The new Commissioner of Technical Education, Shri. Kumar Jayanth, IAS, visited the college this morning. He spent some time in the Digital Library and then met the HODs and the Principal in the new conference hall. 

What I loved most about his informal interaction with the faculty was that he asked whether there were non-engineering books in the library and I was dying to tell him that we have some of the finest collection of good fiction, some of them rarely seen anywhere else. The long and short of it is that he urged teachers to encourage students to go beyond their text books and to develop a holistic attitude to life with a complete development of their personality. He wanted students to take part in sports and games. He suggested that students be given some awareness about making the right career choices and suggested that they be encouraged to take up research and  teaching as careers with a lasting value. 

Having come from a school that lays great importance to building lasting relationships with the faculty ( my school principals knew everyone in everyone's family and became one of the family for all of us), I used to find it an encouraging gesture when Commissioners interacted informally and desired to help us do our best. When a sense of loyalty and belongingness comes in one's teaching  job, then, I believe, only the best effort comes, much to the benefit of students. 

Today, the EEE students made their maiden ppt presentations. Some very interesting presentations were made...some of our students are naturals at facing an audience. There was Manikandan who simply gave some examples to explain inflation. There was a group that presented their guidelines for a wonderful college life that was as interesting as much as it was inofrmative. There was another group that presented their ideas on the 'sensational youths' as they called it...an amateur attempt that was sweet in its implicit trust in the ability of students to change the world. Only young people have this idealistic belief.

Powercuts are killing us in the college. We end up sweating and steaming through the classes, perhaps losing more water from the body as through a sauna. Hah...wish we had a cooler clime in Salem through the year.  

Saw a white hawk on the tree behind the Admin block. It was a rare sight. And, it really is funny, whenever I go to the ECE block and start talking, I hear two birds making raucous calls...children are sighting snakes. Rats are entering staff rooms...squirrels are becoming more and more daring as they boldly fight for the small balls of rice or chappathis that are offered. I do miss Shaan, the one legged raven who used to frequent the window sill of the English department. The fish in the small ponds at the entrance have become bigger and developed longer whiskers...the brilliant red beetles that are found in the pathway between the Admin block and the CSE block are slowly becoming lesser in number as the cold wave is hitting Salem...we seem to be becoming a haven for birds and all forms of God's own creatures.

On a more serious note, L&T has taken in three of our students. Kudos to them. But why such small numbers? Heart aching. But then, I always console myself, the companies are the losers...they don't know what wonderful candidates they are missing by under estimating the strength and potential of our students.

TCS selected 61 of our students...and around another 40 have been selected by core companies.
I was personally hoping that TCS would take in more...but then, 61 out of a shortlisted 74 is not really that bad, I guess. However, as a human being, one wishes as always for more and the heart yearns for a bigger number...L&T is coming tomorrow. CSC is expected...Even while accepting sweets from those selected, my thoughts were on the ones not selected and who must be going through throes of doubt and low self esteem...all I can say is, GCEians are the best and will definitely find their way through these bad times...

Life appears to have stood still, but how deceptive that is...cos while lessons, timetables, classes and tests were going on, recruitment has also been going on slowly and surely. Just today, Ramanujam, my EEE friend told me that 24 of his friends have been placed in core companies and that he has been taken in by Vedhantha groups. God bless these kids. Tomorrow TCS is coming and elaborate arrangements are being made as a large number of students is appearing for the tests. I saw Shankar and Shankarlingam ferrying printers and all to the Seminar Halls...once again, I pray for these children.