North East Tibetan cultures come alive at Footprints

Footprints 4.0, the North East and Tibetan cultural fest held here on Sunday had a royal touch of sorts with the presence of the King of the Royal House of Tripura Kirit Pradyot Deb Burman. He made the occasion even more inspirational with his thought provoking message to the hundreds of North East, Tibetan students gathered when he said that North East and Tibetan students when they go out of their states must be the ambassadors of their culture.

He said: “One should be proud of being an indigenous, as the Constitution puts it. North East students must be ambassadors of their particular state, wherever they go. When you go out of your state you not only study but you are studied as well.”

Speaking about the problems of North East, Mr Deb Barman said, “For the rest of the country people of North East are all same, though there are over 600 languages and hundreds of tribes. There seems to be lethargy among leaders of the country when it comes to the problems of the North East. As future leaders, students of North East must make a difference. People of the north east even if considered a backward group should come together to develop their states and voice their opinion.”

Welcoming the gathering, Principal Fr Ambrose Pinto said, “We are proud to have about 180 Tibetan students and several hundred North East students in our institution, who bring with them their traditional heritage and give us the broad perspective of society. They look alike but have different cultures which they will stage today. Each state has a different culture, tradition, food habit and yet they show a great level of oneness.” He further added, “Diversity and pluralism are pillars of Democracy. These values help in bringing about unity in society.”

The fest based on the theme ‘Breaking the barriers and building bridges’ focused on bridging the differences among the tribals of the North Eastern states and the others. This was well seen when the gathered crowd welcomed the plethora of traditional dances and music of the North East and Tibet. While different dance forms and music portrayed war, victory, love and sadness; the play on Irom Sharmila portrayed the strength and determination of the people. The air was filled with the aroma of delicacies of the indigenous tribes which was savored by one and all present and the crowd went dizzy when the students showcased their traditional attire in the much awaited ramp walk.

- Jennifer I M S Com

Pics by Raghunath II M S Com

First rain: rainwater harvesting works wonders in PG centre

The city witnessed the first downpour of the year on Monday. The first rains have worked wonders at SJC PG Centre as the newly installed rainwater harvesting system (RWHS) was instrumental in filling both the sumps and a 5,000 litre external tank.

The rain not only filled the tanks, the overflow has percolated into the defunct bore well to which the water pipes were directed.

“St Joseph’s College has done a very wise thing by installing the RWHS. Through this, whenever there is a downpour one can easily save up to 20,000 litres of water easily,” said Jeff Delimos, the installer of the RWHS.

He further added, “These days we see a lot of scarcity of water everywhere. In that way, we are getting a huge amount of water every single day whenever there is a downpour, which is not just of a better quality but free of cost as well.”

“It’s a good thing for the environment and as our College has taken it, it’s really very commendable,” said Pritam of I MSW.

The demand for water is growing everywhere and with a population of more than six lakh people in Bangalore, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board has declared that the total demand for water is 850 million litres per day. One of the best options to meet the demands of water scarcity is the RWHS.

- Maria Laveena, I MS Com

Euphoric moments of Visages

One of the most prominent attractions for ‘VISAGES’ that was held in the campus on Saturday and Sunday was the presence of Miss Earth 2010, Nicole Faria, who inaugurated the fest. She was the chief guest for the day.

Rakesh J.E, the Cultural Secretary said, “The fest saw had varieties ranging from Indian devotional songs to western electric. The first day of the event ended with splendid performance of Indian theme dance. However our College team’s performance was the best to win the first place.”

He further added, “On Sunday, the cultural event started with Indian classical singing. The highlight event of the day was the street dance.”

“The fest ended with western electric music which was an innovation. Luckily our college was the one to win it,” said Dennis B, Vice President of Students’ Council.

- Vignesh I M S Com

Visages: College bags maximum prizes

SJC maintained the glory of the College by bagging most number of awards in the inter-collegiate cultural fest, “Visages” organised by the Cultural Committee of the College here on February 12 and 13.

The Cultural Committee in their attempt to bring the colleges of Bangalore on a common platform to showcase their talent and portray their innovative ideas on the theme ‘Confluence of culture organised around 34 events such as folk dance, mime, costume presentation, vegetable carving, essay writing, debate, mehendi designing which saw a huge participation. “Around 35 colleges from the city such as SJC Commerce College, Baldwins Girl’s College, Mount Carmel College etc. actively participated in the events, which was quite encouraging,” said Mohammed Saif, President of the Cultural Committee.

He further added, “We had a huge turnout of audience and participants on both the days, in spite of the air show in the city and the weekend. Essay writing competition saw the most number of eager participants. This was highly motivating for the enthusiastic organisers and volunteers of the Committee who had worked for days to make this event a great success.”

Earlier, the inauguration of the event was graced by Miss Earth 2010, Nichole Faria who added charm to the event. Hundreds of students thronged the venue to have a glimpse of the celebrity.

- Jennifer I M S Com

Tripura king to grace 'Footprints 2011'

On 26th February is the North-East – Tibetan Festival at the college. The Festival will begin at 5.00 p.m. and closes at 8.00 p.m. His Highness Kirit Pradyot Deb Barman, the King of Tripura, aged 32 will be the Chief Guest. You have the details on the King below. This information is sent to you early so that you are able to make it for the festival. The festivals will a presentation of the dances, songs and other aspects of the rich culture of the North East and Tibet.

Fr Ambrose Pinto SJ

Principal

Kirit Pradyot Deb Barman

Maharaja Kirit Pradyot Deb Barman Manikya Bahadur, also Known as P.B.K Manikya (born on July 4th, 1978) is the current king of the Royal House of Tripura. He succeeded to the throne of Tripura on November 27, 2006.

He is the Chairman of the Royal Heritage Hotel

Member of the All India Congress

Chairman and Editor of “The Northeast Today” Magazine

Advisor to the North East Students Committee in Delhi

Advisor to the North East Regional Development Association (NERDA)

Chairman of the Royal Tripura Foundation

Member of the Governing Council of Tripura Central University

Activities

A keen sportsman, he was a junior representative in cricket and football. He is also a recipient of NE TV's Entrepreneur of the Year 2004, an award for young entrepreneurs of the northeast of India (for the first heritage hotel in the northeast of India). A social worker, he has worked in helping children and the elderly with constant charity and social get-togethers. He is also a music fan and was instrumental in bringing the American band Fire House to the Northeast for the first time. In perhaps the biggest concert yet in the Northeast, he invited both Fire House and White Lion to play at Shillong and Dimapur to packed audiences of over 42,000 and 17,000 respectively. The proceeds of the shows went to Providence School run by his ex-schoolteacher Br. D’ Souza. Along with education, the school also stresses vocational training for economically challenged children. The band White Lion spent some quality time with the children and teachers alike. Barman was also pivotal in promoting Indian Idol winner Sourabhee Debbarma.

In an interview, Pradyot Barman discussed his work with unprivileged children across the northeast and his desire to contribute more in the fields of health, education and rural development. He has been quoted as saying that his struggle is not against any political party but against the caste system and inequality, which he wants to eliminate. The new king has launched a magazine called The Northeast Today which covers topics such as politics, social development, education, music, and sports from around the region. He is a member in the executive council in the first constituted body of the Tripura Central University by India's Ministry of Education. He also continues to help underprivileged children through various charities and has been a vocal activist for drug addiction and AIDS.

The bomb blasts in Tripura revealed another side of Pradyot when he strongly condemned the incident, in which even his palace was not spared. He openly challenged the terrorists to take on the family openly. The humanitarian and social side of Pradyot was also evident when he visited the hospitals and helped the victims. The open challenge to the militants is the first of its kind by any royal family in India.

Politics, Media and Sports

There have been frequent talks about him joining politics, but he has constantly shied answering this query by saying contribution to the state can come in various means and not just only by politics. The magazine “The Northeast Today”, for which he is the Editor and Publisher is now the largest circulated local English magazine in the region. Recently the Maharaja has spoken about promoting the game of Football and other sports in the Northeast Region. He is supporting clubs and other youth activities in the region. It is reported that he will also be sponsoring the women's football team in Tripura. He is one of the youngest Kings in the country and also considered to be one of the most eligible bachelor in the country. The Tripura Dynasty is also the second oldest in the world from a single straight line, the present king being the 186th. Only the Mikado Dynasty from Japan have an older lineage.

College mourns former student M. P. Prakash's death

St Joseph’s College, Bangalore deeply mourns the death of one of its illustrious alumnus Sri M. P. Prakash, MLA on 9^th February 2011. In the year 2010, he presided over our College Day and we were proud to honour him as a distinguished former student who lived by the college motto of “faith and toil”. For three years, he lived as a hosteller and was proud of those experiences. Through his writings and life, he has been an inspiration.

M. P. Prakash addressing the gathering at the

Graduation Day 2010

His secular and socialist credentials were appreciated by all. He was a model politician in many ways. While the college deeply mourns his death, we offer his family our condolences and pray to God to give him rest eternal. May his life inspire many others to live a life of critical loyalty to the state while in service of the people.

He was honoured by the Rector, Fr Terence Farias

Management, Staff and Students of St Joseph’s College.

Ambedkar’s life in graphic presentation

A distinctive book on Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s life titled ‘Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability’ was presented here on Tuesday.

Written by S Anand and Srividya Natarajan, the book presents a graphical account of Ambedkar’s life and his experience of growing as an untouchable from his childhood to adult life.

A salient feature of this book is the pictorial presentation of various facets of Ambedkar’s life in Gond art. The narrative pictures are done by award wining Pardhan Gond artists-couple Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam.

Presenting the book the author Mr Anand said, “The book is being released in five different languages at present. I was inspired by the thought that there was no book that threw light on the ideologies and practices of Ambedkar, who is a driving factor in India today.”

He further added, “Very few people know about Ambedkar in India unlike Gandhiji. The point of the book is to also look into the personal life of Ambedkar. There is very little insight of Ambedkar’s engagement in prevention of untouchability.”

Following Anand’s presentation, Principal Fr Ambrose Pinto, spoke on caste dynamics and untouchability in India.

He said, “Untouchability is not the problem of the untouchables; it is the problem of the touchables. Issue of caste is the issue of sick minds and communities. Education has not done anything for the communal identity. Untouchability is the product of Hindu caste system. Efforts to change casteism should come from people like us.”

Earlier, the programme began with the traditional Parai music popular among Dalits. The presentation by writer-journalist Mr Anand explained the pictures relating to the life of Ambedkar. Brought out by his publishing house Navayana, the book sheds lights on the relatively unknown facets of Ambedkar.

- Priyanka S, I M S Com

Admissions 2011-12

Principal's Note:

Come April-May, It’s the beginning of admissions at college. In the case of students who have delayed results, we do accommodate them after the results provided they meet the standards of the college. When one makes a choice for a college, one may have several reasons. Why should one opt for St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore? What is unique about us? There are certain facts available about the college in the print media. Those facts may not fully explain what we are. Whether we are rated as a reputed college or not, we are a nationally renowned college for Arts and Sciences with international standards. Several of our students annually make it to state and national civil services, reputed institutes and competitive programmes. We continue to have an edge over other colleges of the state and the country in Arts and Sciences. The following are some of our unique characteristics.

College has been tried, tested and trusted: For the last 129 years, the nation and the state has tried, tested and trusted St. Joseph’s as an institution of higher learning. We impart a very high standard of education. Generations of students have come here and have been convinced that there is no place like St. Joseph’s if one has to have an education based on excellence. Unlike other institutions, we define excellence very differently. For us excellence is a part of forming persons of competence, compassion and conscience who could turn into agents of change in society. That is why while we insist on a high level of academics, we want all our students to be involved in the total life of the college – cultural, sports and games, NCC, NSS and other activities of social concern. While acquiring knowledge is one part of formation, we expect all our students to develop appropriate skills and attitudes for life and living. We are also trusted because we are innovative and change year after year without being the same.

We stand for Universalism: We have a unique philosophy of education. We are a catholic institution. To be catholic is to be universal. To be universal is to include everyone. While we place a premium on merit, merit defined in terms of both human and academic qualities, we are equally sensitive to students who come from far and near, from subaltern and marginalized communities. No nation can develop if access is not provided to the discriminated and the excluded. As a Jesuit institution, established for the education of catholic students, we include all without distinction of caste, class and community with a preferential option for the poor. When an institution includes the excluded, the college becomes a reflection of the country making it a miniature India. Another aspect that makes St. Joseph’s universal is that we have students from every part of the country and 14 countries of South Asia. All live here as members of one human family with respect for others and learn from each other.

We are an Autonomous College: Autonomy has provided the college the right to frame its own syllabi and conduct its own internal and semester examinations. Departments to a large extent develop their own specific and individual curriculum, driven by the needs of society and the important questions that are raised on issues. Education here is more than getting acquainted with various domains of scholarship. Students are encouraged to think beyond the subjects and to develop interdisciplinary ways of thinking. The ability to think creatively and critically ‘outside the box’, always grounded in a solid basis of knowledge, is an important competence for life and to further professional careers. Education here is rigorous. The college is not meant for the unmotivated and the mediocre. Those who desire to have only fun without commitment to academics would find it difficult to survive in our campus for long. The internal assessment component is an important one. If one is unable to pass in the internal assessment, the individual is ineligible to proceed to the semester examination. Similarly if a minimum number of subjects are not cleared in every semester, students are ineligible for promotion to the next semester. What the college expects from every student is hard work, regularity, punctuality, perseverance and commitment to studies. More than students with highest marks, the college invites students who have a determination to work hard.

We are Multi-cultural: There are students from every nook and corner of India here as well as 14 South Asian countries. Students bring in diversity with regard to ethnicity, region, talents, experiences, lifestyles and learning styles, religions, mother tongues, and social and cultural backgrounds. This rich diversity offers plenty of opportunity for intercultural encounter, deepening of intercultural understanding, and for friendships across the region, community, languages and religion. The diversity in cultural, linguistic and geographical backgrounds of the students is often presented in the campus in cultural and social programmes, meets and festivals.

We are a college of learners: Learning is at the center of all education. Teaching is to facilitate learning. Our teachers are academically competent and human. You can approach them at any time of the day. They are conscious of their role as guides to assist students in their search. Students write papers, give presentations, lead discussions about reading materials, engage in debate, work on assignments in small groups and analyze data. They receive feedback on their work in order to improve their academic skills and levels of understanding. After each test, papers are returned to the students.We have a mentor system and each class has a mentor. Students receive guidance from mentors.

We stand for Excellence: ‘Eagerness to excel’ is part and parcel of the college culture. Most students pass out with first class or distinction. The graduates of the college are accepted into highly selective masters’ programs both in India and abroad. Our teachers too excel. Most have doctorates and some have research projects to direct. Many guide doctorates. We are equally connected to the larger issues of society. Students participate in rallies and protests, discussions and debates. Excellence is enhanced by a creative, critical and self-critical attitude of all involved, an open atmosphere, and quality assurance at all levels. Students lift overall trophies in several college competitions in cultural activities. We have teams that excel in sports and games as well. Hockey, Football, Basketball, Cricket and all other games are fostered. Many students play for the university.

We are student-centric: St. Joseph’s calls itself an academic community, where it is considered normal to work hard and aspire to do well in academics. Students organize many extracurricular activities that give an extra dimension to education: lectures, performances, debates, literary and cultural festivals, community outreach activities, participation in academic, cultural, sports and games form a crucial part of life here. We have a daily newspaper, a monthly newsletter and an annual. Departments have their own publications. Everyone in the campus is engaged.

Our goal is to impart high quality knowledge with skills and attitudes and mould students to live in society as mature and conscious citizens. If you are serious about excelling in academics and desire to grow into a human person of concern and compassion, St. Joseph’s might be the right place for you. Apply early and do not miss out on your chance of becoming a Josephite.

For further details: http://www.sjc.ac.in/admission.html