Interview 3: A.K. Rajamma

On January 22, 2017, the project team visited Vinobhaniketan at Trivandrum, to meet Smt. A.K. Rajamma. She was the founder of the institution which was the seat of Bhoodan (Land Gift) movement in Kerala run on the Gandhian principles. The interview with the ninety year old lady was an exhilarating experience for the team. A walk around the Vinobaniketan campus and its Museum provided an opportunity to comprehend the strong will of Smt. Rajamma to adhere to the ideals of Truth, Non – Violence and Compassion to all living beings on the planet – Earth.

Team interviewing Smt. A.K. Rajamma

Painting of Sri. VInobhabhave in the Museum

Instillation of Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi and Vinobhabhave

Project team with Smt. A.K. Rajamma

Interview 2: Fr Bobby Jose Kattikkad

The third weekend of the New Year was so special for the team as the rejuvenated young minds were excited to meet Fr. Bobby Jose Kattikkad, the renowned writer, known for his unique ways of providing spiritual sustenance. The meeting and the interview session with him was arranged at Maramon Retreat Centre, Kozhenchery, Kerala. During his session Fr. Bobby narrated the meaning and qualities of Bio-man (ജൈവമനുഷ്യന്‍), a concept coined by Anand.

Interview session with Fr Bobby Jose

Photo Courtesy: Jeeno Murali, CSRS project member

Interview team with Fr Bobby Jose

Project team with Fr Bobby

Fr Bobby Jose

The session was followed by a visit to Anchappam, a restaurant in Kolenchery unique for its humanitarian concern. The restaurant follows a different social service; anyone whose is hungry can visit here and no one is bothered whether you can pay for it or not. In the evening the place turns into a library, where instead of food, books are served to cater your intellectual thirst. Associating with Kerala Students Christian Movement the project team extended their hand in serving and feeding those who visited the restaurant for lunch.

Anjappam restaurant

Rendering service at the restaurant 

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Interview 1:Daya Bai

Understanding the various facets of personalities leading an alternative life and their pattern of work in their respective fields in Kerala is a novel yet challenging initiative. In this venture these personalities are being researched, interviewed, documented and are presented to the society. More than just a project these lives are inspirational stories that helps students to thinks and act in a different perspective to benefit the society.

To kick start the project which project studies fifteen individuals who are leading an alternative life in their respective fields, we chose to interview the renowned social activist and environmentalist, Daya Bai. The most appropriate personality for a good start.

 
       

Three day Workshop

Three day workshop on the project theme conceptualization and interview skills was organized to make students understand the different dimensions of the concept and to improve their research and interviewing skills outside the campus at AELI (Aluva English Learning Institute) hills from November 4th – 6th, 2016.

- Dr Anilkumar M, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, U.C College, Aluva helped the students to identify personalities leading alternative lives in the fields of life science and ecology.

- Sri. Lovewin K Cherian, Programme Co-ordinator, Student Christian Movement, Kerala region aided students in identifying unique qualities in shaping an individual

- Sri. Manoj Chandran (Manorama News Channel), Smt. Sandhya P.P. (Media One Channel), Sri. Johny Lukose, News Director, Manorama News and Smt. Dhanya K. Vilayil, Interior Magazine engaged sessions on how to improve interview skills and preparations and concerns while conducting interviews.

- Renowned writers Dr. George K Alex, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, St Thomas College, Kozhencherry and Dr. Muse Mary George, Associate Professor, Department of Malayalam, U.C College, Aluva rendered thematic presentation of the concept.

Conducted a mock interview under the guidance of a professional journalist

Immediately after the workshop students conducted a mock interview with Prof. Rev. Thomas John, Manager, U.C College, Aluva. The evaluation done by Ms. Dhanya K. Vilayil (Journalist, Interior Magazine) gave an impetus to improve their skills.

Introductory Lectures on Alternative Lives

A half day orientation class by Sri Manoj Chandran, Editor in chief, Manorama News Channel was arranged for the project co-ordinators on the theme "Alternative Lives". 

Another lecture was organized on August 30, 2016 to familiarize the theme. The lecture titled Alternative Live: Multiple Narratives was delivered by Prof. Dr. Sunil P. Illayadom, Professor, Sree Sankara University, Kalady.

Dr. Sunil delivering his speech

A third lecture was organised by the Centre on September 30, 2016 titled Alternative Lives which was rendered by media critic and actor Sri V.K. Sreeraman.

Sri. V.K.Sreeraman inaugurating the talk 

Sri.V.K. Sreeraman

UB project

UBCHEA Institutional Project for CSRS

The Centre for the Study of Religion and Society (CSRS) has been granted a three year institutional project by United Board (UBCHEA) titled Understanding Alternative Lives: Equiping Students for a Peaceful Co-existence.

A note on the project 

Objective: To offer an opportunity to the students and imbibe values from the extraordinary and unusual lives of people who have re defined the mainstream societal values. The project seeks to enrich and enable the students to comprehend their contributions to peaceful and harmonious co-existence. It also proposes to document the practical lessons acquired by the students in their respective disciplines through interaction with these eminent personalities. The chosen personalities with whom students will interact have carved a niche for themselves in their respective fields upholding integrity, honesty and commitment. Students’ acquaintance with them would crystallize their understanding of the College motto –“The Truth Shall Make You Free”.

The output of the project in the form of compilation of edited interviews and screening of a short film reflecting the quintessence of alternative lives in the context of Union Christian College and the insights drawn from the most influential personalities from among the chosen group is presented before the college and local communities. Both these would bear testimony to their understanding of how these alternative lives have contributed to peace building in the society by the inclusion of the marginalized. In our knowledge, such a study has never been chronicled.

About CSRS

The Centre for the Study of Religion and Society (CSRS) with C.P Mathew Chair is a Navathy (90 years since inception) venture of the College and a befitting tribute to Prof C.P Mathew one of the founding members of the College who is widely recognized for his outstanding contributions to ecumenism. The Centre is dedicated to advancing social and scientific dimensions of religion in society through scholarly research, training, and workshops.