‘What’s your name? Don’t tell me you are Shakespeare’ ❤️

International Confy @ MCC

A Report

21st July 2025

The first day of the Two-Day International Conference hosted by the Research Department of English, MCC, got off to a grand start today in the Anderson Hall.

Dr. Franklin Daniel, our vibrant Head of the Department, set the tone and the tenor for the Conference with his lovely words of introduction.

“This conference is the result of meticulous planning. On March 5th we had Dr. Greg hosted by the Dept of English on ‘Heidegger’s Typewriter’, which in fact set the spark for this great event today”.

“Truth emerges in conversation, and understanding is a process of becoming. Literature is a dialogue across time between the author, the text and the reader. Let us keep listening, interpreting, reading”, he noted.

Speaking at the Conference, our Principal Dr. Paul Wilson reiterated on reimagining hermeneutics for the 21st Century.

We need to keep decoding traditions. Sometimes the traditions are real legends. So we need to differentiate between tradition and legend. Try to use value as a keyword to authenticate and curate traditions.

When you say ‘traditions’, they are always value-based. I keep reading the Life and Legacy of MCC book, to see how these traditions always had some value and objective to bring uniformity.

Anderson, wanted to educate people, but when Miller came, he saw education as the importance of ‘teaching the minds of the learners to grow’.  So truth is not dumping, but exercising the mind / training the mind to know knowledge / truth / reality for themselves.

Truth is not objective but is a formation of various social structures, that makes truth possible.

Today, India is in the 39th Position in the global Innovation Index, starting from 80th position, seven years ago. Is it because of the policies we have, or the innate tendencies in us to innovate?

In the next five years, we might even touch the top ten in the Innovation Index, 

he opined.

Speaking next, Dr. V. Rajagopalan, the former Head of our Department, and presently, Dean with SSN University, Chennai, gave an inspiring talk that foregrounded the theme of the Conference.

Prof. Monsingh Daniel, President of ELF introduced Dr. V. Rajagopalan.

Excerpts from his talk –

I hope you must have read the famous essay titled, ‘The Unexpected’ by Robert Lynd. It is an essay that explores the theme of how nature often surprises us with its unexpected beauty and pleasures, particularly when we approach it without fixed expectations.

Translation is interpretation. Translation is understanding. There is a big difference betwen literary hermeneutics and biblical hermeneutics.

In 1989 I attended a Refresher Course spanning 28 days in Hyderabad. We had a grammarian, a very great scholar by name Prof. Thirumalesh who was our Resource person. This was his second class with us.

A small group of people always had the habit of coming late to class.

A gentleman walked in late, and Prof. Thirumalesh asked him,

‘What’s your name?’

‘Bernard Shaw’ he replied.

He went and sat.

After sometime another gentleman came in late.

Prof. Thirumalesh asked him,

‘What’s your name? Don’t tell me you are Shakespeare.’

Now everybody laughed.

So what really happened there?

The first person who came in, his name was really Bernard Shaw. Prof. Thirumalesh thought that he was joking.

Somewhere communication was lost. So we are always in the midst of understanding. We are always in the midst of interpreting…

To be continued…

Dr. Greg Emery then gave an insightful key-note address.

(updates follow).

The first Technical session followed at 11.15 am in the Anderson Hall.

So happy to note that, each technical session spread over various venues, had just five paper presenters, and so everyone of them could speak for at least ten minutes. Many from among the participants asked very insightful questions to the paper presenters, which led to a lot of valuable takeaways and enriching insights.

I was so delighted to chair one such paper presentation session, where the presenters presented on postcolonial hermeneutics, folklore and hermeneutics, psychoanalytic hermeneutics, feminist hermeneutics, Dalit hermeneutics, etc.

Hearty congratulations to Ms. Gopikarani, a student at University of Hyderabad, pursuing Masters in Sociology for presenting a paper on “From Fat to Fit: A Feminist Hermeneutic Reading of Bodily Transformation in Hollywood Films’’.

Hearty congratulations to Prof. Pavithra Mahendran, on presenting an insightful paper titled, “Subalternity and Ambivalence in select poems of Jacinta Kerketta”.

Hearty congratulations to Ms. Lara Violet, II MA English, on presenting a lovely paper titled, “INTERPRETING FOLKLORE IN AFRICAN AND INDIAN LITERATURE”.

Hearty congratulations to Ms. S. V. Nivedhaa on presenting a paper titled, “Dalit Women’s Testimonies: Reading Resistance in Bama’s Sangati”.

Hearty congratulations to Ms. Nandini Sukumar, on presenting a paper titled, “Echoes of Womanhood: Confronting Trauma, Tradition, and Transformation in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s The Dream Count”.

On an added note of appreciation, haven’t seen a conference of this calibre and import anytime in the recent past.

Everything went like clockwork.

All the events happened on time (on the dot), and the organising team – our vibrant research scholars left no stone unturned in the process.

This Conference I’m sure would be a benchmark in the annals of the Dept of English, MCC.

Up Up MCC!

On an added note, our hearty congratulations to Ms. Pearlina and Ms. Keerthana from III BA English, on having presented their papers in the International Conference at St. Xavier’s College, Palayamcottai. We are so proud of you our dear students. Keep it up.  

Cordially Inviting You... ❤️ Five-Day Webinar @ Nilgiri College of Arts & Science ❤️

 

A Five-Day International Webinar

At

Nilgiri College of Arts & Science (Autonomous)

The Nilgiris

on

Research Methodology and Academic Aspects

for a Paradigm Shift in Higher Education Institutions

To Register, CLICK HERE

Cordially Inviting You... ❤️

 

Cordially Inviting You... ❤️ The Event Schedule... ❤️

 

In Awe! ❤️

In Awe! ❤️

MoU Signing with Daystar University, Kenya 

Think Tank | S A College | VISA Programme 

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.

VISA Meet Episode # 16 | A Report ❤️

 VISA Report

Episode # 16

Report by: Ms. Lekhaa, M. S

Intern, Office of International Programmes

Speaker: Ms. Jeslyn from Melbourne, Australia

On the 30th of July 2025, at 7 p.m., the office of the Dean of International Programs hosted episode 18 of the Virtual Interaction with Scholars Abroad (VISA) program.

The speaker for the day was Ms. Jeslyn Jayaseelan, a student at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, pursuing her masters in Marketing. She is an alumnus of the Department of Commerce, Madras Christian College. 

The EmCee for the day was Ms. Lekhaa, an intern with the office of International Programs. The program began with an opening prayer by Prof. Arun Kumar, Associate Dean of International Programs (Aided). Then, Dr. Samuel Rufus, Dean of International Programs, delivered a welcome address. 

Ms. Lekhaa introduced the chief guest, Ms. Jeslyn, and handed the floor over to her. 

Ms. Jeslyn started by introducing herself and quickly mentioned what she would be talking about. 

Her journey to Australia started with her talking to her parents about finances. She considered three countries for her higher studies - US, Australia, and Ireland.

She knew she wanted to study Marketing and chose her country accordingly. She checked various factors before choosing her university - climate, Indian community, finance, and safety. 

Ms. Jeslyn applied to five colleges, but ended up selecting RMIT, because it had a good curriculum and it was situated in a good place.

She then ran through her application process, highlighting the documents she needed to submit. She also talked about an ‘autogrant VISA,’ which is a type of VISA approval in Australia where the VISA is immediately approved if all the documents are in order. 

Further, she spoke about her first days in the country, the troubles she faced, and provided strategies for new students to avoid those problems. She focused specifically on housing troubles, adapting to the city, and rewiring academically. 

Then, Ms. Jeslyn spoke about part-time jobs, highlighting that Australia has one of the highest minimum wages in the world, which makes it easy for students to meet their expenses. She concluded her talk by mentioning her five-year plan and outlining her expenditures and the basic financial requirements. 

The session concluded with a list of announcements about the office of International Programs and a Vote of Thanks by Ms. Lekhaa. 

VISA Programme | Episode #16 | Cordially Inviting You... ❤️

 

16th July 2025

Dear All,

Sub: Invite for VISA Meet – today, Wednesday, 16th July 2025, 7 pm – Reg.

We cordially invite you for the VISA Meet Episode No. #16 with Ms. Elka Mariam Thomas, [Alumnus of the Department of Commerce] today, Wednesday, 16th July 2025, at 7 pm, via Zoom Meet, as part of our ‘Virtual Interaction with Scholars Abroad’ Series.

Ms. Elka will be giving an orientation on the entire process of studying abroad, with special reference to South Korea, and on finding the right kind of placements abroad.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3186192180?pwd=M2l6N2F0aFJpcGhtMDBEQXUyL0gyUT09

Meeting ID: 318 619 2180

Passcode: chemistry

Students can interact with Ms. Elka during the Q & A Session and have all their doubts clarified on the occasion.

Office of International Programmes

MCC

Cordially Inviting You... ❤️

15th July 2025

Dear All,

Sub: Invite for Think Tank Weekly Rendezvous – Reg.

Think Tank: The Staff-Student Study Circle will be meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, 16th July 2025, at 3 pm, at the Writers’ Nook, MCC-MRF Innovation Park. 

The topic for discussion for tomorrow is –

Behind the Smile: Unmasking the Mental Health Crisis

Ms. Veda will be reviewing their latest book (jointly published with Ms. Lekhaa), titled, The Art of Carrying Pain.

Ms. Daphnie will be giving a talk on ‘Mental Wellness: The Ultimatum to Peace’.

Ms. Meenatchi, a National-Level Silambam Champion will be presenting her Proposal for teaching Silambam to College Students.

Ms. Lekhaa will be giving a talk on their ‘Book Drive’ titled, ‘Story Share’ for RSL School, as part of their SLP.

Ms. Monica will be giving a talk on ‘Implementing Gatekeeper Training Programmes’.

Ms. Parvathy will be giving a talk on Fostering Critical Thinking and Civic Awareness Among Students’.

There will be a debate anchored by Ms. Veda and Mr. Jijo titled, ‘Cultivating a Sense of Purpose and Meaning in College Life Beyond Academics’.

Students interested in presenting their ideations may please contact Ms. Lekhaa by 10 pm tonight.

Looking forward to your participation.

Dr. Rufus 

Visit of Students & Staff from Asia University, Taiwan | A Report ❤️

Visit of Students & Staff from Asia University, Taiwan

In Tandem Inaugural 2025-26

The Day Today | #reflections

14th July 2025

This morning, we got the news that our third student from Sri Lanka had just arrived in Chennai. So we made arrangements for her enrollment in College and then in the Women’s Hall.

Today we also had a visiting team of two professors and 12 students from Asia University, Taiwan.

Our relationship with AU goes back to the year 2009, and I am so glad to note that it continues to flourish till date. We had a brief welcome meeting with the visiting dignitaries in the Council Room. Happy to note that we have been collaborating with Hindustan University as well, as regards the visit of the AU delegation.

Later, at 11.35 am, the Orientation Programme by the visiting dignitaries started in the Blue Whale Hall, MMIP.

Ms. Steffi and Mr. Bill who had been part of a three-student team to Asia University, Taiwan to do their 45-Day Internship at Asia University, Taiwan, presented their experiences during the Orientation Programme in such a beautiful, inspiring manner.

On an aside, I was so happy to know that Ms. Steffi had finished her MA Philosophy in MCC and then joined MSW in MCC because of her great passion for Social Work.

When I asked her why she opted for MA in Philosophy, she said, 

‘Sir, I didn’t get MSW in MCC, the first time I applied. I got the letter from Stella Maris and from Pondicherry University, but I didn’t want to go there. I wanted to continue my PG in MCC. 

I was previously the General Secretary of Martin Hall. So I decided to do MA in Philosophy in MCC. Once I completed it, I again gave it a shot yet again. This time I got into MSW in MCC, and I got the field of my choice as well. Now I’ve successfully completed my Postgraduation in MCC, after a rewarding internship with Asia University, Taiwan’,

said Steffi.

So proud of you Steffi. More power to you.

Later the Professor Liao, Shu-Cuan, from Asia University, Taiwan, gave an impactful orientation on studies in Taiwan, with special reference to Asia University.

Dr. Sudharsan, Assistant Professor, Dept of Social Work, Coordinated the Programme, while Dr. Serena, Associate Dean of International Programmes (SFS) did the MC. Prof. Arun Kumar, Associate Dean of International Programmes (Aided), did the announcements, while Dr. Rufus, Dean IP welcomed the gathering.

This was followed by a fellowship lunch in the MMIP with the visiting delegates, interns and professors. Ms. Anarsha Panicker from III Vis Com did the Report Writing of the Programme, while Ms. Sai Sneha, II BSc Geography, coordinated the programme.

So happy and proud to know that Mano has been selected for Lawn Tennis. So proud of you Mano.

Later in the evening, our Principal Dr. Paul Wilson welcomed the visiting professors from Asia University, to his residence, in the presence of the Dean IP and Dr. Sudharsan. Possibilities for collaborations between the two institutions were also discussed during the occasion.

Then, at six pm today, we had the First In Tandem Colloquium for the new academic year.

Today we have completed 111 years, and entering the 112^th year, said the Principal Dr. Uma Maheswari. I am so happy to note that In Tandem is starting their vibrant literary activities on this auspicious day, she opined.

Many of the Patrons of In Tandem were in attendance, and gave their heartfelt laudations for the consistency with which the In Tandem sessions are being organised over the years.

Hearty Congratulations to the ever-vibrant Dr. Preethi Srinivasan, HoD, English, Queen Mary’s College, Chennai, for steering forward In Tandem with such dedication and vigour over the years. Also, so happy to see a few of our students – present and past – in attendance at In Tandem! So proud of you guys! Keep up the spirit. 

Orientation on Study Abroad / Semester Abroad / Internships / Doctoral Research in Taiwan - Reg.

 

13th July 2025

Dear All,

Sub: Orientation on Study Abroad / Semester Abroad / Internships / Doctoral Research in Taiwan – Reg.

Two Professors from Asia University, Taiwan will be with us in MCC on 14th July 2025, to deliver a lecture on Opportunities for Higher Education in Taiwan at Blue Whale Hall, MMIP.

Students interested in participating in the Orientation Programme may fill up the form given below, on or before 10 pm, Sunday, 13th July 2025.

https://forms.gle/fKGXaDQqUkSKkpB16

Office of International Programmes

MCC