STUDENTS UNION - Loyola College

STUDENTS UNIONThe true excellence and success of any educational institution revolves around therelationship that exists between its administration, staff, and students. It is highlyimportant for every institution to conduct its activities in such a manner that aharmonious relationship is maintained between these three. It is here that the Dean ofStudents and the Students Union play a pivotal role in bridging the gap in therelationship between the administration, staff, and the students. The Students Unionprovides a platform and gives opportunities to all in order to come forward and dosomething for college that is in line with the College motto, “LET YOUR LIGHTSHINE”, while ensuring that the various college activities and initiatives are executed inthe best possible manner.This year saw a change of guard at the Dean’s office with Dr.K.S.Antonysamy takingover as the Dean of Students. The freshness and the clarity in his approach were evidentin the manner in which he has conducted the activities of the Students Union.Dr.K.S.Antonysamy has led from the front and has made sure that the various goals andobjectives for the year were met with sincere dedication and commitment of the highestorder.The Dean of Students kick started the activities of the Students’ Union by makingample arrangements in order to ensure the free and fair selection of the various StudentUnion leaders with the able guidance and support of Dr. S. John William, the chiefelection commissioner of Loyola College.ELECTION AND INAUGRATIONLoyola College on 16.06.07 witnessed the Students’ Union Election under the firmand watchful eyes of the Chief Election Commissioner and his dedicated team. A flyingsquad was also monitoring the entire election process and it ensured that it was a freeand fair process. The inauguration of the Students’ Union was held on the 13 th of July2007 and the guest of honor was Mr. A. K. Vishwanathan I.P.S, Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police C.I.D, Chennai. The inauguration saw S. S. Vishnu Prasad of 3‘ d yearB.A. Economics being installed as the Students’ Union President, A. Ashok of final yearMSW as the General Secretary, Azarudeen Ahamed Ifthikar of 3‘ d year Commerce (SelfSupporting) as Vice President, Kannan of 3‘ d year Computer Science (Self Supporting)as Joint Secretary and B. Bertilla of 2 °d year M. Sc Visual Communication as AssociateSecretary. The Students Union successfully conducted the Departmental Elections toelect the class representatives and department secretaries.

IGNATIUS FEAST DAYOn 31" July 2007, Loyola College celebrated the Ignatius Feast Day and on this daythe Students’ Union ensured that the feast was attended by all and the occasion wascelebrated in the best possible manner. Sweets were distributed to every professor andstudent in college to mark this event.MID-DAY MEAL SCHEMEThe Mid Day meal scheme is one of the most important and noble initiativesundertaken by the College. The Students’ Union has always placed a lot of emphasis onthe success of this scheme. This year too the Students Union has been no different andhas been instrumental in ensuring that the scheme is a success and that its benefits arederived by all. This year’s Students’ Union has created a record of sorts as it has around400 students under this scheme, which is the highest number ever.INDEPENDENCE DAYIndependence Day is always celebrated in our college with dignity and honour as wesalute and cherish the birth and progress of our nation. This year was no different asstudents and professors turned up in large numbers. Dr. Dhanaraj, H.O.D of the TamilDepartment delivered the Independence Day message and the National Flag washoisted by Mr. Samikkannu (Non-Teaching Staff). It was indeed a memorable occasion.TEACHERS DAYTeachers Day is an occasion that is celebrated to recognize and appreciate thededication and hard work put in day after day by our teachers. This year the StudentsUnion ensured that every teacher felt special by giving each one them a book of poemsand a bouquet followed by lunch. This year a new initiative, “street theatre”, an eventpart of Ovations was made a reality where the students from various departmentsperformed in in Sauliere Hall front of the teachers, who were the special guests.OVATIONSOvations the most awaited event in the Loyola College calendar was held on the 21 s tand 22" d of September and it was hosted and organized under the able guidance andsupport of Dr.K. S. Antonysamy, the Dean of students.This year Ovations brought together an overwhelming crowd of 6000 students undera single roof to witness the cultural extravaganza and the immense talent on display.Not only did it generate immense interest among the youth but it also provided a

platform for the students to showcase their latent talents. From the organizers point ofview this was one event that gave each organizer hands-on experience of what it is liketo organize a mega cultural event of this stature. This was an event organized by thestudents for the students of Loyola College.Ovations ‘07 owes its popularity and stature to the array of big superstars and notedpersonalities who keep coming back to our college every year as Chief Guests andGuests of Honour. This year too Ovations was no different from its earlier editions asthis year we had noted actor Chiyan Vikram and Ms Manorama who inaugurated theevent. The ever popular Vijay was our guest for the valedictory function on the 22nd.Ovations has always been Loyola’s symbol of cultural excellence and will continue to beso in the years to come. Among the guests of honour from the south Indian cine field,we had Mr. Radha Ravi, Mr. Dhamu, Mr. P. B. Srinivas, the singer, Mr. SanthanaBarathi, Mr. Sibi, Mr. Sakthi, Mr. Arun Vijay, Mr. Sriman, Mr. Vijay T. Rajendran, theDirector, Ms. Uma Riaz, Mr. Prithiviraj, Mr. Prasanna, the singer and Vijay and Prasannaof Chennai 600028. The fascinating stage was designed by the famous Art Director,Thota tharani, and sponsored by Mr. Ravichandran, Oscar Films.REPUBLIC DAYThe Students Union celebrated the Republic Day and our Rev. Fr. Secretary hoistedthe flag and gave the Republic Day message and Rev. Fr. Principal graced the occasion.VISIT OF THE CHENNAI SANGAMAMThe Students Union organized the visit of the Chennai Sangamam into LoyolaCollege. It was a memorable event wherein an awareness regarding the importance ofTraditional Folk Arts of Tamil Nadu was stressed upon and conveyed to the students.ACHIEVEMENTS OF CULTURAL TEAMThe Students’ Union has always made it a point to be actively involved inencouraging and in providing unending and unconditional support to each and everycultural and extra curricular team that represents Loyola College. It gives the StudentsUnion immense pleasure in letting you know that this year too the performance of theDance team, the Light Music team, the Fashion team, the Loyola Society of Debate andthe Loyola Quiz Club has been outstanding as they have brought numerous accolades tothe college in the forms of local, inter state, national and even international awards.Some of the highlights are:College Dance Team 1 : Out of the ten competitions the team took part, they camefirst in seven of them. These included MCC, Shock 2007, Stella Maris College, MountCarmel College Bangalore, etc.College Dance Team 2 : Out of the ten competitions the team participated, they camefirst in five of them. These included WCC, CMC Vellore, VIT, Anna Adarsh, etc.

Civil Society Response. Mr.P.Sainath, the winner of the Magsaysay Award forJournalism delivered the key note address.COLLEGE NEWSLETTER AND MAGAZINESThis year the Students Union had decided to bring out its very own Newsletter called“STUDENTS VOICE” in English and “MANAVARKURAL” in Tamil, where in therewould be articles relevant to the youth not only from our college but from other citycolleges as well. Along with this the Students Union also brought out “VIZHI -VIZHITHIRUKKA”, a Tamil magazine that deals with various social issues. All thesewere circulated free of cost to students in all the city colleges and they have been a hugesuccess.IGNITE 2008This year the Students Union presented yet another cultural extravaganza, Ignite 08.Ignite 08 brought together different forms of art on a single stage to entertain all classand masses. Our very own teams that had delivered electrifying performances time andagain at various cultural festivals and brought laurels to the college were getting gearedto set the stage ablaze with flashes of dance, music, fashion and variety entertainment.Essentially being a fund raising program, the proceeds out of this show was routedtowards the construction of the Loyola School of Business Studies.CONCLUSIONWe take this opportunity to thank and appreciate each and every person who hassupported and guided the students’ union activities this academic year. We would liketo place in record the contribution made by all the students towards making studentsunion activities a success. We would also like to place in record the service rendered byDr. P. Sagayaraj, Former Dean of Students, and Dr. Vimala Kalaiarasi, Former Dean ofWomen Students to the effective functioning of the Students Union. The Report of theStudents Union would not be complete without thanking the three visionaries of ourcollege, Rev. Fr. K. Amal, S.J., Rector, Rev. Fr. Dr. S. Peter Xavier, S.J., Secretary, andRev. Fr. A Albert Muthumalai, S.J., Principal, who have always been supportive andhave always backed every Student Union activity. Father, we thank you for all yourguidance and support in helping us achieve our goals and objectives.