As part of our Bioregional Studies class, our Professor, Dr Samuel Rufus, encouraged us to explore the flora and fauna of MCC. We were asked to go around the campus, click pictures of the birds we spot and identify them using Google Lens. And thus began our birdwatching adventure that started with the allotted hour and extended into two days of after-class group excursions. In the book, The Bioregional Imagination: Literature, Ecology, and Place , a bioregion is defined, l

Recently, we had the opportunity to attend a talk by Johny Tom Varghese , an alumnus of our college and an IAS officer currently serving as the Director at the Department of Child Welfare and Special Services, Chennai, Government of Tamil Nadu. His talk, titled “How I Was Shaped as a Leader in Madras Christian College,”  drew our attention instantly. Figures like him, whom we consider as successful people, naturally spark curiosity, and that curiosity isn’t limited to UPSC as

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I was to do a mandatory internship during my summer break, as part of my course. As we were free to choose any field of interest, I chose to do mine at The Times of India, Kochi. My objective behind this decision was to explore a new field and understand how the daily newspaper acquired its form. I was also curious about different aspects involved in its creation and how far my discipline could be useful in journalism. Except for what I lea

Hi guys, I'm back after a long break. My exams were okayish but I'm finally glad to get it over with. The only thing that kept me and my roommates going was the idea of going back home for the summer vacations. The only acceptable benefit of exams is realizing the beauty of normal days. If you can revise (ahm ahm) an entire paper on a single day, imagine what all you could do ( but you don't) in a casual day... When faced with the pressure of studying, my mind can com

This entire week, I was planning on writing about my recent family getaway in this post. But just a second ago, new decisions were made. The nostu(nostalgic self) in me was lured out by the words of Anita Desai uttered in an interview I just finished watching. The interviewer remarked that the Indian heat almost felt like a character in her novels, to which Anita Desai affirmed its significance by saying how she had spent many daylight hours in the shade, reading and

Firstly, I would like to express how fortunate and grateful I am to have this opportunity to make myself useful while learning through experience. The versatility of the programs conducted by the International Programmes Office broadens my perceptions and exposes me to different ideas and cultures. So far, me and my friend got to interview a guest lecturer from a foreign university, transcribe the same, and write reports on a musical event and a writing workshop. I will no

My early days of reading were a special experience for me. I used to engage with the book freely and intimately, eagerly extracting each line from the pages to think over and feel. Now, I realize how much courage it requires. Childhood is a brave phase, where you can give yourself completely to something without hesitations. Reading as an adult became different. You are deeply aware of your development and wish to select and measure what you expose yourself to. The idea of b

It has been so long since I last wrote here. My semester exams had started, and I took a break from posting. As it was our first exam in this program and college, it added a sense of uncertainty to the usual nervousness. But I was prepared for it as my UG experience had taught me not to take the results of the first exams to heart. It only gives us an idea of what to expect and how to prepare for consecutive exams. In those busy and stressful days, what inspired me was the t

Writing writing writing. For a change, I thought... why not sing a song and post? This is a Malayalam song called "Puthiyoru Pathayil" which was sung by Nazriya Nazim and part of the movie called 'Varathan'. My voice is raw without any added effects. Plus I couldn't find any headphones, so excuse the low quality. Thank you for listening.

In the early years of my childhood, I saw reading and writing as limited to school and studies. I was completely unaware of the entertainment factor in books and mostly spend those carefree days playing outdoors with cousins. My cousins from my father's side lived near my paternal grandparents' house and our monthly visits there were the highlight of our life. We cousins comprised of five of us - me, my elder brother, two cousin brothers and one cousin sister. Our si

From 12th grade, I've always imagined how it would be to stay away from home for studies or work. I've been a day scholar throughout my life and I have always enjoyed listening to my cousin sister talk about her college and hostel days. Even my aunt had once told me how staying at a hostel is important in one's life. It teaches us how to adjust with situations and look after ourselves. I'm quite proud of my upbringing, especially in the values that were taught to me.

The last two days were especially memorable for me, thanks to the interviewing assignment that my friend got for her CA. Usually, after a short banter with our friends we rush back home because it's hot in the afternoon and lunch is waiting for us back at our place. I should take that as my cue to pack snacks from now on to keep me going till noon. I'm turning into a starved little monster these days...Okayy we should get back to the topic! The day before yesterday, m

In this post I'm gonna list down a few interesting observations and some peculiar enjoyments of mine from attending a college event.Before I move on with that, I find it necessary to give you a small insight into my personality. I am an ambivert. I can’t call myself a complete introvert because I occasionally have my socially active, ultra extrovert moments. So yea, we ambiverts can be unpredictable, even to ourselves. So any eccentricity you find in my thoughts are purely b

Before I start yapping about my day, it is important to clarify here that I didn't 'pretend' to be a hall resident. I chose the term for my title because it sounded cheeky and I liked it. Trust me, it is nearly impossible to pass off as a member of any of the halls in my college. Unlike the typical college hostels I have come across, every one of the six halls in my college has a rich tradition. You will easily stand out as an outsider unless you know their chants, anthems, a