Little magazine release on Sri Shaji & Smt Shiji, Wardens, Akasapparavakal, Bangalore

Virtuous Pearls, the little magazine on Sri Shaji & Smt Shiji was released on September 15, 2017 by the Managing Director of Jackfruit365, Sri. James Joseph.

Mr. James Joseph releasing the little magazine Virtuous Pearls and handing over the first copy to Ms. Fathima Tharakandath, our distinguished alumnus.

Interview 10: Mr. James Joseph, Managing Director, Jackfruit365

Sri. James Joseph is a corporate turned entrepreneur who has carved a niche for himself in the taste map of the world. He popularised Jackfruit by making it readily available round the year by packing it in a freeze-dried form. Jackfruit365 (the brand name of his product) and Professional Bharati (an online platform for NRI professionals to relocate to their native places) are two innovative ventures of this ex-Microsoft director. CSRS organised the talk in association with the Departments of Economics & Management of the College.
The interview that followed the talk further widened the outlook of the team towards a healthy life by focusing on the health benefits of raw jackfruit.

Mr. James Joseph delivering his talk on Importance of Healthy Diet

Mr James introducing his product to the audience

Interview session with Mr James

Interview session with Mr James

Project team with Mr James Joseph

Interview 9: Dr. Haripriya Nampoothiri

Dr. Haripriya Nampoothiri, a teacher of chemistry turned into a Kathakali performer, was the ninth personality opted for interview. She has a doctoral degree in Kathakali. Her one hour demonstration session prior to the interview was an enriching experience.
The programme was organised in association with the Department of Malayalam

Demonstration 1

Demonstration 2

Demonstration 3

Interview session with Dr. Haripriya

Interview session with Dr. Haripriya

Project team with Dr. Haripriya

Interview 8: Sri. N.V. Thomas

Sri. N.V. Thomas is a Gulf returnee who has been actively involved in bringing about innovations in the field of Telecommunication in the Gulf region. On returning to Kerala he initiated the creation of an eco-friendly organic farm – Basil farms - of around 100 acres in Vadakkencherry. He has been able to carve a niche for himself in organic farming incorporating his technical expertise without in anyway disturbing the natural eco system. A day at his organic farm was a rewarding experience for the team.

Sri N.V. Thomas

Sharing his farming lessons

Sharing his farming lessons

Interview session with Sri. N.V. Thomas

Project team in Basil Farms

Project team with Sri N.V. Thomas

Interview 7: Sri. Santhosh George Kulangara, Managing Director, Safari Channel

    Personalities so far interviewed were largely inclined to serve the oppressed or the needy. For the seventh interview, the project team chose Sri. Santhosh George Kulangara, Director, Safari Channel, an expedition channel in Malayalam. Unlike the earlier personalities selected, he is a person who is passionately following his dreams of travelling around the world and a person who has instilled a culture of travelling in the minds of Keralites. Dr. Sunil Abraham Thomas, Head of the Department of Economics, played the role of Sri. Santhosh George Kulangara during the mock interview and shared his feedback.

During the mock interview with Dr.Sunil

Sri. Santhosh George Kulangara was invited to the College to deliver an inspirational talk on July 19, 2017. He addressed the whole college and narrated how successfully he accomplished his childhood dreams of owning a television channel and travelling. He also shared his views on the need for a change in the present Indian educational system which fails in providing technical skills for the students to survive in the world. 

The two hour long interview that followed the talk further widened the outlook of the team towards life.

Sri. Santhosh George Kulangara addressing the audience

Sri Santhosh George Kulangara

Interview session with Sri Santhosh 

During the interview session

Interview team with Sri Santhosh George

Project team with Sri. Santhosh George Kulangara

Little magazine release on Sri C.K. Saseendran

Sasiyettanodoppam, the little magazine on Sri. C.K. Saseendran, Member of Legislative Assembly, Kerala was released on July 19, 2017 by the well-known traveler Sri. Santhosh George Kulangara.

Releasing the little magazine 'Sasiyettanodoppam' 

Releasing the little magazine 'Sasiyettanodoppam'

Cover page

Interview 6: Smt. Sreeja Arangottukara

§  Sreeja Arangottukara, an income tax officer by profession was chosen the next personality to be interviewed. A popular theatre activist, Sreeja is an organic farmer cultivating rice, vegetables, cash crops and other items on nearly 25 acres of land at Arangottukara, in Thrissur district as well. Prior to the interview with Smt. Sreeja on July 9, 2017 at Arangottukara, a farm-based training session on organic farming and identification of varieties of paddy seedlings was arranged for the project team comprising CSRS volunteers and Botany students of the U.C College. The three hour long interview was profound and inspiring for the students as Smt. Sreeja narrated her experiences and the multiple roles she has undertaken.

Smt. Sreeja

Team attending a class on the need to preserve the traditional varieties of paddy seeds

Team members involved in the group activity of identifying the varieties of paddy seeds in association with Arangottukara Padasala

Project team with Sri. Alias, a farmer who is popularising the traditional agricultural practices

Team having a hands on experience in the paddy field

Interview session with Smt. Sreeja

Project team with Smt Sreeja

Little magazine release on Fr. Bobby Jose Kattikkad & Smt. A.K. Rajamma

The two little magazines, Snih and Ka Ka, based on the interviews with Fr. Bobby Jose Kattikkad & Smt. A.K. Rajamma respectively was released on June 23, 2017. Sri. Liboose, Assistant Professor in Malayalam, St. Thomas College, Kozhencherry and Dr. Anila E.I., Associate Professor in Physics, U.C. College released the magazines.

Release of Snih by Sri Liboose

Cover page Snih

Release of Ka Ka by Dr. Anila E. I.

Cover page Ka Ka

Interview 5: Sri. C.K. Saseendran

The fifth interview under the project was with Sri C.K. Saseendran, people’s representative from Kalpetta in Kerala’s Legislative Assembly. A man of simple living, this down to earth Indian Politician is facing threats from Maoists because of his enthusiasm in solving issues of the tribal people in Wayanad. The interview was an informative one as the politician waxed eloquent on the various projects planned for the upliftment of the region particularly of the tribal population.

Sri. C.K. Saseendran

Project team with Sri. Saseendran

Interview 4: Sri. Shaji and Smt. Shiji

     The next personalities identified for the interview was a couple – Sri. Shaji and Smt. Shiji. They were chosen for their unique way of caring the inmates of three centres of Akasapparavakal a rehabilitation home for the least and the lost in Bangalore. A preliminary visit to one of its branches in Malayatoor, Kerala was made on April 8, 2017 to understand the functioning of the centre and to gather information about the couple.
The project team also decided to present a music performance for the inmates at the Akasapparavakal in Bangalore. In view of this, Amal T. Anoop, one of the team members took a session on understanding music therapy on April 18, 2017 followed by rehearsals.

Amal presenting some tips on how to make a music session effective

Preparatory session before the journey to Bangalore

Three days visit to the Bangalore centres of Akasapparavakal was an entirely different experience for the team. Apart from musical performance the team also got an opportunity to prepare lunch for the inmates. The interview with Sri. Shaji and Smt. Shiji opened a new insight on a life far different from that of an ordinary couple.                 

Sri. Shaji

Interview session with Sri. Shaji @ Akasapparavakal, Bangalore

Inmates dancing in tune with the music

Project team preparing food for the inmates

Serving food

The Warden couple in front of their small house nearby the Centre

Project team with Sri Shaji & family