravarthy, Professor from NMKRV College, Fr Vijay Kumar Prabhu, Rector, Fr Jerome D’Souza were the distinguished guests present at the book launch.

Mr Kappen quoting Dr Etienne’s words from the book which struck a chord with him, he said, “Religions are actually confined with culture.”

He also spoke about Islam and said that if there was no dissent there would not have been the formation of the Shias and Sunnis and different schools of thought.

Speaking about the book, Fr Jerome D’Souza said that the book had essays written by Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and agnostics. Expressing his pleasure for having been associated with the book, he said, “Religion is a way in which religious consciousness of humanity is expressed and religious consciousness is part of human consciousness.”

He also added that religious consciousness somehow became narrow and limited and it had an aspect of mystery.

Manu Chakravarthy who critiqued the book said, “This book itself is a testimony of testimonies. The important feature of this book is that it is very open. Secondly, this book is also open to interrogation.”

Commending the effort of the students, he said that none of the essays were absurd and abstract. “All of them have sprung from a personal experience with his or her religion.”

- Michelle and Srividya I M S Com

College pays homage to Nivyadita

The College paid homage to Nivyadita Pandiyean, student of II EPS, who died in a road accident on Monday, December 20. Principal, vice Principal, staff members and many students gathered at a prayer meet held here on Wednesday.

“When you live in the hearts of those you love, remember then you will not die,” said a tearful Catherine from II EPS, even as she recalled unique moments with her friend Nivyadita.

Fr Clarence, the vice Principal in his address spoke of how the departure of Nivyadita had created a vacuum that could not be filled. He led the students in prayers for both Nivyadita and her family.

“Nivyadita may have died in the sense we understand, but I believe there is a new kind of existence in which she lives,” said Principal, Fr Ambrose Pinto. He further said, “While I pray for Nivyadita and her family, I also pray for all of us that none of us may be afraid of dying, as death is life in a new form of existence.”

Sumantho Mondol from II EPS, said, “Nivya was our delight. She laughed at all my silly jokes.” He further added on a philosophical note, “If tears could build a stairway, and memories were a lane, we would walk right up to heaven and bring you back again.”

The students lit candles and offered floral tributes to their friend, Nivyadutta.

Accident

Nivyadita met with an accident as the bike in which she was riding pillion skidded and she fell while she was on her way back from a friend’s birthday party. The onlookers immediately rushed her to a close by hospital. Since there were no external injuries she was given first aid. But on realising that her pulse and blood pressure rate were dropping, the hospital staff immediately asked her father to rush her to St John’s Hospital. Nivyadita died on the way.

Stanly James, another student who was riding the bike suffered minor injuries.

She was a dancer

Nivyadita was born on December 6, 1991 to Soundara Pandiyean and late Udaya Kumari. She did her schooling from St Charles School, Bangalore and later went on to do her PUC at Mount Carmel College. She then joined St Joseph’s College for her degree.

“In spite of the tragic demise of her mother some months ago, Nivya didn’t lose hope. She took care of her father and brother during these difficult times,” said Salomi of II EPS.

Nivyadita was known as an active, creative girl with an expertise at dance. She loved both Indian and Western dance styles. “She would dance in seven different styles,” said Salomi in her introduction.

The prayer ceremony was led by the students of II EPS. Nivyadita’s father Soundara Pandiyean and her brother were present during the prayer meet.

- Michelle Mathias, I M S Com

II EPS student of SJC dies in accident

Shree Nivyaditha S of II EPS died in a fatal accident in the city on Monday. The accident took place when the two wheeler in which she was riding pillion lost control and she was thrown out due to the impact. She sustained serious internal injuries. Though she was rushed to St John's Hospital, the doctors could not revive her and she succumbed to her injuries.

Ms Nivyaditha is survived by her father and brother. Her mother had passed away nine months ago. The rider, Stanley James has sustained injuries and has been admitted to the hospital.

Principal, staff and the students have offered their condolences. A prayer meeting to remember Nivyaditha was held in the campus on Wednesday.

Sports meet gathers many athletes

The two-day SJC sports meet concluded today witnessed fierce competition among Josephites in events such as long jump, short put, tug-of-war and relay.

Binoy Mathew of II M Sc Computer Science and Rakshitha of I MEC emerged as the fastest runners in 100 metres race. In 4x100 metre relay Arokyaraj, Aburvaraj, Stanley and Vinod Rosario of II EPS were the winners while Maria Shalini, Janitha, Suptha and Andria of PMC won women’s 4x400.

The winners of the events are - 1500 meters relay: gold- Arnold Ajay of I (BCA) and Priyanka of II (EPS); Long jump : gold - Binoy Matthew II Msc and Dolma of I (BSW); Discus throw : gold - C.B Bopanna of III (IES), Shermina of III (CBBT) ; triple jump : gold - Jinto III (HEP); High jump : gold - Laveen K.V of I (EPS), Suptha of II PMC; javelin throw : gold - Avinash of II CBZ and Nancy P of III CBZ ; Short put : gold - Rajesh of III BCA and Salomi Jacob of III (IES).

“This year’s participation is better than what was expected compared to the previous year,” said Professor Dr Jacob Abraham, department of Botany who was in charge of the sports meet.

- Madhumita I M S Com

Students cook food without fire

Have you ever thought of cooking delicious cuisines without fire? The Kannada Sangha of SJC organised a competition called ‘Cooking without fire’ here on Wednesday where delicious cuisines were prepared without fire. Students from various departments were found actively participating in the event.

The competition was conducted during the lunch hour attracting a huge crowd. Nine teams took part in the event. Fruit salad, nutro fruto, masti curd, jhum jhum champakali, ragi pan cake, desi corn, date roll were some of the food items that were prepared by the students on the spot without fire. “I am very excited, because here we are cooking without fire and it is something very unique,” said Syeda of II PEM.

Bharathy of III PMC, Vice -President of Kannada Sangha, said that the results of the competition would be out next week. The judges were Reene D’Souza and John Binze from Maths department. Judges were also all smiles after tasting different food items.

“I am very happy to see these children cooking food on the spot, especially ragi cake and date roll,” said Ms D’ Souza, one of the judges.

- Navami, I M S Com

Studetns light candles for human rights

Celebrating the International Human Rights Day, the South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM), St Joseph's College (SJC) and a few other city-based colleges and Long Island University, organised a week long event to create an awareness amongst people about their rights as human beings. The event ended with a ‘walk for rights’ rally and a ‘candle light vigil’ on Saturday. The rally began at SJC where around 200 students, along with members of Falun Dafa, an Association that strives to bring about harmony through meditataion and gentle movements, walked with banners and posters all the way to Town Hall.

“This is a students’ initiative and that is the specialty of this movement. We are determined to bring about a change in society and we will stand against any force to ensure that change takes place,” said Azhar Khan, the Vice President of Centre for Social Concern (CSC), SJC. “What we are igniting today will be a big fire tomorrow and as a member of civil society it is my responsibility to give back to society what I have taken from it,” he added.

On reaching Town Hall, the students of SJC also put forth a street play on female infanticide signifying that our very right as human beings is taken away even before we are born. The play was followed by a candle light vigil and an oath taking ceremony.

Incidentally, the college in collaboration with SICHREM offers a diploma course in human rights studies at St Joseph’s Evening College. “Many documentaries are screened regarding untouchability, caste system etc. Through this course we try to create an atmosphere to make people aware of their rights as citizens,” said Mr Khan.

Uma R, President of the National Service Scheme (NSS) said, “We want to be history makers so that the generations to come should not face any form of indiscrimination.”

- Supriya I M S Com

SJC at Basel Misssion carol singing

SJC choirs sang at the 10th annual Basel Mission carol singing competition on Friday, December 11. Here are glimpses of their mellifluous singing.

Video by Raghunath and Siddharth.

College choirs enthrall audience at Town Hall

The College choirs sang at the 10th Basel Mission carol singing at the Town Hall on Friday. Here are glimpses of their performance. Vocal Enigma lifted the trophy in the Senior category.

Pics by Melwyn Pinto SJ

Anti-corruption baton comes to SJC

Anti-corruption baton rally reached St Joseph’s campus on Thursday. The baton has been going around different colleges in Bangalore to bring awareness about the escalating corruption in the state.

Azhar Khan, the Vice President of Centre for Social Concern (CSC) said, “We have witnessed enough of corruption. It is high time to eliminate corruption at all levels from local self-government to national level. We invite college students to participate in an anti corruption rally and send out a loud and clear message Saaku (Enough!).”

“We encourage students to take part in the protest, not to support corruption or indulge in bribery," said Lok Satta member Arvind Kejriwal, who is a coordinator for the event. He also pointed out the instance that a policeman had demanded Rs 500 to carry the banner ‘Saaku’ inside the Chinnaswamy stadium on December 7. “We should neither indulge in corruption nor give bribes,” he said.

Varun Jagannath, the co-ordinator of National Service Scheme (NSS), said, “We have to actively participate in this rally and protest against corruption.”

The final rally will be held on December 11, the World Anti-corruption Day. It begins at 9.30 a.m. from Kanteerava stadium and ends at Shanti Nagar grounds.

- Anna, I M S Com

Students fast for human rights

Irom Sharmila is a civil rights activist and journalist from the state of Manipur. She has been fasting since November 4, 2000 till date, demanding the withdrawal of Armed Forces (special powers) Act (AFSPA).

In order to commemorate International Human Rights day which falls on December 10, a hunger fast in solidarity with Irom Sharmila was organised at MG square on Wednesday. The participants came together to fight against ASFPA and other repressive laws in the state of Manipur.

K P Sasi, a documentary film maker, said, “AFSPA is undemocratic and unconstitutional. It is the responsibility of the entire civil society all over the country to see to the removal of ASFPA.”

He further added that ASFPA had increased insurgency and most people who had been killed had nothing to do with insurgency.

Over 100 students from SJC joined together and raised the slogan ‘Speak up and stop discrimination’

Phurpa, a participant from SJC said, “This is a very effective way to bring about awareness and show the underlined problems that exist in Manipur.”

R Manohar, head of programme, SICHREM said, “Stop human rights violation and restore justice, peace and democracy.”

- Srividya I M S Com

‘Root out the poison of communalism’

A rally against communalism and for national integration was organised by the NSS and CSC departments here at St Joseph’s College. The rally termed as “Black Day” marked the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day which is celebrated annually across the world on December 10.

Father Ambrose Pinto, Principal of SJC encouraged the students to denounce communalism and support secularism. “All those who create trouble are not citizens, they are anti-nationalists. Denounce anyone who creates violence and discriminates on grounds of caste, creed and religion,” said Father Ambrose Pinto.

Around 100 students joined the march from St Joseph’s campus to Town Hall. They raised the slogan ‘Root out the poison of communalism’

“The march is all about disapproving communal violence and promoting national integrity. In India, people are exploited in the name of communalism,” said Gladson, the vice-president of the NSS.

The march was followed by a candle light vigil to show SJC‘s support for secularism against communalism.

- Ainsly and Priyanka S. I M S Com

Kannada Sangha observes Rajyotsava day

The Kannada Sangha celebrated Kannada Rajyotsava and honoured Fr Ambrose Pinto, Principal of St Joseph’s College, for the Karnataka Rajyotsava award he received, here on Friday. The award was presented to him by the Karnataka State Government on November 1, for his contributions in the field of Social Service.

The Chief Guest for the event was Fr Jerome D’souza, Scripture scholar at the Regional Theology Centre, Anekal. Dr Vijayraghavan, Head of the Kannada Department and Dr Poornima, the Kannada Sangha Coordinator, were also in attendance.

Speaking on the occasion, Fr D’Souza said, “Education is the most efficient institution. It provides the strength to lead a fuller life, and Fr Ambrose champions these tenets.”

Addressing the audience, Fr Pinto said, “Life is fruitful when it is spent in the service. Concern and compassion are essential for our existence.”

This event also flagged off the beginning of about 15 to 30 inter-class competitions which will be conducted over the course of the next two weeks. “Essays, debates, collage making and a photography exhibition are just some of the events that will be organised. The activities are centered around promoting folk culture and arts. The purpose behind them is to expand the horizons of the Kannada language,” said Ravikiran, III PEM, President of the Sangha.

The programme also included a dance performance by Navyashree from I BVC. Fr D’Souza honoured the Principal with a garland and a shawl.

- Elliot, I M S COM

Human Rights week inaaugurated

The social concerns of the College were yet again in focus as the 10-day Human Right week was inaugurated here on Wednesday. The event is organised in collaboration with South India Cell For Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM) and Indian Social Institute (ISI).

The UN slogan ‘SPEAK UP STOP DISCRIMINATION’ was emphasised throughout the event. The delegates spoke about the importance of Human Rights in the present Scenario. Dr Fr George, director of ISI called upon students to fight for Human Rights.

“If we don’t stop discrimination right now, I think, we would build a wrong India. As youngsters you should stand against such discrimination,” said Mr Mathew Philip, director of SICHREM. He also added his childhood experiences of hard struggle to substantiate the importance of Human Rights in the lives of every human being.

Students showcased a street play which carried a thought provoking message that went well with the importance of Human Rights. A dance show by the students wherein

music and choreography was composed by students themselves, added colours to the event. Towards the end of the programme, the chief guests and the students were asked to sign on the piece of cloth which said ‘Speak Up Stop Discrimination’.

“Such events are very good as they can create awareness among people about the importance of Human Rights and thus they can speak up when their rights are denied,” said Aneesh of II PMC.

- Navami I M S Com