In Awe! ❤️
Today in my I
MA English Literature Class, we had a discussion time on the difference between
form and structure, and their function in poetry.
A student Swarna Rekha also presented her microteaching in class today. She did it exceptionally well, with confidence and poise.
Then, came to our Office and ensured that all arrangements are in place for the signing of MoU via Zoom Meet, with Daystar University, Kenya at 11.30 am.
At 11.30 am sharp the MoU signing ceremony started in the Council Room in the presence of the Vice Chancellor of Daystar University, and the Principal of MCC, amongst a host of dignitaries from both sides. This is our first MoU from Kenya.
Our vibrant interns Catherin, Lindsay, Zibiah and Alphy did an amazing work in coordinating the programme today. Dr. Ashik Bonofer, IQAC Coordinator who was present in the function said that, the interns did a phenomenal work, coordinating the programme so gracefully. More power to you our dear kids. We are so proud of you all.
After the MoU signing got over, I had to come to S. A. College of Arts and Science, Poonamallee, as part of University deputation, to do some official perusal.
Prof. Thangakumaran was there right at the entrance to the building, to receive me.
Felt so glad to meet with him after a long time. I remember having been his viva voce examiner for his MA Project with the University of Madras in 2014.
He reminisced on that occasion with such nostalgia. He also added, ‘Sir, your book NET SET GO, that you had given me in the year 2015, helped me clear my NET in my first attempt. I still have that book, sir’, he said.
Felt so glad to hear that. He is now heading the Department of English at S. A. College.
The Principal Ms. Malathi Selvakumar welcomed me warmly, and we had an engaging discussion that lasted for almost 30 minutes.
Then, after completing the formalities, came back to MCC, in time for a rendezvous with the legendary T. M. Krishna, who was in MCC today.
I was so happy to know that he studied in Rishi Valley School, and he had known J Krishnamurti ever since his childhood. When my turn to interact with him, came, I congratulated him on his famous Porombokku Paadal.
[Poromboke is an old Tamil word for shared community resources like water bodies, seashore and grazing lands that are beneficial in a collective sense but are not part of anyone's private wealth.
Today, it has acquired a pejorative connotation and is used to denote a kind of valueless ness, or worthlessness, in a person or place.
Chennai Poromboke Paadal is part of a campaign to reclaim the word and restore its worth. It was created in association with environmental activist Nityanand Jayaraman.
It’s larger aim is to bring focus to the acres of land which are being encroached at the Ennore Creek, which is an important ecological area for the city’s environmental sustenance.
The land has become uninhabitable and the people living in the surrounding areas are affected severely due to the pollution and the dumping of fly ash.
Over time, this has hindered rainwater runoff and drainage, apart from polluting the environment. It has also substantially diminished the livelihood of the fisher folk and has created health hazards that are fatal].
He also added that he is now working on yet another project with Ashoka University, titled, ‘Ashoka and Ecology’, due to be completed in August 2025.
Interestingly, T. M. Krishna’s grand-uncle, T. T. Krishnamachari, was a famous Indian politician who served as Finance Minister of India, twice.
Then, we moved on to today’s edition of Think Tank: The Staff-Student Study Circle.
Today’s edition was coordinated by Ms. Lekhaa and Ms. Stephanie.
More than 30 students and seven staff members participated.
The topic for today was on ‘Mental Health’.
Many staff and students gave valuable suggestions. (being documented by Ms. Lekhaa).
Ms. Monica Rachel gave her maiden speech today, on Implementing Gatekeeper Training Programmes. She spoke very well.
Ms. Parvathy then spoke so well on ‘Fostering Critical Thinking & Civic Awareness Among Students’. She also gave a proposal for starting a Debating Club as part of Think Tank.
Ms. Lekhaa then spoke on her noble ‘Story Share’ initiative, which aimed at a book drive for RSL School.
Ms. Daphnie spoke very well on the topic, ‘Mental Wellness: The Ultimatum to Peace’. She said that, cultivating a gratitude journal every day, can lead to reducing stress in our lives.
Then came the cream of the session, by Ms. Meenatchi, who spoke on ‘Silambam: A Weapon of Discipline, Strength and Heritage’. An internationally acclaimed Silambam artist, Meenatchi said that, she can teach Silambam to our students as well.
The programme got over by 4.45 pm, followed by a rewarding session of coffee and cakes at PapaDos Korean Café.
That’s when I chanced upon a student sitting all alone in a chair reading a book, over her coffee.
In awe, I called out for her, and asked her to join in the cuppa time with all of us.
She said that she was busy preparing for the upcoming Conference.
I was extra-curious when I saw a lot of colourful bookmarks stuck all over the edges of the book that she was reading. [Paradise Lost]
When I asked her about it, she said, the colours don’t have any signification as such, but for every bookmark, she has written some critical comments on those pages as part of her conference preparation work, she said.
Felt so very proud of her. More power to you, dear Catherine.
Catherine is also an avid vlogger and blogger as well.
Added, she also showed me her wonderful art work that she’s been so consistently doing for years now. I took a snapshot of her lovely art work for our blogpost’s sake, and she gladly agreed to it.
Catherine’s got her own YouTube Channel which is a real treat to the art connoisseur. You may want to check out her YouTube Channel HERE.
And her blog HERE. And a candid interview that I had with her, in April 2025, HERE.
After Think Tank got over, we had the 16th Edition of VISA – Virtual Interaction with Scholars Abroad, at 7 pm today.
Ms. Elka Mariam Thomas, who’s now with Hoseo University, beautifully outlined the rubrics for studying in South Korea. This was followed by a series of engaging interactions with Ms. Elka which she answered so gracefully.
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