The Power of TEA in Action ❤️

Some Strong TEA for Academics! 😊

Celebrating the Disciplined Prose Style of a 92-Year-Old MCC Legend

#newspaperinlearning

Today’s The Hindu Editorial Article

It’s indeed quite rare today to find writers of Shri M. K. Narayanan’s acumen and calibre. He’s been such a consistent and dedicated writer, wielding the pen for more then seven decades now.

I should confess that, I’ve been an ardent fan of Mr. Narayanan’s articles in the columns of The Hindu for more than three decades now. 😊 He regularly writes for some of the prominent Indian newspapers including The Hindu, and his articles usually focus on foreign policy, regional security, strategic affairs, and cross-border dialogues.

Well, this illustrious alumnus of MCC and MCC School (my alma mater) 😊 – Shri M. K. Narayanan IPS, is now 92 years old! He joined the IPS in 1955, and went on to serve as Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), National Security Advisor (NSA), and then as Governor of West Bengal.

This post is not only meant to shower encomiums on the legendary writer, but also to appreciate this article that he’s written in today’s The Hindu, for its highly structured argument and the nuanced way in which he puts forth his 11 core ideas systematically, in 11 distinct paragraphs.

Well, before we go ahead, let me reiterate the fact that, an editorial article is much akin to an academic article. Authors usually do not use the first person while writing such essays. Moreover, both articles have an introduction, a clear thesis statement, body paragraphs with factual support, the acknowledgment of counterarguments, and a conclusion. However, editorial articles are short and punchy whereas academic essays discuss ideas in a more graded and elaborate manner.

And as we academics are fully aware, every paragraph in an academic essay should contain ONE IDEA!

So the structure of a paragraph should be based on the TEA rubric for academics!

Topic Sentence

Evidence to support the Topic Sentence

Analysis based on the ideas presented in the topic sentence and evidence.

And this is exactly the structure of this beautiful editorial article by our illustrious MCC alumnus – the legendary 92-year old Shri M. K. Narayanan, IPS, in The Hindu newspaper today.

The first paragraph is based on the idea of “Managed Coexistence”. The current state of Sino-Indian relations is defined by frequent border face-offs, raising questions about the viability of long-term peace.

The second paragraph is based on the idea of “The 1962 Legacy” - the historical 1962 conflict and the loss of territory in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh which remain a permanent sore!

The third paragraph discusses the idea of highlighting the need to demystify underlying tensions.

The fourth paragraph is based on the idea of “Improper Border Demarcation”. He states that, improperly delineated terrain in Ladakh and the McMahon Line in Arunachal Pradesh are frequently cited by experts as the primary roadblocks to a bilateral solution.

The fifth paragraph is based on the idea of “Diplomatic Thaws”, giving historical evidence from the past. Past initiatives, notably Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s 1988 visit, successfully separated the border dispute to allow for military confidence-building measures.

The sixth paragraph is built on the idea of “Zero-Sum Game” where he states that, recent bilateral initiatives feel like a zero-sum game, worsened by Chinese strategists misinterpreting India’s involvement in the US-sponsored QUAD.

The seventh paragraph focusses on the idea of “rejecting China as an existential threat for India”. Both nations should instead pursue a constructive relationship of strategic stability, he says.

The eighth paragraph is built on the idea of “Mutual Deterrence”. Direct conflict would derail China’s 2049 global leadership targets and India has no inclination for war, making avoidance of inadvertent action essential, he observes.

The ninth paragraph is based on the idea of “The Military Myth of China”. Narayanan observes that the narrative of an overwhelming Chinese military edge is a myth, as India remains a formidable match in the high Himalayas.

The tenth paragraph reflects on the idea that, “India must accurately interpret China’s intentions” and adhere to frameworks like the 2005 Agreement, which prohibits the use of force.

The final paragraph focusses on the idea of “Historical Vulnerabilities”. China's national identity has historical frailties, and misreading its elastic boundaries would be costly, but the two nations are not destined for permanent war, he signs off.

Shri M. K. Narayanan’s editorial indeed serves as a powerful inspiration for all of us aspiring writers. In addition, it also helps us understand the intricate mechanics of formal writing.

Especially for students and research scholars striving to perfect the TEA rubric, this piece I am sure would be a guiding light for y’all. The discipline in his prose style is awe-inspiring!

Witnessing such an illustrious alumnus of our very own Madras Christian College who still continues to shape national discourse with such intellectual vitality at 92 years, is both humbling and profoundly inspiring for all of us.

Viva la MCC!

PS: You may want to read this blogger’s analysis of yet another editorial by Shri M. K. Narayanan, HERE on our blog, from exactly three years ago, 11 October 2023.

Beyond the Roll Call | The Real Joys of Learning❤️

Celebrating the Details

Today | II MA English

Dear Students of the II MA English class,

Even as the Odd Semester downs the shutters on yet another eventful and rewarding term, I wish to take a minute out and appreciate those of you who were present in class today from 8:30 am to 9:30 am for my last class of this semester with you.

BENITTA J

DAPHNIE IDA D

IRENE THOMSON

JOTHIKA R

MEENATCHI P

NIHITA CHINNU SIBU

RAKSHAYA G

SARA SAJU OOMMEN

SWARNA REKHA S

VENKATA VISHNUPRIYA D

EBENEZAR DHANARAJ D

R MARVEL GIFTSON

As your Professor, I am so happy to witness your commitment, your dedication and your resolve to show up in class today, in spite of the fact that the official attendance was closed a while ago.

At a time when academic participation is so often driven solely based on marks and roll calls, your presence today in class speaks volumes to the genuine joy of learning!

You came not because you had to, but because you wanted to, and that means the world to me as a teacher.

Thank you for your commitment and your sincere dedication. You have made this semester incredibly special for me!

And yes! Make the most of the study hols, in the brief stint of semester holidays that follow from tomorrow on, during which time, as you all are aware, your professors would be quite busy 24x7 poring over all your answer sheets and busy giving you your marks, after which time you’d be gearing up to face head on - your final frontier to be conquered for this Semester 😊 - your End of Semester Examinations, that start from Wednesday, 4th November 2026.

I also wish to appreciate and highly commend the following students who wrote exceptionally clear, and crisp writing that had no overwriting, smudges or corrections anywhere in their answer sheets.

IRENE THOMSON

NIHITA CHINNU SIBU

RAKSHAYA G

SARAH SAJU OOMMEN

R. MARVEL GIFTSON

Three cheers to you for having taken the time to celebrating excellence in every detail. Keep it up!

We your professors are so proud of you.

Best wishes,

Dr. Rufus

Course Teacher

Paradise Lost and Dedication Found! ❤️😊

Beyond the Attendance Register | A Note of Appreciation

28th October 2026

Dear I MA English Students,

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to you, for your presence in class today.

At the fag end of this semester, especially when the “pressure of attendance” is no longer hanging like the proverbial sword of Damocles, 😊 your decision to show up in class today, your last teaching day with me for this semester, speaks volumes about your genuine commitment to your academic journey.

BHAVATHARNE M

​ANUGRAHAN SUDHAKAR

​JOAN STEFFI

​KAVIN NALLARASU I

​FEBA EVANGELIN LESLY

​VEENA J

​ASHNA ELIZABETH KURIAN

​VIVEKANANDHI R

I am so overjoyed to see my dear students engage with the subject purely for the joy of learning rather than merely for that entry on the attendance register.

Your enthusiasm brings immense value to the class and makes our teaching experience deeply rewarding.

And yes! today we completed Paradise Lost Book IX on a very rewarding note!

We your professors are so proud of you.

Keep shining.

Arise, awake and stop not, till the goal is reached!

Best wishes.

Dr. Rufus

Course Teacher

Clear Medium, Clear Message! ❤️✍️

The Power of Real Penmanship!

I MA English Class

#neatness #neatwriting

Neat handwriting free of smudging and overwriting is fundamentally about respecting the reader’s time and ensuring that message is understood exactly as you had intended.

On that note, special congratulations to the fabulous four from the I MA English class, for neat presentation in their answer sheets, thereby bagging the extra bonus marks for neatness. They get 28/30 marks each.

Alena Sara Thomas

Veena J

Feba Evangelin Lesly

Ashna Elizabeth Kurian

Interestingly, Ms. Alena and Ms. Veena have authored two books each, thus far. 

Keep it up our dear students.

As eminent critic Scupin Richard rightly points out,

Writing is a tool for communication. If the medium is messy, the message becomes a mess!

PS: Veena is bagging the bonus marks for neat writing for the third time in a row! Earlier she had won her professor’s appreciation and bonus marks for neat handwriting, when she was in her UG Final year in MCC. You may want to look up that post HERE on our blog. 

You make our hearts happy, our days complete and our teaching purposeful! ❤️

26th October 26

To

The Vibrant II MA English Class

I want to extend a special word of appreciation to each of you who turned up in class for the past two days.

Being the last week of the Odd Semester, with just a couple of days to go for your Study Holidays, you had the option to be elsewhere, yet you chose to be present.

Your attendance in class speaks volumes about your genuine commitment to your studies.

In fact, it is this voluntary dedication that we admire a lot in our students.

It is indeed deeply encouraging and it also feels an absolute joy to engage with you.

Congratulations to you on investing in your education with such genuine commitment and dedication.

As your Professor, I am sooo proud of you.

24th October 2026

1. ANITHA S

2. BENITTA J

3. JOTHIKA R

4. KPB AARTHI

5. KEERTHI V

6. NAVEENA DEBORAH D

7. RAKSHAYA G

8. RANGINEETHA RAMALINGAM

9. SAMITHA S

10. SWARNA REKHA S

11. VENKATA VISHNUPRIYA D

12. EBENEZAR DHANARAJ D

13. JOSHUA JOSEPH

14. R MARVEL GIFTSON

26th October 2026

1. BENITTA J

2. DAPHNIE IDA D

3. DIVYASHREE

4. JOTHIKA R

5. KPB AARTHI

6. MEENATCHI P

7. SAMITHA S

8. SWARNA REKHA S

9. VENKATA VISHNUPRIYA D

10. EBENEZAR DHANARAJ D

Interestingly, these students form part of the select few who always make it a point to inform their teacher courteously and promptly whenever they are not able to make it to their classes.

Here’s wishing you the best in all your academic endeavours.

You make our hearts happy, our days complete and our teaching purposeful! 😊

Best regards,

Dr. Rufus

Course Teacher

Beyond Sympathy | How a 20-Year-Old is Restoring Dignity on Our Streets 💜

The Unseen Faces of Our Streets

A Freewheeling Conversation with Ms. Harini Nagarajan, II BA English, MCC

The ‘Safe Hands’ Initiative

In our faced-paced, everyday lives, it’s quite natural for any of us to quickly walk past the unseen and unheard thousands of hapless people in our society - the destitute, the abandoned, and the voiceless faces who are there on our streets without stay or support! The most we usually do, on such occasions, is to subtly offer a fleeting moment of sympathy before we continue to move on with our work!

Indeed, it takes a rare kind of courage and true nobility to pause, to listen, and to document the heartbreaking realities that such hapless residents of the streets face every passing day of their lives.

This is exactly what twenty-year-old Harini Nagarajan, the brain behind the noble initiative Safe Hands, has chosen to do. Armed with just a smartphone, her paltry monthly pocket money, and filled with a genuine and profound sense of empathy, Harini spends her weekends documenting the lives of those whom society has largely forgotten, on her vibrant Instagram page titled, ‘Safe Hands’. 

Be it an elderly toy-seller left to starve by the very sons he sacrificed to educate, or physically challenged individuals struggling for basic medical care, Harini’s interventions transcend mere documentation. She seeks to restore their dignity, build a network of dedicated volunteers, and hold onto the hope of somehow rehabilitating them or reuniting them with their families.

In this candid, freewheeling conversation, that I had with Ms. Harini Nagarajan, today, we explore the spark and the drive behind her endeavour, and how these poignant interactions have shifted her perspective on the concept of ‘privilege’ in society, and her inspiring vision for the future.

And Ms. Harini was five minutes ahead of time for the interview session today.

Here goes snippets from the interview –

Very good afternoon Harini. We are so happy to see the noble work that you’re doing in the service of the needy, the destitute and the hapless people in society. Before you started out on this initiative of documenting the lives of such people, there must have been a moment of inspiration that made you take up this noble task. When exactly was the moment you got that spark?

Ms. Harini: Well, sir, for some people, there might have been a specific incident or event in their lives that provides them the spark, but for me, it is just in my nature. Ever since my childhood, I’ve been empathetic and I’ve always wanted to help people, sir. There was no single incident; I just do it out of genuine interest.

I constantly imagine myself in their situation and ask, “What if I were in their place and nobody was there to help me?”

There are thousands who sympathise with the helpless, but they usually just express pity and walk away. You had the courage to stop, pause, interact, and powerfully document their struggles. How did you find this courage?

Ms. Harini: To be honest, I receive a lot of negative comments. Even within my own circle, some friends claimed I was doing this just for publicity and views. I tell them that I only document these episodes with explicit permission. I make it clear to the people I document, that I am not just sympathising; I genuinely believe that posting these videos highlighting their plight, would sure encourage others to step forward and help them. 

Moreover, I also hold onto a small hope that these videos will reach their families, and perhaps one day, they will reach out to reunite with them. I am focussed on transforming their lives through this documentation, not just gain views, sir.

That is a wonderful perspective. By now, you must have had numerous conversations with the neglected and the unheard people in society. Could you tell me one single conversation that touched or struck you the most?

Ms. Harini: Just two days ago, I met an elderly man, around 60 or 62, near the A2B restaurant in Tambaram. He was selling small toys. When I approached him to record snippets of his life, he gladly agreed, saying I was like a daughter to him, which made me very happy. 

But the moment I asked his name, he broke down in tears. It was an incredibly emotional moment. Even as he cried, a crowd of auto drivers and workers gathered around us. He then slowly opened up and shared with me that he had educated all his sons with his hard-earned money, but now that they are married and working, they have abandoned him. He had been sitting there from 7:00 AM, and when we spoke at 7:00 PM, he had sold only one toy, earning a profit of just 50 rupees for the entire day.

His only thought was that he would have to go hungry again. When I gave him some money, he said, "நீங்க வந்து எனக்கு சாமி மாதிரி தெரியறீங்க!" (You look like a god to me), because he had thought he would be starving that night. Hearing those words made me cry too, and the auto drivers around us stepped in to comfort and motivate both of us.

How have these conversations shifted your perspective on the concept of privilege in our society?

Initially my mom was quite sceptical about helping people who are begging on the streets because she holds the common notion that some might be feigning poverty even while they are doing well otherwise. My dad is the exact opposite; he has this tendency to help everyone. 

Very often I used to wonder if my mom was right. However, quite soon, when I started speaking directly with these people, I began to truly understand their struggles. I firmly believe that if we have something to spare, we must give it to the needy. I receive about 700 to 800 rupees a month as pocket money, and I spend it entirely on these destitute, voiceless, and abandoned individuals.

How do you find the time for this, Harini? When exactly do you do this documentation?

I mostly shoot the videos during the weekends. Right now, I am the only person running Safe Hands. I visit the locations, record the videos, edit them, and post them all by myself, sir. For the filming part, I reach out to friends, and if anyone is free, I request them to accompany me.

They say your tone creates the perfect empathetic mood for the viewer. Are there reliable friends who have the time and motivation to help you consistently?

Well, to be honest, not many are there, sir. That’s because they have their own priorities and commitments. In situations where I can’t find help, I feel quite helpless and usually have to postpone the shoot to another day.

What ultimate impact do you wish to make in society through your channel?

My aim and aspiration is that, these videos should reach a wide audience and build a strong connection among people. To achieve this, I want to build a network of volunteers who genuinely want to help. My greatest wish is to successfully reunite at least one family through this initiative.

Have you received any impactful, memorable messages or DMs in response to your work?

Yes, sir. There are lots of messages. Particularly, I would like to highlight on a girl from the Dept of Statistics, MCC, whom I don’t even know, who texted me expressing her strong interest in joining and helping me out. Many people also repost the videos and send supportive messages encouraging my work, sir.

Currently, Safe Hands is only on Instagram. Are you hoping to expand to YouTube later?

I definitely need to start, but it is a bit challenging to manage multiple platforms at once right now. I hope people use my current page as an inspiration to start helping others without hesitation.

Having met a wide cross-section of underprivileged individuals, who do you think are the worst affected and deserve the most empathy?

Ms. Harini: Honestly, all of them, sir. Every single person has a heartbreaking story. Two weeks ago, I met a physically challenged elderly man who had met with an accident and he didn’t even have the money to travel to a hospital. I gave him 100 rupees for an auto. Then there are those who have been abandoned by their own children and left on the roadside. My heart goes out to all of them.

Do these abandoned parents express resentment towards the children who abandoned them?

Yes, sir. Indeed they feel a deep sense of sorrow. They often tell me, “I sacrificed so much to educate them, but they have abandoned me.” To me, hearing such words is so disturbing and disappointing, sir. And because I am young, many of them feel as though their own children have returned in my form to help them.

Finally, what is your message to the people reading this interview?

Right now, my focus is on building a strong volunteer network and professionalising this initiative. Beyond reuniting families, I want to help place the elderly in good care homes. Since I am only 20, it is tough to establish contacts with NGOs and old age homes on my own. I would deeply appreciate assistance and guidance in this area.

What specific aspect of our society needs to change to eradicate this helplessness?

I personally feel that, instead of merely sympathising with them, we must take concrete, actionable steps to help them in whatever way we can. More importantly, we need to focus on rehabilitation - providing them with basic jobs to sustain a decent livelihood. On a fundamental level, we must teach our children never to abandon their parents in their old age.

Our best wishes to you in this noble endeavour, Harini. Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me.

Well, Harini’s journey with Safe Hands is indeed a great inspiration for all of us.

Her initiative trueproves the fact that, empathy is not merely about feeling sympathy; it is about showing up and being there for the needy and the hapless people out there on the streets, when they need us the most!

In a world that so easily looks the other way, her quiet dedication and resolve challenges us to pause and truly see the invisible struggles of the helpless and the hapless people on our own streets. 

Indeed, it takes only a moment to ask a name, share a meal, or offer a listening ear, yet these small acts of dignity can mean the world to someone who has been entirely forgotten by society.

In the words of the American essayist, professor, philosopher, and poet – The Sage of Concord – Ralph Waldo Emerson,

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well!

PS: You may want to check out Ms. Harini's Instagram Page HERE.

International Conference on Culinary Narratives ❤️

Call for Papers: International Conference on Culinary Narratives

Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women, Chennai

30th October 2026

Food is never just food. Every plate is political; it governs our senses and carries layered meanings. From shaping individual identities to driving aesthetic trends (like Instagram-worthy meals), every bite has a history.

If you’re fascinated by the stories of what we eat, what it’s called, who eats it, and how it reaches us, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Department of English (Shift I) & Department of B.A. English (Shift II) at Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women, in collaboration with LangLit: An International Peer-Reviewed Open Access Journal, is organising an International Conference on Culinary Narratives: History, Language, Politics, and Aesthetics of Food.

This conference will serve as a platform to trace the history of cuisines as registers of migration, conflict, and exchange, as well as an inquiry into the linguistics of taste.

Event Details

• Date: 30th October, 2026

• Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Mode: Hybrid Mode (Online & Offline options available)

Sub-Themes

We invite insightful papers that fall under the following categories (but are not limited to) - 

• Class, caste and taste

• National cuisines and “authentic” food

• Hybrid kitchens

• Festivals, fasts and feast

• Food on screen

• Advertising and appetite

• Food and resistance

• Sensory anthropology

• Who cooks, who eats

• Gender, labour in the kitchen

• Food as memory and identity

• Diaspora, migration, and food

• Food and culture

• Nostalgia cooking

• Food and visual politics

• Food justice

• Health, diet, and morality

Submission Guidelines

• Abstracts: 350 words or less.

• Full paper: 2500-3000 words.

• Email Submissions to: seic2026@shasuncollege.edu.in

• Format: MS Word, Times New Roman, font size 12, Double spacing. Title and Subheadings should be font size 14. Follow MLA 9th edition.

• Header Format: Paper title, Author(s) Name and Affiliation, Contact Number, and E-mail address must be in ALL CAPS, bold and centred (Times New Roman, font size - 12).

• Presentation Format: 5-7 mins per paper; PPT should not be more than 10 slides.

• Note: Procedures for publication will be shared in a designated WhatsApp Group. Each author and co-author needs to register and pay separately.

Registration Fees

Category Offline Online

Participation Rs. 100 Rs. 100

Presentation Rs. 350 Rs. 250

Publication (Post-acceptance) - Rs. 800 (Overall)

How to Register

Register using the link here: Google Forms Registration Link HERE

Avian Beauties Today 💚

 #intothewildwithrufus #birding

October Delights 💚

#intothewildwithrufus #birding

Rendezvous with our Feathered Friends Today 💚