Latest news with #SreeSankaracharyaUniversityofSanskrit
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Maharaja's College @150: Time to reclaim the 'regal' glory
Highs & lows There was a time when the campus was celebrated for its excellence in every sphere. 'It was a campus where healthy socio-political dialogues happened,' recalls Yusuf K A, former registrar of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady. 'Political differences used to be settled through fierce dialogues and discussions. I remember after arriving on the campus as a young student, we felt as if being beckoned by the positive energy left behind by the stalwarts who had walked the soil before us.' Former Nabard chief general manager C P Mohan, who studied at the college from 1972 to 1975, believes he was 'fortunate' to have experienced its 'golden era'. 'Those days, it was every student's dream to study at Maharaja's. Those were the times when several literary doyens visited the campus for kavi arangus (poetry sessions) and street plays. Academics, literature, arts and culture thrived. It helped build a living society.' Prasanna K, former principal of Manimalakunnu Government College, who studied at Maharaja's for 7 years and later taught economics there for 12 years, gushes similar views. 'The years that I spent at the college as a student and then as a teacher were the best,' she says. 'I saw raw talents blossom. They got honed and polished. The campus was not all about academic excellence, but making a better person out of the students through positive interaction among the peers.' However, over time, the campus lost some of its sheen. Instead of headlines celebrating the college's achievements — including high ranks in the National Institutional Ranking Framework — stories of campus violence and administrative mismanagement began to dominate the media. 'Sad but true,' says Prasanna. To reclaim the glory, she suggests involving former teachers as mentors. 'I am not a big fan of politics. But that being said, it is always good for the students to have political awareness. All political parties should come together for the good of the institution and welfare of students,' she adds. Today, many students appear more involved in furthering the interests of their political parties. Studies should not take the backseat. This applies to all colleges.' Mohan believes this is all part of a cycle. 'As times change, it brings with it a lot of changes. And when changes happen, we can say that degradation also happens along with,' he says. 'Changes are cyclic. It is just a wave. This one, too, will pass. And the onus for it lies on the government and the authorities concerned.' According to Yusuf, political strife existed in the past as well. 'However, today, with the advent of social media, instead of the positive things happening on the campus, all the negatives are being highlighted,' he says. 'Also, you must note that, earlier, the cream of the crop used to seek admission to Maharaja's. Now, students have more options to choose from – institutions with much better infrastructure and placement opportunities.' Filmmaker Amal Neerad, an alumnus, slams the government: 'How can an institution not undergo degradation when nothing is being done for its betterment?' he fumes. He is particularly upset about parts of the campus being 'chopped' and allocated for other development projects. Censuring the neglect, he adds: 'This is a campus that has the potential to become the Harvard of Kerala or India.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
No salary for VC and registrar if fellowship is delayed, Kerala high court rules on PhD scholar's plea
Kochi: High court has ordered Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, to clear the arrears of fellowship due to a research student within a month, failing which the salaries of the vice-chancellor (VC) and registrar shall be withheld until the fellowship is paid. The court further observed that if the VC is receiving a regular salary, there can be no justification for the non-payment of the petitioner's fellowship. The bench of Justice D K Singh was considering the petition filed by Adarsh E, alias Aadhi, a research scholar in Malayalam and recipient of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Endowment 2023 for his book 'Pennappan'. Adarsh had been sanctioned a PhD research fellowship, but the fellowship had not been disbursed. According to the petitioner, the dues for the previous year were disbursed following protests, but the fellowship amount from Jan 2025 remains pending. The university's counsel argued that the institution was facing a financial crunch, which prevented the release of funds. The court was not convinced, noting that the govt had already allocated Rs 2.62 crore to the university, undermining the claim of financial hardship. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Consequently, the bench directed the university to immediately clear the arrears and ensure regular disbursal of the fellowship. Until full compliance is achieved, the salaries of the VC and registrar shall remain withheld. According to Aadhi, the judgment brought relief to the students at the university who were protesting against the long delay in the disbursement of fellowships. "I believe the order will have a far-reaching effect as it will force other universities in the state and beyond to ensure that student fellowships are paid on time," said Aadhi.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kalady Sanskrit University staff's journey from fitness to arangettam
A desire to keep their bodies fit and flexible as old age beckoned saw Betty Varghese, Sunitha Rani, Manju, and Sheeja George — four non-teaching staff of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) at Kalady — practice Bharatanatyam. An arangettam (debut) performance soon followed on the university campus, further cementing their journey as classical dancers. 'None of us has a classical dance background,' Betty, a 53-year-old engineer with the university, reflects. However, she wanted to take up an exercise regime to ensure she remained agile and flexible, in addition to, of course, losing weight. 'When I shared my thoughts with Sushma, a final year Mohiniyattam student, she suggested dancing as a remedy. Well, that was the start,' Betty says. As for Sheeja George, an assistant with the painting department of the university, never in her wildest dreams had she thought she'd learn classical dance or perform on stage. 'For me, the buck stopped with Zumba,' Sheeja says. But what got her learning Bharatanatyam? 'Everything for me and the other three began when we started practising the steps for Thiruvathira, which was to be performed for the university's Onam celebrations. Since we didn't have a dance background, we found it difficult to pick up the steps,' Sheeja adds. So, when they discussed it with their colleagues, one of them suggested seeking help from the students of the Dance Department. 'That's how we got in contact with the Mohiniyattom student Sushama,' says Sheeja. The three began taking dance tuitions from Sushama after working hours from 5pm to 6pm. Betty also joined in and the quorum was complete. 'The initial days were tough for us,' says Betty. With no exercise, their bodies were rigid and Bharatanatyam not only requires flexibility but also stamina by the truck-load. 'It was tough doing the 'Araimandi'. So you can imagine how tough it would have been for us to do the muzhumandi. But after a year and a half of practice and performances, I can do Araimandi easily,' Betty adds. She was also able to reduce her weight. 'Besides the weight loss and flexibility that we have achieved, the most important gift that dance has given is mental happiness. Dance is a true stress-buster,' agree Betty and Sheeja. But why Bharatanatayam? 'The dance, unlike Mohiniyattam, has vigorous movements and steps. Since our main agenda was exercise we opted to go with this dance form. Now, we will be continuing our dance classes and would love to perform on stage if chances present themselves,' says Sreeja, who is 52. Betty and others point out that they have gained the confidence to perform on stage. The Bharatanatyam Arangettam, something that has never happened in a university until now, has got other staff in the university keen to join the dance classes as well.
