As usual, the Family Get-together of the Thiruvananthapuram Chapter of TKMCE Alumni Association was arranged on August 15th at the Freemasons’ Hall, near Sreemoolam Club, Vazhuthacaud. It was a full day programme, which started at 10.a.m with drawing and painting competitions for the children of the chapter members. The events evoked good response from the kids, the budding artists. For pencil drawing, Kumari Gayathri Binu (D/o Mr.V.V Binu, 87 C) secured first prize. The second prize was shared by Kumari Cyba Maria Samson (D/o Dr. A. Samson, 86 M) and Kumari Keerthi Venugopal (D/o Mr.S.Venugopal, 92 Chemical) and the third prize was won by Master Vivek Prabhakaran (S/o Mr.S.Prabhakaran, 79 M). Master Sanjay Santhosh (S/o Mrs.Suma Santhosh, 91 ECE) bagged the first prize for the painting competition, while the second prize was shared by Master Abhijith A. Nair (GS/o Mr. G. Ravindran Nair, 64 C) and Master Vivek Prabhakaran. The third prize went to Master Joseph James (S/o Mr.Jameskutty Thomas, 87 E). Quiz Competitions were conducted separately for children and seniors. Among children, Master Vivek Prabhakaran, Master Daniel James (S/o Mr.Jameskutty Thomas 87 E) & Kumari Gayathri Binu were placed first, second & third respectively. Mrs.Smitha (D/o Mr.G.Ravindran Nair, 64 C) & Mrs.Aswathy (W/o.Mr.V.V.Binu, 87 C) shared the first place in the senior section while Dr.A.Samson (86 M) & Mr. B. Presennakumar (85 E) were placed second & third respectively. In the musical chair competition, Master Vivek Prabhakaran, Kumari Gayathri Binu & Master Abhijith.A.Nair were placed first, second & third respectively.
The official meeting began at 7 p.m. with a prayer song by Kumari Neethu Manilal (D/o.Mr.N.Manilal, 68 C) and silent prayer in memory of Mr. Abraham Tharakan (62M), who left us for his heavenly abode. Mr.Eapen Joseph, MD of Titanium Products, Thiruvananthapuram was the Chief Guest. Dr. M.C. Philippose (Principal, TKMCE), Mr.Parameswaran (Secretary, Parent Association), Mr.S.Suresh (Treasurer, Parent Association) & Mr.Rijo Zacharia were the guests from TKMCE. Mr.T.G.Mathew (62 C) welcomed the chief guest, other guests, members and their families. Mr.P.K.Sahadevan (64 C), in his presidential address, gave a brief account about the functioning of the chapter. “We are planning for an Inter-Collegiate Quiz competition in the name of our departed member Mr.Abraham Tharakan (62M). An endowment is being planned to be awarded every year to the best student of Mechanical Branch of TKMCE”, he explained. “The counseling conducted by the chapter for the engineering students was a great success. We are planning to bring out a revised edition of the directory of members.”
The function was inaugurated by the chief guest by lighting the “Nila Vilakku”. “Engineers are to be good professionals and they should be dedicated to the development of our nation”, he said. According to him, TKMCE Alumni is more active than the CET Alumni, from where he passed out in 1965. He distributed the educational awards to the children of the chapter members. The recipients were :
SSLC – Master Hari M.Namoothiri (S/o.Mr.M.Madhavan Namboothiri, 79)
CBSE – Kumari Amita Ghosh (D/o Mr.P.K.Vijayaghosh, 84 M)
ICSE – Kumari Soumya Subramaniam (D/o Mrs.N.Santhi, 79 C)
ICSE(12th) – Kumari Reethu Rachel Varghese (D/o Mr.Varghese Cherian, 78)
The above awards were sponsored by Dr.P.Krishnamoorthy Iyer (64 E), Mr.P.K.Sahadevan (64 C), Mr.K.Gopalakrishnan (69 C), Mr.K.Anil Kumar (69 C), Dr.A.Samson (86 M) and Mr.Anilkumar Pandala (76M).
Dr. M.C. Philipose, the Principal of TKMCE and the Chairman of the Parent Association, in his message informed the audience that TKMCE is the only college in Kerala in which all the Engineering Degrees & PG courses are accredited by NBA. (Related link http://www.nba-aicte.ernet.in/nba-aicte/nmna.htm) Let us be proud in getting such a credit to our college. Slowly he turned to some philosophy. With many examples he advised to guide our children through the experience of “God”. “We should be the “Salt” of the “Earth”. We should be kind enough to help others. In the world, value of humanity is getting diminished. We should be prepared to fight against the evils of the society”. GS of TAGA was the next to deliver the felicitation and he promised every support to the chapter and sought encouragement and blessings for the activities of TAGA. [Message link http://www.tkmce.net/tvm/wish.pdf ). Mr. Gopalakrishnan, Representative of Cochin Chapter and Mr.G.Vijayaraghavan (78E), Kerala Planning Board member delivered felicitations and wished every success for the chapter activities. Mr.Binu.V.V, Secretary, Thiruvananthapuram Chapter proposed vote of thanks.
Mr. V. Vijayakumar (73C), Executive Engineer, PWD through his ‘kadhaprasangam’ named “Penn Panam” (Money given with the girl), entertained the audience. At least for some of the audience, they were agreeing his style of presentation as similar to the professionals like V.Sambasivan. Variety entertainments were performed by Kumari Soumya Subramaniam, Kumari Neethu Manilal, Kumari Bhadra Chinchu (GD/o Mr.K.Gopalakrishnan, 69 C) and Mrs.Josy Chinchu (DIL/o Mr.K.Gopalakrishnan). The programme concluded by 9.30 p.m. and sumptuous dinner was served afterwards.
Totally 74 members plus 36 guests/family members attended the function. It was a real family get-together.