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