October 14, 2010
Department of Social Work, Coimbatore
Students at the Department of Social Work on the Coimbatore campus have been busy. They have participated in seminars and workshops, presented papers, won cash awards, aced quizzes and more, bringing laurels to Amrita.
On September 3 and 4, Radhika V. Kutty, second-year student of MSW (Master of Social Work) attended a two-day state-level workshop organized at Sree Krishna College of Arts and Sciences.
Radhika won the first prize in the Research Design competition, beating over a hundred other participants from various colleges. She was given a cash award of Rs. 1000 for her research proposal on Social Implications of Sand Mining at Malampuzha Dam.
“I proposed the study of social conditions influencing sand mining and its ecological and environmental effects using descriptive design methods,” she shared. “I chose the particular topic to emphasize concerns for environment and other related issues.”
Nearly ten days later, on September 14, Kalaivani A.S., another second-year student of MSW, presented a paper titled Role of NGOs in Rural Development, at a one-day seminar on Dimensions of Social Work at PSG College of Arts and Sciences, Coimbatore.
“Many programs undertaken by non-governmental organizations have led to rural progress,” noted Kalaivani in her presentation, that was made to an audience of over 300. Students and faculty members from nearly twenty colleges around the state participated.
Kalaivani proceeded to explain, with examples, how such programs have improved health and hygiene, education, technology transfer, employment generation, self reliance and economic development.
“NGOs play an important role in rural development,” she underlined.
A couple of days later, on September 17, a three-member student team from the same department participated in a quiz program at Bishop Heber College. The event saw the participation of over twenty colleges from Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala.
The Amrita team composed of K. Ashwin, N. Samathuva Sarathi, Madhusudanan S. placed first. The quiz included rounds on current affairs and social work, both in their national and international dimensions.
“Who wrote the book Social Diagnosis?” the team was asked.
“Mary Ellen Richmond,” the students confidently replied. This classic text published in 1917 was known to the students from their class work.
At the same event, Madhusudanan S. won a prize in the story writing competition; he expressed his support for secularism in his short story.
We congratulate the student winners and participants and wish them the very best for many such future successes.
