National voter’s day
A step towards a better tomorrow… National voter’s day….

National Voters' Day, In order to encourage more young voters to take part in the political process, Government of India has decided to celebrate January 25 every year as "National Voters' Day". It has been started from January 26, 2011 to mark Commission's foundation day.

Why is National Voters' Day celebrated?
According to ECI, National Voters' Day is celebrated to encourage, facilitate and maximize the enrolment, especially for the new or first time voters. On this day, voters are being made aware for promoting informed participation in the electoral process. New voters or first time electorate are handed over their Elector Photo Identity Card in the National Voters' Day function.

The department of Political Science created and offered an awareness programme on account of National Voters Day on January 25, 2020. The program was staged by the Political Science Department in Mini Auditorium 1. It was inaugurated by Rev.Fr.Josekutty P.D., Principal, Kristu Jayanti College in the presence of Prof.S.J.Michael, HOD Department Of Political Science, Prof. Sneha D.R. faculty coordinator, Prof. Kaveri Swami and Prof.Shariff.

The event included a poster exhibition depicting ways to vote and stressed on the importance of voting with students giving live explanation of the posters. Various other programs like mime, dance and a mini skit were staged to emphasize the importance of voting. All the programs that were staged were woven around the idea that the proportion of vote by youth can create a huge difference in society. The youth of today must be responsible citizens and must actively involve themselves in the process of voting as the votes cast today can only save tomorrow. For a better future of the country and for a better place to live in, youth must start being responsible citizens of the country and voting is the first step towards it. The event was a reality check for young citizens as rightly put by Roald Dahl," Somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world."

In the year 1950, on the 25 January, The Election Commission of India was established. This came into practice on the 61st foundation day of election commission. This year’s theme of national voter’s day is Electoral Literacy for Stronger Democracy. National voter’s day 2020 marks an important milestone in the history of Indian Democracy as the election completes 20 years of its existence, Said ECI in a press release. Voter’s day is celebrated to make the citizens aware of the importance of voting. The system of universal adult franchise is practiced in India since the time of independence, India opted for democratic Govt. Since the time of independence and the inclusion of UAF has propagated inclusive nature that stands for without any discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, race, status and gender. All the citizens (Anyone above the age of 18 years beholding Indian Citizenship) of the nation are given a chance to vote. National voter’s day’s foundation is based on the aim of making youth aware of voting. Voting is extremely important to decide who we entrust our faith on, to frame laws and make the society more inclusive and habitual for the citizen’s subjects and tourists.

Every vote counts… do vote…

"History on Wheels: Sravanabelagola"
“The Department of History organized a one day trip to Sravanabelagola and the National Institute of Prakrit Studies on 06/12/19 for the IV and VI BA HEP students. The journey started at 6 am from the college campus. The first stop was the Chandragiri and Vindyagiri Hills in Sravanabelagola. Students explored the Chandragiri hills first were they came across number of inscriptions carved on the stone surface of the hills. The accompanying teachers highlighted the architectural genius of the 58 feet high monolithic Gomateshwara statue and narrated the history behind it. The students then proceeded to the Vidhyagiri Hills and very excited to see what they had learnt in their Karnataka history paper coming alive. The historical narratives of the various basadis located on this hill were explained to them. They were also informed about the inscriptions present there.

The group then headed to the National Institute of Prakrit Studies, where they had a workshop on the significance of manuscripts as a source to understanding history. The students got an opportunity to interact with faculties and researchers of the institute.”

"History on Wheels: Devanahalli Fort"
“The Department of History organized a one day trip on 04/12/19 for the II BA HEP students to the above mentioned places on 04/12/19. The journey started from the college campus at 9 am and the first stop was the Devanahalli Fort. The students were explained the historical significance of the fort and the fact that it is one of the rarest living forts in India was also highlighted. The walk through the fort complex introduced the students to the military driven arrangement of the fort by pointing to the various elements present such as the battlement. The walk also led the students to explore the Venugopalaswamy temple complex inside the fort. Students were able to identify that this temple was one of the oldest among the temples present inside the fort complex. It was explained to them that the courtyard, with a Garuda Stamba, was one of the most spacious one and that the walls of the temple depict various scenes from Ramayana and the feats of Lord Krishna as a child, and that the pillars have beautiful statues carved on them.

The journey continued and made a halt at the Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple. The original temple in the complex was told to the students that it was one of the oldest temples of Karnataka and that it dated back to the early 9th century. The students were thrilled to learn from the Archaeological Survey of India’s tablet that the construction of the temple for Shiva is credited to the Nolamba dynasty ruler Nolambadiraja and the Rashtrakuta emperor Govinda III.

The group then proceeded to the Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya Musuem located at Muddenahalli. The students spent time in the museum being inspired by the life and works of one of the greatest Gems of Karnataka, which the Department had already introduced to them earlier this year in a series of lecture.

Before returning to college the group made a final stop at the Shri Shri Nakoda Avanti Jain Temple located near the Devanahalli Fort to know the contribution of Jainism to the state of Karnataka.”

Shakespearean Play: Julius Caesar
The Erudite Club of Department of English PG of Kristu Jayanti College staged the play ‘Julius Caesar’ by William Shakespeare on 28 February 2019. The theme of the play consisted of honour, logic, language, public versus private persona, politics, morality and fate which lead the audience to experience the political turmoil of the historic play through a contemporary lens and an emotional ride throughout the play. The one hour 40 minutes of play took the audience to the ancient Roman Empire and showed them the tragic events that happened after the murder of Julius Caesar.

It is a tragic drama who revolves around sacrifice, treachery, superstition, love and generosity of Julius Caesar. The play urges society to examine the government and the governance, its role as citizens and how it impacts the world around us. Fr. Josekutty PD, Principal of Kristu Jayanti College appreciate the hard work and commitment of the students to bring up the play in a short time. “Julius Caesar is a difficult drama to stage due to the long dialogues. But you have performed with your soul, heart and mind and captured the attention of the audience from the very beginning. The vigour, the confidence in acting and performing the role were outstanding,” said Fr Josekutty. The day also witnesses the launch of the Department magazine ‘Expression’.

Mock Election - ELECCION 2019
Department of Political Science of Kristu Jayanti College conducted a mock election "ELECCION 2019" on 4 February 2019. The mock election had six candidates who conducted the campaign. The event was monitored by Prof S.J Michael and Departmental faculty Coordinator Dr Kaveri Swami and Dr Sneha D R.

Six candidates from various combinations of political science stood up as representatives - Atira Premsingh, Johny Ngente, Pooja Patil, Monica Jerusha, Swaminathan S, M. U Dharneshvar. The candidates had one week campaigning for election, where they share their manifesto and defending why they deserved the votes.

The voting began with department head Prof Michael leading the voting pledge followed by Dr Kaveri Swami, Faculty Coordinator declaring the "voting open". The students followed exact election procedures, starting from the checking of id's to getting inked, which followed by casting the of the vote. Students had mixed reactions for the same ranging from excitement to anticipation.

As the voters were proceeding to vote to exit poll was conducted by Ms Rebecca of VI Sem JPsEng and graphical presentation was shown by Mr Sangeeth of VI Sem HEP. Mock news coverage of the election was also conducted. A small video showing a small excerpt of the campaign done by the participants was displayed during the vote counting session. Mr Swaminathan S of IV JPsEng emerged as the winner of the mock election.

National Voters Day
Department of Political Science and Jayantian Extension Service of Kristu Jayanti College with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) celebrated National Voters Day on 25 January 2019. The programme aimed at spreading awareness about voting rights among college students through promotion in campus quadrangle. The event also had a rally, dance, plays, musical events and exhibition to creating voting right awareness among citizens. Smt. Jyoti Lakshmi, ARO officer was the guest of honour for the function.

Kristu Jayanti College teamed up with the BBMP, NSS (National Service Scheme), NCC (National Cadet Corps) and the students from the political science department to create an awareness program on National Voters Day. They joined hands and organized a promotion in the college quadrangle, dressed in tri-coloured costumes, holding the Indian flag and boards in which slogans on voters day was written. Students of Kristu Jayanti College pledged “to uphold the democratic traditions of our country and the dignity of free, fair and peaceful elections, and to vote in every election fearlessly, and without being influenced by considerations of religion, race, caste, community, language or by any inducement” during this occasion.

Fr. Josekutty PD, Principal, and Fr. Augustine George, Vice Principal inaugurated the event. The students of the department of political science organized an exhibition of various posters on the power of voting, rights and responsibilities of citizens and NOTA(None Of The Above). The college has also taken an initiative to conduct a rally with the professors of Hindi Department taking lead, followed by the students of political science, NSS, NCC and CSA candidates along with few BBMP candidates.

“It is important to have a well-informed young generation who is aware of their rights and responsibilities, avoid bias on the basis of religion and popularity during voting, and keep themselves safe from being the prey of the leaders. If none of the leaders who are standing in the elections is favourable in your sight, the option of NOTA can always be opted rather than selecting anybody by random choice” said Prof Kaveri Swami, Department of Political Science.

Halli Hadi: Rural Exposure Programme for Journalism Students
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of Kristu Jayanti College organized a rural exposure programme for the second semester MA JMC students at Kesaregere Village, in Mallur district on 17 December 2018.

The rural exposure programme had interaction with school students as well as a media exposure survey in the village. The students visited the Higher Primary School, Kesaregere and interacted with 102 students. Mr Venkatesh, the principal of Government Higher Primary School introduced the students. The team was dived into four groups each group organized an activity for the children. Journalism students conducted parallel sessions on health and hygiene for the children. They also taught them basic communication skills and rhymes. A group of students were involved in painting the benches, desks and walls of the school and also helping in cooking for the children. Several indoor and outdoor games were organized. Outdoor games like musical chair, lemon and spoon race, throw ball and kabaddi were organized.

The programme also included a media exposure survey, where students went to each house in the village and gathered information. The survey explored media usage among the villagers in the day to day life. Students were shocked to find the villagers were not connected to any mass media.

The programme ended with a valedictory session in the school. Dr Juby Thomas, faculty coordinator for the program presided over the function. Mr Venkatesh, The principal, two teachers Sarasvati S V and Muniratna distributed the prizes to the winners. Plant samplings were planted in the school premises during the valedictory ceremony.

History on Wheels - Study Trip to Srirangapatna And Mysore for I year and Final year BA students
Date: 08/12/18
Class & No. of students: 50 [II BA and VI BA History students]
Places visited
• Srirangapatnam- Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple and Daria Daulat Bagh, Palace and Museum
• Mysore: Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills and the Monolithic Nandi
• KRS Dam and Brindavan Garden

The journey started from the college premises at 5 am with 50 students and 2 faculty members. The first stop was Srirangapatnam. Entering the fort complex of Srirangapatnam, the students were introduced to the concept of double fortification and double moat. At Srirangapatnam, the first site was the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple. Students were educated on the various categories of architecture (Hoysala, Vijaynagar, Mysore, Woodiya, Haider Ali etc) involved in the temple complex. The group then proceeded to the Daria Daulat Place and gardens of Tipu Sultan. Information regarding the various events of Tipu Sultan was received from the myriad of wall painting and other artefacts in the palace. The journey continued to Mysore and the first stop there was the Mysore Palace. Availing student discount for the students and the faculties, the students were led in the passage to appreciate the extravagant architecture of the palace which is a combination of Hindustani, Islamic and European styles. The group then proceed to Chamundi Hills and view the magnanimous monolithic Nandi structure. The last pit stop for the trip was the KRS Dam and the Brindavan garden.

Numismatics Exhibition on the celebration of Indian History through coinage
There are many interesting revelations of History when one study coins of an age. Numismatics confirms, modifies and even augments historic learning. The political, economic and historical facts of Ancient India is often corroborated or rejected by numismatic findings. An Exhibition focusing on the celebration of Indian History through coinage was organized in the Kristu Jayanti College campus on July 20th 2018. The exhibition was inaugurated by Fr. Augustine George, Vice Principal. The famous Numismatist H.K. Ramarao displayed his vast collection of coins and received enthusiastic response from Undergraduate and Post Graduate students and faculty members of various programmes. 10 budding coin enthusiasts of the college displayed their collections and showed their keen interest in learning about the heritage of the coinage of India.

The exhibits had displays from the earliest known coins of India, crude punch-marked coins of the period of Janapadas, the most beautiful coins of the classical age minted by Samudragupta (335-376 A.D), who portrayed himself as both conqueror and musician to the latest coins of the Republic of India.

The contribution of Numismatics to History cannot be undermined. The presence of the Indo-Greek kings and queens and the prevalence of republics in India are known to Historians mainly from coins alone. Much of the History of the Kushanas, Political life and administration of the Sakas and Pahlavas has been reconstructed largely on the basis of coins. The purity of the coins also reveals the wealthy economic conditions of India in the Pre-British Period. The coins revealed Chronology, Genealogy, Economy & trade, religious beliefs as well as and the artistic sense of Indians of the Past.

The comments of 900 students and 45 faculty members who visited the exhibition revealed that it was an successful exhibition that led many in nostalgic journey to the Past, providing experiential learning about Indian History, Numismatics and culture.

The Merchant of Venice: Love, mercy and revenge
With the theme of love, loyalty, mercy, revenge and bringing out the truest form of human nature, the student of Kristu Jayanti College, Bengaluru staged a play, “The Merchant of Venice” on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 in SKE auditorium of the college. “The Merchant of Venice”, is a 16th-century play by William Shakespeare in which a merchant in Venice gets default on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. The play was organised by the department of English and Erudite club. Nisha Eapen, director of the play said, “It was an incredible experience. We have been working together for 3-months and every day we spent into planning the play and practising it has played off.”

“If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh?...”

The Erudite Club of The Department of English presented The Merchant of Venice for the second time on request from the faculty and students, on 1st March 2018.

FADE IN- FILM FESTIVAL
Film and Photography club of Kristu Jayanti College organized a two-day film festival ‘Fade In’ on July 27- 28, 2017. Shri. Georgekutty AL, Founder Editor of Deep Focus Magazine and Secretary, Bangalore Film Society inaugurated the festival. Rev. Fr. Josekutty PD, Principal; Rev. Fr. Augustine George, Vice- Principal; Rev. Fr. Emmanuel PJ, Faculty, Department of Psychology were also present during the inauguration. This year being the twenty fifth death anniversary of legendary film maker Satyajit Ray, the film festival paid tribute by screening his masterpieces like, ‘Pather Panchali’, ‘Charulatha’.

Fade in also screened other Indian and International classics like, ‘The Salesman’ Directed by Asghar Farhadi; ‘The Great Dictator’ Directed by Charlie Chaplin; ‘Run Lola Run’ Directed by Tom Tykwer; and ‘Kaakka Muttai’ Directed by M. Manikandan.

Exhibitions

A WALK TO REMEMBER: LIVE EXHIBITION
One of the major highlights of Delphia 2016 was the live exhibition ‘A WALK TO REMEMBER’ based on various works of literature comprising of fiction, poetry, prose and more. The live exhibition was performed in three time slots, with two in the morning and one in the afternoon. Characters from Literature were brought back to life in the live exhibition giving the audience a space to envision the characters interacting with them making it more like a virtual reality experience. From Julius Caesar to Chemmeen it was a culmination of seven acts from various works of literature covering British Literature, European and Non-European Literature and Indian Literature. The Live Exhibition included enactments from Julius Caesar, Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, Raven, Wide Sargasso Sea, Heart of Darkness, Hayavadana and Chemmeen exploring the different ages and culture of Literature around the globe.

LUMOS 2016: PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
Lumos 2016 - the annual photography exhibition organized by Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of Kristu Jayanti College was inaugurated on September 23, 2016. Rev. Fr. Lijo P Thomas, Financial Administrator, Kristu Jayanti College; inaugurated the event. Over forty student photographer displayed over four hundred photographs on various themes like portraitures, macro, emotions and actions, still life and wild life. Around 500 visitors from various departments have visited the exhibition. It provided a plat form for the budding photo journalists to showcase their talents. It helps the students to make confident, informed decisions regarding composition, exposure and print quality, using both analog and digital technology.

Field Visits

Field Visit to Nirmala Shishubhavan Lingarajapuram
The students of third semester BA HEP, HTJ, JPsEng were taken for a social outreach programme to Nirmala Shishubhavan Lingarajapuram as part of their curriculum on 31 August 2017.

The institution is run by Missionaries of Charity sisters. There were about 35 inmates. The ashram had a serene atmosphere and beautifully set infrastructure. Groceries, biscuits, chocolates and medicines were given to the inmates by the students. All the students were generous enough to contribute for this charitable cause. The students organized various cultural programmes and games. Some of the inmates participated and others encouraged them and the winners as well as the participants were given prizes.

Enactment of the thrilling Shakespearean play Othello
It is sometimes disheartening to realize that we in the mad rush of our mundane existence forget to look beyond what we see through our naked eyes. We ignore the culture that we share. We forget the history that we share. But such is not the case in Kristu Jayanti College.

Culture and history of humanities is cherished very dearly at Kristu Jayanti College, with this outlook the department of English, staged the enactment of the thrilling Shakespearean play, the tragedy of OTHELLO, on the 11 March 2015. The play was organized in partnership with Yours Truly Theatre, a theatre firm headed by Director Renji David.

Mock election 2015
On February 10, 2015, the department of political science, Kristu Jayanti College, conducted a mock election for the students of political science. The activity was conducted during the political science club hour of the week and 110 students participated in the activity.

Coin exhibition and special lecture on numismatics
In the era of technology , driven by the thoughts of tomorrow, the display of coins of India since 500 BC brought forth reactions such as Day at the numismatics world. Mr H K Rama Rao , a passionate Numismatist displayed his amazing collection of 1500 coins for the benefits of students at the Kristu Jayanti College (autonomous) on 21 January 2014. Coins with various scripts, Persian, kharoshti, Kannada belonging to various dynasties of India were informative and inspiring.

Lumos
The third edition of Lumos adding light to life, photography exhibition was organized by Department of Journalism on March 9, 2015. Exhibition was inaugurated by Fr. Edward, Director of Bosco, Bangalore. The exhibition aimed to showcase to creative and technical photographical skills. Around 300 photos based on various themes child rights, architecture, macro photography, wild life etc.

Field Visits

Field visit to Janapada Loka and Gandhi Bhavan
On 16 March 2015, the Department of Political Science, Kristu Jayanti College, has organized a one day field visit to Janapada Loka (Ramanagaram district, Bangalore) and Gandhi Bhavan (Bangalore University) for the students of II Sem BA HEP/JPSENG.

The trip was arranged by Mr. S. J. Michal, the Head of the department and led by Mr. Santhosh Mohan, Faculty in the department and also the class teacher. A total of 45 students came for the field visit

Documentary screening on sustainable development
The Department of Humanities at Kristu Jayanti College hosted a documentary screening on sustainable development on 28 February 2013. The session was put together by the representatives of ‘Global Citizen for Sustainable Development’ (GCST), a registered nonprofit and non-government organization based in Bengaluru, India. Erica Strife, Manager, Education and Media, (GCST) created an interactive platform for the students to initiate awareness on sustainable development through the screening of three documentaries, namely “Gaur in my garden (2012)”, by Rita Banerjee “Timbaktu (2012), by Ritu Thomas and Sushmitha Gosh, and ‘The whistle Blowers (2005)’, by Ummesh Aggarwal.