HAPPENING -- 25:

PROVIDENCE GIRLS BEGIN 2019 WITH CONFIDENCE 

BY P S SUNDAR. 

The students of Providence College for Women in Coonoor had the benefit of starting 2019 with confidence to face challenges, thanks to ‘Cal-Leo-Graphy School of Handwriting and Calligraphy’ organising a lecture by a young UK-based professional lady.

“We brought in Serena Kern (30), Governor of four schools in London, who excels as ‘Lawyer’ and ‘Singer’ in the UK and lectures to students on ‘thinking differently’, to instil confidence, especially among the rural girls of Providence College hailing from poor socio-economic background”, Leo Fernandes, founder of ‘Cal-Leo-Graphy’ School, told me.

Dr Jacqueline Martin, Head of Commerce department of Providence College, said that as Serena is a law graduate from the London School of Economics and working on international trade at Bank of England, her knowledge and experience would be a boon to students to think global.

Serena made a PowerPoint presentation on “You are not ordinary.. So, don’t try to be!”

Citing anecdotes from her career, she urged the students to hone up their talents and pursue their passion in addition to their profession.  “You need to know your passion, talent and weakness to succeed.  You can excel in more than one field.  Be the best in whatever you do with the confidence that you can do it”, she told them.

“Challenges are much more for young woman but success comes when you become someone whom others are looking up to.  The key is that you should support one another as much as possible”, she said.

She answered a plethora of questions from the students led by Student Council President Julia Jasmine Evelin and Jt Secretary Rebecca Thomas.  

“I was moved when they gave me a standing ovation as I am returning to the UK satisfied that the message has gone to them”, she told me.

Serena balances her time between practising law and performing music presentations in the UK. 

“I am a solo artist Rapper with electronic dance music support on many a stage.  I write my own lyric and sing the version”, she said.

She has an album ‘Sui Generis’.   “I am now working on Tamil rap mixed with English song.  This is an influence on the Tamil lifestyle in which I grew up” said Serena.

Her father Carlo Kern is a Swiss who works in ship industry in Saudi Arabia.   Her mother Deepa Kern is a Tamil.  Interestingly, both of them lived in Coonoor and got educated here.

Deepa’s father CC Philip is a retired Colonel who had also worked as Secretary at Coonoor Club.   He lives with his wife Anne in Coonoor.

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