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

AIDS awareness through play on campus

To create awareness amongst students of SJC about HIV/ AIDS, members of Joseph’s Aids Awareness Movement (JAAM) enacted a street play in campus on the occasion of World Aids Day on Wednesday. The play ‘Yaake Heege’, witnessed by many students, carried the message that one must empathise with AIDS patients and not sympathise with them.

“Through this play we wanted to throw light on HIV/AIDS and wanted students to be more aware and cautious about AIDS,” said Nikitha, student coordinator of JAAM.

There were many food stalls with a variety of cuisines that attracted the crowd. The proceeds of the food stalls will be forwarded to NGOs that work with AIDS patients.

The members of JAAM recently visited orphanages like Infant Jesus home, Snehadan and leprosy center Sumanahalli, where they interacted with the AIDS affected patients.

- Sandra M Fernandes I MS Com

Alumni/ae rocks evening at reunion

They may have probably run around trees together, had common tea breaks, practiced dance steps, or perhaps, discussed about their future with each other at some point when they were on the campus in their yesteryears.

Such and many more nostalgic moments were recreated at St Joseph’s College on Sunday when over 300 old students gathered for the annual reunion.

Organised and hosted by the Alumni Association of the College, indeed the alumni/ae rocked the evening. Young, old, women, some with their family and kids, came together to feel the bond of being a proud Josephite and none could resist the temptation of shaking a leg or two for a dance finale that complimented the whole day’s events.

At the inauguration, Principal Fr Ambrose Pinto said, “A College is known by its strong alumni. St Joseph’s is fortunate to have one. The alumni association of the College has done so much for the College and has proved that together we can really do much.”

The President of the Association, Mr Lakshminaryan said that the College was really the source behind all the success that individual students who passed out from here had achieved. “We are here today with all our credentials because of our alma mater,” he opined.

Later on it was fun all the way. Groups of batches were seen huddling together and cherishing their glorious moments in the College. Some of them were meeting each other after many years. The participants ranged from the batches as old as 1962 to those who passed out just recently.

It was a perfect time for the reunion of old students. “For the first time I attended the alumni function. This was the place for young and old students to mingle freely,” said Mathew Cruz who graduated from 1970 batch.

“It is very well organised and this association should become more popular. More and more students should participate in this reunion,” added Mathew Cruz.

“I had a great evening today. I love participating in music and dance. After a long time I got chance to dance with my old buddies. Great fun even at my age of 63 years of life,” said, Prakash Murthy from 1970 batch.

It was a grand evening not only for the old ones but for passed out from the College just recently as well. “I was very happy to attend this function and I enjoyed the evening dance which was indeed unique with young and old students dancing without hesitation,” said, Priya who graduated in 2008.

“It was one of the best days of my life. It was absolutely lovely. More than the studies, I cannot forget the enjoyment I had in this College, with my teachers and my lovely friends. Now I met them after a long time,” said, Sandeep S who finished his graduation in 2007.

Chilled beer, multi-course lavish spread of vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, funny games and, of course, foot-tapping music all added to the mood of the day.

- Raghunath S.