A reflection!

Since Anna and I have been at MOSC Medical College, we sense the enthusiasm which every college union brings to the college, when they take responsibility for a year to give lead to the student's extra curricular activities. Every year the union chooses a theme for its mission.

This year, it is 'redefining history'!

The batch of 2015 spent about three weeks restoring the park which gives a place for students to gather for their social contacts and leisurely activities. This batch was involved actively in supporting the flood relief work in August in the neighbourhood. They seem to be active, sensitive and responsive, which is an expression of their spirit of caring and service. 

I was fascinated that they made a seating provision with bamboo stem in the park. What does bamboo represent historically in this part of India! During my childhood, I remember, bamboo was extensively used for building houses. Even the roof of the house we lived in first, was made from bamboo. The furniture too was made from bamboo or cane. The basket used to carry produce to the market were made of bamboo. The wind shield curtains were used to hang in the veranda both for decoration and protection. The handicrafts products made of bamboo used to be on the table as pen holders, etc. Bamboo and its products made our homes or provided facilities. 

The major use fo bamboo today is in making paper pulp to make different types of papers. 

Bamboo even now provides livelihood for the poor. When I go to Orissa to visit friends, I notice people going into the forests and returning with a head load of bamboo for making baskets, which when sold in the weekly market give them money to sustain themselves. 

When we give bamboo a central place in public places, we symbolically give attention to the disadvantaged, whose subsistence depends upon bamboo.   

Is this consciousness included in the slogan, 'redefining history'! I wonder!

One thing, I feel, if the college union can transcend their batch and create a spirit of 'partnering with others', between batches to revise the existing 'intra batch fidelity' and bring a new ambience of trustful cordiality, it would be a good beginning! Let me wish this union, good going to do good kindly, thoughtfully and self-givingly! Their start gives all of us promises and prospects.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)