A GCE that the old timers may not recognise....

GCE is getting ready for the accreditation team's visit. Believe me when I say that she is beginning to glitter like a bride. The blocks are getting a new sheen of paint ...though, of course, while all else a re the dull, drab military green and ochre shades, the computer science block is the pale pink of pearls and with a lovely beige border ...very, very English and very much like a pretty rose.

The insides are getting a shape-up too. The lounge in the admin block is bright, airy and lit with chandeliers and other silvery lights which brighten the atmosphere. The walls are laid with marble and have granite borders.

The park areas outside that used to be overgrwon with bushes, are all cleaned by the assiduous students and look clean, neat and tidy. There are park and no park signs all over the campus. The signboards glitter with new colours.

All in all, a great look is being given to the college.

Heat is building up in Salem. It was 37 degress today. Likely to climb the chart. Children had their sports day. As usual, ice-cream bars were eagerly lapped up. I missed the sports day, cos I was busy preparing the report and slides for the report to be given to the NBA. However, I missed the heat and the sports.

The BEC batch from final CSE were in the department, pulling one another's legs and mine too in the process. Jhanu (Jhansi Rekha) and Uma got their autograph books signed by us...

Missed Sri in the group...Sri is our special friend and VJR's special friend too... VJR looks ineffably sad these days...wonder if he is getting used to the idea that he will soon be missing Sri. Hope everything works well for the kids and that there is happiness waiting for them...

We have invited them all to lunch on Wednesday at Lakshmi Prakash...

Muthu, the mech man of 2005 was here to meet me...He has found himself a good job at Pune with a steel company. I wish him all the best in his work...the guy impresses me with his sincerity and singleness of purpose and the cheerfulness that is always seen in him. He has the potential to reach the top.

Heard that the farewell party for the final year is being hosted at Chenneys. Mmmm...

Uma is apprehensive as it appears that the juniors have got all kinds of personal info like who they think is the smartest boy...who has stolen their hearts...who is the heartthrob, etc., She is afraid that the info will be used by the juniors to rag them...Tables are turning I see, with seniors being scared of being ragged.

GECOFEST 2006
Ha, GECOFEST 2006 was once again a gala event for GCE. It unfailingly stirs up a lot of activity, spurs creative moments and ends in heart throbbing cultural competitions - heart throbbing, literally, since the regally yellow and maroon curtain goes up to some thumping music.

I along with Prof Parveen Kumar Issar and Mr. Sankar judged the Western Choreography event. Since cinema songs were prohibited, there was music only. Boy, was it fantastic. I never knew Mukhil had it in him to dance so well. But, the outright winners in my opinion were the second years under Saravanan. The boy has real talent in choreography. There was unison in the execution of the dance and some fantastic steps. The general aesthetics of the dance scored outright some brownie points for it. Of course, the other two judges had their preferences and when the scores were totalled, the final year students won the first prize. It was good, but the aesthetics,mmm.. not as good as that of the second years.

The next one was on Adapt Themes. The second years had us in splits with their bit on "NO SMOKING". The joke is that it was judged by, among others, a professor known for his chronic smoking habit.

Left the hall after that, as there was a powercut. Went around admiring the exhibits of clay modelling and other sculptures. There were some spectacular pieces.
It's wonderful how young people have the creative juices flowing in them...I vaguely remember that at one time, I was creative too. I liked drawing and writing. Well, perhaps, that is the way life moves on.

Will miss the final year CSE students who took up BEC with the department of English. They are sweet kids, full of unpretentious friendliness.

GCE after the NBA visit

The dust has settled down on the NBA visit to GCE. The Alumni meeting with the panel of the NBA at Chenny's Gateway went off quite well. About a 100 past students attended the meet and interacted with the committee. The committee was quite probing in its questions and moved on from one aspect of alumni interaction to another. These professors from IIT were very smart and knew how to get to the bottom of affairs.I was surprised to learn that about 120 students now work in Neyveli Lignite Corporation.

Well, the administration has done its best to get the accreditation for the college that will ultimately benefit our students. The cosmetic changes have also done the college a world of good. The lounge is also at its atractive best.
Well, I was involved in the preparation of the powerpoint presentation of the college profile and believe me when I say that I was also amazed at the growth of the college.

Preparations are afoot for the GECOFEST 2006, a one day affair. The brochure is well written and needs to be commended. Ayush, our II year Mech man was here to get Professor Parveen Kumar Issar to participate in the orchestral show.
We all know professor's singing talents and every alumnae remembers it.

College is also gearing up for the elections. Pity all the classrooms that have been renovated will be dirtied by glue, gum, pasai, seal wax and posters all over the classrooms shortly when the district authorities take over the classes.

I also look forward to see the dance to be performed by the girls. No movie songs are allowed and so there may be more creativity and originality in the shows.