Agents of change
Rehobath Capron Biology Association was inaugurated at Capron Hall Girls Higher Secondary School by M. Rajesh, Assistant Professor, American College. In his address, Prof. Rajesh said that human beings were always greedy and selfish in utilising the earth’s resources when compared to animals. The earth was more productive only because of interaction between animals. This kind of programme enabled everyone to realise not only the responsibility to care for the earth but also reminded them of their individual power to become agents of change. Many of the earth’s ecosystems were nearing critical stages of depletion or irreversible change, pushed by high population growth and economic development. By 2050, if current consumption and production patterns remained the same and with the population expected to reach 9.6 billion, three planets would be needed to sustain the present ways of living and consumption.
Artificial sparrow nest box was demonstrated to the students on the occasion. The Headmistress, Selvi Hepziba, welcomed the gathering. The correspondent, Marthandan Thomas, delivered the presidential address. M. Richard B. Rajan elaborated the association’s activities and projects towards betterment of the environment. Freeda Angelo, PG Assistant in Botany, proposed a vote of thanks.
Holistic development
A residential programme for holistic development was conducted at Sri Kaliswari Institute of Management and Technology, Sivakasi, from June 11 to 17. S. Krishnamurthy, Principal, Sri Kaliswari College, highlighted the need for students to have a competitive edge. P.K. Balamurugan, Vice-Principal, spoke about the objectives of the programme, which was designed to have sessions in communicative English, art of living and interaction with entrepreneurs. The resource persons were drawn from various fields and included the alumni. S. Sureshkumar, an emerging entrepreneur of Sankaralingapuram; A. Senthil of Srinivasa Fine Arts, Sivakasi; M. Sivaramakrishnan of Sripathi Paper and Boards, Sivakasi; K. C. Gurusamy of Kaycee Plasto Pack, Virudhunagar; T. Vivekanandan of Aadhithya Associates, Sivakasi; K. Prabhakaran, Divisional Manager, New India Assurance Company; E. Paulrajan, Branch Manager, Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation; N. Manikandan of New Generation Media Corporation; P. S. Kamalakannan, Project Manager, District Industries Centre; I. K. R. Athithya Karikalan, credit analyst, City Union Bank; S. Sumeet Mehta of Sugan Paper; and M. Damodharan of Sarojini Super Market were the resource persons.
Basics of robotics
Arasan Ganesan Polytechnic College, Sivakasi, conducted a two-week summer course on ‘Introduction to Robotics’ for school students for a period of two weeks. Batches of 22 young students of Classes 7 to 10 from various schools in and around Sivakasi participated in the course. Topics such as ‘introduction to electronics,’ ‘digital electronics,’ ‘embedded system’ and ‘robotics’ were taught through video shows, practical sessions and demonstration. The students were given extensive training in assembling and programming of robots. Priyanka Ganesh Kumar presented certificates to the participants in the valedictory session.
Summer camp
A summer camp on communicative skills was conducted by the Department of English of Rev. Jacob Memorial Christian College, Ambilikkai, from June 1 to 6. Principal B. Jothikumar explained the types of communication. T. Shanthi, Head, Department of Languages, welcomed the participants. Alagusundaram, Director, OAA MAVMM School of Management, Madurai, delivered a talk on the topic, ‘Youth is for reading.’ Rev. Fr. V. Mariya Louis of Dindigul Bishop House spoke on ‘Personality development’ and ‘Addiction and alcoholism.’ Jacob Thomas, chairman, Christian College of Engineering and Technology, Oddanchatram, delivered a lecture on ‘Effective communication skills.’ The other resource persons for the summer camp were Seelan Stephen, Principal, Christian Matriculation Higher Secondary School; Rev. Fr. R. Amalraj of Department of English, Christian College of Engineering and Technology; J. Danrita, former Principal, RJMC College, Ambilikkai; A. Arulraj proposed a vote of thanks.
