21.12.2006 was a different kind of day, with the first years inaugurating the Science Association for the academic year. A distinguished guest was invited from the State Science Forum who gave an interesting talk on evolution, a take off on the article in The Hindu by Dr.Balasubramaniam. The talk was interesting except that it went on for a bit too long. However, one has to laud the first years for their patient hearing. The long talks were succeeded by a variety entertainment. Gosh, the first years have a lot of talent. There's Mythily, the black belt in Karate who was graceful and charming in a folk dance and many other participants who wowwed us with their performances. Heard that it went on till 6.30 in the evening. It is good that students get to expend their energy in such activities that encourage creativity and team work.

Department of Metallurgy is hosting a 5-day seminar on Materials and Metallurgy to introduce the concepts to teachers of Mechanical Department who have to teach this as a new subject to their students under the new curriculum. I believe the system of introducing new subjects every semester is rather good, because teachers are learnign more and more everyday. Updation of knowledge becomes a necessary part of one's career and such training programmes come in handy. Teachers from the Salem Zone are participating in it. The seminar is being held at the swanky new seminar hall of the ECE Block. It is a self-contained hall and makes one feel proud of the facilities available there.

The Department of English hosted a one-day Orientation Programme for teachers on 12.12.2006, for the first time ever in the history of the Department of English at GCE, Salem 11. The three of us worked hard and by god's grace the whole show went off well. The morning session saw us - the three of us offering sessions on Communication, Common Errors and Pronunciation, which were splendidly received. The student volunteers were magnificent; they were busy as bees throughout the day and made sure that all were invited to lunch too.The afternoon sessions were engaged by Dr.Usha Sri and Dr.T.Nagavalli on Effective Teaching and Micro teaching. The new teachers were absolutely taken aback by the hundreds of little things that teachers have to observe in their teaching practices. We only missed the Principal who was unwell and had to take bed rest and so couldn't attend the programme. We have been asked to take up a similar programme for two days in February. We are also happy that we are contributing to the Faculty Development in the college to help our students receive the best of education.

College is all hushed up and silent because of the examinations. Only the first year kids have any energy left to make a noise. The department of English is organising a one-day orientation programme for teachers. We are working hard to make it a success, God willing. That is an expression that I seem to have picked up from the Principal, who always says...'God willing'. The Preparation of reports for seeking accreditation are going on. I wish that all the departments and all the programmes get this NBA at one go, so that one does not have to go through the tedious process.