First PhD for Heber! | 24 June 1999
#Memoriesfromdiaries 💛
Dear friends,
Thought of sharing a very momentous occasion [as recorded in my personal diary], 22 years ago, on this same day – 24 June.
Indeed a very momentous day for Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Trichy.
The day when the Department of English, Bishop Heber College produced its first ever PhD candidate, and thereby became a full-fledged Research Department.
On an aside,
the phrase ‘viva voce’ literally translates to mean ‘with living voice’.
The Viva hence, is an occasion wherein the candidate defends their thesis standing cool, calm and collected, in front of an august gathering of established academics, renowned scholars, accomplished luminaries, staff members, researcher scholars, friends, relatives, and class mates, as well!
At the same time, a Viva Voce also offers the candidate an opportunity to get fresh insights, enhanced perspectives and newer ideas on their subject of research!
As such, the best way to approach one’s Viva Voce would be to just go ahead and ‘enjoy the moment!’ 💛
Coming back, well, Dr. Pauline Sathiamurthy was the candidate’s Research Supervisor.
On this auspicious day, the entire Department of English wore a festive look, and there was celebration in the air, right royal!
Our UG Head – Dr. Ranjan and PG Head, Prof. Natarajan left no stone unturned in making the day a memorable one for us.
Dr. Suresh Frederick had promptly called me up to write down the ‘Welcome Notice’ on two prominent Black Boards.
And the first candidate to have successfully defended her PhD Viva Voce on this delightful day, was Ms. S. V. Sornam and her thesis was on the topic, ‘Romantic Individualism in Thoreau’s Walden’.
The External Examiner was Dr. Sam Sahayam, Reader, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli.
There were many exciting and thought-provoking questions too for the candidate.
Prof. P. Natarajan, [Our Head of the Department], Prof. Roop Kumar, Prof. Suresh Frederick among others also had some insightful observations and questions.
Ms. Sornam responded to all the questions remarkably well, with such poise and grace, and she was then recommended for the award of Doctor of Philosophy, by the Examiner.
That moment when she was pronounced a ‘Doctor of Philosophy’, celebrations started full throttle, and a visibly moved Dr. Sornam thanked everyone involved in the making of her PhD, followed by congratulatory messages from near and dear!
A real memorable day in the annals of the Department of English, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Trichy.
PS: On a sombre, tragic note, I recently came to know that Dr. S. V. Sornam, passed away just a month ago, because of Covid-related ailments. Was deeply shaken and saddened to hear the news. May God Almighty comfort her bereaved family, and may her soul rest in peace. 🙏
The blog you have shared is truly inspiring sir! And very much saddened to hear the loss of Dr.S.V.Sornam. May her soul rest in peace 🙏🏻
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