Celebrating My Alma Mater

 

The commemoration of 75 glorious years of Stella Maris College in Chennai as a renowned service provider was kickstarted with a grand celebration on Aug 15, 2021 marking the beginning of a year long celebration. As 15^th August 1947 was the day of the birth of the college, the double celebrations of the Independence Day and Stella Maris birthday began with former Judge of Madras High Court Ms.Prabha Sridevan as the chief guest, who is an alumna herself. There was much revelry with the students and faculty as well as the alumnae gathering to mark this milestone. 

The Alumnae Association of Stella Maris College (AASMC) organised a series of online workshops and events to commemorate the jubilee year. In view of Sustainability and Eco consciousness being one of the jubilee themes, the AASMC organised a workshop on 25 Nov.2021 on vermicomposting with the title "Magic of Compost" by an alumna Ms. Madhumitha. 

On 4 December 2021, a workshop on Mandala Art was conducted with resource person Ar. Alisha who explained what is Mandala Art and its elements with a hands-on training session for the participants. The ‘Christmas Fete 2021’ was held on 17 December 2021 with the alumnae of the college setting up their stalls on campus encouraging the alumnae entrepreneurs to come together and form associations.

Alumnae Christmas with Dr. Evelyn Chandrasekhar, Former vice Principal and the Head, Department of Mathematics as the chief guest, enhanced the feelings of Christmas joy doubled by the jubilee spirit. The event was also livestreamed on YouTube.

On the occasion of Pongal Festival, The Alumnae Association of Stella Maris College organized Online Kolam and Oratorical competitions where alumnae and present students participated, with Cash prize for the winners. The spirit of the jubilee year increased the camaraderie among the alumnae that regularly manifests during all these annual events.  Alumnae bonds were further strengthened through these programmes as good opportunity to ease the mood of anxiety and despair that prevailed in the preceding covid times.

A workshop on Skin Care with Ishwaryam Goodness on February 26, 2022 was offered by Ms Madhushini and Ms. Yamini, Founders of Ishwaryam Goodness who provided hands on training to students in the making of Lip Balm, Lip Scrub and Body Butter during the session.

The AASMC brought out a souvenir titled “Celebrating My Alma Mater”, with a compilation of articles by the alumnae, in the form of nostalgic recollections of the college days and the impact on the formation of their intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth carefully nurtured on campus by a caring set of professors and peers. Distinguished alumnae like the first visually challenged IFS officer, Ms.Beno Zephine, Dr.Jayalakshmi IAS, Principal Secretary to State Govt. of Andhrapradesh, Ms.K.B.Vandana IPS, Dr.Bharati Harishankar ,Vice Chancellor of Avinashilingam University,  Dr.Lilian, Principal of WCC, Chennai and renowned scientists like Dr.Belinda Damien and Dr.Manisha Caleb,  Ms.Malini Parthasarathy, Editor, The Hindu, and artists like Ms.Parvathy Nayar from Performing Arts, contributed articles narrating their formation at Stella Maris. 

The Souvenir with its photo gallery of old and new images of the campus is a treat to the alumnae who cherish their memories of times spent on these grounds. The fitting finale of the Alumnae Jubilee day on May 7, 2022 became a highpoint for the yearlong celebration with the presence of Sr.Annamma Philip, former Principal, adding to its stellar scale of experience. 

With Ms.Hema Nayar, HR Head, Vice-President and Board of several multinational companies as the chief guest and a panel of outstanding alumnae like artist and entrepreneur  Dr.Thejo Menon, Columnist Chitra Mahesh, Social worker Merlia Shaukat and business woman Pavitra being the moderator, the Alumnae Day helped them walk the memory lane sharing their stories of success on the topic “Making a Difference” to inspire scores of young alumnae in the audience. 

The day got even better with alumna playback singer Janani increasing the heat of revelry with her golden voice rendering her own as well as cinematic compositions followed by lovely damsels swaying and dancing reliving the former days of fun and frolic. The day drew to a closure with an abundance of selfie/groupie clicks saved in their mobiles to look back on, brimming with joy on dull days when the routine catches on.