CENTRE FOR GANDHIAN STUDIES

ALPHONSA COLLEGE

PALA, KERALA

Annual Report

2014 – 2015

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Introduction

Established in 2008, the Centre for Gandhian Studies of Alphonsa College has been

functioning effectively to promote the study and dissemination of the thought, values and

ideals of Mahatma Gandhi among students, the academic community and the general public.

During the academic year 2014-2015 it organised various programmes on different aspects of

Gandhian philosophy in their contemporary context, and on themes relevant to the thought

and values of Mahatma Gandhi.

Advisory Committee

The following were the members of the Advisory Committee of the Centre during 2014-15:

Rev. Dr. Sr. Jansamma Thomas, Principal, Alphonsa College.

Dr. M. S. John, Professor and Director, School of Gandhian Thought and Development

Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University and Editor, Gandhi Marg.

Dr. M.P.Mathai, former Professor and Director, School of Gandhian Thought and

Development Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University.

Ms. Alleymol Sebastian, Associate Professor, Department of English, Alphonsa College.

Ms. Rosmy Kattoor, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Alphonsa College.

Dr. Teresa Joseph, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science; and Director, Centre

for Gandhian Studies, Alphonsa College.

A meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Centre was held on 17 November 2014.

Detailed discussions were held on the programmes to be organised during the year.

Gandhi Forum

At the beginning of the academic year the Gandhi Forum, an organisation of students

of the college, which functions under the auspices of the Centre for Gandhian Studies, was

reconstituted. The Forum strives to promote an understanding of the values and ideals upheld

by Mahatma Gandhi, and spearheads all the activities of the Centre. Gandhi Forum provides

an avenue for the all round development of members, with their active participation in all the

activities of the Centre. Members of the Forum are also encouraged and deputed to

participate in programmes organised by other institutions that promote an understanding of

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Mahatma Gandhi. During the academic year 2014-15, seventy eight students joined the

Gandhi Forum. The members played a pivotal role in organising all the programmes of the

Centre.

The Executive Committee members who were elected for the academic year 2014-15 are:

President: Sona Sunny, II DC English

Vice President: Gopika Udayan, II DC Mathematics

Secretary: Swathy Janardhan, II DC English

Joint Secretaries: Josmine P. Jose, II DC Mathematics

Rajeshwari Peethambaran, II DC History.

Library and Reading Room

Students of the institution made good use of the library of the Centre. 163 books were

added to the library during this year, bringing the total collection to 1150 books. The library

covers diverse themes that are relevant to the ideas and philosophy of the father of the nation.

These include a large collection of books written on and by Mahatma Gandhi besides books

on Indian history, polity and society, international peace and security, women’s studies,

environmental studies, human rights, etc. The Centre also has a collection of audio-visual

CDs on Mahatma Gandhi, his speeches, collected works, favourite bhajans, etc. Several

documentary as well as feature films in both English and Malayalam on Mahatma Gandhi

and issues of concern to him such as communalism, international conflict, militarisation, etc.

are also available at the Centre.

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ACTIVITIES 2014-15

Intercollegiate Workshop for Students: Green Living: Treading the

Gandhian Path

A two day intercollegiate workshop for students on Green Living: Treading the

Gandhian Path was organized by the Centre for Gandhian Studies on 29th

and 30th

January

2015. The objective of the workshop was to promote ‘green living’ among the student

community. Resource persons for the programme included Prof. John S. Moolakkattu,

Professor and Director, School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies, Mahatma

Gandhi University, and Editor Gandhi Marg; Sri. C.R.Neelakantan, Environmental Activist;

Sri. Abraham Poovathani, Manager,

Malanadu Development Society; Dr. Bichu

X. Malayil, Director, Sree Sankaracharya

University of Sanskrit, Regional Centre,

Thuravur; and Dr. Abey George, Assistant

Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

The inaugural session was presided over by

Dr. Sr. Jansamma Thomas, Principal,

Alphonsa College and the inaugural address was delivered by Prof. John S. Moolakkattu.

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Sri. Abraham Poovathani, Manager, Malanadu Development Society spoke on the

theme Nature Fraternity and Alternative Lifestyle. Eminent environmental and social

activist, Sri. C.R.Neelankandan spoke on the theme Development and Nonviolence. If They

Answer Not to Thy Call Walk Alone (Ekla Cholo Re) was the theme of Dr. Abey George’s

(Assistant Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences) talk. Dr. Bichu X. Malayil, (Director,

Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Regional Centre, Thuravoor) spoke on the theme

Living with Nature. All participants were given a copy of Mahatma Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj,

and the booklets published by the Centre on the dangers of plastic, alcoholism, and green

living.

The workshop also included a PowerPoint presentation competition for participants -

Translating Ideas into Action. One presentation from each college was permitted and

presentations were to focus on ideas

that will promote ‘green living’.

Students from seven colleges

participated in the competition. The

first prize with a cash award of

Rs.5000/- was won by Mettin Jacob,

Sona Sunny and Kesiya Alice Jose of

Alphonsa College, the second prize with a cash award of Rs.2000/- was won by Ashley

Thomas of St. Thomas College, Pala and the third prize with a cash award of Rs.1000/- was

won by Dhanya Maria Babu of Devamatha College, Kuravilangadu.

Rev. Fr. Jose Joseph, Bursar of Alphonsa College delivered the valedictory address.

The planting of a Guava tree in the compound of Alphonsa College by the enthusiastic

participants of the workshop was ‘one step’ forward in ‘translating ideas into reality’ and

brought down the curtains to the two day intercollegiate workshop.

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Special Lecture: Mahatma Gandhi and his Relevance in the Modern World

A Special Lecture was delivered by Prof. V. Suryanarayan, former Professor,

University of Madras and Member, National

Security Advisory Board on 20 March 2015.

Speaking on the theme ‘Mahatma Gandhi and his

Relevance in the Modern World’ Prof.

Suryanarayan spanned a wide canvas of ideas

relating to Mahatma Gandhi, elucidating them with

numerous anecdotes from the Mahatma’s life.

Focusing on the fact that Gandhi was the result of a

process of evolution, Prof. Suryanarayan cited numerous instances where his ideas had

evolved over time and as a result of his readings and experiences.

Special Lecture: The Futility of Violence in Sri Lanka

A Special Lecture on the futility of violence in

Sri Lanka was delivered by Mr. Vellupillai

Kuhanendran, Director, Global Tamil Forum on 20

March 2015. Mr. Kuhanendran highlighted the

situation that the Tamils of Sri Lanka were faced with

in the post-independence phase and the various kinds of

discrimination faced by them. He elucidated his views

on resolving the problems faced by the people through

non-violent methods.

Research Project: The Mahatma and Kerala: A Study of Gandhi’s Social and

Political Interventions

The Centre has undertaken a project on Mahatma Gandhi’s social and political

interventions in Kerala. The study envisages a historical account of the same which has yet to

be well documented in the academic literature on Gandhi. Data collection for the project was

carried out during this academic year.

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All Kerala Intercollegiate Debate Competition

An All Kerala Intercollegiate Debate Competition on whether Gandhian views on

prohibition have become irrelevant was organised by the Centre in association with the

Oratory Club of Alphonsa College on 6 January

2015. Eight teams participated in the competition.

Chandrapal and Muhammad Ibrahim Abdul Samad

of Government Law College, Ernakulam, won the

first prize with a cash award of Rs.5000/- and ever

rolling trophy. Shiby Joy and Alinta Maria

Varghese from Nirmala College, Muvatttupuzha

won the second prize of Rs.3000/- and Adony

T.John and Chinchooty Joy of Baselius College, Kottayam won the third prize of Rs. 1000/-.

Muhammad Ibrahim Abdul Samad won the prize for Best Debater.

All Kerala Intercollegiate Quiz Competition on Mahatma Gandhi and

India’s Struggle for Independence

An All Kerala Intercollegiate Quiz Competition on Mahatma Gandhi and India’s

Struggle for Independence was organised by the Centre

on 16 December 2014. Shameem Abdul Khader of

Farook College, Kozhikode won the first prize with a

cash award of Rs.5000/- and an ever rolling trophy. The

second prize of Rs. 3000/- was won by Manukuttan

K.S. and Adithyan S. of Baselius College, Kottayam;

and the third prize of Rs.1500/- was won by Milu Tess

Kurian and Delta Kurian of Alphonsa College. Dr. Stany Thomas, Associate Professor, St.

Thomas College, Pala was the Quiz Master for the programme.

Rediscovering Gandhi: Weekly Quiz Competition

The Centre organized a weekly quiz competition on Mahatma Gandhi –

Rediscovering Gandhi. Questions relating to the Father of the Nation were put up on the

notice board of the Centre every Friday morning. Every week the questions focused on a

specific theme such as Gandhi’s early years, his life in England as a student, South Africa,

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Gandhi and India’s struggle for independence, Dandi march, Gandhi’s fasts, institutions and

organisations, Gandhi’s farms and ashrams, Gandhi and Kerala, Gandhi and social

reconstruction, Gandhi and Christianity, biographies of the Mahatma, Gandhi and Literature,

movies, etc. Answers were dropped in a sealed box placed below. Students securing the

maximum number of correct answers every month were declared the winners for that month.

Prizes were awarded to the students securing the maximum number of correct answers for the

year.

Winners of the month:

August: Gopika Udayan, II DC Mathematics

September: Rajeshwary Peethambaran and Reshma R., II DC History

October: Liya Jacob, Mareena Thomas and Sharon Siby, I DC English

November: Liya Jacob, Mareena Thomas, Anet tresa Joseph and Sharon Siby, I DC Eng.

December: Anet Mathew, II DC History

January: Sona Sunny and Kesiya Alice Joseph II DC English

February: Sharon Siby, I DC English

Winners of Rediscovering Gandhi Quiz Competition 2014-2015:

I Sharon Siby, I DC English

II Mareena Thomas and Liya Jacob, I DC English

III Sona Sunny, III DC English

Gandhi Forum Discussion

A discussion on ‘Arundhati Roy on Mahatma Gandhi’ was organised by the members

of the Gandhi Forum in the context of the controversy regarding Arundhati Roy’s remarks

about the father of the nation. Sona Sunny, President, Gandhi Forum initiated the discussion

by providing a background understanding of the remarks made by Arundhati Roy and the

context in which they were made. The entire debate surrounding the issue of caste and the

Ambedkar-Gandhi divide on the issue, as well as Gandhi’s perspective on caste were

discussed. Ambedkar’s The Annihilation of Caste which has an introduction by Arundhati

Roy was also introduced during the programme.

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Gandhi Jayanthi

Gandhi Jayanthi 2014 was celebrated by the Centre, with a campus cleaning

programme which was organised in

association with the NSS unit of the

college and a screening of the film

‘Gandhi”. An essay competition for

students on the theme – ‘What has

inspired me most in Mahatma

Gandhi’s autobiography – The Story

of My Experiments with Truth’ was

also organised on the occasion. Shalu Joseph of I DC History and Christy Maria Sebastian of

I B.Com. won the first and second prizes respectively. A booklet on the dangers of plastic,

written by Sri. Abraham Poovathani and published by the Centre for Gandhian Studies was

also distributed among the students of the college and public on this occasion.

Hiroshima Day

A Malayalam elocution competition for students was organised in connection with

Hiroshima Day on 12 August 2014. The topic for the competition was Nuclear Non-

proliferation: A Gandhian Perspective. The first, second and third prizes were won by Tresa

V. Joseph, II DC English; Anu Maria Martin, I DC Economics and Anu Maria Michael, II

DC English. Ms Alleymol Sebastian, Associate Professor, Department of English; Ms.

Smitha Clary, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, and Ms. Jesty Emmanuel,

Assistant Professor, Department of Malayalam were the judges for the programme.

Thought for the Day

In order to provide an understanding of Gandhian values among students, a quotation

of Mahatma Gandhi was put up on the notice board every morning as the thought for the day.

Quotations specifically focused on the all-round development of character, environment

consciousness, faith in God, duties and responsibilities of students, peace, non-violence,

sustainable development, women empowerment, etc.

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Distribution of Mahatma Gandhi’s Autobiography to Members of the

Gandhi Forum

As was the practice over the previous years, all new members of the Gandhi Forum

were given a copy of Mahatma Gandhi’s An Autobiography or the Story of My experiments

with Truth.

Eight Day Camp for University Students in Wardha

Students of the college are encouraged to participate in various programmes in other

institutions that promoted knowledge about Mahatma Gandhi. Members of the Gandhi

Forum – Sharon Siby, Tinjimol Thomas, Malu

K.Biju and Lins Jose of I DC English were

deputed to participate in the eight day All

India University Students Camp organised by

the Institute of Gandhian Studies, Wardha,

Maharashtra from 23rd

to 30th

December 2014.

The camp included classes on various themes

relating to Mahatma Gandhi and on issues of concern to him. Participants shared their

experiences with other members of the Gandhi Forum with the help of a PowerPoint

presentation.

Santhwana Counselling Centre

By education I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in child and man – body, mind and

spirit. -Mahatma Gandhi

Counselling for the students of the college was organised at the Santhwana

Counselling Centre which functions under the auspices of the Centre for Gandhian Studies.

Sr. Jasmine Therese, Counsellor, visited the counselling centre every Thursday and all

students, especially first year students were encouraged to meet the counsellor. 170 students

made use of the counselling services during 2014-15.

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One Step – The Newsletter With a Difference

The fourth volume of One Step, the newsletter with a

difference was published by the Centre in December 2014. It

brings together the major programmes and activities of the

Centre. More importantly, it highlights some important

writings and quotations of Mahatma Gandhi, besides

providing interesting anecdotes from Gandhi’s life. One Step

reinforces the efforts of the Centre to promote an awareness of

Gandhian thought, philosophy and ideals, particularly among

the student community.

SERVICE LEARNING AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

One day camp on Rural Development through Women Empowerment in

Kidangoor Panchayat

In association with the Kidangoor Gramapanchayat, the Centre organised a one day

awareness camp for women in Kidangoor Panchayat on 10 March 2015. The camp was

inaugurated by Ms. Nirmala Jimmy, President, Kottayam District Panchayat. The inaugural

function was presided over by Dr. Sr. Jansamma Thomas, Principal, Alphonsa College and

Sri. K.M.Radhakrishnan, President, Kidangoor Gramapanchayat welcomed those present.

Felicitations were offered by various members of the Pampady Block Panchayat and Ward

members of Kidangoor Panchayat. Classes were held on Effective Parenting by Sri.

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Georgekutty Augusthy, Emmanuel Renewal and Retreat Centre, Kanjirappally; and on

Women and Health by Dr. Betty Jose, Gynaecologist, Carmel Medical Centre, Pala. The

participants were also given copies of the Centre’s publication on the problems of alcohol

consumption, the perils of plastic, living with nature and Right to Information. 124 women

participated in the programme. Members of the Gandhi Forum played an active role in

organising the programme.

Publication and Distribution of Booklet: Right to Information

The Centre for Gandhian Studies continued its publication of booklets with the

objective of generating public awareness, with this year’s booklet

being on the Right to Information. The Right to Information in India

is of great significance for the country as it empowers the citizens,

promotes transparency and accountability in the working of the

Government, contains corruption and makes democracy work for the

people in the real sense. Only an informed citizen can make the

government accountable to the people. However the scope,

procedures, authorities to be approached etc. are not known to a large

section of the people. The booklet was written by Adv. Joshy Jacob and three thousand

copies of the same were published for distribution among students and the general public.

Publication of the second edition of booklets on the Perils of Plastic and

Living with Nature

The Centre published the second edition of its Malayalam booklets published earlier

on the Perils of Plastic and Living with Nature. Two thousand copies each were published for

distribution among students and the public.

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Gandhidarshan

In connection with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Alphonsa College, a three day

exhibition was organised in the college on 15, 16 and 17 July 2014. A highlight of the

programme was the Gandhidarshan section - a

multi-media exhibition to facilitate an

understanding of Mahatma Gandhi’s life,

philosophy and values among the general

public. The programme was organised in

collaboration with Pala Social Welfare Society

and Poornodaya Book Trust, Kochi. The

exhibition included over three hundred posters and photographs, the display and sale of books

on and by Mahatma Gandhi, khadi materials, handicrafts and indigenously produced items.

There was also the display and demonstration of the use of the charka and loom.

Anti-Alcohol Awareness Classes Organised in Schools

The Centre for Gandhian Studies collaborated with ADARRT, Pala, in organising a series

of awareness classes in schools in and around Pala on Gandhian teachings on alcoholism and

drug abuse, highlighting the ill effects of alcohol consumption and drug addiction. Classes

were organised in 25 schools during 2014-15. These include the following:

1. St. Michael’s HSS Pravithanam, 12 January 2015.

2. Sacred Heart’s Girls High School, Bharananganam, 12 January 2015.

3. St. Joseph’s High School, Manathoor, 13 January 2015.

4. St. Sebastian’s Higher Secondary School, Kadanad, 13 January 2015.

5. St. Thomas High School, Marangattupilly, 14 January 2015.

6. St. Antony’s High School, Kadaplamattom, 14 January 2015.

7. Mary Matha Public School, Kadaplamattom, 14 January 2015.

8. St. John’s High School, Kurumannu, 15 January 2015.

9. St. Antony’s Higher Secondary School, Plassanal, 15 January 2015.

10. St. Paul’s H.S. Valiyakumaramamangalam, Moonilavu, 15 January 2015.

11. St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Bharananganam, 15 January 2015.

12. St. John Nephumsian’s Higher Secondary School, 16 January 2015.

13. St. Antony’s Higher Secondary School, Mutholy, 16 January 2015.

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14. Government Technical High School, Pala, 16 January 2015.

15. Government Vocational Higher Secondary School (THS), Pala, 16 January 2015.

16. St. Thomas HSS, Pala, 16 January 2015.

17. St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Kidangoor, 21 January 2015.

18. NSS Higher Secondary School, Kidangoor, 21 January 2015.

19. St. Alphonsa Public School and Junior College, Aruvithura, 22 January 2015.

20. St. Mary’s HSS, Kuravilangad, 22 January 2015.

21. Mattakkara high School, Mattakkara, 22 January 2015.

22. St. Joseph’s High School, Mattakara, 22 January 2015.

23. NSS High School, Kezhuvankulam, 28 January 2015.

24. Holy Cross HSS, Cherpunkal, 28 January 2015.

25. St. Mary’s HSS, Teekoy, 28 January 2015.

Visit to Subjail, Pala and Donation of Books for the Library

Members of the Gandhi Forum collected 66 books from students and donated them to

the Sub Jail, Pala to help build up their library. The collection included books on motivation,

entrepreneurship, biographies of

Mahatma Gandhi, short stories, novels,

spirituality, Yoga, income generation,

jokes, alcoholism, magic, kitchen

gardens, general knowledge, etc. The

books were handed over to the Jail

Superintendent on 4th

March 2015. 133

students of the college visited the

Subjail on this occasion and also handed over a copy of Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography as

well as copies of the booklets published by CGS to all the inmates of the jail. Students also

performed a skit for the inmates.

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BEST PRACTICES 2014-15

Inculcating Gandhian values among students

By organizing workshops, special lectures, exhibitions, quiz competitions,

debates,etc. on Mahatma Gandhi and issues of concern to him.

By displaying a Gandhian thought for the day on the notice board of the Centre every

day.

By distributing booklets published by the Centre on issues of contemporary social

concern among students and the public.

By deputing students to the Institute of Gandhian Studies, Wardha, Maharashtra to

participate in the ten day inter-university camp for students.

By organizing community outreach programmes such as awareness programmes for

women in panchayats, distribution of booklets on the hazards of plastic, green living

and alcoholism, visit to sub-jail, conducting anti alcohol awareness classes in

schools, etc to promote Gandhian ideals.

By pubishing and distributing One Step: The newsletter with a difference.

Fostering environmental consciousness

By organizing relevant programmes such as Paryaptha and invited lectures.

By using eco-friendly products for all programmes.

LINKAGES ESTABLISHED DURING 2014-15

Pala Social Welfare Society, Pala.

Poornodaya Book Trust, Kochi.

Alcohol and Drug Addicts Research Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre

(ADARRT), Pala.

Khadi and Village Industries Board, Govt. of Kerala.

Kidangoor Gramapanchayat.

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CGS IN THE MEDIA

Deccan Chronicle, 10.8.2014

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Malayala Manorama, 9.8.2014

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Deepika, 9.8.2014

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New Indian Express, 20.1.2015

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Times of India, 20.1.2015

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Deepika, 20.1.2015

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Deepkia, 4.2.2015

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New Indian Express, 3.2.2015

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Deepika, 10.3.2015

Malayala Manorama, 12.3.2015