National Institute of Technology – Tiruchi (NIT-T) has enlisted ace director Gautham Vasudev Menon as Advisor of the Department of Performing Arts proposed to start from the next academic year.
NIT-T Director S. Sundarrajan announced this at the commencement of Festember 2012, which ranks among India’s top- notch cultural festivals in educational institutions, in the presence of Mr. Menon, at the end of an interaction the latter had with students after delivering the inaugural address. Mr. Menon said he was looking forward to sharing his expertise with students.
Festember has symbolised the excellence of NIT-T students in extra-curricular activities since its inception in 1975. After Festember was adjudged the best cultural event by the State government in 2005, new benchmarks were being set every year, Dr. Sundarrajan said. He explained how they were capable of converting challenges into opportunities. A major advantage of NIT-T students is the composite culture they come across in the campus owing to the presence of students from all over the country, said Dr. Sundarrajan.
Recalling his student days at Mookambigai College of Engineering in neighbouring Pudukottai district where he graduated in Mechanical Engineering, Mr. Menon felt honoured to inaugurate the event in which he yearned in vain to participate while in college.
“That’s the irony in life. I could not take part in any event in Festember, and today I am the chief guest,” he said. Seeking to clear misconceptions about the dynamics of film industry, Mr. Menon came out with candid replies during the interaction much to the students’ delight.
“It is in college that one gathers confidence as the mind is open to ideologies. Unlike in the past, the world has opened up today. Make the most of the opportunities you have now,” he said.
Mr. Menon handed over to Dr. Sundarrajan first copies of Pixel, a magazine on photographs brought out by the newly-started Photography Club, and the Festember edition of Feeds, the campus magazine, in the presence of event convenor Shakaranarayasamy, and Dean – Student Welfare Ramprasad.
Staff advisors Parthiban and Ramesh said the uniqueness of this year’s edition of Festember was in its social reach. President of Students’ Association Gaurav Kumar and Festember 2012 overall coordinator Dinesh Kumar promised a memorable experience for participants.
