Tuesday, March 1, 2016

PN Panicker's 107th birth anniversary.

The day had started at 0500h for and after the morning chores, we're off for the Foundation where finer things like the mic, the recorder and many other valuable and much needed gadgets were stacked into the official vehicle. Earlier, Muthachan's photograph was put into maman's car from home. We set off for the Kanakakkunnu palace by about a half past 9 from the office.

The cleanship and the arrangement of the furniture, to suit the programme's requirements, had to be gone through. The programme consisted of three parts viz.:-

      (a) A public commemoration of Mr. PN Panicker's 107th birthday where the state's education
           minister was the chief guest.
      (b) A seminar on digital libraries and their advantages, their immense possibilities towards
            social development and
      (c) The inauguration of the 240 hour/6 month course on green jobs, which was scheduled for the
            afternoon session at 1500h.

The commemoration started late by almost an hour as guests took their time to arrive. Once it got going, however, there were hardly any glitches. As usual, there were political worthies from across the spectrum on the podium, the newcomer being the state BJP president who was eloquent in his association with Panicker sir, whom he called his mentor and the prime mover for him being in politics!

The seminar on digital libraries was an educative experience, what when experts from various departments vied with each other to give out their expertise and consequently, the session cut into the lunch recess. The lunch, incidentally, was scrumptious and everyone had something nice to say about it which made us, the organisers, proud. As the last man was made to sit for food, I'd the task of bringing the next guest from his residence and therefore, became the last in the crowd to have lunch, around 1500h!

The afternoon session was equally educative with the guest speakers being the best and the students being active by their participation asking questions, clearing doubts and augmenting the discussions were real life experiences from the members of the distinguished panel. The session wound up at 1730h when we finally, made it back to the Foundation.

Our dinner for the guests was a tame affair, where the action plan for the coming three weeks was crystallised.


Tailpiece.

Out of the 30 students that we'd shortlisted for green jobs' course, only 23 fetched up. Were the absentees short of money to pay their course fees, some of them being from very poor families? A way out for them has been identified and they'll be contacted personally, tomorrow itself.
        

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