This ‘Parliament’ session was sans boycotts and squabbles

It was a Parliament session; but unlike a typical Parliament session in the Centre, there were no shouting of slogans, no charging to the well of the House, no tearing of documents and, most importantly, no boycotts. Rather there was good discussion of issues, debates and a rare decorum followed with precision.

All this took place when the Political Science students of SJC came together to hold a mock session of the Parliament here on Monday, January 10.

The programme was inaugurated by Principal, Fr Ambrose Pinto. The major attraction of the event was that the students enacted the roles of President, Vice-President, Speaker, Prime Minister, Opposition Party members etc. Typical Parliament logistics were in place as the ruling and the opposition party members sat on either side of the House.

“For the first time in our country an indigenous Influenza A H1N1 vaccine is being developed which will be available this year,” said the President in his presidential address. He said that food security could be ensured only through sustained effort at increasing agricultural productivity combined with a comprehensive reform of the Public Distribution System and open market intervention. He also added that India should keep a constant watch and innovate against global terrorist groups. “My Government is committed in ensuring early passage of Women’s Reservation Bill which was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in May 2008. I would urge you to accord special attention to this critical proposal,” said the President, Keshav of III HEP.

Rise in food price, skyrocketing of onion and garlic price, people dying of cold weather conditions and left wing extremism in North-east part of the country were some of the issues that were raised during motion of thanks event. The Prime Minister (Vanissa, III EPS) and the Home Minister (Thejaswini, III HEP) responded to the questions saying that the rise in price of food items was everywhere in the world and it was the same in India as well. The Prime Minister also said that the present scarcity of onion was a creation by certain retailers who had hoarded large quantity of onion. He also added that Government had decided to avail services from the NGOs to rescue people who were suffering from extreme cold.

Regarding the Naxal issues, the Home Minister defended saying that the Government was holding discussions with all the groups, and in addition to this, the Government had also dispatched additional para-military forces to these states.

“The main objective of the event was to develop interest in national issues among the students. Next time when they read a news story with national importance, they would soon re-collect it as they have enacted it,” said P E Somaiah, programme coordinator and faculty member of Political Science department.

The students were found actively participating in the event. “It was a beautiful experience and we had the feeling that we were in the Parliament,” said Karthik of I EPS, a member of the model Parliament programme.

- Navami S, I M S Com

Media are unelected opposition leaders, opines Prof. Govind Rao

Are the media discharging their duties as expected of them? Are they being responsible at a critical time as these? What are the trends and opportunities available for young media aspirants in India today? These were some of the issues discussed and debated at the Outlook 2011- Media Matters, seminar held here on Saturday, January 8.

The seminar was organised by MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai in collaboration with St Josephs College, Bangalore. The theme of the seminar was ‘Trends and Opportunities in Media’ and a number of speakers from a wide array of media related backgrounds shared their expertise on the subject matter.

Prof. G.K Govind Rao

The Chief guest for the event G.K Govind Rao, an actor and activist, in his inaugural address explored the role of media in a democracy. He said, “The media plays the role of an unelected opposition leader in a democracy. It should not be partisan. They must not take a stand for or against the party in power, but rather for the issue at hand.” He added, “The media has the dual role of providing knowledge and sharing experience. It should help the reader understand the past and visualise the future.”

Shedding light on the values that the media must propagate, he said, “The tenets of a democratic society include justice and equity. But for years, we have inherited feelings of superiority and inferiority. The media must mercilessly point out the kind of society we are trying to continue. The media must not cater to the audience’ taste, rather it should create new ones. It must help the youth think differently.”

Fr Ambrose Pinto, Principal of St Josephs College, who presided over the event, said, “There is a close nexus of the media with the corporate and political world. This marks the imminent death of the people’s media. The media today is communal, corrupt and commercial. What we should have in its place is a people-centric media which is concerned, compassionate and conscious.”

The speakers for the event were Prakash Belawadi, a journalist and film director, TNA Perumal, a wildlife photographer, Sourabh Panjwani, Post Doctoral Researcher working for Microsoft Research India and Sneha Iype, Executive producer, Nirvana Films. Each of these speakers shared the prevailing trends and presented the various opportunities that exist in their fields.

Prakash Belwadi

Students from colleges around the city such as Sri Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain College (SBMJC), Christ University, National College, Garden City College, St Josephs Evening College and Sri Sri Media Center were in attendance for the event. “The Seminar gave us a practical perspective of how the industry functions today,” said Firdouse from SBMJC.

- Parinitha, James, I M S Com

‘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