"We Should Create an Awareness on the Importance of Books to the Student" ❤️

A Rewarding Day @ Crescent! ❤️

Crescent Readers Club | An Inspirational Report

How blessed it is, when institutions of higher learning, give a great impetus for reading!

Added delight, when the librarian himself takes the initiative to start such a noble endeavour!

Well, today was a memorable day of sorts for many reasons.

Hari and Aakash, from III BA English Literature at Crescent University, accompanied me to their Campus. En route, all along our way towards Crescent, in the car, I was talking with Hari and Aakash, and enquired with them about their library. 

Hari said, ‘Sir, we’ve got a grand library, and an equally good Department library as well’.

Felt so happy to know that! 

On arrival at Crescent, I was so delighted to see Dr. Panneerselvam, Librarian of the University, and Dr. Nazneen, [a vibrant author, translator, poet, critic and professor all rolled into one], waiting at the entrance to the Convention Centre, to welcome me.

And of course, Dr. Nazneen, who’s known my love for the brew for many years now, made sure a steaming cup of coffee was served to me the moment I landed there.

Appreciating the Librarian for his laudable efforts towards the formation of the Crescent Readers Club, I asked him, a very pertinent question -

On how to bring the book back to the reader!?

He promptly gave me two valuable thoughts –

Firstly, we should create an awareness on the importance of books to the student.

Secondly, we should ensure that they have accessibility to the resources housed in a good ambience.

Valuable thoughts indeed!

Then, we were led to meet with the Registrar and the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University.

I was touched by the warmth and cordiality they exuded in their interactions with me.

In our casual conversations at his chamber, Dr. N. Thajuddin, the Pro Vice Chancellor, spoke about the importance of publications in reputed Journals.

With Dr. N. Thajuddin, Pro Vice-Chancellor, and the Registrar

I was so delighted to meet with such an eminent scholar. 

One thing in particular, that he said, quite inspired me. He said, 

Today’s youngsters have a lot of brilliant thoughts and ideas. But it’s of little use unless it translated into a research paper, that’s cited by scholars from across the world.

Hence, today’s youngsters should be taught the values of writing good research articles, 

he quipped. 

Equally glad to know that he’s visiting us at MCC on 6th October 2023.

Interestingly, Dr. Thajuddin has more than 390 research articles in reputed journals, and more than 11,000 citations as well. He’s also got DST Projects worth more than Rs.10 crores for his University.

That’s indeed the hallmark of a great scholar!

Felt so honoured to have met him today.

The Inauguration of the Crescent Readers Club was graced by a host of dignitaries including Dr. N. Raja Hussain, Registrar, Dr. N. Thajuddin, Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. P. Panneerselvam, Coordinator – CRC, Dr. Karthikeyan Ramalingam, Dean (Student Affairs), Dr. Nazneen. M.Y, Joint Coordinator – CR, and Dr. Radhika. M, Joint Coordinator.

Thanks to Dr. Sornam, Dept of Tamil, MCC, for sharing this snapshot with me three days ago!

Since today also happens to be the day when eminent Postcolonial Studies Scholar Edward Said passed away, [exactly 20 years ago], I touched upon his concept of the Liminal Intellectual, while delivering the Inaugural Address.

The Programme also saw a book release - of a lovely book authored by Dr. Nazneen, and Badges were then given away to Office Bearers of CRC.

I was happy to know that CRC was included in the Syllabus, and hence, students have the choice of earning their credits by participating in the activities of the CRC.

Well, after the Programme was over, I was waiting to meet with one particular student by name Shah Jahan, right from morning!

After having heard a lot of good things about him from his Professors, I expressed my desire to meet with him today, at least after the programme got over.

And yes! After the Programme was over, I got to meet Shah Jahan.

I was so excited to get to know about his passion for books, and spoke to him for quite sometime.

When I asked him about the latest reads that he’s purchased, he spontaneously gave out a list of books that included Ikigai, and a host of books published in the last two years.

Curious and excited on his passion for books, I asked him, who was his inspiration for reading books.

He said,

‘I was self-motivated, sir. In Instagram, I used to watch reels in which, there were inspiring quotes given from great books, by some avid bibliophile vloggers. That’s when I thought of getting the books for myself, and ever since, there’s been no turning back, sir’, he said.

Indeed! Shah Jahan is a great role model for today’s youngsters!

Congratulating him on his admirable efforts towards reading, I said,

‘Keep up your passion for books, Shah Jahan, and make sure your passion rubs off on all the members of CRC’,

I wished Shah Jahan, before signing off from Crescent for the day, a memorable day in every way!

Thank you Crescent!