There is some creativity - not some, a lot of creativity, and grooming - happening through the school fests.
The very titling itself is an act of creativity. At least someone applies mind - either from his/her (most likely her) repertoire of knowledge, or by meditating, deliberating and choosing. More than often, it's just a fancy name, and not really a meaning-making effort. Regret to say, that neither the organisers (including the comperes), nor the audience or participants are really bothered or inquisitive about them.
One of them was named AEVUS - I was curious to know what it was - but, there was hardly any mention of it by the compere. However, I feel happy about myself that I am curious enough to look around and seek meaning of such titles. AEVUS - A word that came across me for the first time - as I can recall! It is tickling my curiosity. Now these new gadgets come really handy. When I noticed it, I felt like consulting my friends sitting around, but sensed that it would be of no avail. In all likelihood, 'it was all greek & latin. Then the dictionary app in the android is there! However, it could reach only up to 'm'. Then, that was better! Yes, it was latin ( I should have guessed). In Scholastic philosophy, the aevum (also called aeviternity) is the mode of existence experienced by angels and by the saints in heaven. In some ways, it is a state that logically lies between the eternity (timelessness) of God and the temporal experience of material beings. Back at the desk, (google se bachke kahan jayega?) discovered aevus-i (masculine) means time of life, age, old age, generation etc. I think the school should rename it aevum, as that appear more suited for the occasion they claim or try to create. In all the compering that sense of the word was not heard coming out. It would have made at least some people richer by a word!
Another was, Jahres Tag (CKC, Ponnurunny). This appeared more like German to me. Most likely it means 'Annual Day'. Yeah, as I guessed, it means anniversary. Jahrestag is the way in which the e-resources showed it. Again there was hardly any mention by the organisers about this title. I am also curious as to why they had to use a mere German translation for that.
Elysium - was another title - The place at the ends of the earth to which certain favoured heroes were conveyed by the gods after death. It meant something like a desirable place - a paradise? Again, here, I didn't listen to any mention or reference to the title or its inspiration.
They, usually at schools, take great trouble to have the invitations and the programme chart prepared. At times, they are handwritten, with the invitation specially designed, in a particular shape or colour, also showing forth some artistic or symbolic aspects - like care for the environment etc. through these media.
An important aspect of such organising is that of 'mementos' (often mis-spelt and mispronounced as momentos/momentum) for the guests. Even if we make clear that we don't require it, they feel embarrassed without giving some such tokens. Usually, for a person like me, they are burdensome, unnecessary and only adding to generation of waste. Sometimes, there is no point in refusing as it has been customized for you. I would rather have the money as it could be put to good use or personal need. In such cases, as far as I am concerned, for the outreach or extension activity. But this is a very difficult principle to drive home with the typical organiser.
For me, the typical organiser becomes a villain when s/he is adding flex annoncements, providing bouquets which are often wrapped or held together with (avoidable) plastic, which are dumped else where. As our celebrations become more sophisticated, as it is bound to happen after every year, there is greater amount of waste being generated - flex banners, arch(es) with thermocol for lettering, disposable plates and cups for tea and snacks, plastic wrapped gifts/mementos and plastic carry bags for carrying the gifts/mementos. In addition, celebrations of this sort adds to environmental pollution by the plastic decorations (toranam), plastic water bottles for the individuals etc. The last item has been a newer addition, and it is indicative of an affluent institution, if not society, and it's doing immense harm, and is a thoughtless act of unfriendliness for the planet, our Mother Earth.
Often they have only my being Principal of SH College, former HoD of Rajagiri, and a person instrumental to bring harita award for Rajagiri to introduce me. That is from the wikipedia, probably posted by my nephew Rahul Payyappilly-Palakkappilly. [Thanks to him, in at least one place, I have been introduced as Fr. Payyappilly-Palakkappilly, a distinction in identity, we Palakkappilly try to make to distinguish ourselves from other Palakkappilly in our small world of Thevara - we have, Kiliyaatan (which, at least some of the more tharavaadis among us would allege - because they were the people employed to drive away the birds - kili aattaan - from paddy fields or paddy laid for drying!!)]. That may be because I am not in the habit providing some vital information which would make it impressive for the audience. That also makes me realise that there isn't much I can speak about, let alone boast about - as a good person, an administrator or an academician. When the welcome or introduction stresses a bit too much of my environmental engagements, I tend to critically look at what and how the organisers violate this value and how they can better it.
Just taking a rough count of the past five years: KRL, St. Thomas, Rajagiri High School, Canosa School, St. Mary's (EM) - Ernakulam, St. Antony's School - Kizhakkambalam, Christ Thiruvalla, CKC Ponnurunny, Delta Public School, Campion School, Al Ameen Public School - Aroor, Kristu Jayanti Public School, Global Public School, Bhavan's Vidya Mandir - Kadavanthra, Bhavan's Eroor - these have been the schools I have been invited to, to address either school day or awards day or something of that sort.
As the CMIs have been very reluctant to call me, I should compliment them for the same - for their level is much higher, or they stick on to congregational hierarchy.
In some places they do with great sensitivity and sensibility - like a green plant or leaf as a welcome gesture or a thank you gesture. In some places they add to our liabilities by dumping on us unnecessary and wasteful baggage. In one school, I was presented with a big pack which I had to carry home and on reaching, I was pained to see 6 statuettes of Our Lady - Now my next concern would be how to get rid of them.
As a principled stand on reducing pollution, I have tried to reach such venues by bicycle or motor cycle avoiding a car and reducing carbon footprint - usually the pattern is that a vehicle is sent for you - which implies four trips (back and forth two each!).
The quality of report presentation in schools has drastically improved with complete reliance on audio-visual materials, sometimes, with actual acting out of scenes, or sometimes presenting a thematic progression in events. Very often they are recorded with student and staff involvement and with adequate video footage.
I make an effort to appreciate the efforts and persons, highlight some of the activities that stand out, link the meaning words of the school, if found relevant, and share some insights to inspire. To my regret, I find that more than often the school authorities seem blissfully ignorant of their motto and the possibility of a common meaning for inspiration from that. While the rest of the programmes would be in English, I make a choice from what the parents need - after asking their preferred medium - except in three places, it has always been Malayalam.
The very titling itself is an act of creativity. At least someone applies mind - either from his/her (most likely her) repertoire of knowledge, or by meditating, deliberating and choosing. More than often, it's just a fancy name, and not really a meaning-making effort. Regret to say, that neither the organisers (including the comperes), nor the audience or participants are really bothered or inquisitive about them.
One of them was named AEVUS - I was curious to know what it was - but, there was hardly any mention of it by the compere. However, I feel happy about myself that I am curious enough to look around and seek meaning of such titles. AEVUS - A word that came across me for the first time - as I can recall! It is tickling my curiosity. Now these new gadgets come really handy. When I noticed it, I felt like consulting my friends sitting around, but sensed that it would be of no avail. In all likelihood, 'it was all greek & latin. Then the dictionary app in the android is there! However, it could reach only up to 'm'. Then, that was better! Yes, it was latin ( I should have guessed). In Scholastic philosophy, the aevum (also called aeviternity) is the mode of existence experienced by angels and by the saints in heaven. In some ways, it is a state that logically lies between the eternity (timelessness) of God and the temporal experience of material beings. Back at the desk, (google se bachke kahan jayega?) discovered aevus-i (masculine) means time of life, age, old age, generation etc. I think the school should rename it aevum, as that appear more suited for the occasion they claim or try to create. In all the compering that sense of the word was not heard coming out. It would have made at least some people richer by a word!
Another was, Jahres Tag (CKC, Ponnurunny). This appeared more like German to me. Most likely it means 'Annual Day'. Yeah, as I guessed, it means anniversary. Jahrestag is the way in which the e-resources showed it. Again there was hardly any mention by the organisers about this title. I am also curious as to why they had to use a mere German translation for that.
Elysium - was another title - The place at the ends of the earth to which certain favoured heroes were conveyed by the gods after death. It meant something like a desirable place - a paradise? Again, here, I didn't listen to any mention or reference to the title or its inspiration.
They, usually at schools, take great trouble to have the invitations and the programme chart prepared. At times, they are handwritten, with the invitation specially designed, in a particular shape or colour, also showing forth some artistic or symbolic aspects - like care for the environment etc. through these media.
An important aspect of such organising is that of 'mementos' (often mis-spelt and mispronounced as momentos/momentum) for the guests. Even if we make clear that we don't require it, they feel embarrassed without giving some such tokens. Usually, for a person like me, they are burdensome, unnecessary and only adding to generation of waste. Sometimes, there is no point in refusing as it has been customized for you. I would rather have the money as it could be put to good use or personal need. In such cases, as far as I am concerned, for the outreach or extension activity. But this is a very difficult principle to drive home with the typical organiser.
For me, the typical organiser becomes a villain when s/he is adding flex annoncements, providing bouquets which are often wrapped or held together with (avoidable) plastic, which are dumped else where. As our celebrations become more sophisticated, as it is bound to happen after every year, there is greater amount of waste being generated - flex banners, arch(es) with thermocol for lettering, disposable plates and cups for tea and snacks, plastic wrapped gifts/mementos and plastic carry bags for carrying the gifts/mementos. In addition, celebrations of this sort adds to environmental pollution by the plastic decorations (toranam), plastic water bottles for the individuals etc. The last item has been a newer addition, and it is indicative of an affluent institution, if not society, and it's doing immense harm, and is a thoughtless act of unfriendliness for the planet, our Mother Earth.
Often they have only my being Principal of SH College, former HoD of Rajagiri, and a person instrumental to bring harita award for Rajagiri to introduce me. That is from the wikipedia, probably posted by my nephew Rahul Payyappilly-Palakkappilly. [Thanks to him, in at least one place, I have been introduced as Fr. Payyappilly-Palakkappilly, a distinction in identity, we Palakkappilly try to make to distinguish ourselves from other Palakkappilly in our small world of Thevara - we have, Kiliyaatan (which, at least some of the more tharavaadis among us would allege - because they were the people employed to drive away the birds - kili aattaan - from paddy fields or paddy laid for drying!!)]. That may be because I am not in the habit providing some vital information which would make it impressive for the audience. That also makes me realise that there isn't much I can speak about, let alone boast about - as a good person, an administrator or an academician. When the welcome or introduction stresses a bit too much of my environmental engagements, I tend to critically look at what and how the organisers violate this value and how they can better it.
Just taking a rough count of the past five years: KRL, St. Thomas, Rajagiri High School, Canosa School, St. Mary's (EM) - Ernakulam, St. Antony's School - Kizhakkambalam, Christ Thiruvalla, CKC Ponnurunny, Delta Public School, Campion School, Al Ameen Public School - Aroor, Kristu Jayanti Public School, Global Public School, Bhavan's Vidya Mandir - Kadavanthra, Bhavan's Eroor - these have been the schools I have been invited to, to address either school day or awards day or something of that sort.
As the CMIs have been very reluctant to call me, I should compliment them for the same - for their level is much higher, or they stick on to congregational hierarchy.
In some places they do with great sensitivity and sensibility - like a green plant or leaf as a welcome gesture or a thank you gesture. In some places they add to our liabilities by dumping on us unnecessary and wasteful baggage. In one school, I was presented with a big pack which I had to carry home and on reaching, I was pained to see 6 statuettes of Our Lady - Now my next concern would be how to get rid of them.
As a principled stand on reducing pollution, I have tried to reach such venues by bicycle or motor cycle avoiding a car and reducing carbon footprint - usually the pattern is that a vehicle is sent for you - which implies four trips (back and forth two each!).
The quality of report presentation in schools has drastically improved with complete reliance on audio-visual materials, sometimes, with actual acting out of scenes, or sometimes presenting a thematic progression in events. Very often they are recorded with student and staff involvement and with adequate video footage.
I make an effort to appreciate the efforts and persons, highlight some of the activities that stand out, link the meaning words of the school, if found relevant, and share some insights to inspire. To my regret, I find that more than often the school authorities seem blissfully ignorant of their motto and the possibility of a common meaning for inspiration from that. While the rest of the programmes would be in English, I make a choice from what the parents need - after asking their preferred medium - except in three places, it has always been Malayalam.
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