NSS Seven Day Camp - 26^th December 2017– 1^st January 2018

The last week of the passing year 2017, NSS members of the college set it aside for the service of the community. The group gathered at the CMI Shanthigram Ashram, Paremavu, Idukki, for a seven-day camp under the guidance of NSS Coordinators Mr. SabuPaulose, Ms.Josmi Joy, volunteer and social worker Mr. Alan George, and student secretaries Mr. Sachin Sudam and Ms. Sreekutty Soman.

The camp was inaugurated by former Vazhathope Grama Panchayat President and Member of 12^th ward, Ms. Prabha Thankachan, with keynote address by Dr. Sibi George, Medical Officer, Vazhathope Primary Healthcare Centre. Rev. Fr. Babu Mattathil CMI, Manager, Girijyothi College, performed the flag hoisting ceremony that was followed by a felicitations from Rev. Fr. Toji Puthenkaduppil CMI, Principal, Girijyothi College and Mr. P S Suresh, Panchayath Member for the 10^th ward.

The aim of the camp was to collect socio-economic-health information of residents of Kolumban Colony, 10^th and 12^th wards of Vazhathope Panchayat to determine the cause of cancer. To this effect, around forty students divided into ten groups of four members, visited the houses for collecting information. Students were well prepared and trained by Dr. Suresh Kumar Oncology Dept. Kottayam Medical College before they set out for the survey. The surveying team also received considerable assistance from Mr. P S Suresh and Ms. Prabha Thankachan, members for the 10^th and 12^th wards respectively.

The assembled community was honoured by the visit of Mr. Roshi Augustine, Idukki MLA, who interacted with students on a variety of subjects. Mr. Jayaram from Excise Dept. and Rev. Fr. Fr Mathew Manjakunnel CMI, Councillor for Social Apostolate, Carmel Province, Muvattupuzha, also delighted the campers with their resourceful elocutions. Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Mr. Sibychan Joseph, CI, Idukki Police, who led the session on Traffic Awareness, and Mr. Joseph CJ, who shared his life story and teaching experience in different countries especially Maldives. Besides the coordinators, members of faculty from Girijyothi College – Mr. Jishnu S Nair, Mr. Ouseph Augustine, Ms. Anit K Jose, Ms. Bubly Scaria and Mr. Joseph Vinessh, Mr. Mathukutty KM, Ms. Anisha Viswan, Ms. Athulya Nelson, Ms. Jyothimol NR, Ms. Sobhana Kumari KS to name a few -  also oversaw the proceedings in the camp.

The pupils later engaged themselves in rendering their service to District Ayurveda Hospital, Paremavu. They cleaned the premises under the guidance of Dr. Christy Thundiparambil and also dug a huge pit to dump waste. Students painted the front wall and main gate of Santhigram Welfare Centre and dug a waste pit.

Apart from the flash mob and rally, every night, after, dinner witnessed a variety of cultural programmes and heated debates. New Year eve was special for many reasons. It was not only the last night of the year, but the last night of the camp too. A cake was cut and everyone shared the sweetness (and bitterness) of the year bygone.

The dark night was set ablaze by the camp fire and the participants thronged around it in the hope of alleviating the season’s cold. The sky up above enveloped in the misty clouds was illuminated by the magnificent fireworks. Indeed it was an eventful day.

And on the last day Mr. Sabu Paulose handed over the result of the survey to Dr Siby George, Primary Health care Centre, Vazhathope. The concluding ceremony featured flag lowering by Rev. Fr. Babu Mattathil CMI, Director, Santhigram Welfare Centre, Paremavu and Manager, Girijyothi College, and messages from Rev. Fr. Toji Puthenkaduppil CMI, Principal, Girijyothi College, Mr. Sabu Paulose, the Coordinator, and Mr. Mathukutty K M Faculty, Girijyothi College.