Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Students' debate on Abdul Kalam's dream

The country's first citizen is today the best inspirer. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's dream doctrine is directed towards the nation's destiny and his famous 10 vows get applause everywhere.

The scientist-President's scientific approach to development has spread to every nook and corner of India.

A debate was conducted by the S. Vellaichamy Nadar College, Nagamalai Pudukottai, under the aegis of the Forum Of Commerce Undergraduate Students recently. The theme was: `The realisation of the dreams of Dr. Kalam over India becoming a super power by 2020.'

Two groups debated or rather argued whether it could be achieved by spirited youth or guidance of elders. T. Senthilkumar and his team argued in favour of elders' guidance while N. Suresh Babu and his team favoured the spirited youth. The teams told many anecdotes from the freedom struggle, software business and management in support of their arguments.

S. Yesudhason, Principal, presided over. R. Bernard Shaw, moderator, delivered the judgment in favour of the spirited youth. A verdict even Dr. Kalam may welcome, as he believes in youth potential.

`Virtual Paints', `Brainy Bits', `Chat Room', `Front Page' etc. And there were other names such as `Costume Streak' and `Foot Roll'. Guess what is this all about? These were the titles of an inter-collegiate computer-oriented competitions organised by the Department of Information Technology of the EMG Yadava Women's College under the name `Genesis' on February 7.

A fine mix was managed by the students, as they included in the agenda fine arts items also. More than 20 colleges took active part and the rolling trophy was bagged by the Fatima College. The runner-up shield went to the Madurai Institute of Social Sciences.

S. Gopalakrishna Yadav, correspondent, presided over the event while K. Vasantha, Principal, inaugurated it. S. Sheerin Banu was the chief guest. The college president, E.M.G. Soundararajan, and the governing council member, V. Kasi, were among those present.

Triggering a bold initiative for college girls, with an aim at success, the Nadar Mahajana Sangam Sermathai Vasan College for Women at Avaniyapuram inaugurated an Air Rifle Club on Tuesday.

Senior members from the Madurai Rifle Club, including its vice-president, S.V.K.M. Ramalingam, were present. Over 200 students have already become members of the club, which will provide free training. The air rifle club was inaugurated by R. Sudarson, college treasurer. Roopana will be the trainer for enthusiastic student shooters.

The rifle club secretary, S.V.S.S. Velshankar, the college advisor, S.V.S. Sundaramoorthy, and the Principal, M. Valliammal, were among those who attended function.

At a time when people think that environment protection is not their business, a group of six NSS volunteers of the MSS Wakf Board College took out a cycle rally from Madurai to Dindigul, through Natham.

They visited 30 villages and conducted awareness programmes on issues such as air and water pollution, plastics, polio eradication, vaccination for children, cancer awareness and road safety. On the culmination of the rally, they met the Madurai Collector, B. Chandra Mohan, and submitted a report.

This was the third rally taken out by the NSS unit this year. The team, which was led by Sheikh Abdullah, included Senthil, Sakthivel, Faizal, Dinesh Kumar and Sheik Roshan.

Youths have an important role to play if any awareness campaign is to be successfully undertaken. Probably the Tamil Nadu Polytechnic College has got this message clear. It organised a programme `Youth for Cleanliness' through their 10-day National Service Scheme special camp at Errampatti and Ambedkar Nagar in the Alanganallur town panchayat.

The volunteers involved themselves in various field works, including fencing of the panchayat middle school, construction of septic pit, painting of walls, cleaning of temples, schools, streets, organising medical camps along with the Meenakshi Mission Hospital, and repairing electronic gadgets.

Besides, the student volunteers also provided vocational training, including computer classes, welding and operation of xerox machines, doll making, embroidery work, soap and tooth powder making to villagers.

The volunteers established a scientific laboratory and taught Abacus training to the school students. V. Thenmozhi, NSS Programme Officer, presented the camp report. B. Selva Koodalingam, Principal (in charge), N. C. R. Janagar, president, Errampatti panchayat, were among those who participated in the valedictory function.

Stories in this Section

• Thrust on infrastructure development in villages
• Rly. station spruced up with granite flooring
• Students boycott classes
• Around The City
• In Madurai Today
• Students' debate on Abdul Kalam's dream

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