HAPPENING -- 23:

USHERING IN ‘2019’ WITH ’20.19’ KM RUN

P S SUNDAR

The Nomadic Nilgirians Running Club has invited fitness enthusiasts to participate in the ’20.19 km’ run to usher in ‘2019’ on January 1, 2019.

“It is open to all and those willing to participate can assemble at Sim’s Park, Coonoor, before flagging off the run at 6 am”, the Club’s founder G Yasmin told me.

“We intend to organise regular running activities following this throughout 2019.  In particular, we will conduct a Marathon in April in which members of running groups from different parts of the country will participate.  To encourage the runners from The Nilgiris, we will honour the first finisher from the district”, she announced.

“We will conduct a schematic training camp in Coonoor in April and May when a certified coach will train students to prepare for major running contests”, she disclosed.

“From January, we will organise group running once a week.  There will also be periodical ‘Plogging run’ when the runners will pick up the litters in the routes to create a cleaner Coonoor”, she added.

“We encourage women runners, especially mothers, to help them stay fit.    At our ‘Run Because You Can’ event organised for women, 60 women, aged 14 to 64, ran the prescribed 2-kilometres”, said Yasmin (34), mother of two children, who herself took to running only at her 31 years of age. 

“I have been selected to participate in the Bank of America run to be held in Chicago in October 2019.  Subsequently, I will also participate in Comrades run Durban, South Africa”, said Yasmin, an ultra marathon runner, who participates in about six events a year.

A MBA graduate, she is Director of India Operations of US-headquartered IT company, Information Evolution India P Ltd., with production units in Coonoor and Coimbatore.

The Nomadic Nilgirians Running Club presently has 25 runner members, aged 13 to 65, of whom nine are women.   The Club wants to encourage allied activities like walking, trekking and cycling. 

Yasmin has assured to provide necessary help and guidance to the participants on medical, fitness and safety fronts considering the requirements of all these activities.   

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

ACHIEVEMENT -- 8:

PRIYA RANKED ‘WORLD No: 6’ IN FENCING

P S SUNDAR 

A new chapter in the sporting history of The Nilgiris has been opened with Poorna Bagadhur Priya studying in VIII standard in Sri Shanthi Vijay Girls Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, being crowned ‘World No: 6’ in international fencing competition.

“Priya won this coveted placement representing India in girls under 14 category in the Third TFF Minime  Series conducted by the Thailand Fencing Federation in Bangkok”, Shanthi Vijay Headmistress R Vairamani said after complimenting her and coach T Karthigeyan and PET S Usha Rani.

“Priya won this placement in the event at which 22 sportspersons from 22 countries vied for the title”, said PET Usha Rani who accompanied her to Bangkok.

“Priya has been honoured with a Bronze Medal and a certificate.  She has already become an international fencing star.  Her ambition is to win medal for India at Olympics.  On our side, we will extend all possible support by providing specialised coaching by a team headed by PET Usha Rani and Coach Karthikeyan”, Correspondent R Kantilal Chordia disclosed.

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

HAPPENING -- 22::

CRESCENT SCHOOL STUDENTS’ SOLIDARITY WITH INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM

P S SUNDAR

Even as India has entered Quarter finals in the Men’s Hockey World Cup in Odisha, hockey enthusiasts in The Nilgiris have done their mite to express their solidarity with the nation’s hockey team.

The students of Crescent Castle group of schools in Ooty stood on their ground creating human formation of the World Cup logo 

and also in letter-shape to read ‘Odisha World Cup Hockey’.

“As strong supporters of hockey as a game, we are proud of India’s hockey team and wish them to win Gold in this World Cup”, Crescent Correspondent Umar Farouk told me. 

“We realise the value of India’s performance as our student Krithik Balaji has played for the Nationals in Nehru Cup 2018”, he said.

“We have won many laurels in hockey including at the inter-school matches organised by ICSE council and education department”, he recalled.

“Our under-15 and under-17 teams benefit from the coaching by Gopi, state-recognised coach.   Interestingly, we come across even kids in Grade 2 and 3 wanting to play hickey!”, he noted.

“Collectively, we create a motivated segment of youth wanting to play superb hockey and win titles for India.  The first Indian women hockey umpire Anupama Puchimanda last week motivated parents to encourage their children to play quality hockey”, Farouk added.

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

HAPPENING -- 21:

SPORTS STARS MOTIVATE STUDENTS AND PARENTS

P S SUNDAR 

The 1,250 students and their parents of Crescent Castle group of schools in Ooty had the benefit of listening to three women sportspersons and hence getting motivated to do something significant for the nation to win medals in the international arena.

“In keeping with our practice to provide the opportunity to our students and parents to interact with achievers, we brought in the Olympian Shiny Wilson as Chief Guest for the Annual Day celebrations of Crescent Play School and Crescent Castle Matriculation Higher Secondary School.  The first Indian women hockey umpire Anupama Puchimanda was the Guest of Honour.   We brought in Asian Gold Medalist M D Valsamma as Chief Guest for the Annual Day celebrations of Crescent Castle Public School teaching ICSE stream”, Crescent group Correspondent Umar Farouk told me.

Recalling her experience in undergoing high-altitude training at Wellington during her sporting years, Shiny Wilson said that there was no ground facility then and mostly, the athletes got trained on roads.   “Now, the Government has provided more facilities for undertaking high-altitude training which youngsters must utilise and win medals for the nation”, she said.

Anupama recalled her formative years when girls were discouraged to participate in international sports.   She related as to how she broke this taboo and became a woman umpire for hockey/.  Sharing her experience in officiating many international tournaments, she urged the youth to take up the games seriously.

Valsamma wanted parents to encourage their children to fine-tune their sporting talents because those who get trained well when young are the ones who achieve significantly.

They distributed awards to the students who excelled in academics and co-curricular activities.

The students staged variety entertainment programmes.

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

ACHIEVEMENT -- 7:

ST JOSEPH’S STUDENTS BAG SEVERAL TITLES IN SPORTS

P S SUNDAR 

The athletes of St Joseph’s Boys’ Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, have brought laurels to The Nilgiris by winning titles in National and State level sports contests.

“Our student Sri Kiran has bagged all-India title in 800 metres running race at the 34^th Junior Nationals held in Ranchi with an impressive timing of 1.53.25”, St Joseph’s Principal Bro Naveen Francis said.

“At the 61^st Tamil Nadu State Athletic Meet, held in Neyveli, our student Vivin Richard claimed double crown in 100 metres and 200 metres running race.  V Vikash bagged title in 1,500 metres.  M Rahul won Third place in 400 metres race”, he said complimenting the winners and the coaching staff. 

“Besides, our relay team consisting of Shyam Sundar, Praveen, Rahul and Vivin Richard won title in 4 x 100 metres”, he disclosed.

“Our under-19 football team won all matches at zonal and district level and bagged Third place at the Divisional level.  Our under-17 football team represented at the state-level tourney in Karur”, he added.

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

HAPPENING -- 20:

NOW, AN ART GALLERY IN COONOOR BY A GIRL WHO STUDIED HERE AND LIVES HERE 

BY P S SUNDAR

TRISHLA JAIN

is a former student of Mountain Home School and Junior College, Coonoor, (LKG to XII), 
Sri Krishna College Arts and Science, Coimbatore, (BSc Costume Design and Fashion) and 
Vaanavil Institute of Fine Arts, Coonoor


CHITRANKAN ART GALLERY, COONOOR...

You can now see various forms of drawing art including portraits amidst scenic beauty in Coonoor, thanks to 23-year-old Trishla Jain's ‘Chitrankan’ Art Gallery at Mount Pleasant, which I inaugurated early November, 2018.

P S Sundar (extreme right) inaugurating CHITRANKAN ART GALLERY in the presence of  Art Connoisseur Shyamala (second right), Artist Trishla (third right), her parents -- Kamal Chand (left extreme) and Anjana Jain (second left).  

  

She hails from the well-known family of textile major in lower Coonoor, Vimal Textiles.   Now, her father Kamal Chand runs a children’s wear shop called ‘Dear’ at the town centre of Coonoor.

Trishla has shown keen interest in drawing right from her childhood.   

Trishla’s parents – Kamal Chand and Anjana Jain – leave no stone unturned to encourage her reach her dream in art drawing because of their discovery of Trishla’s interest in art right from her childhood.   Consequently, after becoming a fashion design graduate, Trishla got trained at Vaanavil Institute in Coonoor.   She exhibited many of her works at the ‘Brush Stroke’ art exhibition held by this institute at Coonoor Club which I inaugurated.

Interestingly, Trishla’s younger brother Rishab Jain, who also has some drawing to his credit, ardently supports her in her pursuit to achieve greater heights.     

“I use a variety of media for my drawing and painting – ceramic, canvas, ivory board, plywood and leather board.  I use various drawing materials including pen, pencil, water colour, acrolic, knife, oil, charcoal, 3D painting and wall paintings”, Trishla told me. 

The works on display include scenery, Gods, sages, shops, animals and lifestyle.   

Her murals are her masterpiece.   She has displayed in her Gallery large and small Murals.   “My large mural which won several bouts of appreciation at the ‘Brush Stroke’ exhibition is on display at this gallery as a centre-piece.   It shows harmony between nature’s music and man’s music!  The nature’s music is depicted in the form of waves, rustle of leaves and tree branches, birds’ chirping and even the origin of universe, the smiling sun.  For man-made music, I have created human persona playing a variety of instruments”, Trishla explained. 

“Another mural is about a girl enjoying her own identity in the larger universe.   She is smiling amidst green trees and colourful flowers and looking up expressing a feeling of independence and empowerment.   To some extent, I am using this mural to highlight the important role women should have in the society”, she detailed.

“I have also created mural of Lord Vinayaka.  This is based on Tanjore painting but without paints.  It has a mat finish that makes it exclusive for both art decoration on wall or to be used for pooja in prayer room”, Trishla noted.

“For all these murals, I have used plywood base on which I have hand-crafted the images on ceramics”, she disclosed.

      

She has also created murals to be fixed on wardrobes or tables. These are attractive designs adding to the beauty and value of the furniture concerned.

Her murals on the wall enhance the ambience of the place concerned.  In particular, she has drawn murals on the walls of bed room for children.   These are flowers in pleasing colours with a night-life attached to them.

“In the trial room of our shop ‘Dear’ housing children’s clothes, Trishla’s painting of giraffe amidst the green forest is a great hit with the children”, her father Kamal Chand told me.

“Trishla has also created a wall of appreciation in our shop on which satisfied visitors including some celebrities have written their words of appreciation”, he disclosed.   

The art gallery is in three portions – two portions house exhibits displayed well-mounted on walls with adequate lighting and large moving space.  There are also sofas for the visitors to sit, relax, appreciate and talk to the artist.

The other portion is her studio where she draws and creates murals.  Visitors can see her drawing the pictures if they like.  

“I am also into live portrait painting.   Mostly done with charcoal or black pencil, the portraits can serve as a valuable memory for the guests.  They can sit for a session with me for such portrait painting”, she shared.

There is also charming space for the visitors to wait.   “We will create better moving, sitting and enjoyable space around the gallery”, Trishla’s mother Anjana told me.  

“While there is no entry fee to the Gallery, we consider selling off the displayed drawings to guests who show keen interest.  I can also draw paintings on order, or design logos, name boards or business cards on order”, Trishla disclosed.   

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

ACHIEVEMENT -- 6::

ST JUDE’S EMERGES NATIONAL RUNNERS-UP IN TCS IT WIZ

P S SUNDAR

Two students of St Jude’s Public School and Junior College, Kotagiri, have brought credit to their institution and The Nilgiris district and, for that matter, Tamil Nadu state as well by emerging runners-up in the coveted National Quiz Championship, ‘TCS IT  Wiz 2018’ at the Finals held in Mumbai.  

“Our students Yazhini Shanmugam and Harsh Agarwal have bagged this position in a contest in which 13,908 students from 1,206 schools across the country competed”, St Jude’s Chairman P P Dhanarajan said after complimenting the students.

“By virtue of this, TCS Managing Director Rajesh Gopinathan crowned them with ‘Silver Medals’.  They have also won ` one lakh worth of e-vouchers for digital shopping.   Besides our school has received the Runners-up trophy”, Principal D Saro said.

“To win the position, our students had to pass through several tough rounds including    gamification, animation, mass personalisation, leveraging ecosystems, creating exponential value and embracing risk”, Executive Director D Samjith said.

“This is the second year our schools wins Runners-up in this National contest”, Vice Principal Rajee added.

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

ACHIEVEMENT -- 5:

HAT-TRICK BY STANES SCHOOL BAGGING DEBATE TITLE FOR THIRD YEAR

P S SUNDAR

Stanes Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, has done a hat-trick by winning the championship for the third consecutive year in the annual debate conducted by the Nilgiri Library at Ooty.

“This year’s debate was on ‘Tourism in The Nilgiris – a boon or a bane?  Our student R Bhaavya of standard XII who spoke on ‘bane’ bagged the First Prize.  Our student M Diyas who spoke on ‘boon’ claimed the third prize”, Stanes Principal Glenn Croning told me after complimenting the students.

“They were adjudged to be strong on their points and in expressing them on stage based not only on their speech but the way they answered the numerous questions posed to them by other contestants and the audience”, he said.

“By virtue of this, they opened a new chapter in the debating history of our school crowning us with the ‘overall shield’ and the title for the third consecutive year and two ‘Best Speaker’ awards among the contestants from 17 schools”, Croning noted.

“We follow the maxim ‘Keep going .. Keep talking.. Cheers’ for training our debaters”, he added.

M Diya (left) and R Bhaavya (right) with Principal Glenn Croning.

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

ACHIEVEMENT -- 4:

COONOOR GIRLS TO REPRESENT INDIA IN FENCING COMPETITION IN THAILAND

P S SUNDAR 

Six students of Shanthi Vijay Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, have done The Nilgiris district proud by getting selected to represent India in the international fencing competition to be held in Bangkok, Thailand. 

“Of them, K Krithika, E Soundarya and K Kaveya will compete in under-16 category while N Mithuna, P Priyadharma and S Sarikashree will compete in under-14 category”, Shanthi Vijay Correspondent R Kantilal Chordia told me after complimenting the students and the PET S Usha Rani and the coach K Karthikeyan.

 

“This follows their getting selected in the national-level tournament earlier.  By virtue of this, they will compete for the world title being conducted by the Thailand Fencing Academy from Dec 8 to 10.  About 40 countries are competing for this title.  We are teaching fencing regularly in our school but for this international competition, we are providing specialised coaching by a team headed by PET Usha Rani and Coach Karthikeyan”, Headmistress R Vairamani said.

“Already, these students have become qualified for Diploma in Fencing and they have a chance of getting adopted for further studies and coaching based on their performance at the Thailand competition.  The first three winners in the international tournament will get cash prizes of US $ 300, 200 and 100 respectively”, Usha Rani, who is also Team Manager for this tournament, disclosed.

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

AWARD -- 9:

THIS TEACHER HAS BEEN SILENTLY REVOLUTIONISING LEARNING

P S SUNDAR

G Rajendran, post-graduate teacher of Political Science in Government-aided St Antony’s Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, has been silently bringing about a revolution in the learning process of students mostly hailing from marginalised families with no fixed income.

Four years ago, when he was assigned the task to teach Political Science for Plus Two students, he discovered that the poor economic background of most of the students was a de-motivating factor.  So, besides taking special classes in the evenings which helped the students study in a better ambience than in their houses, he announced a cash reward of ` 10,000 from his personal money to every student who scored 180 marks out of 200 in Plus Two public exam.

In the first year after announcing this, no student rose to this level.  So, Rajendran intensified his coaching strategy and the next year (2015-16), one student won this cash award.   Excited by this, Headmaster Bro Arul made the student receive ` 10,000 at the school’s Parents’ Day function.  This motivated the students further and in 2016-17, two got the award – ` 20,000 in all.

And, in 2016-17, the number swelled to as many as six!   Of them, D Padmanabhan scored 197 marks out of 200 and bagged Third Rank in the state in the subject.  “In the 37 years of introduction of Plus Two, this was the first time a student of our school has scored state rank in Political Science.  So, I am giving an extra `5,000 to Padmanabhan”, Rajendran told me.

Hence, at the function held on Monday, the Bishop of Ootacamund Rt Rev Dr Amalraj distributed ` 65,000 in all to the six students as monetary contribution made by Rajendran.

The students – Padmanabhan, Abinesh, Hariharan, Karthick, Praveen Kumar and Sibi Chakaravarthy – all hail from poor families.  They acknowledged that the money now received will help them for their college studies.

“With this and some other contributions, Rajendran has donated over ` one lakh from his personal money for the benefit of our students.   In appreciation of these, we have honoured him with the ‘Jewell of St Antony’s award’,” Bro Arul said.

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