The Department of English organised a workshop for the III Year students on CV writing and Interview techniques. The Resource person was Dr.V.Thiagarajan from Bannari Amman College of Tech, Erode. He represented the British Council who offered their expertise to our students. The ppt was quite informative and in touch with modern techniques. The children were very happy with the talks and, if I may proudly say so, it was held in the ECE Seminar Hall.
Dr.V.Thiagarajan commented that he was surprised that a government college had such facilities. The truth is, GCE Salem has really good infrastructure, much better than those offered by SF colleges, though we may not have the frills like architectured landscapes and marbled walls all over. But, GCEians can take pride in the fact that we are SOLID inside. Perhaps, one day, if I can get my hands on the photos of new and sophisticated equipment installed and used in the labs and the pictures of seminar halls, you will all get an idea of the complete makeover the college has had.

Another exciting news for all is that from this academic year we are Anna University, Coimbatore after the demarcation of regions such as CBE, Tiruchi and Tirunelveli. And, yes, keep breathing, MBA and M.E. Computer Science are offered this year at our college under Anna Unviersity, CBE. Keep rejoicing.

How could I give you all such late news? Most unforgivable act, I know. That is because the good news is already beginning to flow in...TCS has taken in 151, ( 151, please), TAFE has taken in 2 and Wipro has taken 39. Caritor has happily taken in 16. More companies are in line.
Right now, we are busy preparing presentations for the NBA visit. The Principal was very pleased with the English department's ppt. He said it was an excellent presentation. I wish I could stop blowing the trumphet, but, I cannot seem to be able to do it.
7 Metallurgy students of last year placed in software companies have cleared the National examinations and are recruited by SAIL as trainess. Purnima Seshadry and Uma Priyadarshini came to offer me some sweets. I feel very proud that GCEians are proving their mettle in their field of study.
The teaching faculty is right now in a decimated condition, what with Prof V.Ramachandran and Prof.Marappan having retired, Dr.Nelson of Maths transferred to Bargur and a few other teachers having retired or on sick leave.

Am back with a bang at college...it feels good to be back, especially because the first day started with a training on using the LAN set up in the college. Two gentlemen from the suppliers spoke to us of technical aspects...( some of which blissfully went over my head...all I remember now are - co-axial cables, utv cables, ftp, ping, ip and a few more such heady technical stuff). I am ready to start bombarding departments with A-word-a-day, A thought for the day, interesting tongue twisters, a little grammar ( courtesy - The Hindu) and perhaps, a blog for all. He..he... :} :) . The only problem is that the department of English is yet to get connected to the intranet. Have approached Prof.Chandrasekar about it. By the way, his talk was the most sensible one of the training... he speaks clearly, doesn't beat about the bush and answers in the most unpatronising manner.
Am also preparing a department profile with powerpoint...it really is interesting...how technoogy makes information so much more colourful and attractive than it really is!!!!

I am celebrating my much awaited vacation and the long-felt need for some rest from the hustle and bustle of college work. Am hoping that I dont get calls from college to report to work during this short period. One does not realise that the teacher becomes fatigued and strained after a year of mental and physical work, much like the students. The annual pattern for the first years has left us all drained and exhausted. I feel the semester pattern is easier on the student.

However, I feel some necessary changes are needed in the education pattern of engineering studies. Students must be allowed to take up part-time jobs and go in for real practical training of about six months in some organisation where their technical skills can be honed. A minimum stipend would be encouraging for the student and the industry/organisation does not stand to lose over a small sum paid to these trainee-students. Organisations should know how to tap the potential of these technical students by making them part of some projects or ongoing technical jobs.

Hmmm...wishful thinking?

College is preparing for yet another NBA visit probably in the month of July.


There is a proposal to bring in B.Tech Information Technology and B.E. Production and Instrumentation. (I hope I've got it right).

GCE was in the news for all the wrong reasons...there was a near riot by people who had come to get the Anna University forms since the University had not sent in enough forms and people targetted us since we were the interface...news channels had us on the noon news. :( Now the crowds have eased and the situation is under control.

The good news is that Salem saw some clouds, thick with rain, and though they moved away, the mercury level has come down considerably. Wish we had air-conditioners everywhere!!!!

Exams are on for the kids and vacation is on for the faculty, but since we are all working on the forthcoming NBA experts' visit, none has gone on vacation. I really do enjoy these times when children are writing their exams - it is a time of hushed silence broken when the exams get over and there is sudden outbreak of voices from all over...it is a time when one actually hears the birds in the trees. I am waiting for the yellow flowers and the mayflowers to come out in burst of colours. Now, one can only smell the typical canteen smells - saambhar, parottas, vadais, etc., - wafting in the air. Work is afoot on office modernisation - gone in a few days from now will be the typical government furniture - large teakwood tables and straight back chairs and files all over. Modern filing cabinets and trendy furniture in false-roofed rooms, and yes, please add the automation software to be installed - gosh, you will find a different world altogether. Some things will never change, ofcourse, like the worn pathways where student feet have trudged on year after year after year.

Graduation Day , 21.4.2007
A day to remember in the annals of GCE history. The first ever Graduation Day was celebrated with much pomp and solemnity. I felt touched by the whole ceremony. The very act of receiving the degree certificate reminds me of the hardships borne by parents, especially Indian parents whose children are mostly first-generation learners...it reminds me that for the students and the parents it is indeed a proud moment, one that needs to be cherished. The whole ceremony went off with clockwork precision...except that the Chief Guest arrived an hour late! It was followed by dinner hosted by the college for all the invitees, graduates, parents and staff. Heard it was a delicious one...I missed it 'cos it was late and I had to get back home on the dreaded killer road from GCE to Salem on my two wheeler.

A Learning Experience of a Different Kind...

GCE, Salem 11 hosted a 5-day Career Guidance Programme for students of the twelfth in the GCE games field. An unimaginable huge pandal, big enough to seat 5000 people at a time was erected. Pre-event meetings with the Principal saw committees being formed and all the teachers and students being involved in the mega event...don't think GCE has ever seen the likes of such a public event. The district Collector, Shri.D.Mathivannan inaugurated the programme. Media coverage was unexpected too...The arrangements were done in a meticulous manner and everyone was deeply involved in the jobs entrusted to them. The programme has given everyone a filip in learning to organise large events and to work as teams.
It would be unforgivable of me, if I did not report on the GECOFEST 7.0 as they called it this year. It followed the 5-day programme immediately and was held in the huge pandal. Creativity was as usual at its height. Though the day was incredibly hot, there was as ususal the good, the bad and the ugly crowd to pep the day's events. There was the usual share of disqualifications and protests and timed out dances. The final years played hosts and gave only host performances. They were amazing in the compereing, skits, dances and music as well. I always love the opening music of GECOFESTs and this year it was no different.
Well, alumni can now await the graduation day, another solemn and formal function being planned by the principal on the 21st of April, if I am not wrong.

A lot has happened in these two months. Professor Govindasami of Mechanical Engineering passed away on the 8th of March of a massive heart attack in the college premises.
TCS offered its associates ( it calls its recruits this way) their offer letters.
Two rooms in the ground floor of the admin block have been vacated for establishing the language lab.
A five-day Programme on Career prospects for the 12th std students of Salem district was organised at the college. The Collector inaugurated the sessions. I attended one of the sessions and boy, was it informative. It was good and the entire college was involved in the organisation of the mega event.

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.

The department is getting busy with the organisation of the one day programme. We also attended the inaugural function of a two-day programme conducted by the Department of EEE. It was on Virtual Implementation of Labview or some such technical jugglery with words. There was a nice piece of cake that followed the function. Relished that... Hope to get the new telephone for the department. Reorganised Mr.Subramani's songs on the comp. A few teachers have asked for BEC courses for them. Hope to train them sometime in the near future.

GCE, Salem and Chitra

Hey, the department of English has got a new professor, Dr.Anbalagan from Karaikudi. The language lab will see some progress under his guidance. He is full of ideas to help the first years.

The Computer Science student volunteers for the HCL placement were in the deprtment for a small chat. Srinivasan , I believe, asked one of the HCL people how they could answer this question:
Say only yes/no. Question: ----, I am a fool. ---, I am an ignorant ass.

Everything's going by in a blur these days, with the TEQIP related paper work taking up a lot of time. There are class committee meetings, mentor's meetings, class advisor meetings and all the rest of it that leaves us no free time to read or write. Met a wonderful Professor, one Dr. Nagabhushan Roa, a man of fantastic knowledge which included not just technical stuff, you know, but pages and pages of literature that he quoted with flair. A teacher of the past who reminds those of the present that one is never filled enough with knowledge.
Siddarth, a final year student ( who, I swear, must be Gillespie's clone) told me about his efforts to go to the U.S for his higher studies. Told him that there were two students who were in U.S and who were maintaining a website and that if contacted they might be able to guide and help him. But, that website which I so enjoyed is no longer to be seen on the net and so I couldn't get him their website address. Shall persevere however.
The parents of first year students who have failed in more than two subjects in the first series test were informed of their child's poor performance. I know it will come as a shock to them, but our Principal is keen that parents be kept informed of their ward's performance. It might help the students too. I did ask a student who had dropped in and he informed me that having been a vocational student it had been difficult but that the next time, his performance would be better. The poor fellow had tears in his eyes and since I normally hate to see children cry,I consoled him and offered help anytime he wanted. But these guys like to work on their own and I am sure that this boy will surely do well the next time in his tests.

It was heart-breaking to see the campus littered with banana leaves, plastic discards, paper, dried flowers, stale food leftovers, mud, water and dried food stains after the campus was let out to the district authorities for the recent elections. I don't blame the authorities, its been the common man (the desi katchi alu) who has done this. Do they know how much care and thoughtfulness had gone into the sprucing up of the campus by the Principal? Ha..I'm disgusted and hope that I don't ever, ever see college in such an ugly state. Hope the district authorities will give it a thorough cleaning up as our sanitation workers are just a few in number and may not suffice to carry out a complete overhaul of the place. Well, don't mind me...I'm an old woman who expects sweetness and loveliness all the time. That is why I am irked by the callousness of the elected and the electorate on the counting day.

However, Diwali is in the air and everybody's bustling around with an air of expectancy and joy. I wish all the students, present and past, a festive and joyful celebration.

Ages have gone by since I blogged in...however, things are constantly in a state of change...The Computer Science Department hosted the first ever symposium, called ProGeni 2006. What made us proud was the fact that the children had taken the entire responsibility on their young shoulders and had made a splendid show of it. Even more pleasing was the hospitality that they showed in welcoming the teachers and making them feel as if they were the most wanted people (?), ha..ha... wanted, in the sense that their presence was the most desired one.

This contrasts with the behaviour of some of our students who show disrespect, intentionally or unintentionally, I do not know. For instance, there was this child who did not give her place to a teacher in the college bus, and who was most disrepectful when the teacher offered to get her the ticket, since the conductor was away from the seat in the crowd. She proferred the money for the ticket in the most nonchalant and brattish way with her left hand. To add to the insult, she did not even thank the poor teacher, who was considerate and thoughtful. Maybe, the child thought that teachers have to give students places to sit in the bus. My blood boils at this attitude of children. Don't they really know their manners or have parents forgotten to teach them thinking that schools and colleges will teach them? I don't know...Then, we have to offer more than just education of the mind. Perhaps, education of the heart is also to be imparted at colleges.

Some more glad tidings... Sterlite has taken in 14 students from the Mechanical and Metallurgical Engineering branches...

I wish I could keep bringing in such good news till all our children are placed...

I believe the old students are having a meet at the college on Sunday...Welcome to all our boys and girls...Hope you have a good time reliving some of the happy memories...

Presented a ppt on Group Discussion to the III year ECE students. What I enjoyed most was the fact that they got the LCD, the projector and system with the least fuss and without me having to go with a begging bowl to the staff in charge for the LCD. It can be a little disconcerting sometimes to have to do this.... but I was spared the blushes by the boys of the final year who got the devices, I really don't know how, but, yes, they did conjure it up in the classroom in ten minutes flat and the show went off smoothly in spite of my anticipation about a technical hitch that always crops up at presentations.

It also seems that 14 of our students, 9 girls and 5 boys were selected by Computer Science Company, which I believe is the third largest mnc. However, they were students already picked by TCS and some of these children couldn't even celebrate the second offer, because they were afraid of the taunts of their fellow students about their dual placement and deprival of a chance to another candidate to be placed.

Ethically, I suppose anyone could argue for or against such placements, but I believe that ultimately the student concerned should be the one to decide and no one can judge them and declare that they were right or wrong.The question that arises in my mind at this moment is this: What if it had been me? I believe that I would certainly have taken my decision based on many parameters and that I certainly wouldn't like my fellow beings to give me a sense of guilt or saintliness, just because of a decision that I took.