ST THOMAS COLLEGE CHRONICLE 2 MAY - NOVEMBER 2018 ST THOMAS COLLEGE (Autonomous) Thrissur CHIEF EDITOR’S www.stthomas.ac.in [email protected] MESSAGE Ph: 0487 -2420435 St Thomas College (Autonomous) is celebrating its centenary as a Fax: 0487-2421510 graded college in 2018-19 marking the completion of a century of its commitment towards higher education. Throughout this period the Chief Editor college and its diligent constituents were working tirelessly both to commemorate the centenary and to execute their duty as responsible Dr Ignatius Antony citizens of the community in the time of its need. The onslaught of Principal the floods and the subsequent series of unfortunate events helped the institution return to its core values of defending and promoting humanitarian values buttressed on a solid education with altruism Executive Editor and truth at its core ideals. This has only prepared us for another Sri Sanjo Jose century of more commitment. College Librarian It has been one hundred tireless years since His Highness Sree Rama Varma, the Maharaja of Cochin officially inaugurated the second grade college in August 1919. It was only fitting that an institution with the Layout and design motto Veritas vos Liberabit marked its centenary with the title Sathyaprayan (Journey towards Truth). The centenary celebration Sri Joyson OJ officially began with the Sathyaprayan inaugurated by the Honourable President of India Sri Ram Nath Kovind on 7th August. The President Photography commemorated the event by releasing stamp and postal cover depicting the rich history of the college. The meeting was presided over by the Sri Raju CV former Chief Justice of India and Governor of Kerala Justice P Sri Aijo PI Sathasivam. Adv. VS Sunil Kumar (MLA and Minister for Agriculture), Mar Andrews Thazhath (Patron), Mr CN Jayadevan (MP), Mrs Ajitha Jayarajan (Mayor) and Mar Tony Neelankavil (Manager) were other dignitaries gracing the dais. It was followed by the commemorative centenary exhibition organised by the management, staff, PTA, OSA and students of all departments including research scholars. It was an exceptional success with the ST THOMAS COLLEGE 3 CHRONICLE EXECUTIVE EDITOR’S NOTEMAY - NOVEMBER 2018 involvement of students of 25 colleges and schools flocking to the Rt Rev. AE Medlycott, PhD, Vicar Apostolic of Trichur, founded St stalls. Thomas College as an educational institution in 1889, and it was raised The year began with a unique to the rank of a Second Grade College in Arts affiliated to the University Founder’s Day celebration, of Madras in 1919. Sathyaprayan commemorates this elevation in status convened by Dr George Alex, that of the institution with year-long celebrations. saw the celebration of the academic integrity which Bishop Adolphus After its inauguration by the President, though it was hindered briefly Edwin Medlycott laid as the by the unprecedented floods, Sathyaprayan is in its stride. Floods foundational values of St Thomas. became severe on the day which Centenary Mega Expo was opened In July, the St Thomas’ Day was (16th August) and the expo was closed for the day and postponed to 29th memorialised by the celebration of th Agape @ 100, as one hundred and 30 of August. Though flood did not affect the college or its priests jubilated in the Eucharistic surroundings, houses of many staff members and students got thanks giving led by Mar Andrews submerged or badly affected. Even the house of Executive Editor was Thazhath with Mar Tony submerged 2.5 meters from ground level in ineptly handled dam waters Neelankavil joined by the former and had to leave it for weeks. As it was a great experience for the entire principal, bursars, staff, alumni and present staff with the student body. community, hope it will help us in facing any such future catastrophes or pandemics (wish such events shall not happen). Our social extension The chief guest of convocation of the centenary year, Laurea 2018, wing has become strengthened due to this manual replication of the was Dr Suresh Das, Executive Vice great flood of July 1924 (1099 ME). President, Kerala State Council for Even though floods have taken few days from its schedule, St Thomas Science, Technology and was busy during last semester in organizing a large number of events Environment (KSCSTE) and Principal Secretary to Government and many are in pipeline. Many foreign experts are coming and sharing of Kerala (Science and Technology), their knowledge in various disciplines. who conferred the undergraduate From this year, the registration and result management of college youth and postgraduate certificates. festival became online using our academic management system. This In mid-August, the unfortunate is a rare feat in the case of colleges. Although college has won many Kerala floods happened; the St Thomas’ was once again called to laurels in academics and sports and games as evident in the present arm the humanitarian cause to issue of the Chronicle, an overall triumph in arts at intercollegiate level elevate suffering public, wherever is still far from us. It is for sure that the college will win at least the D- possible. Under the leadership of Dr Zone arts festival under the University of Calicut with a good margin Sunil Sunny, many teachers and of points. students, especially sports students, NCC, NSS and alumni mobilised It was a herculean task to collate the contents for this issue of the the relief work. Origin of new Chronicle, as the number of events was more than any other semester organisation Koode took place at this or year and the materials were not readily available. But it’s a matter of context. The District Collector pride to present the issue on time with additions like lists of those honoured the college for its great service by giving plaque to the qualified NET/JRF and those secured campus placements along with institution. In addition, AICUF the details of articles and books published by the academic community. students went for relief activities at Sanjo Jose Wayanad. St Thomas has never College Librarian ST THOMAS COLLEGE CHRONICLE 4 MAY - NOVEMBER 2018 turned away from the call to help our St Thomas has always shown students’ aptitude for cultural fellow men and it will continue to obligation in its academia as much excellence at D-Zone competitions. answer that call wherever possible. as it has in its social responsibility Dr Sunil Sunny (Director of The year was marked with a wide and its staff deserves full credit. The Admissions) and Mr Shine Joy assortment of achievements that commendable service by the (Technical Assistant) successfully produced fruition from the hard Librarian Mr Sanjo Jose led to the completed centenary year work of our constituents. As part of beginning of the Postgraduate undergraduate and postgraduate the Environment Day celebrations Certificate in Information Studies admission in fully automated the Research and Postgraduate (PGCIS). As a result of his tireless manner. The Admission Cell Department of Botany conducted work, the Publications Division organised pre-counselling, induction Species the Passion, national working under the library of the and initiation programmes to the seminar with the publishing of two college started the allotment of ISBN parents and students. research articles unveiling the from Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBN, MHRD, The Institution Innovation Council discovery of two new species of was started under the leadership of flora. Dr Anto PV and four research Government of India. Two new books with ISBN and seven research Dr Johns Naduvath and attained scholars including one student made single golden star status. a great contribution to the known papers in journals with high impact flora of Thrissur in the discoveries factor were published by the faculty The Finishing School under the of Parthenocissus renukae of and research scholars. leadership of Dr Paul Jose organised Vitaceae and Eriocaulon pradeepii Taking the holistic development, a an international seminar by bringing of Eriocaulaceae. The contributions step further into the student’s home, Prof. Dr Ulrike Guelich from have furthered the mapping out of a new interdepartmental social Bangkok University, Thailand. regional biodiversity. extension certificate programme The twelfth edition of Signs digital The year was also notable for the Smart Mother was offered to the video festival was organised jointly Golden Jubilee of the MSc mothers of undergraduate and by FFSI and Centre for Media programme in the Research and postgraduate students under the Studies. It was inaugurated by Adv. Postgraduate Department of aegis of Departments of Social Work VS Sunil Kumar (Minister of Zoology. and Computer Application. Agriculture) and the valedictory message was given by Prof. C Centenary gift from the UGC was Dr Sunil Sunny, Dr Hareesh Kumar AG and Dr Dhanya Shankar KS Raveendranath (Minister for the sanctioning of two new General Education). vocational programmes: BVoc were awarded with doctoral degrees during this period. Centralised organising of class PTA Forensic Science and BVoc Data meeting and special centralised and Science. The conveners Dr Francy The year was florid with non- separate classwise seminars were Kakkassery and Dr Sajesh TA academic feats as well. The co-ordinated. PTA Vice President deserve special reference. Department of Physical Education Smt. Sobhana Pushpangadan and In keeping with the academic won the runner-up trophy at Secretary Dr Saju MI have taken tradition of honouring one’s teacher, University of Calicut. considerable efforts towards it. in Guruvandanam programme all The students’ union was inaugurated Leadership of Dr Mejoy Jose, faculty members, both retired and by Mayor Ajitha Jayarajan. convener of club activities, gave a serving, were honoured as part of the Colourful programmes were new direction to all clubs and their teacher’s day celebration. Professor performed by students. It is sure that functioning. KI Varghese retired from long and sustained hard work under Department of English published a the leadership of Dr Sunil Sunny will Chief Superintendent of Examinations poem Yaadon Ki Baaraat as win accolades showcasing our Dr David CV organised seminars for centenary souvenir.