BEAUTY CONTESTS: IS BEAUTY JUST SKIN DEEP?
Once it’s an accident, twice it’s coincidence and thrice it’s enemy action. That’s James Bond’s theory. But when applied to beauty contests, once is get, twice is set and thrice proclaims go proves that dreams backed by perseverance, motivation, and systematic grooming when coupled with confidence can transcend borders, turn dreams into reality. So to dismiss beauty contests as demeaning is to ignore the long roads traveled by women generally and these events specifically. These beauties have made their mark elsewhere and only a blind stupid person would remark that they show a “woman’s body remains her sole identity.”
It selects women who or not just fair to outward view but also epitomize the perfect amalgamation of the heart and the head, beauty an brains. The questions posed are the main yardstick of these contests. It calls not only for the heartening looks but also for cranial stimulation.
Obviously a beauty contest today is big business. The spectacular success of Femina Miss India has infused an astonishing self-confidence into an entire generation of the middle class young woman. They have turned the ‘different’ and the ‘hesitant’ into savvy, sassy girls. They don’t even have to rush home at midnight but step out at the stroke of that swinging hour.
Beauty contests rightly applied to advertising business, can earn an income that can be mistaken for a phone number. My worthy friends may see this as an indication that beauty is just skin deep. But I would say that it is that power that transfers priorities from their deep beauty to beauty with substance.
Yes these contests have impregnated society with a misconception that fantasy is promoted en route to success and starvation is promoted in the name of a perfect figure, transforming it into a social statement. However a deeper insight shows that the fault lies not with the contests but with biased views because we do not accept them in the right sense.
In the end I would conclude by saying that we may learn to walk the walk, have a nose job done, order a smile as tailored as the evening gown, but when we talk the person inside is reflected, and that is what ultimately becomes the deciding factor.
Article By:Soumya Menon
Memories a piece of paper Brought Back
Memories a piece of paper Brought Back
“Some like golden ships
Some like silver ships
I like one ship…
That is friendship.”
Does not sound familiar? You must have written these words in greetings cards on different occasions when you were say 7 or 8 years old. Definitely not after that ! These words must have found a prominent place in the cards you made for your best friend. And that’s how I got these words too. When I was in the std II my friend wrote these words in the New Year Card she made for me. It was the first time I was introduced to this ‘friendly jingle’ and I was full of awe for my friend whom I believed to be a great poet (I was so naïve…). But then I realized that my friend was no great poet because the same day my sister received those words on a card her friend made for her. And so my sister and I began using the rhyme profusely in whatever we wrote. Not anymore. In fact we stopped using it the moment we got the next one! It went like this:
“I don’t like Sunday,
I don’t like Monday,
I like one day,
That is your birthday!”
And that became a regular in every birthday card I made for my friends. But with time these cute little poems got tarnished (due to overuse of course) and I stopped using them. I even stopped making cards “Why should I make one anyway?” was what I thought. Especially when Archie’s or Hall-mark cards were available. So I switched to tailor made cards perfect for any occasion. So did my friends. No more did we have to write the same old symphony (or cacophony?) of ‘I love your birthday’ on cards made out of middle pages torn out from a notebook. By the time I was ten I had stopped this business of making cards for my friends. And each one of us would look forward to New Year and Christmas to buy beautiful cards for each other. My favorite was the one with the baby Jesus in mother Mary’s arms, in a stable with the lambs and three shepherds standing nearby and cute cherubs floating above.
And I would buy something like that for my friend hoping that I would also receive a similar one from her! And we used to be in such a frenzied state buying cards for uncles, aunts, and teachers…
It used to be much fun. Being on the receiving end gave greater pleasure (it’s the same even now) and the joy used to be greater when a card arrived by post, especially if it was addressed to me instead of my father. It made me feel important and I could proudly say,”It’s mine!”
Green Dreams
Green Dreams
The flight from JFK airport took off at 2200 hours sharp. There was just a humming on the runway, something like anti gravity-a Lufthansa aircraft bound for Frankfurt. Very sophisticated interiors. I had no problem with the legroom. The mood in the cabin was mixed. I could see the silent portraits of separation and colorful rejoicing of reunion. These are normal scenes anywhere. The cabin was agog with the Third language, an assortment of phonetics unknown to all. We were at an altitude of about 30000 feet, the pilot informed in his welcome note.The loner in the New York Light House might be gazing at us at mighty heights, a pleasant guess which I always practice. The roar of the Atlantic was far below the audible fathoms.Looking besides the window seat, the tiny lights of the New York City was fast disappearing. I cried through the windows, “good bye, New York”quite passionately disregarding my fellow passengers.
Most of the passengers now settled in their seats, were waiting for slumber, while I recollected my accomplishments. A first year degree student of St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam on her way back from USA? Glory to God and St.Teresa’s. The cultural Exchange group of our college was selected to participate in the Global meet for Green Groups. (Glomegg). That was really due to the relentless initiative directly taken by our principal Sr. Christabelle I was picked up as the Green Champion in our college, impressed by my speech on “Talents Day”, about the ways God wants our planet Earth to be always the nicest place to live on, and hoe mankind negates God, the almighty, by including in activities breaking the equilibrium of life through a million ways. I still feel that the aspect of sustainable development using green and clean technology is to be given added importance.
My sojourn at New York happened to be a mixed bag of emotions and experiences. It is not very often that one finds herself stranded in a big city, solely for the purpose of spreading the message of nature.I was new to New York, but New York was never strange to me. The day the flight tickets were handed over to me by Sr. Christabelle, I started to breathe the air of the city, a type of voluntary simulation. I was unknowingly harmonizing with the heart beats of the city.
As a country, the US had updated knowledge in ecological preservation. They were quite appreciative of the Chipko movement, preservation of hermitage mangroves in Kerala through mythical dictations and India’s unique nature nourishment practices. It was enchanting to find a sense of awe for nature in this highly materialistic part of the world.
As we were summing up our summit, something strange was happening-the declaration of Nobel Prize to Mr.Al Gore,for his efforts to build up and spread knowledge about preserving nature and for checking man made climatic change. The gleaming visuals of the winner, a topic for which we had assembled, was adding new dimensions to our mission. All of us felt individually honored. I was personally enjoying the occasion, and was eager to meet him.
Al Gore being enlisted in the high security category, I had to go through great deal of formalities to get permission to visit him. Not wanting to receive so much exposure he declined my request for an interview. But as I was a student representing India in a US summit on “Glomegg,” he agreed to short meeting at his farm house in Tennessee. I chose to travel by road,a rare opportunity to experience the cross section of the country’s fabric. It was a journey from the concentrations of development to the feeble agrarian settlements, which no one would have dreamt of . Anyway, America promotes the sustainability of virgin forest land and the fragile biodiversity connected to it. There was a profound change even in the wind, it carried with it a brisk whiff of rich tillable earth.
Gore’s farm house stood amidst vast wheat fields, a large wood house. After a short security check at the entrance, we walked through the passage, both sides lined with a blossoming garden. His secretary took note of our credentials and withdrew after exchanging pleasantries.
We were soon ushered in to a wood partitioned office room. Al Gore was already there expecting us,and we were awed by his personality. Gore was particularly curious about me, rather young for such a forum. We all congratulated him.”How did the political debacle in 2000 get to influence you as a green activist?” I wanted to provoke him. But he was very calm. “I am still in politics, as a democrat. I feel I have greater role to perform. The White House demands you to be a country wide service provider, whereas sitting in this wheat house,I feel elevated as the ambassador to Mother earth”
He explained to us, lucidly, about some of his ventures in checking man made climate change, which we call the ‘Global Warming’. He was in no doubt the reason of the devastating hurricane, ‘Katrina’ and the scorching autumns haunting Washington every year. “something has to be done urgently and consistently”. He explained to us about the probable reasons for the series of tremors taking place in Indian Ocean, near Indonesia, the flash floods at Oman as examples from Asian continents. My prejudice about a person seeking flash popularity vanished abruptly and I thought of some of the green activists in India and of their pseudo personalities. Mr. Gore was stressing the need for carbon neutrality, for zero effective emission of green house gases as the first priority for any environmentalist.
It was time to take leave. I thought I should not lose a chance to present my case. I told him of Mother Teresa, who was also a recipient of Nobel Peace Prize. “sir,I am also a Teresian.”He was amazed to hear it but to break the suspense.”Sir, I study in St.Teresa’s College.” He was full of praise for the Teresian community spread all over the world. As a ready reckoner he remained me of the social work the congregation is actively involved in. Rather than advocate social retreat, he lauded the example of sister Teresita, who lead the mass movement in Philippines during the civil resurgence in 1986. That was quite unexpected but rejuvenating. He wanted me to be an ideal Teresian. “An ideal Teresian is a celestial angel!”I was moved…. I felt humbled by this person of unbiased wisdom.I thanked God Almighty for encouraging me to present my case fruitfully.
It took me a great deal of time to convince myself that everything was a dream, mysteriously unfolded in thick sub-conscious transactions. But for me, to come out to reality was quite awesome. I was ejected out of Narnia,my dream world.
Article by: Anju Claranel Thomas
The flight from JFK airport took off at 2200 hours sharp. There was just a humming on the runway, something like anti gravity-a Lufthansa aircraft bound for Frankfurt. Very sophisticated interiors. I had no problem with the legroom. The mood in the cabin was mixed. I could see the silent portraits of separation and colorful rejoicing of reunion. These are normal scenes anywhere. The cabin was agog with the Third language, an assortment of phonetics unknown to all. We were at an altitude of about 30000 feet, the pilot informed in his welcome note.The loner in the New York Light House might be gazing at us at mighty heights, a pleasant guess which I always practice. The roar of the Atlantic was far below the audible fathoms.Looking besides the window seat, the tiny lights of the New York City was fast disappearing. I cried through the windows, “good bye, New York”quite passionately disregarding my fellow passengers.
Most of the passengers now settled in their seats, were waiting for slumber, while I recollected my accomplishments. A first year degree student of St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam on her way back from USA? Glory to God and St.Teresa’s. The cultural Exchange group of our college was selected to participate in the Global meet for Green Groups. (Glomegg). That was really due to the relentless initiative directly taken by our principal Sr. Christabelle I was picked up as the Green Champion in our college, impressed by my speech on “Talents Day”, about the ways God wants our planet Earth to be always the nicest place to live on, and hoe mankind negates God, the almighty, by including in activities breaking the equilibrium of life through a million ways. I still feel that the aspect of sustainable development using green and clean technology is to be given added importance.
My sojourn at New York happened to be a mixed bag of emotions and experiences. It is not very often that one finds herself stranded in a big city, solely for the purpose of spreading the message of nature.I was new to New York, but New York was never strange to me. The day the flight tickets were handed over to me by Sr. Christabelle, I started to breathe the air of the city, a type of voluntary simulation. I was unknowingly harmonizing with the heart beats of the city.
As a country, the US had updated knowledge in ecological preservation. They were quite appreciative of the Chipko movement, preservation of hermitage mangroves in Kerala through mythical dictations and India’s unique nature nourishment practices. It was enchanting to find a sense of awe for nature in this highly materialistic part of the world.
As we were summing up our summit, something strange was happening-the declaration of Nobel Prize to Mr.Al Gore,for his efforts to build up and spread knowledge about preserving nature and for checking man made climatic change. The gleaming visuals of the winner, a topic for which we had assembled, was adding new dimensions to our mission. All of us felt individually honored. I was personally enjoying the occasion, and was eager to meet him.
Al Gore being enlisted in the high security category, I had to go through great deal of formalities to get permission to visit him. Not wanting to receive so much exposure he declined my request for an interview. But as I was a student representing India in a US summit on “Glomegg,” he agreed to short meeting at his farm house in Tennessee. I chose to travel by road,a rare opportunity to experience the cross section of the country’s fabric. It was a journey from the concentrations of development to the feeble agrarian settlements, which no one would have dreamt of . Anyway, America promotes the sustainability of virgin forest land and the fragile biodiversity connected to it. There was a profound change even in the wind, it carried with it a brisk whiff of rich tillable earth.
Gore’s farm house stood amidst vast wheat fields, a large wood house. After a short security check at the entrance, we walked through the passage, both sides lined with a blossoming garden. His secretary took note of our credentials and withdrew after exchanging pleasantries.
We were soon ushered in to a wood partitioned office room. Al Gore was already there expecting us,and we were awed by his personality. Gore was particularly curious about me, rather young for such a forum. We all congratulated him.”How did the political debacle in 2000 get to influence you as a green activist?” I wanted to provoke him. But he was very calm. “I am still in politics, as a democrat. I feel I have greater role to perform. The White House demands you to be a country wide service provider, whereas sitting in this wheat house,I feel elevated as the ambassador to Mother earth”
He explained to us, lucidly, about some of his ventures in checking man made climate change, which we call the ‘Global Warming’. He was in no doubt the reason of the devastating hurricane, ‘Katrina’ and the scorching autumns haunting Washington every year. “something has to be done urgently and consistently”. He explained to us about the probable reasons for the series of tremors taking place in Indian Ocean, near Indonesia, the flash floods at Oman as examples from Asian continents. My prejudice about a person seeking flash popularity vanished abruptly and I thought of some of the green activists in India and of their pseudo personalities. Mr. Gore was stressing the need for carbon neutrality, for zero effective emission of green house gases as the first priority for any environmentalist.
It was time to take leave. I thought I should not lose a chance to present my case. I told him of Mother Teresa, who was also a recipient of Nobel Peace Prize. “sir,I am also a Teresian.”He was amazed to hear it but to break the suspense.”Sir, I study in St.Teresa’s College.” He was full of praise for the Teresian community spread all over the world. As a ready reckoner he remained me of the social work the congregation is actively involved in. Rather than advocate social retreat, he lauded the example of sister Teresita, who lead the mass movement in Philippines during the civil resurgence in 1986. That was quite unexpected but rejuvenating. He wanted me to be an ideal Teresian. “An ideal Teresian is a celestial angel!”I was moved…. I felt humbled by this person of unbiased wisdom.I thanked God Almighty for encouraging me to present my case fruitfully.
It took me a great deal of time to convince myself that everything was a dream, mysteriously unfolded in thick sub-conscious transactions. But for me, to come out to reality was quite awesome. I was ejected out of Narnia,my dream world.
Article by: Anju Claranel Thomas
Some space Facts
Some space Facts
1. The Big Bang theory is related to the creation of the universe from the primordial atom.
2. The word ‘comet’ comes from the Greek word meaning ‘hairy one’.
3. Scientists believe that the greater part of the universe may be made of something called’dark matter’.
4. Cores is the biggest comet discovered so for.
5. In large stars the heat inside produces iron in the core.
6. Our galaxy,the Milky Way, is shaped a bit like a giant merry-go-round.
7. Gravity is what gives your body weight. You will not weigh as much on the moon as you do on earth. If you weigh 56 kilos in earth, you will only weigh 8 kilos on the moon.
8. Venus shines brightly sometimes in the western sky as the Evening star and at other times in the pre-dawn eastern sky as the Morning star.
9. The year in which Halley’s Comet was first seen is 1759 and the next time it comes near the earth will be 2060.
10. Russian space travelers are known as Cosmonauts and American space travelers as Astronauts.
ArticleBy:Greeshma.C.Anand
ABHILASH GOES TO TOWN
ABHILASH GOES TO TOWN
Once upon a time, there was a young boy named abhilash. He lived with his family in GAUTANPUR village. They were very poor and were struggling for their bread. Abhilash decided to go to the city and earn money for his family. He decided to go to MUMBAI, because it is known as the land for OPPURTUNITIES in his village. It was the time of his departure his mother gave him a promise to be honest and loyal towards his employer.
Abhilash came to Mumbai, having the dreams in his eyes to make then into reality. He was synchronized by the busy life of this city. From his first day itself, he ran in the search of a job from door-to-door, office-to-office.
He had the talent but no opportunity. He had the skill but no approach. He got disappointed by the strategy and policies of this city. One day he was traveling in the train. Suddenly, he saw a black leather bag without its owner. At first look itself, abhilash got the idea that it must be a bag of a wealthy person with lot of cash inside it. He took the bag and went to his rented house.
When he put his hand to open it, a divine voice came from his spirit. It was the culture inoculated by his mother. That what ever may be your situation, wherever worst it may be, we should never go on the wrong way to help it out. We should never do anything that hurt our god in our heart.
After a long time, he convinced himself that he will not open it and will hand it over to police. He went to the police station and told the whole story. The superintended of police was very happy to here the honesty of this young boy of 18.
Suddenly, he heard a beep coming from the bag. Immediately, the SP realized that there is a bomb inside it. He called the bomb squad and the bomb was diffused. This came as a turning point in the life of our hero.
From panampally to Punjab, Bangalore to Boston, shimla to Singapore. Everyone was appreciating this Indian. Media coverage made him a super hero and government made him a collector. Fame and fans, both were welcoming abhilash. He called his family with win and his parents, his villagers were proud of him. On his post, he did the best possible things for the welfare of the people.
In this district, everywhere there was a prosperity and happiness. The fragrance of joy reached to immense heights. He became world famous, this time for his rules and policies. He was promoted to a minister and he did such a great things that people still remember him and like him.
Story By: RAHUL PANDEY,
St.Alberts College Ernakulam.
Once upon a time, there was a young boy named abhilash. He lived with his family in GAUTANPUR village. They were very poor and were struggling for their bread. Abhilash decided to go to the city and earn money for his family. He decided to go to MUMBAI, because it is known as the land for OPPURTUNITIES in his village. It was the time of his departure his mother gave him a promise to be honest and loyal towards his employer.
Abhilash came to Mumbai, having the dreams in his eyes to make then into reality. He was synchronized by the busy life of this city. From his first day itself, he ran in the search of a job from door-to-door, office-to-office.
He had the talent but no opportunity. He had the skill but no approach. He got disappointed by the strategy and policies of this city. One day he was traveling in the train. Suddenly, he saw a black leather bag without its owner. At first look itself, abhilash got the idea that it must be a bag of a wealthy person with lot of cash inside it. He took the bag and went to his rented house.
When he put his hand to open it, a divine voice came from his spirit. It was the culture inoculated by his mother. That what ever may be your situation, wherever worst it may be, we should never go on the wrong way to help it out. We should never do anything that hurt our god in our heart.
After a long time, he convinced himself that he will not open it and will hand it over to police. He went to the police station and told the whole story. The superintended of police was very happy to here the honesty of this young boy of 18.
Suddenly, he heard a beep coming from the bag. Immediately, the SP realized that there is a bomb inside it. He called the bomb squad and the bomb was diffused. This came as a turning point in the life of our hero.
From panampally to Punjab, Bangalore to Boston, shimla to Singapore. Everyone was appreciating this Indian. Media coverage made him a super hero and government made him a collector. Fame and fans, both were welcoming abhilash. He called his family with win and his parents, his villagers were proud of him. On his post, he did the best possible things for the welfare of the people.
In this district, everywhere there was a prosperity and happiness. The fragrance of joy reached to immense heights. He became world famous, this time for his rules and policies. He was promoted to a minister and he did such a great things that people still remember him and like him.
Story By: RAHUL PANDEY,
St.Alberts College Ernakulam.
CRUDE REALITIES
Amidst the mushrooming ideas of India, the attempt make rocket fuel as cheap as mineral water is a move to bring down launch expenses drastically. Are we keeping a meaningful silence about the soaring oil prices?
The ‘deadly dependence’ on foreign oil is threatening the very foundation of the energy security of India in an accelerated manner. Oil dependency has become a real challenge to our economy. As the oil price level reaches sky high, government is doing precious little to confront the so called “dependency dilemma.” Oil subsidies provided by the government do not address the hike I fuel price. India, in tune with soaring global crude costs, had no option but to hike the oil prices, which led to anti government demonstrations. Reeling under the pressure, the common man has fundamentally lost belief in people’s government. It has shaken peoples trust in the government ofIndia.
There are several factors that attribute to the skyrocketing global oil cost. The growth appetite for oil in the global economy has risen drastically; oil price hike is a crystal clear indication of the drying up of oil wells. It took millions and millions of years for the formation of this treasure house of energy but within a short span of less than hundred years, the civilized society has consumed more than fifty percent of the total oil deposit. How can we conveniently forget the time when this invaluable energy source was thoughtlessly being destroyed during the gulf war? When the ‘power’ struggle had got American aid, the oil wells virtually turned into fireballs.The present political and labour situation in all oil exporting countries like Iraq, Nigeria, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia has affected its production, and uncertainty in the dollar value has also contributed towards this. In the wake of ‘crude realities’ the government should not turn a blind eye towards energy issues. India should blaze a new trail with technological breakthrough, research, and domestic discoveries and should open up new horizons to explore alternating energy resources.
As India is endowed with substantial energy resources it should harness the energy sources effectively. The nuclear power plant is an easily accessible substitute. We should adopt nuclear power based power generation and transportation. There should be greater reliance on indigenous sources of supply like gasification of coal, biomass,use of ethanol and biodiesel as alternative fuels, the promotion of electric cars, and the use of renewable bio fuels which provide increased independence from petroleum and enhances energy security. Besides the development of hybrid vehicles, promotion of hydrogen cars in India can lessen dependency on foreign oil. India should take over right conservation prices and restructure the economy to plug wastage and inefficient use of oil.
A truly empowered India will emerge only when we tackle our dependence on foreign oil with a strong sense of social responsibility, political censuses and by moulding visionary leaders who refuse to live in the past and are determined enough to script a new future which is free the scourge of soaring oil prices.
Article By: Sheethu Ann George
ENJOY THE GAME
ENJOY THE GAME
Who gets success in life? Those who work hard would be the answer. It would be more correct to say that those who enjoy their work definitely embrace success. This is true of a student, a doctor or a farmer.
Truly speaking, enjoyment is the key to success. Students who really enjoy learning are naturally the top scorers. They find study interesting and enjoyable. For them, concentration is not a problem. They simply get attracted towards books like iron nails to a magnet.
Many of you must have read the classic, ‘Adventures of Tom Sawyer’, written by Mark Twain. Tom Sawyer is one of the most lovable and interesting characters. We simply love him, his mischief, wit and intelligence.
One day Tom was punished by his aunt. She asked him to whitewash a wall, while other children were out playing. Poor Tom!How miserable he was!
He started working with a heavy heart. A few friends came around. They were curious. Why was Tom engaged in such a dull and boring job?
Soon a brilliant idea crossed his mind. He thought in this manner. Why shouldn’t I pretend I enjoy this work? Without wasting any more time, he told his friends that he enjoyed the work. With a beaming face, he explained the beautiful job of turning the grey wall into a milky-white shining wall. What a job it was!
His friends could not resist the temptation of enjoyment.Each one requested for a share of that job. There was a great demand. Tom rose to the occasion. He charged one penny per child. The work got over within no time. And this time, it was Tom’s pocket that became heavy with the coins.
Tom was really smart. He knew the great attraction of enjoyment. Enjoyment is a million dollar idea. So, if you want success, you simply have to enjoy what you are doing. Enjoy your seminars, assignments and games.
By the way, have you enjoyed reading this?Has a smile brightened your face?
Article by: Monisha Titus
Photo by: Shanu Jose Wilson
Dr. Rajagopala Nair Awarded ‘Sai Samanvaya Award’
Dr. Rajagopala Nair Awarded 'Sai Samanvaya Award’
Dr. Rajagopal Nair, Reader and Head, Department of Commerce has been awarded ‘Sai Samanvaya Award’ for excellence in human endeavour 2009. This award has been conferred on him for his excellent service in the field of education. He joined St. Albert M.G. University
Congratulations Dear Professor By Your Students...
Habit principle
Habit Principle
Cultivating good habits and overcoming bad habits is the key to develop a good character and a pleasing personality. Suppose we want to remove a few bad habits from our life we will think like this.
HABIT [We try to remove a little bit of bad habit. We remove H]. A BIT [We have a bit of Bad Habit remaining. So we try removing more of it. We then remove A]. BIT [we have bit of its still there. So we try removing a little more of it. We then remove B]. IT [We find that the Bad habit is still there as it is].
“Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.”
Plant a word in the mind, and you will reap as act.Plant an act and you will reap an habit.Plant an habit and you will reap a nature.Plant a nature and you will reap a destiny.
Article By: Shine Antony,Coordinator & Head,
Dept. of Animation, St. Albert's College.
Photo By: Finson
Everything Has Its Share of Goodness
Everything Has Its Share of Goodness
NOBODY CAN STOP complaining when it comes to Kerala Road Transportation. Pot holes, overly crammed buses, broken bridges… The list is apparently as long as our roads.But the sad part is that not even we college students acknowledge the amount of fun and excuses we gain out of it.
Once when the Venduruthy Bridge had problems, the busses from Fort Cochin side had to go through the Mattammal Junction, via Thevara to reach Menaka. I got into one such bus which was packed to the steps. Somehow I managed to pull myself in, but didn’t have to bother about holding on to the bar. Over crowded buses are such a blessings, especially when your hands are full of files. And let me not forget to mention the benefit utilized by guys who always want to be a step closer to the girls, lest they fall you know!
Anyway, the bus came to a halt abruptly and I remember all of us standing at an angle of 60 degrees. Apparently a few people in the front had lost their hold. Now this provides plenty of body flexing exercises that even yoga can’t provide.
In the next few minutes I found myself standing at the Thevara- junction with a sea of static vehicles all around. I was wondering of the possibilities of getting out of that place and finding an auto, when I saw this familiar face in an auto. I asked her whether she was from STC and luckily for me she was a senior sociology student! She offered me a ride and well, we sat there in the auto for a long long time…
And we talked…. And sat…
Finally after two hours we reached college. The advantage that we gained is that we both spared the tests we were to have during the 1st hour. Moreover, I made a new acquaintance.
They say good things come in small measures. After all it’s not every day that we have a broken bridge or such a heavy traffic block.
So let’s stop complaining folks and acknowledge the small favors that our not so systematic and faithful Government is bestowing on us. Happy Travelling!!
Article By: Nasiya.F
Photo By: Ashish P.H
Why am I here...
Why am I here...
An author once wrote,”….for those of us who have been born into this world by mistake…”
By mistake? Could that be true? Defenitely not. You are not an accident and most defenitely not a mistake. The very reason for for your existance today is the specific plan God had in mind when he created you- a plan for your well being and happiness and not your destruction.
Our birth itself is God’s plan- a great mystery and in a very real sense a miracle. For we did not choose to be born on our own.
We didn’t choose our gender or the color of our skin, our nationality, height or even our parents! It was all part of a devine design.
And what is more, there are scores of miscarriages happening around the world every year; abortions happening worldwide every single day; still born babies being born every single minute. And yet in the midst of it all, you having been born into this world, you being alive today is indeed a great miracle of God!
Before any of us were conceived in our mothers womb , we were conceived in god’s mind. The bible says that God knew you even before he made the Earth and he had purpose for your life. He has a purpose for you just the way he created you…… God knows exactly why he made you the way he did
Psalm 139 says that he knit you together in your mother’s womb and that he has made you fearfull and wonderfully in his owm image!
God’s plan for your life brings forth love, joy, peace and true happiness, whereas the ways of the world or the Devil’s plan brings about chaos, confusion, inferiority, complexes ,fear and anxiety.
Today I don’t know whose plan is being implemented in your life but the truth is you were created to rejoice in the day the Lord has made.
Once a poor little boy came up to me and asked me for money. I opened my wallet and found a single ten rupee note in it, but it was soiled and shabby. I hesitantly took out the soiled note and handed it to the youngster. His face just lit up at the sight of it and he gladly accepted it with a big, bright smile.
Today our dear readers, no matter how spoiled you may be or how terrible you may feel about yourself, our ever loving and patient Father still looks at you and says……
“I can still do something amazing in you”…
Just as the little boy accepted the soilled note with a smile knowing it still had value no matter how dirty it was and how ugly it looked, God our creator looks at you with compassion and says, “My dear children you are so very precious and valuable to me……”
All you have to do is give him your life and he can make something truly beautiful out of you!!
We sincerely pray this artiicle has been a blessing to you and will lead you to life everlasting in all its splendour!! Be blessed!!
Article By: Anju Cyrus and Nicole Alex
Photo By: Prem and Sankey
The First Student in the College Register- St. Alberts College
The First Student in the College Register
To be the first link in the golden chain of the illustrious and numerous alumni array of a reputed institution like St.Alberts College on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee is indeed a rare privilege: an opportunity that any one will welcome with great pride. On July 11th 1946 when the first indigenous Archbishop of Verapoly Dr.Joseph Attippetty wrote my name ‘P.A. Paul’ (Pathichery Augustine Paul) in the register as the first student of the newly formed college, that event signified the opening of the golden gate of a noble temple of education to thousands of young students.
I recollect, it was the third week after my admission to St. Thomas College, Trichur, as an intermediate student and I was getting acquainted with my hostel companions. One evening during the usual games time I was called by the hostel warden. He told me that I had to go to Ernakulam and meet the Archbishop. Not knowing the reason of this message, I was a bit perplexed. Reaching Ernakulam on the following day, I came to know that I was to discontinue my studies at St.Thomas College to join the new college and continue my studies. I was much delighted at the news, though with a bit dislike at the thought of leaving behind the friends in the hostel. The following day I went to meet the Archbishop. The newly appointed principal Mr.L.M. Pylee and Msgr. Joseph Vaippicherry joined me at the entrance of Archbishop’s room. Inside Archbishop was waiting for us and with the usual smile he admonished me “Paul, you are going to be the first student in the new college.” Then in the presence of the principal and Msgr.Vaippicherry the Archbishop entered my name in the college register. Ever since he used to encourage me in my studies whenever he met me or wrote to me. I remember that years later when I was a student in a Canadian University in Halifax the Archbishop Attippetty inquired through a letter which branch of Engineering I was studying, and when he came to know that I was mastering in Electronic Engineering, he replied that he was pleased with it, but then he wanted me to graduate also in Civil Engineering, perhaps not aware of the hard toil that goes with it. Later on I came to know that he was planning to institute an engineering college in Kalamassery area where he hoped that I could be on the teaching staff.
Being the first student of a college has its special effects as well. I was given the first seat in the first bench; this was the seating order of students in the class of our English Professor Rev. Fr. Baneventure D’souza S. J. Through this mode of seating arrangement, for Fr. D’souza attendance taking was a matter of a few seconds. Whenever answer papers after evaluation were returned to the students, I was the first to receive the papers and very often my answer papers used to be upheld as models for the students in the class.
When you enter the extensive campus of a long established college with massive building structure, you tend to be over whelmed and feel too much of an inferiority complex. But when the college is newly started, housed in make-shift buildings and temporary arrangements, you are inclined to fell a certain amount of importance and self confidence. This was the feeling I shared with my classmates. The students number was small and the Lecturers and Professors, though some of them very well experienced, were all new to the place as were the students. Thus there was a homely and close atmosphere that helped pleasant student-lecture relationship and well motivated studies. But of the management and heads of departments it was as though a pioneering work. The convenience of the class rooms and laboratories were scanty. Some of the class rooms of the existing high school were allotted for the use of the college. The students of the first intermediate classes assembled in the main hall for common subjects. The laboratories for Physics, Chemistry and Natural Sciences functioned in room temporarily set up with limited convenience. But the Professors that handled these subjects, besides their high qualification and experience, had special excellence and charm of their own. Sri Krishna Moorthy who taught Physics subjects with his energetic yet businesslike approach. Sri. Joseph Kalapurackal, the chemistry Professor was outstanding in handling his subject with a pleasing and in an attractive manner. Sri. Rao taught Natural Sciences . he seemed to throw away topics in front of the students as a challenge. Prof. Sharma who taught Malayalam was really a Pandit. In his gentle and pleasing style he rendered the study of Malayalam literature wholesome for the students. The two memorable English Professors were Fr. Baneventure D’souza and Mr. Velayudhan Pillai. Fr. Baneventure taught English poetry in a very profound style that can be expected of poems like Milton’s Paradise Lost. Prof. Velayudhan was a Shakespear specialist. His commenting lectures on Shakespear’s Dramas were non stop out pouring of ideas, quotations, and annotations. So much so he was better known among students as “Shakespeare Velayudhan”.
In the beginning of the second year two new members joined the staff: two Franciscan fathers from Ireland. Rev. Dr. Luke Burke who assumed the charge of new principal and Fr. Graham who taught us Mathematics. While Fr. Graham was a mild and gentle type, the principal Fr. Burke was tough and harsh as a military commander. The latter was strict on the question of punctuality. Once it was time for Students Union inauguration. Still half an hour to the meeting. Invited guests and VIPs were arriving. The principal was found restless walking up and down the side aisle of the hall. The reason was evident: the Students Union President had not yet arrived and the time for the meeting was closing in. one of the staff members approached him and gave him a plain explanation: as per Indian time, there can be a delay of about half an hour! The principal then breathed a sigh of relief and beamed a smile of understanding. On another occasion there occurred a student strike, not on any issue connected with the college, but due to some political issue. The students were picketing the college gate. Some of them lying down at the gate. When the Principal and Fr. Graham arrived at the college gate, to their great surprise, they found the students picketing. They both walked over the picketing row of the students without any hesitation! If that were to occur in these days, that would have triggered a big commotion leading to violence and rebellion. But on that occasion the rest of the students stood simply watching in dismay and in admiration of Principal’s courage and understanding.
Now on the occasion of Golden Jubilee, through various stages of developments the college has grown to a full-fledged institution with various departments branching into different specialized fields, even to some job-oriented courses like aquaculture and biotechnology and with specially qualified staff. The students who have passed through the venerable portals of the college are now among the walks, status and positions of life in India and abroad. In the array of these eminent personalities I join with pride and joy to salute the 50 year old Alma Mater.
By: Fr. Paul Figaredo, B.A., B.Ed., M.Engg., P.Engg
A tribute to Ayyapa Panicker Sir, On Teachers Day
A tribute to Ayyapa Panicker Sir.......On Teachers Day
Dr. K Ayyappa Panicker (September 12, 1930 in Kavalam near Alappuzha – August 23, 2006 in Trivandrum) was a Malayalam poet, critic and a scholar, regarded as the pioneer of modernism in Kerala. In poetry, Dr. Panicker is seen as the harbinger of a new voice; and in the field of literary criticism, he ushered in a paradigm shift towards a radically newer awareness.
Dr. Panicker (his preferred spelling) published his first poem at the age of 16. After graduating from the University of Kerala, he took his doctorate from the Indiana University and did his post-doctorate research at the Yale and Harvard Universities.
Dr. Panicker is a recipient of a number of honours including the Pdmashree, the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for poetry and criticism, the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award for poetry, the Saraswathi Samman, the Distinguished Teacher award, the Mahakavi Ulloor award for poetry, the Kabir Samman, the International man of the year (IBC, Cambridge, UK), the Indira Gandhi Memorial Fellowship, the Gangadhar Meher National award for poetry, the Asan prize, the Jana Sanskriti award (Abu Dhabi), the Vyalar award and Vallathol award.
Dr. Panicker joined CMS College, Kottayam, as a lecturer of English in 1951 and later became a Professor at the Institute of English and the Head of the department in University of Kerala.
He came to be regarded as an icon of modernist culture and thinking and his influence has been quite profound and far-reaching in the entire cultural and intellectual life of the Malayalee. His influence on modern Malayalam theatre and on new playwrights has been of equal importance. G. Sankara Pillai, Kavalam Narayana Paniker and Narendra Prasad have all come under his sphere of thinking. Similar has been the case with filmmakers like G. Aravindan, John Abraham and actors like Bharath Gopi and Nedumudi Venu. A widely travelled scholar and poet of international renown, he was a unique instance of creative and intellectual genius.
To My Sir … With Love
You taught us poetry, we understood Life,
Your comments, suggestions and quaint smiles
Left patterns and new designs in our minds.
Sir, often, you did overcome, moments of strife..........
Dr. K Ayyappa Panicker (September 12, 1930 in Kavalam near Alappuzha – August 23, 2006 in Trivandrum) was a Malayalam poet, critic and a scholar, regarded as the pioneer of modernism in Kerala. In poetry, Dr. Panicker is seen as the harbinger of a new voice; and in the field of literary criticism, he ushered in a paradigm shift towards a radically newer awareness.
Dr. Panicker (his preferred spelling) published his first poem at the age of 16. After graduating from the University of Kerala, he took his doctorate from the Indiana University and did his post-doctorate research at the Yale and Harvard Universities.
Dr. Panicker is a recipient of a number of honours including the Pdmashree, the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for poetry and criticism, the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award for poetry, the Saraswathi Samman, the Distinguished Teacher award, the Mahakavi Ulloor award for poetry, the Kabir Samman, the International man of the year (IBC, Cambridge, UK), the Indira Gandhi Memorial Fellowship, the Gangadhar Meher National award for poetry, the Asan prize, the Jana Sanskriti award (Abu Dhabi), the Vyalar award and Vallathol award.
Dr. Panicker joined CMS College, Kottayam, as a lecturer of English in 1951 and later became a Professor at the Institute of English and the Head of the department in University of Kerala.
He came to be regarded as an icon of modernist culture and thinking and his influence has been quite profound and far-reaching in the entire cultural and intellectual life of the Malayalee. His influence on modern Malayalam theatre and on new playwrights has been of equal importance. G. Sankara Pillai, Kavalam Narayana Paniker and Narendra Prasad have all come under his sphere of thinking. Similar has been the case with filmmakers like G. Aravindan, John Abraham and actors like Bharath Gopi and Nedumudi Venu. A widely travelled scholar and poet of international renown, he was a unique instance of creative and intellectual genius.
To My Sir … With Love
You taught us poetry, we understood Life,
Your comments, suggestions and quaint smiles
Left patterns and new designs in our minds.
Sir, often, you did overcome, moments of strife..........
Former head of the Dept of English,
St.Teresa’s College,Ernakulam.
Funny Things About Famous People
Funny Things About Famous People
Cleopatra’s last name was Ptolemy,and she was Greek rather than Egyptian
Alexander the great was an epileptic
King cabinet George of England could not speak English.He was born and raised Germany and never learned to speak English even though he was King from 1714 to 1727.He left the running of the country to his ministers thereby creating the first government cabinet.
The German Kaiser Wilhelm had a withered arm and pften hid the fact by posing with his hand resting on a sword,or by holding gloves.
Stalin of Russia was only five feet ,four inches tall.
Shirley Temple always had fifty six curls in her hair.
Pamela Anderson Lee is Canada’s Cenennial Baby,being the first baby born on the centennial anniversiary of Canada’s independence.
By:Anju Antony
Cleopatra’s last name was Ptolemy,and she was Greek rather than Egyptian
Alexander the great was an epileptic
King cabinet George of England could not speak English.He was born and raised Germany and never learned to speak English even though he was King from 1714 to 1727.He left the running of the country to his ministers thereby creating the first government cabinet.
The German Kaiser Wilhelm had a withered arm and pften hid the fact by posing with his hand resting on a sword,or by holding gloves.
Stalin of Russia was only five feet ,four inches tall.
Shirley Temple always had fifty six curls in her hair.
Pamela Anderson Lee is Canada’s Cenennial Baby,being the first baby born on the centennial anniversiary of Canada’s independence.
By:Anju Antony
A Nightmare
A Nightmare
It was raining heavily. Ram was on his way back home. He had no umbrella with him. It was indeed very dark. The streetlights were also off. He didn't know what to do: whether to ask for an umbrella from a nearby house or to hire a taxi. He thought that if he chose the first option and went toa nearby house to borrow an umbrella at such an hour (it was almost midnight), people would assume he was a cheat or a tramp. So he decided on the second option. He stood near the footpath to hire a cab or an auto. But there were none to be seen. He did not know what to do. He stood there for half an hour, and then decided to walk. Suddenly the streetlights came on. He saw a beautiful young lady coming towards him. She was wearing sari and had a silk umbrella in her hand. He grew quite scared. He took her for a ghost, as it was the dead of night. She came near him and asked, "Are you Mr. RAm?" He replied in a trembling voice, "Yes; what is the matter?" She said, "I am an angel from heaven. God has sent me to help you in your need. I will take you home. She continued, " Come, let us fly through the stars and clouds to go to your home". Ram could not refuse. they started flying. Ram saw the roads, rivers, churches, postoffice and other buildings. then they flew over a sea. He was frightened that he might fall. Suddenly she dropped him into the sea and he was drowning. Ram started screaming and woke up to discover that it was a "dream"!
By: Haripriya T.V