Valedictory moments 2011

It was an emotional day for over 700 graduating students of SJC as they gathered for the valedictory function here on Saturday, April 9. They were seen in colourful attire cherishing memorable moments even as they took part in a very meaningful ceremony which included, among other things, blessing, receiving of memento (College logo) and lighting of candle to take Josephite pledge.

Eminent alumni, Mr Ramesh, IG-DIG of Karnataka Police, Mr Navin Kumar, bureaucrat and Mr Rayan, accomplished photographer and film maker, were felicitated by the Principal, Fr Ambrose Pinto. Each of them went down memory lane and shared with the audience some memorable moments when they were students at SJC. The audience burst into bouts of laughter when Mr Rayan revealed that he was the one who had placed a cracker in the men's toilet lighted with a agar batti.

Five students, one each from different faculties, shared their thoughts as they were ready to leave the campus.

Seminar on water conservation

The Zoology Department of SJC organised a two-day UGC sponsored seminar titled ‘Water Conservation and Rain Water Harvesting’ at here on Friday. The objective of the seminar was to emphasise the importance of water in human life and its conservation.

Dr Hariharan, water champion founder of Bio-diversity and Conservation of India Limited, was the chief guest for the event.

Geetha vishwanathan, HOD of department of Zoology, said, “World water day is celebrated all over the world this week. In the backdrop of that we are also conducting a seminar on water conservation this week. The seminar will create awareness among masses concerning the acute shortage of water and its effective conservation.”

She further added, “Water is a very important component for all the living organisms. The mismanagement of this vital resource by the humans has caused an immense damage to the balance of the planet earth. The need of the hour is that we all join our hands together and bring back water equilibrium in nature to save our lives as well as the future generations.”

Sebastian R, a III year CBZ student, said, “Life without water is unimaginable. It is our duty as responsible citizens to try and save water as much as we can. Basically water component plays enormous role in the existence of all living creatures. Hence water is considered as the mother of all components.”

He further said, “We should always bear in mind that every person of this planet should owe some responsibility to save water.”

Namritha from M S Ramaiah Degree College, who participated in the seminar, said, “Topic for the seminar was a contemporary one. Both the government and the public should take some measures to save the rain water which simply gushes down into our gutters.”

Students of 10 different colleges of the city participated in the seminar.

- Vignesh I M S Com

The tale of chirping birds in campus

Do you know that there are many migratory birds in our campus? Are you passionate about listening to their chirping and observing them for some time? If yes, then you should definitely come near the banyan tree in the quadrangle at the science block a little early than your usual college time.

The spring season is on and there are many different species of birds that come down to Karnataka. The banyan tree at the quadrangle is one of the main places where these birds settle. They come in groups of eight in the morning and would munch the fruits from this tree. They also assure that the campus is lively with their chirping right from early hours till the evening time.

Did I hear someone asking about the names of these birds? Well, the most attractive species amongst all these migrated birds is Rose Pastor, which is also called as Rose Starling. These birds are called so as their chest region is rosy in colour and they hail from Europe. Apart from Rose Starling, there are birds like Parakeets, Kites, Koyals and Falkens as well.

Prof. Wilson, HOD of Environmental Science department is one of those who is keenly observing these birds. He had much to say: “I have been observing these birds (Rose Starling) for the past few years and what I noticed was that they have come a little late this time. Usually, they come during February but this time, they reached here in the beginning of the month of March. They are expected to be here till April. But, I am not much sure as they came late this time. There are worms inside the fruit here and these birds eat them. They also get a lot of energy that they chirp the whole day long. Our students are doing some observations in this regard.”

“Earlier there were many birds which migrated from different places. Compared to last time, the number of birds has decreased. The reason may be the escalating traffic and other industrial developments,” said, Geetha Vishwanath, HOD of Zoology department.

She further added, “Students of Zoology department keep a watch on all types of bird species that come down to our college and they say it is interesting.”

In spite of the tight scheduled at college, students were also found spending some time in observing these migratory birds. “We notice many birds near the quadrangle and it is really interesting to observe them,” said, Vidya, a student from I CBBT.

- Navami S, I M S Com

Think globally and develop a global perspective, says top Jesuit.

The Superior General of the Society of Jesus Rev. Fr. Adolfo Nicholas has urged Jesuits and their collaborators – teachers, former students and well-wishers to be innovative, creative and critical in their educational processes and provide an education relevant for the times. Addressing a select group of teachers, former students and friends of the Jesuit institutions of Bangalore numbering 450 at St. Joseph’s College of Commerce on 26^th February 2011 he asked educators of Jesuit institutions to be aware of the superficialities of globalisation and not be carried away by changes.

While making a case for a new thinking on pedagogies given the changing times, he desired that Jesuit Education will not only provide education but a good education accessible to the poor as well and create men and women of analysis, mind and spirit to make their contribution to improve the quality of human living. Stressing the place of history in human thought, he stressed the relevance of history for a good education. Fr. Ambrose Pinto SJ, Principal of St. Joseph’s College, welcoming the Jesuit General described him as a visionary and a man on fire to serve God and humanity.

He was warmly welcomed by Fr. Vijayakumar Prabhu SJ, the Rector of St. Joseph’s institutions on behalf of the management, Sri David S, the Vice-President of the St. Joseph’s College Alumni on behalf of former students and Lawrence, a student of St. Joseph’s College on behalf of all students. Dr. Etienne Rassendran while hailing the deep insights of the Superior General on education thanked him for his insights on the place of history in education and his creative and critical responses for re-tuning education for the times.

Media professionals debate responsibility of media in emerging India

To create awareness and generate debate about recent controversies and the role of media, and sensitise students, the department of Communication of St Josephs College organised a seminar on the theme ‘The responsibility of media in an emerging India’ here on Friday. The chief guest for the seminar was Maharaja Pradyot Bikram Manikya, the King of Royal House of Tripura and the Editor of North East Times.

Addressing the seminar Fr Ambrose Pinto, Principal of SJC said, “There is a nexus between the media houses and the corporates. Reporting in India is highly communal, corporate and corrupt.” Speaking about various communal issues of the country he pointed out the Godhra case and said that the respective people involved in the carnage of Gujarat riots were not only considered heroes, but were also a part of the government.

The first session of the seminar was addressed by K.S Dakshina Murthy, the Editorial Consultant at The Hindu, who spoke about the phenomenon of Paid news and journalistic ethics’. The session was chaired by Prof. Syed Amjed Ahmed from the department of Communication of SJC. “Journalistic ethics, particularly paid news, is a very vast, nuanced area which is very difficult to judge and take action against,” said Mr Murthy.

Providing an insight into ‘News sources and journalist relations’, Prof. N. Ashok Kumar, Chairman of the department of Electronic Media, Bangalore University, spoke extensively about the credibility and confidentiality of the news source a journalist should maintain. “Cultivation of sources and maintaining them is the only hope for journalists,” said Mr Kumar. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Leela Rao, from the department of Communication.

Afternoon session started with a panel discussion about ‘The future of investigative journalism’. The chairperson for the event was Byatha N. Jagadeesha,, advocate of the High Court and Human Rights activist. The issue was discussed in detail by Sanjana, deputy editor of tehalka.com and Bansy Kalappa, special correspondent and chief reporter of News 9.

Nearly 200 people, mostly students from various colleges of Bangalore took part in the seminar.

- Sneha and Rahiba, I M S Com

Media must spread in rural areas, says Bikram Manikya

“Media needs to grow beyond urban centres and move to more rural places and places less known,” said Pradyot Bikram Deb Baraman, King of the Royal house of Tripura and the Editor of North East Times. He was addressing the students at the seminar on ‘The responsibility of media in an emerging India’.

Speaking about the situation in the media today, Mr Deb Barman spoke about how the vision had narrowed down, and how stereotypes had dominated our perception of the world. “North East is always viewed as this one block rather than the eight different states that constitute the north east region of the country,” he added. Pointing to the ignorance of people in respectable positions in media houses, he said, “A person from a big media house actually asked me if the capital of Nagaland is Sikkim.”

Suggesting reforms in the media, he emphasised the need for the media to have a more mature approach to issues. “Media today sells news rather than disseminate news to the public,” said Mr Deb Barman. He also added that people needed to be fearless even if it meant voicing an opinion against institutions like the army, because it was the right the people.

“A tree cannot become big if the roots are not strong,” he said, talking about the importance of having sound ethics and a good balance in reporting issues in the media. He further added that news needs to be based on facts devoid of personal emotions and one should not attack individuals.

Answering a query from a student as to why India was obsessed about Pakistan and not the Chinese threat, he said, “India has always been on the defensive with regard to China. Instead of bettering the life of its citizens by providing better infrastructure, they are concentrating more on limiting further insurgency in the country.” He further added, “The way India is approaching the issue of Chinese intrusion shows a complete lack of faith in its own population.”

- Sneha Shyam and Rahiba Parveen, I M S Com

Variety of biriyanis served at Muslim food fest

The aroma of the variety of biriyanis attracted scores of students to the Muslim cuisine fest organised in the campus on Tuesday. The event was organised by Social Zest, the Sociology Association of the College.

The fest consisted of ‘beef biryani’, ‘chicken biryani’, ‘mutton biryani’, ‘brinjal curry’, ‘raita’ and few other snacks which turned out to be quite an attraction for many students. The traditional attire worn by student organisers added to its uniqueness. Different decorations which included crafts, artefacts and other ornamental pieces that reflect the richness of Muslim culture adorned the venue.

Free copies of the English version of the Quran, the holy book of Muslims, were handed out to everyone at the fest. Azhar Khan, volunteer of Social Zest said, “The purpose behind organising such a fest was to showcase the Islamic culture and its influence on our literature, tradition and beliefs. We are distributing books in order to clear the misunderstanding amongst people about the Islamic religion.”

“Our college has very few Muslim students, because of which we wanted to give prominence to the community by organising this fest. Noticing its success there will be many more fests of this kind in the future,” said Dr Berin Lukas, Head of the Department of Sociology.

- Supriya I M S Com