Mangaluru: Indian Design School hosts Cook-Bake Workshop

Mangaluru: Agnes Towards Community (ATC) is a five-year old project of social responsibility undertaken by St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru to give their students a taste for community service before they leave the portals of the College.  For this purpose the College has adopted five villages in the vicinity of Mangaluru, namely Harekala, Amblamogaru, Munnuru, Kotekar and Hosabettu.  The ATC programmes are undertaken on saturdays wherein all the final year students as guided by their staff members are given hands on experience of community interaction and service.  The four saturdays in a month are divided to plan, prepare, execute and evaluate the whole service exercise.

The year 2019-20 saw a major change in the format of the project. The Science and Arts faculty came together with projects based on the syllabus of study and apply it for their service learning activity.  This was done with the dual purpose of helping students to learn the topic practically in a real social set up and to identify and render useful scientific based practical solutions to the problems faced by the villagers.  

One such problem is water purity. Since water plays an important role in maintaining the human health and welfare, water quality testing is important because it identifies contaminants and prevents water borne diseases. In this regard, Departments of Chemistry and Microbiology took up a project on water analysis.   The major objectives of the project were: 1. To provide hands on experience on water analysis, a topic learnt by the students in their course of study.  2. To test the potability of water sources of the villages, so that the scientific and practical solutions can be provided, wherever needed.  

The first village chosen for the study was Amblamogaru.  The two batches of students (20 students in each batch) were led by Mrs.Prajwal Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Ms.Smitha, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry. They were assisted by Ms.Hezil Saldanha, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry in carrying out the project. 

The water samples from different sources were collected in sterilised glass bottles. The students were enthusiastic in collecting water samples and also interacted with the village folk regarding the availability of drinking water supplies. The students under the guidance of faculty carried out the experiments in water analysis in Chemistry and Microbiology Laboratories at St Agnes College. This included testing for parameters such as pH, conductivity, total hardness and turbidity, presumptive, confirmed and completed Coliform test. From chemical analysis, it is found that all parameters satisfy the standards of potable water. Microbiological analysis showed that the water samples were potable for human consumption (No faecal contamination observed). 

The project has been envisaged to help the villagers to have recourse to the information on the results of the tests conducted. The water samples collected for the analysis were found to be potable for human consumption. If the water samples not been found to be potable, the departments had strategized to guide the villagers on useful scientific and practical solutions wherever needed.

This project of Agnes Towards Community (ATC) helped students to go beyond classroom learning, develop practical skills, disseminate knowledge and render service to the community. This activity also provided direct and relevant experiences to the students that deepened and enriched their learning abilities.

Mangaluru, Mar 4: With an objective to create awareness among children about the importance of consumption of fruits in regular diet, First Steps Pre-School, Kudroli, celebrated Fruits Day on Friday 28th February 2020 with fun and frolic.

The tiny tots of preschool celebrated Fruit Day. Children, representing the fruits of their choice sang the fruit rhymes with great zest, enthusiasm and vigour, enjoying the moments of joy and happiness in the company of their mates & teachers.

Teachers had made interesting and simple stories on encouraging children to have fruits in their meals. The teachers also explained the importance of fruits’ intake in diet for mental and physical growth. The tiny tots also learned more about the taste, smell,

color and texture of each fruit. Children clearly understood the importance of washing the fruits before eating or cooking and about the benefits of eating fresh fruits.

All the children were found to be quite thrilled and were positive on the fact that fruits are better than junk food.

The head teacher Himna S. Ahmed, teacher Azeema and Master Shehzan S. Ahmed arranged the event in an impressive manner which added feather to the event.

The event magnificently concluded with fruit feast for the kids of pre-school.

The Alumni Association members along with the members of Women’s Cell organized a programme to celebrate Women’s day and felicitate the student achievers in various fields.

The programme began with a prayer song by the members of the Women’s cell. Among the dignitaries were Sr Dr M Jeswina A.C, Principal, St Agnes College, Mrs Geanette Dsouza, Vice President, Agnesian Alumni Association, Ms Vivid Dsouza, Convenor of the programme and Secretary Agnesian Alumni Association, Mrs Jyothi Cutinha, Joint Secretary Agnesian Alumni Association. 

The college president, Ms Jerusha Maben welcomed the gathering followed by a welcome dance. The student achievers of the college were honoured by the Agnesian Alumni Association;

Agnesian Outstanding Leader Award sponsored by Mrs Carol Pais in honour of her parents Mr Philip and Mrs Mariette Pais is awarded to Ms Jerusha Maben of III BCom.

Agnesian All-Rounder Award sponsored by Mrs Marjorie Texeira is awarded to Ms Anna Una Crasta of II MA English.

Agnesian Scholar Award sponsored by Dr Meera Aranha is awarded to Ms Shane Joveeta Jovet of III BCom.

Agnesian Best Sports Woman Award sponsored by Mrs Daisy Coelho is awarded to Ms Anusha K.J of III BSc.

Agnesian Best NSS Volunteer is awarded to Nerissa Clementina Noronha of III BCom.

Agnesian Best NCC Cadet Award (Army Wing) is awarded to CPL Melani Lobo of III BCom.

Agnesian Best NCC Cadet Award (Air Wing) is awarded to CWO Vanditha Anusha Dsouza of III BSc.

Sr Dr M Jeswina AC presided over the programme congratulated all the student achievers and wished them the best.

Mrs Carol Pais compered the programme and Ms Vivid Dsouza, Secretary of Alumni Association proposed the vote of thanks.