Latest news with #CMSCollege
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
208 years on, CMS College gets 1st woman principal
Kottayam: For the first time in its 208-year history, CMS College, one of the oldest colleges in South India, has appointed a woman principal. Anju Sosan George, an associate professor in the English department, has been formally appointed as the 29th principal of the college, which is run by the Church of South India (CSI) Madhya Kerala Diocese. Anju had been serving as principal-in-charge since 2024, following the retirement of former principal Varghese Joshua. She joined the college's English department in 2007. She completed her undergraduate studies at Madras Christian College in 2004 and earned her postgraduate degree from Stella Maris College, Chennai, in 2006. In 2008, she received her MPhil from Madurai Kamaraj University, and in 2019, she was awarded a PhD in Disability Studies from the University of Kerala. Speaking to TOI, Anju expressed gratitude to God for her new role, stating that she is eagerly looking forward to the challenges it brings. She said history was being created as society and the system evolved. "Change is happening everywhere. There were many women leaders in various fields. It just happened that I too became a part of it." Anju aims to make undergraduate courses more industry-aligned and employment-friendly. "Each student that goes out of this college should secure jobs and we will be trying to make the student equipped for that." Babu Cherian, a former professor, said that it was significant—and long overdue—that a woman was finally appointed principal after more than two centuries. He noted the CSI Church was the first mainstream church in India to appoint a woman bishop. In 2013, Rev E Pushpa Lalitha became bishop of the CSI's Nandyal diocese in Andhra Pradesh. "The credit goes to both the church and the new principal, who is academically most qualified for the role," he said.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Renowned shooting coach Sunny Thomas passes away at 85
KOTTAYAM: Prof. Sunny Thomas, the celebrated shooting coach who transitioned from teaching English to shaping India's Olympic shooting legacy, passed away early on Wednesday following a heart attack. He was 85. A native of Uzhavoor in Kottayam district, Prof Thomas was best known as the mentor of Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medallist. He served as the chief coach of the Indian national shooting team from 1993 to 2012, leading the country through one of its most successful phases in the sport. Under his guidance, India secured multiple Olympic medals, including Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore's silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics, India's first individual silver medal, and Bindra's historic gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. At the 2012 London Olympics, India added to its tally with Vijay Kumar clinching silver and Gagan Narang winning bronze, both trained under Thomas. His influence extended well beyond the Olympics. During his tenure, Indian shooters bagged 29 medals at the Asian Games and a remarkable 95 medals at the Commonwealth Games. Prof Thomas was a five-time Kerala state champion and a former national champion in the rifle open sight category. His passion for the sport began in 1965 when he joined the Kottayam Rifle Club. After retiring as an English professor, he dedicated himself fully to coaching, a shift that marked a turning point in Indian shooting. In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian sport, he was awarded the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2001. Born on 26 September 1941 to K K Thomas and Marykutty of the Meckatt family in Thidanad, Kottayam, he completed his higher education at CMS College, Kottayam. He taught at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, before joining St Stephen's College, Uzhavoor, where he later retired as an English professor. He is survived by his wife, Prof K J Josamma, a former botany professor at the same college, and their children—Manoj Sunny, Sanil Sunny and Sonia Sunny.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Modest rise in bird diversity recorded in Kottayam town
Kottayam sees a slight increase in bird diversity. A survey in the Kottayam urban area on Saturday recorded 47 bird species, up from 40 species documented last year. Among the new additions this year were the oriental honey buzzard and the plum-headed parakeet—birds that are rarely seen in urban environments. The number of bird nests at the nesting colony near Nagampadom Stadium also showed a notable rise compared to the previous year. Around 600 nests were observed across nine trees, housing species such as the oriental darter, little cormorant and Indian cormorant. In contrast, fewer than 100 nests were recorded across just four trees last year. The resurgence of the nesting colony is credited to the increased community support from local traders and the general public. Commonly sighted birds The most commonly sighted birds in the city included the white-cheeked barbet, common myna, various species of crows, racket-tailed drongo, black drongo, and rock pigeon. Waterbirds like purple heron, oriental darter, and grey-headed swamphen were also recorded. The survey team divided the city into five sectors, with the highest number of bird sightings reported on the CMS College campus, followed by Eerayil Kadavu. Other surveyed locations included the Nagampadom Stadium area, the Collectorate premises, and the PWD Rest House. Organised by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES), the survey saw the participation of around 40 volunteers, including bird watchers, experts, and junior naturalists. The initiative was led by Punnen Kurian Venkadath, secretary of TIES
