Empowerment or Illusion? The Complex Reality of Women on Social Media ❤️

“Has Social Media Done More to Empower Women’s voices

or

Has Social Media Created Unrealistic and Harmful Standards for Women?”

#Women'sDaySpecialDebate

7th March 2026 (II MA Classroom)

Official Rapporteur: Ms. Catherin Sabu

Official Time-Keeper: Ms. Dency Jayaraj

Official Photographer: Ms. Anagha Anil

Group Leaders: Ms. Sivasankari & Ms. Terese Maria Broosily

A debate was conducted in class today on the topic, “Has Social Media Done More to Empower Women’s voices or has it Created Unrealistic and Harmful Standards?”.

The discussion brought together diverse viewpoints, theoretical references, and contemporary examples.

Ann Mariah began by referring to Gayatri Spivak’s famous question, “Can the subaltern speak?” She argued that social media has become a powerful platform for voices that were historically marginalised or silenced.

According to her, stories and perspectives that were once confined to history or small communities now have the possibility of reaching a global audience. She further noted that speaking “from a pedestal” is not always problematic if it helps bring attention to unheard narratives. 

Ann Mariah illustrated this by referring to the film Ayyappanum Koshiyum and the story of Nachiyamma, suggesting that social media and cultural discourse can make such characters and experiences visible to wider audiences.

Milind argued that social media as a platform does not inherently discriminate; it is an open space where anyone can participate.

He mentioned that he personally knows women who actively use social media to raise issues, share opinions, and participate in discussions about social and political concerns.

He further emphasised that women today are using social media as a powerful tool to promote their political voices and express marginalised perspectives.

While acknowledging that there are negative aspects, he argued that focusing on the positive potential of social media reveals how it can empower women and amplify their voices.

Pooja highlighted that social media empowers women across generations. She observed that both young and older women are increasingly using digital platforms to pursue their passions, share creative work, and build communities around their interests.

Sivasankari discussed the representation of tribal voices on social media. She pointed out that digital platforms allow tribal writers and artists to share their literature and cultural expressions, thereby gaining visibility and recognition that might otherwise be limited.

Sivasankari acknowledged the issue of unrealistic beauty expectations but argued that such standards are often linked to elite and capitalist structures rather than social media alone.

She referred to the expensive nature of cosmetic procedures like plastic surgery, noting that these ideals are accessible only to a privileged section of society. She also pointed out that beauty standards themselves are part of a larger capitalist framework and cannot be blamed solely on social media.

Additionally, she mentioned the growing conversations around gender nonconformity, which challenge traditional beauty norms.

Vasupradhaa shifted the focus of the conversation to health and well-being. She argued that fitness should not be understood purely in terms of body structure or appearance, but rather as a reflection of inner health and well-being.

Ann spoke about the influence of Korean beauty trends that circulate widely on social media.

She observed that some of these trends create unrealistic and unattainable standards for appearance. However, she also pointed out that social media has encouraged conversations around representation, such as the visibility of black skin and diverse beauty identities.

Ann also argued that judgment existed even before the rise of social media, often within small communities.

In contrast, social media can sometimes provide encouragement and support, as people with similar experiences come together and motivate one another through comments and interactions.

She further reflected on the concept of performativity, suggesting that even performative actions on social media can sometimes influence people positively and encourage social change.

From her perspective, social media celebrates diverse identities and experiences across the world, aligning with her understanding of feminism as allowing women to pursue what makes them happy.

Lindsay questioned whether social media truly reduces the idea of womanhood only to beauty standards.

She argued that while beauty trends exist, social media has also expanded opportunities for women in areas such as employment, entrepreneurship, and professional networking. She also highlighted the role of algorithms in shaping online experiences.

According to her, social media feeds are curated based on user preferences, meaning that what people see is often determined by the algorithm.

While capitalism continues to shape these platforms, she suggested that gradual change and awareness can still lead to more inclusive spaces. At the same time, Lindsay pointed out that judging others is an innate human tendency.

Audience responses, she noted, significantly influence how content is perceived and how individuals feel online.

Rajsri reflected on the changes brought about by social media in terms of visibility and fame. She argued that in earlier times, only powerful or influential individuals could become widely recognised. Today, however, even homemakers can become influential figures and “nationmakers” through their presence and creativity on social media.

Sivasankari referred to the ‘Me Too’ movement as a powerful example of how social media has empowered women.

The movement allowed women from different backgrounds to share their experiences and collectively challenge systems of harassment and silence. On the opposing side, Lara argued that social media frequently produces aestheticised and idealised standards, particularly in areas such as modelling and beauty culture.

Even when platforms claim to empower women, subtle expectations about appearance continue to exist. She also observed that trends such as celebrating brown skin can sometimes become performative or fashionable rather than genuinely transformative. In addition, she pointed out how audiences often harass influencers when their appearance changes, such as when they gain or lose weight.

Lara further emphasised that marginalised voices often receive fewer views and less engagement compared to mainstream influencers. She also highlighted the growing influence of plastic surgery trends, which contribute to unrealistic and harmful expectations about physical appearance.

She discussed consumer culture surrounding beauty and self-care, including trends such as Korean spas and the pursuit of “glass skin.” While often presented as self-care, she argued that these trends can create unrealistic expectations influenced heavily by social media marketing.

Lara also questioned the beauty industry’s standards, such as the idea of seasonal foundation shades for summer and winter, suggesting that these practices reinforce rigid expectations about appearance. She noted that many people are drawn toward trends that they can afford, which further reinforces consumer-driven beauty ideals.

In addition, she spoke about algorithmic bias on social media and the unequal distribution of visibility.

According to her, creators who genuinely empower women are often fewer in number compared to consumers, reflecting an “80–20 rule” where a small percentage produces content while the majority consumes it.

Lara also warned about toxic digital cultures, including podcasts and online communities that invite individuals only to shame or ridicule them.

She described such dynamics as creating cultlike social relations within social media spaces and argued that focusing only on empowerment risks ignoring the struggles faced by minorities.

Terese added that social media can also become a space of constant judgment. She suggested that such scrutiny may reduce confidence and encourage a superficial understanding of identity and self-worth.

Shobhana provided a critical perspective on representation and theory. Referring again to Gayatri Spivak, she argued that intellectuals often speak from positions of privilege while the real voices of marginalised communities remain unheard.

She also pointed out that documenting marginalised communities does not necessarily mean they are empowered. According to her, representation can sometimes be selective, highlighting certain voices while ignoring others. She further questioned whether digital performativity truly moves society away from capitalist mindsets.

Overall, the debate revealed the complex and multifaceted nature of social media.

While many participants emphasised its role in empowering women through visibility, activism, and opportunities, others highlighted the ways in which beauty standards, consumer culture, and algorithmic systems can create unrealistic expectations.

The discussion demonstrated that social media functions simultaneously as a space of empowerment and a site where societal pressures continue to evolve.

Scrapping the Mass Placement | MCC’s Three-Year Blueprint for Future-Ready Talent ❤️

“Hire for Attitude, Train for Skills” | MCC’s Industry-Academia Engagement

Industry-Academia Conclave

7th March 2026 | A Report

Today MCC woke up to a pioneering initiative - the Industry-Academia Engagement, wherein academic leaders including Principals, Vice-Chancellors, Deans and Heads of Departments from across the city and the state had a rewarding rendezvous with HR Professionals and Corporate Honchos, based on the theme, Creating Future-Ready Talent: The New Paradigm of Recruitment and Industry Readiness.

The traditional model of resume-building and mass placement drives is being replaced by a more targeted, digital approach.

Companies are moving towards evaluating students through digital portfolios and verified digital badges starting from their first year, rather than relying solely on final-year resumes.

Addressing the issue of students sitting for generic placements without the intent to join, there is a strategic pivot toward "pre-placements." For example, the ongoing experiments within the Commerce department (sending students to companies like EY for pre-placements) are expected to yield a 70% to 80% conversion rate into full-time roles.

The event was structured to bridge the gap between academic preparation and industry expectations, focusing on -

1. Establishing Global Capability Centres (GCCs) for employability skills.

2. Learning by Doing: Experiential talent pipelines for students and employers.

3. The Talent Marketplace: Building visibility, credibility, and career readiness.

To bridge the gap between academic life and industry expectations, the panel outlined a structured, multi-year approach to student development -

Year 1 (Discovery): Utilising psychometric assessments and tools like Gallup StrengthsFinder to help students identify their true aptitudes and create personalised career tracks early on, moving away from peer or family pressure.

Year 2 (Capacity Building): Focusing on practical, interpretive skills rather than just theoretical knowledge. For instance, moving beyond basic software knowledge to advanced tools and teaching students how to interpret data and utilise predictive analytics.

Year 3 (Industry Readiness): Finalising the transition from student to professional by aligning their developed portfolios with specific industry needs.

A recurring theme among the industry panellists (GCCs and corporate leadership) was the mantra: “Hire for attitude, train for skills.”

Panelists felt that, technical skills can be taught after a student joins a company, but resilience, adaptability, and a positive attitude are prerequisites to combat high attrition rates.

Empathy and attitude must flow both ways. Mr. Mike Muralidharan, Chairman, Ethiraj College, Chennai shared an example illustrating how supportive, empathetic management naturally fosters intense loyalty and “reverse empathy” from employees during critical crunch times.

Successfully transitioning to this new model requires heavy involvement from the academic side.

Driving this change requires standard operating procedures (SOPs) developed directly from the lived experiences of faculty members and HODs, the panelists observed.

Faculty Development Programmes should evolve to include more case-study-oriented teaching methods to better prepare students for real-world industry scenarios. The traditional model of resume-building and mass placement drives is being replaced by a more targeted, digital approach.

Companies are moving toward evaluating students through digital portfolios and verified digital badges starting from their first year, rather than relying solely on final-year resumes.

Addressing the issue of students sitting for generic placements without the intent to join, there is a strategic pivot toward “pre-placements.” For example, the ongoing experiments within the Commerce department (sending students to companies like EY for pre-placements) are expected to yield a 70% to 80% conversion rate into full-time roles.

Session Breakdown

Panel 1 (10:25 AM to 11:45 AM)

This foundational panel focused on the shift from traditional mass recruitment to targeted talent acquisition, emphasizing digital portfolios, pre-placements, and the critical importance of hiring for attitude while training for skills.

Moderator: Dr. P. Wilson (Principal & Secretary, Madras Christian College)

Panellists

Mr. Mike Muralidharan (Chairman, Ethiraj College for Women)

Ms. J. Sabita (Global GCC Director HR, Zinnov)

Mr. Sathish Vaidyanathan (Vice President and Head - India, ACV Auctions)

Panel 2 (11:50 AM to 12:50 PM)

This session brought a strong governmental and systemic perspective to the discussion, exploring how state governance is engaging with academia and industry to facilitate skill development.

Moderator: Mr. Arun George Mathew (Vice President & GCC Lead, Guidance Tamil Nadu) & illustrious alumnus, MCC.

Panellists

Mr. Kranthi Kumar Pati, IAS (Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation)

Mr. Paul Arun (Chief of Staff & Senior Vice President, Guidance Tamil Nadu)

Mr. Kewyn George (Head of India GCC and AI Engineering, Expeditors International)

The Charter was then inaugurated as follows –

Bridging the gap between academia and industry has never been more critical. As academic leaders, we share a collective purpose: to nurture students who possess not only strong disciplinary knowledge but also the skills, character, and resilience required to thrive in the modern world.

To turn this commitment into action, we are adopting the Future-Ready Talent Charter. This framework ensures we align our teaching and institutional practices with the evolving expectations of the workplace through six key pillars.

Integrated Career Readiness: Embedding experiential learning directly within our academic design.

Discipline-Specific Pipelines: Mapping departmental competencies to real-world industry needs.

Early Skill Profiling: Introducing micro-credentials and skill tracking starting from Year 1.

Modern Talent Acquisition: Embracing emerging practices like hackathons and portfolio building.

Strategic Internships: Creating credit-based internship ecosystems that align perfectly with industry timelines.

Human Competencies: Strengthening essential soft skills and responsibility through service learning. 

Together, through deeper collaboration across institutions and industry, we pledge to build a generation of graduates who are confident, capable, and ready for the future of work. 

MCC’s Industry-Academia Engagement has indeed set a new benchmark for student employability. By adopting a structured three-year roadmap - from early aptitude discovery to advanced capability building - and shifting the focus to “hiring for attitude,” academia and industry are co-creating a much stronger talent pipeline.

Ultimately, then, bridging the campus-to-corporate gap isn’t just about teaching new software; it’s about fostering resilience, empathy, and true industry-readiness. And for this, it is imperative on the part of academic leaders to drive this change by integrating real-world case studies and industry-aligned standard operating procedures into their teaching.

A rewarding day in every way!

Unearthing Forgotten Lifestyles | Literary Frameworks for Analysing Wisdom of the Elderly ❤️

Wisdom from the Past: Unearthing the Forgotten Lifestyle of Our Elders

Ms. Ascentana’s Creative Vlog

It is always refreshing to see students look beyond the digital horizon and tap into the profound, lived experiences of our elders, and their forgotten lifestyles.

I happened to watch a creative YouTube Video done by our student Ms. Ascentana, II MA English, that features nostalgic and heart-warming conversations with elders, even as they fondly engaged in a candid talk, reminiscing about childhood, traditional food, home remedies, and their deep connection with nature.

Well, in our fast-paced, technology-driven world, taking a moment to sit down and listen to the stories of our elders feels so rewarding! In fact, it is like opening a time capsule to the good ol’ past! 😊

Presenting herein below, some enriching insights gleaned from the two-part vlog -

Firstly, home remedies were the order of the day. Before the era of popping pills for every minor ailment, people relied completely on their backyard gardens. For common colds, they crushed Kuppaimeni leaves with rock salt or boiled eucalyptus leaves to inhale the steam.

Secondly, the kitchen was always a mini clinic of sorts, where spices like pepper, cumin, cloves, and herbs like Omavalli were made as a quick homemade concoction mixed with turmeric and honey - the go-to cure for coughs and fevers, drastically reducing the need for hospital visits!

Thirdly, during hot summers, especially, traditional practices like applying castor oil to the crown of the head and the soles of the feet were routinely used to naturally reduce body heat.

Fourthly, our elders had always preferred the highly nutritious millets over polished rice. Everyday meals consisted of Ragi (Kezhvaragu), Pearl Millet (Kambu), and Foxtail Millet (Thinai)

Fifthly, quite interestingly at that, items that we consider daily staples today - like rice, idli, dosa, and chapati – were rare luxuries back then. They were strictly reserved for major festivals like Diwali or special family functions. And thanks to this wholesome, chemical-free diet, elders note that they still possess immense physical stamina - capable of walking for miles and undertaking hard agricultural labour without fatigue even in their older years.

Sixthly, long before smartphones and 24/7 internet, children used to happily spend their evenings outdoors playing physically engaging group games like Kabaddi, Gilli-Danda, and Blindman’s Buff (Kannamoochi).

Moreover, creativity was at its peak as kids crafted their own toys. They built makeshift toy carts using palm fruit (Nongu) shells and happily raced around using old discarded bicycle tyres.

Seventhly, there was a rich sense of community bonding, through which  entertainment became a shared, communal experience. Often, an entire street or village would gather at the one house that owned a television set just to catch the weekly music programs like Oliyum Oliyum. 😊

Eighthly, store-bought beverages like coffee, tea, or health drinks were completely absent. Instead, guests were warmly welcomed with Neer Mor (spiced buttermilk with ginger, curry leaves, and mango pieces) or Panakam (a refreshing drink made of jaggery, cardamom, and dry ginger).

Finally, healthy snacking was the routine that was practised back then, every other day. Childhood snacks consisted of boiled sweet potatoes, roasted grains, chickpeas, and sweet energy balls made from ragi and jaggery. Even a simple treat like colourful spun sugar at the local temple fair brought immense, unparalleled happiness.

Listening to these elders is a gentle reminder of how far we have drifted from a lifestyle intertwined with nature. Hearty congratulations to Ms. Ascentana on this amazing documentary of sorts. This has immense potential and amazing scope for a good research as well.

So that brings us now, to the literary takeaways – 😊

This vlog and its thematic content can be robustly researched under a whole lot of vibrant research areas –

Firstly, Gastronomic Literature (or Food Studies in Literature). In gastronomic literature, food is never just sustenance; it is a text that encodes identity, memory, power dynamics, and cultural shifts. The shift away from the highly nutritious, everyday millets (Kambu, Thinai) to the “rare luxuries” of polished rice and wheat reflects broader socio-economic transformations. 

The communal aspect of sharing Neer Mor or Panakam versus the individualised consumption of modern store-bought beverages also provides a fascinating lens into how dietary shifts alter the very fabric of community hospitality and shared identity.

Secondly, the vlog also provides a powerful counter-narrative to how ageing is often depicted in contemporary texts, (under the banner of Literary Gerontology). 

Instead of portraying the elderly through a lens of decline or medicalisation, these conversations highlight their immense physical stamina, agricultural resilience, and roles as custodians of traditional knowledge, thereby creating an alternative paradigm of vitality that modern, sedentary society lacks.

Thirdly, the elders’ profound reliance on backyard gardens (using Kuppaimeni and Omavalli) and organic materials (palm fruit shells for toys) represents a lived ecological consciousness. 

This can be analysed under Ecocriticism, Green Studies & Bioregional Literary Studies to explore the shift from an intimate, symbiotic relationship with nature to our modern, alienated existence. It highlights how humans once viewed the environment not as a resource to be exploited, but as an extension of the home (dwelling) and a primary source of wellness.

Fourthly, the concept of the kitchen as a “mini clinic” proves to be a rich source of study under the realm of medical humanities. Like for example, the transition from localised, herbal, and preventative care (using spices, castor oil, and steam) to the modern era of instant, clinical pharmaceuticals. 

Furthermore, the very act of these elders sharing their memories and the joy it brings to the listener - touches upon how storytelling and remembering act as mechanisms for emotional healing and intergenerational trauma resolution.

Finally, the engaging anecdotes about playing Kabaddi or Kannamoochi, and entire streets gathering around a single television set for Oliyum Oliyum, speak volumes about spatial dynamics and community rituals, prove to be a fertile ground for an amazing research on Folklore, Cultural Memory, and Spatial Theory. (Literature often examines how the “commons spaces” - shared streets, temple fairs, open grounds - fostered a deep sense of collective cultural memory, which has now been fractured by the privatised, enclosed spaces of the smartphone era).

Bespeaks to the fact that, a vlog sincerely done, proves to be of immense academic potential, bridging the gap between oral history and literary theory.

Watch the full heartwarming videos here.

Part I - https://youtu.be/7TWsMvGdFmI

Part II - https://youtu.be/fka491Uhr3A?si=M3z3yp_rlQ3Z_C9M

The Sand-piper of Hamelin!😊

The Great “Desk Varnishing” Deception of '95

4th March 1995

A nostalgic throwback to 31 years ago!

MCC School Diaries

#memoriesfromdiaries

Well, as they say, some school memories are etched in your mind forever - not because of an inspiring lesson, but because you were thoroughly tricked into coming to school on a Saturday, for doing desk polishing!

Looking back at my diary entry from exactly this day – on 4th March 1995, I guess it could be called a historic day of sorts!

Well, the day had started with a classic hostel-ish rebellion: skipping breakfast!

As it was a Saturday, we did not have the usual jogging at 5.45 am as well!

And since breakfast was uppuma, I decided to give it a skip – as usual! 😊 And to all ye card-carrying members of the “Anti-Upma Association” I can hear you a mile away!!! 😊

The real adventure began shortly after this, you see!

Call it the The Twelfth Law of Applied Treachery or What You May! 😉

But our class prefers to call it the greatest tactical deception in boarding school history, “orchestrated” by none other than our Physics master, Mr. Nedumaran.

Now, Mr. Nedumaran was a master of science, who was quite good at his subject. However, on this fateful Saturday, he proved himself to be a master of psychology as well!

The bait was indeed quite irresistible - our physics practical marks.

As we all know, to a high schooler especially, practical marks aren’t just numbers; they are the holy grail. 😊 They are the difference between life, death, and having to explain your report card to your parents.

So naturally, we all fell for the bait. Quite early into the holiday-ed Saturday morning, we all descended upon the school like a flock of highly anxious birds! We marched in, hearts pounding, expecting Mr. Nedums (as we called him) to pull out the mark ledgers and our grading sheets, and give us that appreciative smile of sorts, even while distributing our practical marks.

Instead, we were – thousands of thundering typhoons – yes! We were all taken into a carpentry sweatshop of sorts!

There were no marks. There were no mark ledgers. There was only Mr. Nedumaran, standing amidst a mountain of coarse sandpaper and pungent tins of wax, looking less like a Physics teacher and more like a Victorian workhouse manager!

We stared at him. He stared back at us. ☹

He didn't hand us our grades; he handed us a solid 80-grit coarse “sand”paper – to each their “paper”!

We had been thoroughly, spectacularly bamboozled. It suddenly dawned on us that he hadn’t called us in to give us our practical marks - he had called us in for a practical application of mechanical friction. 😊

And so, and sadly at that, we had to spend our Saturday buffing and waxing the very desks we usually used to sleep on during ‘boring’ lectures. 😊

Since all of us were new to this job, what followed was chaos of the highest order! We had to apply sandpaper first, followed by wax to varnish the benches. Even our Headmaster Dr. Jefferson came out to inspect our handiwork. The boys were shouting and howling, and even the junior hostelers were roped into the cleaning effort. Meanwhile, breakfast was being served outside Miller Hall.

After successfully surviving the trap of the millennium - of “forced carpentry”, we finally got a break.

Then, after lunch, albeit a bit tired, I grabbed a much-needed siesta before our 3:00 pm tea, which we enjoyed outside the Hall. I finally had to take a bath to wash off the wax from my wax-coated pants.

The rest of the day settled back into standard boarding school life. The night ended in 2nd studies with Math tuition, showing up a packed house. Sudip joined us today, alongside Ranjan, Sudher, Bobin, Bambino, Sagran, Daniel, and myself.

Yes! Back then, our class teachers doubled up as tuition teachers in the evening! 😊

I studied, read, and wrote until 11:00 pm before finally calling it a night.

Study! Read! Write!

Three different cognitive gears that were deeply instilled in us by our parents and teachers, as mandatory on the highway of academics!

Cognitive gears that we practice with such reverence and sincerity even today!

Pranams to our parents and teachers!

The 'Seven-Day Chief Minister' and the Art of Turning the Page ❤️

Takeaways from the ‘Seven Day Chief Minister’ Saga

#memoriesfromdiaries

3rd March 2000

A Seven-Day Stint: Unearthing Wisdom from an Old Diary

Well, there is this unique kind of time travel that happens when you flip through the pages of an old diary. Today, exactly twenty-six years later, I find myself looking back at a page off my past diary, dated Friday, 3rd March 2000.

It offers a fascinating snapshot of my student days in College, that has a blend of academic routines, meticulous jotting down of accounts, and glimpses from the day’s newspaper.

The entry begins with the familiar rhythm of campus life: “Went to classes. Pd exam fees 400/- and noon One hr class.”

Even for that lone afternoon class, which sometimes felt, I should admit, a bit tedious, we were still there with pen and notebook! 😊

After class hours, much of the remaining day was consumed by logistics for the 11th Edition of Zeal 2000, as I was tasked with coordinating the event!

In an era before instant digital invites, getting the word out to academia meant a lot of trips to the DTP (Desktop Publishing) centre and the local photocopy shops.

Had an outing with Vivi to get the invitations sorted, along with some very precise accounting of the “CPF money” provided by Prabhu.

The prices alone, back then, offer an exciting trip down memory lane 😊

100 invitation copies at Star Xerox for Rs. 38/-

25 copies and covers at Dubai Xerox for Rs. 30/-

“Cleaning” 15 photos for Rs. 75/-

The most striking part of this diary page is the news headline that donned today’s newspaper.

Samata Party Leader Mr. Nitish Kumar sworn in Bihar CM & Governor Mr. V.C. Pande’s decision evokes widespread criticism.

Well, in February 2000, elections were held for the Bihar Legislative Assembly (which at the time included what is now Jharkhand). The results produced a deeply fractured mandate.

Neither Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) nor the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) - which included the BJP and Nitish Kumar’s Samata Party - managed to secure the 163 seats required for a majority.

However, on this particular day, the Governor of Bihar, Mr. V. C. Pande, made the highly controversial decision of inviting Nitish Kumar (he had contested as a member of the Samata Party that he founded in 1994 along with George Fernandes), to form the government and swore him in as Chief Minister, which sparked immediate and widespread outrage across the country for a few key reasons.

The opposition argued that the NDA clearly lacked the numbers to prove a majority on the floor of the house. Rival parties, particularly the RJD and the Congress, were not happy. They accused Governor Pande of acting in a partisan manner.

The opposition parties were right, when it came to numbers. Nitish simply couldn’t cobble together the necessary support from other MLAs to win the vote of confidence, and hence resigned as Chief Minister just seven days later on 10th March 2000, without even facing the floor test.

Following his resignation, Rabri Devi of the RJD, backed by the Congress, was sworn in as Chief Minister.

Quite interestingly, Nitish Kumar is now Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister, currently serving as Chief Minister for the 10th time in a row!

The takeaway?

A single setback cannot be interpreted as dictating the rest of the story of one’s life.

What seemed like the end of the story in March 2000 was actually just the prologue or a stepping stone to a huge epic saga – Nitish went on to become the longest serving Chief Minister of the State.

So what was his success mantra?

He just didn’t waste his time staying in the same disastrous chapter, but confidently flipped through the storyline to the next chapter - for the brighter and better possibility that was awaiting him!

Lovely takeaway, ain’t it?

"Easy for anyone to give a handful of food before eating | Easy for anyone to speak kind words to others." ❤️

Oru Kaippidi Thamizh | A Handful of Thamizh

ELA Valedictory | Loyola College

A Report

2nd March 2026

The Valedictory of the English Literary Association of the Department of English (Aided), was a memorable one with a lot of takeaways!

The programme started with an impressive rendering of the ‘Thamizh Thaai Vaalthu’ by the students of the Department of English, with two students playing so skilfully on the guitar and on the violin respectively.

My talk centred on the topic, “Literary” Agency: Navigating the Pathway to Literary Excellence, where I also emphasised on the importance of jotting down one’s thoughts for posterity.

I also had a special word of congratulations for the Head of the Department Dr. Porselvi, on releasing her second book of poetry today. By doing so, the HoD has set a noble trend to be emulated by all faculty members and students alike.

In her prefatorial to her book, Dr. Porselvi observes –

(just excerpts)

There are many reasons why I, an English professor, developed a passion for Tamil. From a young age, my father, also an English professor with a deep devotion to the Thirukkural, and my aunt, a Tamil professor who understood the glory of Bharathi, introduced me to the beauty and ethics of the Tamil language through their words and actions. My mother, a kind storyteller, would blend the nectar of Tamil with food and serve it to us every day.

One day, amidst my daily chores, a beautiful Tamil phrase fell upon my ears: “Oru Kaippidi” (A Handful). Simplicity, humility, modesty, neatness, and truth - all are contained within this phrase.

At the same time, in the vast treasure trove of the Tamil language, what I have learned and understood is merely a “handful,” while what remains to be learned is the size of the world! This book is the first step in that Tamil quest.

While conducting doctoral research on the topic of Ecofeminism in Indian Literature, I gained a deep understanding of Sangam literature - specifically concerning Thinai (landscapes), Akam-Puram (inner and outer life), and the various categories of poetic elements (Mutharporul, Karupporul, Uripporul).

Similarly, while researching folk literature, I gained clarity regarding the natural traditional wisdom of simple people.

Some aspects of Ecofeminism can be seen below –

This ideology celebrates the value of the relationship between women and nature on one hand, and the connection between nature and culture on the other. It recognizes the inner connection between marginalized groups; it proclaims the rights of Mother Earth and her oppressed children, and guides us toward understanding the benefits of establishing gender equality and sustainable development for human beings.

It awakens all human minds to understand the spiritual dimension of all living beings with fresh vigor. It questions the contemporary problems faced by women and nature due to exploitation, destruction, and indifference. Furthermore, it urges human beings to gather their collective strength.

I see Poetry as a noble tool that gives shape to the deep thoughts and broad inner reflections born from our faith. The word "Poetry" (Kavithai) can be broken down to mean: Kalvi (Education) + Vidhai (Seed), Karpanai (Imagination) + Vidhai, or Karuthu (Thought) + Vidhai.

My beloved child born of this process is this small poetry collection, Oru Kaippidi Thamizh.

These poems were born from the values I learned from Sangam and Folk literature, such as ethics, love, affection, romance, separation, compassion, bravery, knowledge, encouragement, silence, language, prosperity, simplicity, strength, truth, hard work, relationships, nature, faith, and duty,

she signs off.

Dr. Prema, Recipient of the Mahakavi Bharathiyar Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu, (who has also written the foreword to the book) did an impressive book review of ‘Oru Kaipidi Thamizh’. Dr. Prema was formerly Professor at Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai and later held the position of Principal at Bhaktavatsalam Memorial College for Women. She is the author of over 20 books and has published hundreds of research papers at both the national and international levels.

Excerpts from her book review –

Dr. Prema, while elucidating on the significance of the title, ‘Oru Kaippidi Thamizh’, alluded to Thirumoolar’s Thirumandhiram (Song 252), where he talks about offering “a handful of food while eating” to the poor.

Easy for anyone to offer a green leaf to the Lord,

Easy for anyone to give a mouthful of grass to a cow,

Easy for anyone to give a handful of food before eating,

Easy for anyone to speak kind words to others.

Historically, in many Tamil households, the women in the family would usually set aside one “handful of rice” (Pidi-Arisi) into a separate pot before cooking the family meal. This accumulated rice was eventually given to the poor and the needy.

Just as the “handful of food” is a daily practice of physical charity, “A Handful of Tamil” represents a daily practice of cultural and linguistic “giving” – by cherishing the joys of the language - through one’s reading and writing.

On an aside, one is also reminded of Kamala Markandaya’s A Handful of Rice (1966) which is also set in Chennai. However, while in Thirumoolar’s verse, the “handful” assumes that the giver has a surplus, in Markandaya’s Madras (now Chennai), the protagonist Ravi experiences the “handful”  as a lack!

A lovely takeaway for the day!

Dr. Christina Sagaya Mary, President of ELA presented the Annual Report. The events that were conducted throughout the year, is testament to the unbridled talent of the students, and the encouragement and support they receive from their professors.

Prizes and awards were distributed to the winners of competitions in various categories. I was so happy to know that, students of Loyola had participated regularly in the literary festivals organised by our Department of English in MCC, and in turn, our students have also been regularly participating in paper presentations and competitions in Loyola College, all through the year.

Hearty congratulations to Dr. Christina Sagaya Mary, and Dr. Ashwin on successfully completing their stint as President and Vice-President of the ELA on a highly victorious note. So happy to meet with Dr. Kannan, Dr. Sebastiraj and a host of other lovely faculty members and students of the Dept of English.

A memorable day in every way!

The ELA Valedictory 2026 | @ Loyola ❤️

The ELA Valedictory 2026 | Loyola College, Chennai

The PG & Research Department of English

Loyola College (Autonomous), Chennai

Monday, 2nd March 2026, 11:30 AM

Venue: De Nobili Hall (Old LIBA Block)

The event will feature a special session titled, “Literary” Agency: Navigating the Pathway to Literary Excellence.