White Christmas 2014

On 7^th December 2014, the AICUF choir was invited by the Young Christian Women’s Association (YCWA), Koramangala, Bangalore, to sing carols for their “Advance Christmas” celebration. The angelic voices of the AICUFers were highly appreciated and they were invited to sing at some other events in the city. The AICUFers have planned to visit different places to spread the joy of Christmas. 

On 12^th December 2014, 53 AICUFers went for carol singing in Baldwin Opportunity School, Richmond Town, Bangalore. The school is for the differently abled children. After the AICUFers sang a few carols, the students also sang carols for the AICUFers.

AICUFers  at Baldwin Opportunity School for Christmas Carol

On 15^th December 2014, 47 AICUFers began their carol singing in the college chapel. They went to the Principal’s chamber and sang carols. Thereafter, they went to Arrupe Nivas, Jesuit Residence of St. Joseph’s College, sang and danced with carol songs. They were served delicious snacks with coffee and tea. After the heavy refreshment, they marched towards to Sneha Laya, an orphanage home run by Franciscan Sisters of Immaculate, Richmond Town. There with the children, they sang and danced in the rhythm of Christmas music. The AICUFers and the children had a wonderful time.

AICUFers at Sneha Laya, Orphanage Home, Richmond Town, B'lore

On 16^th December 2014, 23 AICUFers made a history by going to St. Philomena’s hospital for carol singing. The Management of the hospital, Sisters of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, welcomed us to their residence and then the AICUFers went to some wards in the hospital and spread the joy of Christmas through their melodious singing and distributing sweets to the children. After rounds of carol singing in the hospital, the AICUFers went invited to the building where the elderly Sisters of the Management stay. There the AICUFers sang and danced in the rhythm of Christmas music. They were served tea and they had interaction with the Sisters over there.

On 17^th & 19^th, December 2014, in association with the North East Catholic Community Bangalore (NECCB), the AICUFers went to various Religious houses and the houses of many Christians in Shantinagar, Richmond Town, Koramangala, Ejipura, Richmond Town, Lingarajpuram. The presence of Fr. Brian Pereira SJ, AICUF State Advisor of Karnataka & Chaplain of NECCB, boosted the AICUFers and brought blessings to all. 

On 18^th December 2014, there was Christmas Mass, at the College level. The AICUF, as usual, took care of the entire liturgy works. The preparation and decoration of the Holy Eucharistic celebration were taken care by the AICUFers. Fr. Eugene Lobo SJ, Former Principal, was the main celebrant of the Holy Mass. The AICUF choir was highly appreciated for their angelic voices and making feel the congregation lift their hearts to God through their singing.

On 20^th December 2014, the AICUF band performed in the college auditorium during the Christmas celebration at the Institution level.

On 21^st December 2014, the “Ashirvad Inter-Religious Harmony Movement” had Christmas celebration in Ashirvad, St. Mark’s Road. The AICUF choir was invited to sing carols. They not only sang carols but also organized some games for the people, young and old, who had come for the celebration. 

Human Chain & Candle Light for the 132 Children Massacred in Peshwar, Pakistan

In tribute of the 132 children massacred in a school at Peshwar, Pakistan, the AICUFers of St. Joseph’s College joined the Bengalureans from different walks of life who came together to offer prayers and light candles for the victims at Town Hall, Bangalore, on 18^th December 2014, there were students, working professionals and activists. 

AICUFers in "The Hindu" newspaper, dated 18th December 2014, pg 2"

(Left to Right: Sengtesa N Sangma & Devita Sougaijam) AICUFers in "The Times of India" newspaper, dated 18th December 2014, pg 2"

Mr. John Devaraj on Child Labour & Manual Scavenging

AICUFers of St. Joseph's College and the third year students of Bachelor of Social Work, organized a talk with Mr. John Devaraj, founder of Born Free Art International School, also known for making the world’s largest love letter and the organizer of “Peace Bicycle” by cycling 3000 kms from Bangalore to the Wagha Border for 30 days in 2008. Before screening “Angels of Hell” documentary film that depicts the exclusion of the Dalits from the society through the eyes of Kiran a12 year old boy. Kiran’s parents are employed by the Bangalore City Corporation to clean the drains and toilets with bamboo sticks. Kiran a rag picker earns extra money for his family… After watching the documentary, there was an interaction with Mr. John and all the actors of the film. It was an eye opening moment for the participants. It was held on 2 December 2014 in Loyola Hall, St. Joseph’s College. 

Mr. John Devaraj

AICUF National Dalit & Women Commission Meet 2014

THREEE AICUFers of our college, Tenzin Dhazai (III Yr IES), Sarah Shirley (II Yr IES) and Varshini Devotta (I Yr Vis Com) attended the National Dalit and Women Commission Meet 2014, held from 28^th-30^th November 2014, in AICUF National House, Chennai.  The motto of the meet was "Building Leaders for Tomorrow". The three full fledged days were a fruitful experience. We got to learn and analyze the situations critically that deals with the Dalits and the suppressed women in our society. There were a series of discussions, talks, debates and presentations on empowerment and upliftment of the Dalits and women by various eminent speakers and social activists. Visiting to a Dalit slum was an eye-opening moment for all. 35 AICUFers from different parts of the country participated in the Meet. 
                                        (Reported by Varshini Devotta, 1Yr Vis Com )

AICUF Rural Camp 2014

The desire to know and get a firsthand experience on the ground reality of the complexities of our Indian society and culture, and the varied challenges that develop from it, brought the 21 members squad of the AICUF unit of St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore, to Amalagondi; a village in Tumkur District, for 5 days (10-14 November) to learn, explore and experience what a village life is like?

The AICUFers were led by Mr. Elanko Stanislaus, a former lecturer of BSW in our college and Mr John Shant Kumar, a Josephite, led the group through various activities; like involving in the work of the villagers, educating them through awareness programme, mingling with the school children, conducting surveys and social analyses, which were eye-opener for most of the participants of the camp.

The AICUFers stationed themselves in an old dilapidated convent and took turns to cook their own food; basically samber and rice. During the five days live-in experience, they went around the villages and joined the villagers in their work; mainly peeling beetle nuts and planting saplings. They laid their hands almost on everything that the villagers were doing to experience for themselves thehard lives the villagers have been living for ages compared to that of a luxurious city life.

In the evenings the AICUFers’ job was to go around the neighbouring villages conducting surveys and presenting it to the group. Though the programme was hectic and challenging, yet everyone felt satisfied at the end of the day. Many came to the camp with great expectations of being the savior or the heroes of the villagers, but left the place with rich experiences of fellowship and a sense of satisfaction after living among the simple village folks. Darimioo Susngi, a 2^nd year HEP student said, “I felt enriched by the experience and deeply touched by the generosity and openness of the people.” Not only one or two participants had rich experiences, everyone have their own story to tell. Wilson Kujur, a 3^rd year EPS student also said, “I like the simplicity of the people. In the villages, people know who their neighbour is. It is not so the case in the cities.” Everyone is eagerly waiting for the next year’s camp. 
                                        (Reported by Sr. Fultimary Sun, I Yr EJP )

MAGIS 2014

MAGIS 2014 was held in St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore from November 1 – 4. It was a gathering of about 700 young people from all over India to share this experience, not just as a camp but also as a life altering moment. The theme for Magis 2014 was “A FIRE THAT KINDLES OTHER FIRE”. The theme was chosen as a hope that we may light the fire within others, so that we may help put our lives into order and to achieve a spiritual balance which enables us to be free to choose what is more conducive to our praise, reverence, and service of God.

                This gathering began with the Holy Mass with Archbishop Bernard Moras, the Archbishop of Bangalore as the main celebrant. Day one continued with numerous ice-breaking sessions organised by Fr. Brian Pereira SJ, Rector of St. Joseph’s College. The participants were divided into 24 groups for further activities and group dynamics were held to allow the MAGIS participants to get to know each other better. Fr. Paul Kallan led adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the participants were given the chance of reconciliation with penitential service held by the different priests. Various colleges that were participating in MAGIS also performed in the cultural program held in the evening, which included performances from the Gospel Addicts, Indian Dance team of the host college, etc.

                 The second day started with the holy mass and a talk by Fr. George Kannadanam, who is associated with Project Vision, an NGO that is working round the clock to encourage people to donate their eyes so that another may get a chance to see the world. Following the principle of “Let everyone see, he spoke extensively on the plight of the blind people who are treated as a burden and the hardships they have to undergo. Trying to understand the perspective of the blind, the MAGISians took part in a Blind Walk from Richmond Road to the St. Joseph’s Indian High school. For most it was a surreal experience as they were hindered by their lack of sight and couldn’t believe they had walked blindfolded. The MAGIS family got an opportunity to hear Akai, a transgender who was honoured by the President of India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Ms. Akkai, who was born as a man but identifies herself as a woman spoke about the harsh conditions in which the LGBTQ community survives. Considered unnatural, they face persecution at the hand of the society who either mock and ridicule them or turn them as sex objects for their pleasure. She begged the audience to at least let them be, to give them a fair chance to choose whom they love and to work. Condemning the draconian law of Section 377, Akai asked the people to consider them humans, fellow creations of God in a society where they considered criminals. After having taken the Group pictures in front of Vidhana Soudha, the groups dispersed to different parts of the city for the Human Rights campaign which sought to raise the level of consciousness of the people on various issues such as those against Child Labour, sexual Harassment, Pollution, etc. Later that day, Mr. John Devraj screened a documentary directed by him on manual scavenging- “Angels of Hell”. Accompanied by the children of BornFree Art School, Mr. Devraj endeavours to bring back the numerous homeless street children back to school so that many more child liberators would be created. Mesmerised by the talents oozing out of them, the Born Free Art School received a standing ovation for their efforts.

                      On the third day, the crowd assembled for morning meditation and prayer service. The groups went for their Magis experience to various places which included Old age homes, orphanages, mental institutions, cancer hospital, etc. Some groups were even asked to interview the citizens of Bangalore and the beggars. This was an opportunity for the Magis participants to interact directly with the different elements that make up our society. Magis is about deliberating on what to choose so that we may contribute our love and service for the better of the society. The Magis experience was an eye opener for most as we listened to the discarded and the oppressed. For us who enjoy comfortable positions in the society, it becomes our moral responsibility that we work towards the upliftment of these sections of the community. Games were organised by the Ignitors, where the participants played as groups and relied on their coordination and cooperation. During the campfire, the groups released fire paper lanterns into the sky to reaffirm their pledge of acting as agents of change for the better. Just as the fire lanterns spread their light, so would the Magis participants spread unity and harmony through service.

                   The last day was about recollection of the experiences of the different groups through power point presentations, dance, drama, etc. The groups shared their feelings on the whole MAGIS 2014 experience and the pledges they have taken. The Magis Circle was also organised where the members of the group wrote about each other in cards to have everlasting memories of these 4 days. The experience ending with the Magis documentary being screened. It may have been just for 4 days, but Magis was the start of a journey, our journey into the wide world to continue the work of our Lord. Since our college was the host of this mega-event, more than 65 AICUFers of our college actively participated before, during and after MAGIS 2014. 

                                                                               (Reported by: Anamika Horo, III Yr EPS)

Participants of MAGIS 2014 in St. Joseph's College, Bangalore