The third decade of one’s life is usually a time to consolidate gains and shift to a higher gear. The growth graphs of illustrious individuals from diverse domains are telling.
- At 34, Albert Einstein began formulating the General Theory of Relativity, which he would publish two years later.
- K. Rowling continued to build the Potterverse, publishing Harry Potter and the Prison of Azkaban, the third book in the series, solidifying her global status.
- Jacinda Ardern became a prominent Member of Parliament in New Zealand at 34, and just three years later, she became the Prime Minister.
- And in 2006, the 1971-born Elon Musk launched SpaceX’s Falcon 1, the first private developed liquid-fuelled rocket to reach orbit.
As M.O.P. Vaishnav marked its 34th Founding Day on Sunday, July 13th this year, and celebrated it with the M.O.P. family on Monday, the air was charged with a feeling of anticipation, combined with satisfaction.
JOYOUS CELEBRATION
The celebration itself was light-hearted and joyous. Students lined the railings on all floors overlooking the atrium, where M.O.P. Sansad, the student cabinet, joined the Principal and other faculty members to cut a cake to mark the occasion.
Several competitions got the students’ creative juices flowing. A poetry-writing competition saw students wax lyrical about their college in Tamil, English, Hindi and French.
Several of the verses were moving reflections of students’ experiences at M.O.P., many dwelling on their own personal growth stories. This is how Priyanka S. Soni of II B.B.A. (Shift I) concluded her poem:
My name, once quiet, now echoes proud,
In every smile, in every crowd.
This chapter, M.O.P., written in grace
Is where I bloomed in time and space.
So, when the world reads my story someday,
Let them know where I found my way.
Not just a college, but home to me
A heartbeat, a legacy, a family tree.
Much like the students whose successes and aspirations rang out at the atrium, M.O.P. as an institution too, took a moment on its birthday to revel in the achievements of the past year.
Our closest stakeholders may recall that we adopt a theme for our community service activities every year. In that series, the theme for this past academic year was ‘Gyaan.’ Therefore, all the outreach activities of the various Programmes were designed to share some specialised knowledge that may be of use to beneficiaries in various communities in the city.
Looking back on the year, however, it appears that we at M.O.P. – both staff and students – were some of greatest beneficiaries of the ‘Gyaan’ ethos. Several of our initiatives were geared towards upskilling ourselves or setting the field for greater and more meaningful learning.
‘Gyaan’ing Up
Looking to tap the under-utilised body of knowledge that is the Indian Knowledge Systems, M.O.P. Vaishnav was among the first colleges in the country to offer IKS to all students as a credited course.
Our global linkages are growing stronger than ever. This time, we brought the world to our campus through an International Higher Education Fair. This event saw prominent universities from the U.S., U.K. and Europe – including Johns Hopkins University (U.S.) and King’s College Business School (U.K.) – send their representatives to showcase their programme offerings to students.
In yet another effort to raise the intellectual rigour of the student experience, we introduced the ’52 Weeks, 52 Books’ programme. Run by the M.O.P. Library and the English Department, the programme curates a reading list of fiction, non-fiction and self-help books – both ‘easy’ and challenging reads, in a sense, enticing students into developing and maintaining a reading habit.
We do what we do because this is our calling, and our methods work. Still, it was very gratifying to receive a measure of validation for our efforts. We were bestowed with the Excellent and Futuristic Women’s Degree College of the Year 2024 Award by Beginup Research Intelligence Private Limited; and the Visionary College for Women’s Higher Learning 2024 Award by the Academic Insights Magazine.
Going Greener
Our ongoing efforts in sustainability also garnered attention and resulted in the International Green College Award 2024 from Green Mentors, U.S.A.; and the Best Green College Award from the Dream Kalam Organisation.
We are particularly encouraged by the recognition for our conservation efforts because as an institution, our culture foregrounds environmental stewardship. In 2024-25, we introduced a successful mission – a monthly ‘No Vehicle Day,’ when staff and students leave their fossil fuel vehicles at home, and use public transport, or non-fossil-fuel means to travel.
In March, we helped save a small plot of green, open space in our neighbourhood, when we adopted a Greater Chennai Corporation park located a short walk away from our gates. We undertook the renovation of the park, and we will also maintain it for posterity, under the ‘Namakku Naame – 100% self-funded’ scheme of the Tamil Nadu Government, thus giving our students and our neighbours a charming, clean, open area to enjoy.
Vidhya Arrives on Campus
One development filled the campus community with unrestrained joy – the launch of our mascot, Vidhya. Designed in the likeness of the typical M.O.P.ian, she symbolises everything our young cohort stands for: energy, ambition and triumph!
Onwards and Upwards!
In retrospect, this year has been nothing short of extraordinary for our institution. Our students, faculty, and alumni have collectively demonstrated what it means to learn, lead, and give back.
As we turn the page to a new academic year and the years ahead, we hope to carry forward this momentum – with curiosity in our minds and unshakeable conviction in our actions.
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