HAPPENING -- 13::

1,032 STUDENTS BECOME MEMBERS OF GOVT LIBRARIES

BY P S SUNDAR

Providence College for Women, Coonoor, has created a record with mass enrolment of 1,032 students as life members of Government libraries.

“This is the first time over thousand students of one institution have enrolled at one time in Nilgiris.   Guided by Nilgiris District Library officer Karthikeyan, we are now working on mass enrolment of students from other institutions”, Librarian, Kotagiri Library, T B Ravi told me.     

“This is part of our college’s on-going Golden Jubilee celebrations marking our students’ lifetime commitment to widespread reading”, said college Principal Sr Dr Sheela.

“Depending upon their home address, students have become members of Government Libraries in Coonoor, Ooty, Aruvankadu, Kotagiri, Manjur and Gudalur”, noted college Librarians Savio Sagayamary and Viswanathan.

Presidents of Readers’ Forums Belli (Coonoor) and Bhojan (Kotagiri), Nakkubetta Foundation founder Ramakrishnan and Providence teacher Sivalingan explained books availability in Government libraries.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

AWARD -- 6 :

GOOD SHEPHERD GETS TWO NATIONAL AWARDS

 BY P S SUNDAR

Good Shepherd International School Ooty has bagged two Awards of Education World ‘India School Rankings 2015’.

In the ‘International School’ category, it has been adjudged Rank No: 1 in Co-curricular Education, Infrastructure Provision and Pastoral Care.

In the ‘International Residential Schools’ category, it has been adjudged as Rank No: 1 in Tamil Nadu and Rank No: 2 in All-India.

The School’s Principal Dr P C Thomas, Senior Vice President Elsamma Thomas, Vice President Julie Pradeesh attended the award ceremony held in New Delhi.

A release from the school said, “the school has done Tamil Nadu and the Nilgiris proud by being adjudged the best international school in India”.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

BILLIARDS AND SNOOKER -- 4 ::

COONOOR GIRL TO PLAY FOR INDIA AT RUSSIA

BY P S SUNDAR

J Mariam Agnish (14), student of St Joseph's Girls' Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, will fly to Russia on Sep 30 to represent India at World Snooker under 18 championship to be conducted by International Billiards and Snooker Federation. 

Detailed articles on her achievements appear in this blog and, in particular, reference is drawn to her selection for this championship reachable by clicking ::  http://educationandsportthinktank.blogspot.in/2015/07/blog-post.html.

Mariam has become the first sportsperson from The Nilgiris to represent an international official snooker tourney  -- from the district where the rules of the Snooker game were posted at The Ootacamund Club way back in 1882. 

Article in The New Indian Express -- Sep 23, 2015::

(response can also be sent to: pssudnar.coonoor@gmail.com)

SCHOOL SPORTS -- 5:

CRESCENT HOCKEY TEAM – TO NATIONALS

BY P S SUNDAR

The Junior Boys hockey team of Crescent Castle Public School, Ooty, have done the Nilgiris and their school proud by getting selected to represent Tamil Nadu at the National Meet of Association of Schools of Indian School Certificate (ASISC).

“This follows our winning at the ASISC Tamil Nadu Sports Meet held at Coimbatore.   Our Juniors will vie for the Nationals title in Jalandhar of Punjab next month”, Crescent Correspondent  G Umar Farouk said after complimenting the players and the coach.

“We are imparting necessary higher level training to our players to hone up their skills to bag the Nationals title”, he added. 

Crescent has the credit of motivating its students with legends from various fields.  That way, Dhanraj Pillai had motivated hockey players of the school sharing his experiences. 

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com).

AWARD -- 5 ::

NILGIRI EDUCATIONIST GETS ‘WOMEN EMPOWERMENT’ AWARD

BY P S SUNDAR

The venue is the same where Swami Vivekananda delivered his world famous address at ‘World Religious Conference’ in Chicago in 1893.   The date is also the same – September 11.  Once again, the elite of the world have congregated.  The occasion now is ‘Replica of 1893 conference to carry the vision forward’, an international conference organised by ‘Integrating Spirituality and Organisational Leadership Foundation’ (ISOL).

The conference was conducted after US President Barrack Obama acknowledged the impact of Swami Vivekananda’s contribution for global awakening. 

The Nilgiris received an international acclaim at the conference when Vasukie, Chairperson, Gurukulam Matriculation School in Agalar village in the Nilgiris, was honoured with the prestigious award for ‘2015 Women Empowerment’.

“Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was scheduled to present the award but following his demise, Chicago Mayor Thulasi Gabbard presented it”, Gurukulam Correspondent N Arjjunan told me.

The citation said that the award was presented to Vasukie in recognition of her ‘incredible contribution towards empowering under-privileged children with education through unique curriculum where traditional knowledge is enriched with ancient wisdom’. 

Sharing her experience at the conference, Vasukie said that besides all affiliation legally required in India, Gurukulam School is affiliated to World Institute for Scientific Experience (WISE), a wing of the world-famous Harvard University of USA.   Based on its guidance, the school has been imparting lessons on Indian traditional systems including Ayurveda, Yoga, Carnatic Music and runs a ‘Mooligai Kudil (Herbal Hut) where children are given orientation to growing and using hundreds of herbs, Vasukie detailed.

During the 150^th Birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, 367 students of Gurukulam School presented themselves in the attire of the Swamiji which helped the school gain an entry for the event in the Book of India Records and Limca Book of Records

The school located amidst natural beauty in a rural ambiance holds ISO certification as well.   Its ‘One Student One Tree’ and ‘Save Serve and Earth’ concepts are leaving lasting impressions in the minds of children to live in consonance with nature. 

These are in addition to posting excellent academic record in public exams.

Vasukie is rightfully happy that she addressed the gathering at the same venue where Swami Vivekananda spoke.   “I dedicate this honour to every individual and every impressive incident which inspired me and had been a driving force to this highest state”, an excited Vasukie told the Assembly.

 (response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com).

SCHOOL SPORTS -- 4 ::

ST JOSEPH’S EMERGE CHAMPIONS

BY P S SUNDAR

St Joseph’s Boys’ Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, which had excelled many years in the inter-school Athletic competitions, has emerged champion in the 66^th Athletic Meet conducted by Association of English Speaking Schools.

Our path to overall championship was created by our winning championship in inter, junior and sub-junior divisions”, Principal Bro Ramesh Amalanathan said after complimenting athletes, Superior Bro Gubendiran, Physical Director Sagayanathan and Physical Education Teachers Prakasan and Vijayanand. 

“Our athlete N Sanjay created new record in long jump sub-junior covering 4.18 metres and winning individual championship.  Our seniors and inter relay team set new record in 4 x 400 metres race”, Sports Secretary Bro Anup Kiro added. 

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

HELP -- 2 ::

POOR STUDENTS GET EDUCATION ASSISTANCE

BY P S SUNDAR

As many as 70 students hailing from poor families in different slums of Coimbatore have benefited to the tune of Rs 5.50 lakh, thanks to the fiscal assistance extended for their higher education by World Vision India (WVI), Coimbatore.  

“We will soon be distributing further education assistance worth about Rs 2.50 lakh to about 25 more students”, Programme Manager Vetriselvan John told me.

“By now, we have extended education assistance worth about Rs 1.75 crore to about 2,500 students in Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts”, he added.

“This assistance is given to people living in slum areas and hailing from poor economic background for pursuing job-oriented higher education like engineering, polytechnic, B.Com CA or IT.  Presently, we give Rs 10,000 for engineering courses Rs 5,000 for other course.  The sum is given every year until the course is completed.   This is to part finance the education cost.  The cheque is drawn directly favouring the college”, Vetriselvan john detailed.

Dr Jemima Vincent, Principal CSI Bishop Appasamy College, Coimbatore, who distributed the assistance to students, urged them to study well and come up in life.

Hailing the service, D P Subramani said that his three wards had received the WVI assistance helping them become graduates. “The fiscal burden of parents is eased significantly when this facility is received”, he noted.

Poovitha, a beneficiary doing BE course said that she was so moved by the gesture that once she gets into earning position, she would also like to extend similar assistance to poor.

Balamurugan, WVI Programme Development Information Co-ordinator and Francis, WVI Technical Lead, co-ordinated the event that created a lasting impact in the lives of poor students desirous of pursing higher education.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

SCHOOL SPORTS -- 3::

ST JUDE’S BOYS’ HAT-TRICK TO GO TO NATIONALS VOLLEYBALL

BY P S SUNDAR

The Senior Boys’ Volleyball team of St Jude’s Public School and Junior College, Kotagiri, has done a hat-trick by getting selected to represent Tamil Nadu state at National Finals for the third consecutive year in the tournament conducted by Association of Schools for the Indian Certificate Exams (ASISC).

“ASISC conducts Nationals only for Senior Boys division.  At the regional level, it conducts titles for junior divisions as well.  Our Senior Girls, Junior Boys and Senior Boys have won this year’s regional title for the third consecutive year, thereby creating a hat-trick at that stage as well”, St Jude’s Chairman P P Dhanarajan told me after complimenting the students and coaching staff.

“Our students Surekha (senior girls division), Ajayendran (junior) and Arjun and Ajay Aravind (senior boys) were honoured as the Best Players at regional level”, Principal D Saro said.

“Thirteen teams from different parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry exhibited their best skill to vie for the regional title”, said retired Tamil Nadu Government’s Additional Chief Secretary Sundaradevan who is President of Nilgiris Volleyball Association. 

The Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Ooty, Sabhika Rizvi, who distributed prizes, hailed the professional excellence with which St Jude’s hosted the Regional Tourney and urged the competitors of Nationals, to be held on Oct 26 and 27, to make use of the best opportunity provided at St Jude’s grounds.

(response can also be sent to: pssudnar.coonoor@gmail.com)

AWARD -- 4 ::

ST JUDE’S SELECTED FOR NATIONAL FINAL TCS QUIZ

BY P S SUNDAR

                 St Jude’s Public School and Junior College, Kotagiri, has done a hat-trick by emerging as regional titleholders of the prestigious TCS quiz for the third consecutive year.

“Our students J K Faizan and Sudharsana have done our school and Nilgiris district proud by annexing the title vying with nearly 1,000 students from Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Salem districts in the highly competitive quiz titled ‘TCS IT Wiz’.  The have been selected to represent National Finals to be held in Mumbai or Delhi on Dec 14”, St Jude’s Chairman P P Dhanarajan told me after complimenting the students and staff-coach.

“This team has won prizes worth ` 1.60 lakh including Ipad, Philips Headphone, Pen-drive, Selfie Stick with Bluetooth, laptop bag, flight ticket and stay at Taj hotel for National Finals.   A valuable certificate signed by TCS Chief Executive Officer Chandrasekaran has been given to each”, school Principal D Saro said.

“Although this marks hat-trick being third consecutive win,  our school has won regional title six times in all so far and National Second once”, St Jude’s Director D Samjith added.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

HAPPENING -- 12::

CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA AT ST JOSEPH’S

BY P S SUNDAR

The cultural week at 127-year-old St Joseph’s Boys’ Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, titled ‘Cynosure 2015’ gave ample opportunity for the students to express themselves. 

“We conducted several on-stage and off-stage competitions separately for mainstream and ICSE courses helping students hone up their latent talents", Principal Bro Ramesh Amalanathan told  me.

“To inspire students, we staged performances by film and TV personalities including Bharath (film actor), Dhanyashree and Hariharasudhan (TV super singers), Anthony Wong (actor and choreographer), Girish (choreographer), Vignesh Raj (artist), Lokesh Dhamu (photographer) and Golcha (singer)”, he said.

I  declared open the cultural week and distributed prizes to winners in some competitions. 

          

In my address, I stressed the need for distinguishing a cultural programme from a variety entertainment as the former has specific characteristic, regional contours and grammar although both serve to entertain.  

I also emphasised that the week should end on the recognition that dance, music and drama are not culture by themselves but vehicles taking people to the world of CULTURE which is an abbreviation expanding to Care of the needy (including by organ and body donation), Understanding differences in practices, Love of all, Tradition maintenance, Upholding harmony, Respect for cleanliness and Enriching the world with ecology.

Coonoor municipal Chairman Saravanakumar was a Guest of Honour. 

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com). 

HAPPENING -- 11:

STANES STUDENTS SHOW THE WAY

BY P S SUNDAR

Over 800 residents in Bedford and Sim’s Park area of upper Coonoor have signed a pledge to reduce litter, recycle bio-degradable refuse and reuse possible wastes.

The pledge has been obtained by students of Stanes Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School which runs a regular campaign ‘Coonoor, Namma Clean Ooru!’.

“We have now launched a strategy called AGE which expands into Assisting, Getting Commitments and Educating people.  Our students assist municipality in picking up litter, get residents commit not to litter and educate residents and tourists through banners, skits, slogan and songs”, Stanes Principal Glenn Croning told me.

In keeping with this, Stanes students, armed with protective gear and metallic pokers, along with municipal sanitary staff cleaned several parts of upper Coonoor.

“Our student groups have been cleaning the town all through the year as part of our mission to make this their way of life and leave lasting impressions on clean society”, Croning added.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

HAPPENING -- 10:

STUDENTS VOW TO PROTECT WILD ELEPHANTS

BY P S SUNDAR

                Hundreds of students made ‘World Elephant Day’ on Wednesday special at Reach Matriculation School, Coonoor, by taking oath to protect wild elephants as they have become endangered species. 

“We sensitised students on wild elephants’ behavioural pattern, especially their friendliness so far as people do not irritate them.  Elephants walk about 40 kilometres daily eating food all along, following an established corridor.   When the corridor is blocked with buildings and fences, elephants stray into human habitats and cultivated fields.  People should vow not to disturb elephant corridors”, Coonoor Forest Ranger C Siva told me after presiding over the awareness campaign.

The programme was conducted by Forest Department, Wildlife and Nature Conservation Trust (WNCT) and The Asian Elephant Foundation. 

“We gave audio-visual presentation highlighting wild elephant lifestyle in regard to their habitat, food search and man-animal relationship”, WNCT Founder N Sadiq Ali said.

Reach School Correspondent Periasamy and Principal M Prakasan led the deliberations.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com).

HOCKEY -- 3::

NILGIRIS GIRL SELECTED FOR STATE HOCKEY TOURNEY

BY P S SUNDAR

Ananya Rana, a class 12 student of Lawrence School, Lovedale, has been selected to play for Tamilnadu junior Girls’ Hockey team at the 5th Hockey India Junior Nationals to be held at Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, from May 5.

“She played for Hockey Nilgiris at the State level Trials held last month and underwent training at the 14-day camp in Chennai”, ‘Hockey Nilgiris’ President S Ananthakrishnan told me.

“Last year, Hockey Nilgiris sub junior girls team emerged Runner up at the State level Competition”, ‘Hockey Nilgiris’ Vice President Kamaljeet Kaur said.

‘Hockey Nilgiris’ Secretary Balamurugan led hockey enthusiasts in felicitating Ananya Rana.

ANNUAL DAY -- 3::

‘PARENTS’ HANDBOOK’ TO MONITOR CHILDREN ROUND-THE-CLOCK

BY P S SUNDAR

 ‘School Diary’ where teachers write about children’s performance and behaviour for parents’ knowledge is well known, but ‘Parents’ Handbook’ where parents write about their children for the teachers’ knowledge is little known.

This prevails at Gurukulam Matriculation School, Agalar, near Ooty.

“Children are in school only from 9.30 am to 4 pm but we care for their round-the-clock welfare.  So, we are successfully adopting ‘Parents’ Handbook’ in which parents are required to mark their children’s behaviour against 17 listed items daily.  These pertain to the time the children are with parents and include aspects like the time children wake up, whether they salute the parents, wash their hands after going to toilet and before eating, meditate, play in the open, reduce time spent watching TV, read books and newspapers, do homework and study for specific hours, take care of their uniform including polishing shoes and keep their environment clean”, school Correspondent N Arjjunan told me. 

“These are periodically reviewed with parents”, he said.  

“I visit many schools but had not come across ‘Parents’ handbook’ anywhere.  It is praiseworthy as the school caters to children from 20 villages. This is worthy of emulation”, students’ motivator Marabin Maindar Muthiah said after distributing prizes to students at the 8th Annual Day on the theme "Urchaagam '15". 

“We have been posting centum pass in Tenth standard public exam regularly.  Last year, our student A Miruthula emerged first in Nilgiris district scoring 494 out of 500”, school’s Managing Trustee Vasugi said.

Children staged variety entertainment programme.