By Thomas Scaria
Mangaluru, Jan 14, 2020: The Apostolic Carmel Sisters celebrated the centenary of their women’s college in Mangaluru, southern India, by bringing together outstanding people of India, and listening to their success stories.
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The 152-year-old indigenous congregation started St. Agnes College in 1920 for the empowerment of the girl children.
Apostolic Carmel Sister Vinora, coordinator of the college’s Post Graduate section, told Matters India that the congregation aims at organizing 100 social events in the college to mark the centenary.
On January 10, the college organized “Knowledge Factory 2020” — a day long program of knowledge, insights and trivia — at the newly inaugurated centenary auditorium.
The session began with Indian pistol shooter Heena Sidhu, who spoke about the challenges she faced in her journey to become ‘World No 1.’
“The journey is more beautiful than the destination,” she said explaining how shooting as a sport works against the physics of one’s body. “We as human beings are designed to move around, but shooting requires one to stand still,” she said.
However, Sidhu cancelled her participation in ninth Asian Air Gun Championship held in Iran as she was asked to wear a Hijab during sports competitions. “I am not against any religion. However, imposing someone to do something goes against the ethic of sports,” she justified her decision.
Renowned journalist Manasi Paresh Kumar said he is against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) because the “neighboring countries won’t take back the refugees,” he said.
He said that the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had acknowledged that Bangladeshi refugees cannot be absorbed as India is a poor country. Even northeastern part of India was up in flames in 1978, demanding eviction of refugees.
In the session, ‘Green Chic or Mean Trick’ actor, supermodel and entrepreneur Dipannita Sharma and Doodlage co-founder Kriti Tula spoke on importance of sustainable fashion.
Stressing that fashion has become a polluting industry, Tula stressed buying quality products that can be used over a longer period of time.
Swati Pandey, co-founder and CEO of Arboreal, spoke on her entrepreneurial journey in production of an innovative, high-yielding variety of Stevia sweetener.
The Better India co-founder Anuradha Kedia and Live Nation director Sunil Buch, in interactive session, spoke on how content has become important in today’s world.
Singer and composer Nandini Sirkar spoke on the ‘Art of the Jingle’ and how music in advertising industry has succeeded in making an impact.
Stand-up comedian Papa CJ spread cheer with his gig and also spoke on importance of laughter yoga.
Thyrocare Technologies founder and chairman Dr Arokiaswamy Velumani advised students to focus, learn, grow and enjoy. He shared his life story on how he managed to set-up an empire by starting from absolute zero. “I have been a thrill-seeker all my life and to grow one needs to take risk,” he said.
“The sessions were truly enriching. The speakers shared their thoughts and ideas enabling a culture of learning,” said college principal Apostolic Carmel Sister M Jeswina.
The Promise Foundation and Niiti Consulting, two organizations from New Delhi under the mentorship of veteran journalist Madhavan Narayan, collaborated with the college to bring the event to Mangaluru for the first time.
Sister Vinora said one of the missions undertaken by the college is to train teachers and students on prevention and management of drug abuse, and one such training for the college teachers will be held on January 18 in collaboration with Ecolink and Teloca.