CENTRE FOR GANDHIAN STUDIES

ALPHONSA COLLEGE

PALA, KERALA

Annual Report

2015 – 2016

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Introduction

The Centre for Gandhian Studies in Alphonsa College, established with the assistance

of the University Grants Commission in July 2008, continued its efforts to promote an

understanding of Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals and philosophy during the year 2015-16.

Despite the lack of funds from the University Grants Commission during this year, it was

able to organise several programmes based on different aspects of Gandhian thought and

values.

Advisory Committee

The following were the members of the Advisory Committee of the Centre during

2015-16:

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, Professor, Gujarat Vidyapith, and 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.

Gandhi Forum

Gandhi Forum, an organisation of students functioning under the auspices of the

Centre for Gandhian Studies, strives to promote an understanding of the values and ideals

upheld by Mahatma Gandhi, and spearheads all the activities of the Centre. It 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 Mahatma

Gandhi. During the academic year 2015-16, 98 students joined the Gandhi Forum. The

Executive Committee of the Forum was reconstituted and the following office bearers were

elected for the academic year 2015-16:

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President: Sharon Siby, II DC English

Vice President: Sreelakshmi J., I DC Zoology

Secretary: Sreelakshmi K.S., I DC History

Joint Secretaries: Nayana K.S., I DC Zoology, K. Swathy, I DC English and Dona K.M.,

I DC B.Com.

Library and Reading Room

Students of the institution made good use of the library of the Centre for Gandhian

Studies. The total collection of 1150 books in 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 music, 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 2015-16

Special Lecture: Can There Be Peace Between India And Pakistan?

A special lecture on the theme Can there be Peace between India and Pakistan? by

Prof. T.V.Paul, James McGill Professor of International

Relations, Department of Political Science, McGill

University, Montreal was organised by the Centre on 5

January 2016. Prof. Paul traced the background of the

conflict between India and Pakistan to the disputes over

property during partition which attained a

multidimensional context, so much so that the rivalry

became well entrenched as an enduring rivalry. The

question that remains is why this is still so. Prof. Paul elucidated the various factors that have

their implications for promoting enduring peace in the subcontinent.

Research Project

The Centre continued work on its on-going project on The Mahatma and Kerala: A Study of

Gandhi’s Social and Political Interventions. The project undertakes a historical account of

the same which has yet to be well documented in the academic literature on Gandhi. Denimol

Joseph was the Project Assistant appointed for this project.

Rediscovering Gandhi: Weekly Quiz Competition

The Centre continued to organise the 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 relating to Gandhi. Answers were placed in a sealed box below. Students securing the

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

Students securing the maximum number of correct answers for the entire year were awarded

first, second and third prizes.

Winners of Rediscovering Gandhi Quiz Competition 2015-2016:

I Sharon Siby, II DC Eng;ish

II Anet Mathew, II DC English

III Rajeswari Peethambaran, III DC History

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Women Empowerment and Personal Safety Workshops

Upholding Mahatma Gandhi‟s view that “when a woman is assaulted she may not

stoop to think in terms of himsa or ahimsa. Her primary duty is self-protection. She is at

liberty to employ every method or means that comes to her mind…. God has given her nails

and teeth, she must use them with all her strength,” the Centre organised a workshop on

women empowerment and personal safety

for students spread over two days – 7th

and 14th

February 2016, in collaboration

with Action Breaks Silence, a UK based

charity, CSK Kalari, Pala and Jana

Maithri Police, Pala. Debi Steven, world

renowned self-defence trainer; and

Founder and President of Action Breaks

Silence, led the sessions together with Flo

Robertson and Stephanie Highett of Action Breaks Silence, and K.P.Suresh of CSK Kalari

together with his team of twenty trainers. The programme was inaugurated by Sri. Babu

Sebatian, Circle Inspector, Pala and the Keynote Address was delivered by Ms. Debi Steven.

. Through a combination of motivational speaking and physical activity, the workshop

focused on creating awareness around sexual

and gender-based violence and its impact;

giving participants an insight into the minds of

violent or predatory men; equipping them to

handle situations when they are exposed to such

individuals; and teaching effective, reality-

based, self-defence skills. All the students of the

college participated in the demonstration

session where different techniques of self-defence were demonstrated and the students were

given one-to-one hands on training by the team.

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Promoting Eco-Friendly Self-Reliance: Paryaptha 2015

Paryaptha-2015, an exhibition cum sale of items made by students and teachers was

organised by the Centre on 25 June 2015. With the objective of promoting the Gandhian

vision of women empowerment and self-reliance as well as the vision of Alphonsa College to

create self-reliant and liberated young women,‟ the exhibition cum sale provided students

with the opportunity to „earn while they learn‟.

Restriction on the use of plastic carry bags,

plates and glasses reflected the overall

perspective of the Centre to promote

environment consciousness. 245 students put up

items for display/sale, which was arranged

department wise. A total amount of Rs. 32,324/-

was received by them by way of sales. Orders

were also placed for various goods and services. Some of the highlights of the exhibition

were glass paintings, embroidery items, ornaments, mehandi, garments, home décor items,

soft drinks and fruit juice, paper ornaments, paintings, handicrafts, artificial flowers,

handmade greeting cards and photo frames, organic fruits and vegetables, and various home-

made food items.

Gandhi Smrithi

Gandhi Smrithi, a series of literary competitions in both English and Malayalam was

organised by the Centre during the year. These included essay writing, poetry writing and

poster designing competitions.

Essay writing: “Impact of Gandhi on Contemporary Social Movements”

The competition was held on 7 October 2015 and Sona Maria Saju of III DC English and

Diya Mathew of II DC English won the first and second prizes respectively in the English

section and Salini Dennis of II DC English and Tiby Maria Thomas of II DC Maths won the

first and second prizes in the Malayalam section.

Poster designing: “Elimination of Violence Against Women: A Long Walk to Freedom”

The winner of the competition held on 5 February 2016 was Sruthy P.S. of III DC Botany.

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Poetry writing: “Gandhi, Our Father”

The competition was held on 5 February and Lekshmi Krishnan of II DC English, Swathy

Janardhanan of III DC Englsih and Sreelakshmi K.S, of I DC History won the first, second

and third prizes in the English section. Anika Chinnu of II DC English and Anet Treesa

Joseph of II DC English won the first and second prizes in the Malayalam section.

Eight Day Camp for University Students in Wardha

Two members of the Gandhi Forum – Liya Jacob and Carol V.Graham of II DC

English participated in the All India Inter University Students Camp at Institute of Gandhian

Studies, Wardha, Maharashtra from 23 to 30 December 2015. The camp included classes on

various themes relating to Mahatma Gandhi and on issues of concern to him. A PowerPoint

presentation about the camp was made for all Gandhi Forum members, at a meeting held on

21 February 2016.

Gandhi Jayanthi

As part of Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations the movie Gandhi by Richard Atttenborough

was screened for the students of the college on 30 September. A campus cleaning programme

was organised by the Centre in association with

the NSS. Members of the Gandhi Forum visited

each class of the college to speak about

Mahatma Gandhi and distribute the booklet on

the „Perils of Plastic‟ published by the Centre.

Posters on hygiene and sanitation were also put

up all over the campus on the occasion. As part

of the campaign by the Kerala Prohibition

Council to bring into effect Mahatma Gandhi‟s vision for the implementation of prohibition

in India, the Centre obtained the signature of 1056 students on a petition in this regard for

onward submission to the Hon. Prime Minister.

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Thought for the Day

In order to promote 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.

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.

Donation of Books and Distribution of Mahatma Gandhi’s Autobiography

and Booklets to the Inmates of Sub Jail, Pala

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, on 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 3 March

2016. 43 students of the college visited the Sub Jail

on this occasion and also handed over a copy of

Mahatma Gandhi‟s autobiography as well as copies

of booklets on alcoholism, living with nature, right to information and the perils of plastic

published by CGS to all the inmates of the jail.

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BEST PRACTICES 2015-16

Inculcating Gandhian values among students

By organizing invited lectures, exhibitions, quiz competitions, 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.

By organising women empowerment and personal safety programmes for students.

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 based on Gandhian ideals such as

distribution of CGS booklets on the hazards of plastic, green living, problems of

alcoholism, etc.

Fostering environmental consciousness

By organizing relevant programmes such as Paryaptha and invited lectures.

By using eco-friendly products for all programmes.

LINKAGES ESTABLISHED DURING 2015-16

Action Breaks Silence, U.K.

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CGS IN THE MEDIA

Deccan Chronicle, 15.1.2016

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New Indian Express, 15.1.2016

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Malayala Manorama, 15.1.2016