Ana and I had a surprise yesterday, when the medical students came carolling around 11 at night. It is not usual for them to visit the guest houses. So we were privileged and delighted to have their singing visit.
The carolling by visiting the faculty homes at the Christian Medical College campus is an annual ritual by the students. Usually it is in the last week of November announcing the advent season. Apart for their singing and bringing greetings, they carried cake for distribution, which I thought was an addition to what usually happens.
The students have an array of activities during the academic year. Recently we found out that the students meet for their class prayers on Fridays between 6 and 8pm, during which time no other activities are normally held. About thirty or so of students from each batch, attend this prayer meeting when they share and remember to pray for themselves, others and the college activities.
I like the way, even after 113 years of the founding of the college, some of these traditions are held in esteem with the intention of giving students a feeling of having a home in the campus, away from their own homes. Although the interaction between students may have declined due to an ‘individualised’ life style, Anna and I felt that a lot of what happens as extra curricular activities form the students into a communicating community.
The Men’s hostel is resuming the practice of having invited faculty come for lunch on Sundays, to foster better staff-student relationships.
Anna and I felt encouraged by many acts of kindness we received from the students during our three months of stay here. They ministered to us by their warmth and goodwill.
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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