25th Commemoration on Dr. N. P. Pillai (Oct 6, 2010)

Prize Winners

REPORT

The Twenty Fifth Year of Commemoration on legendary Teacher Educator, Dr. N. P. Pillai was held on 6th October, 2010 at the Department of Education, University of Kerala, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram. The function was organized by Dr. K. Sivadasan Pillai Foundation for Educational Research and Development (SPFERD) in collaboration with Council for Teacher Education (CTE), Kerala State Centre and Department of Education University of Kerala.

The programme started with invocation by students. Dr. A. Theresa Susan, Reader and Head, Department of Education welcomed the guests and participants. The Presidential Address was delivered by Dr. A Sukumaran Nair, Former Vice Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University and Former Faculty Member, Department of Education, University of Kerala. The website on Dr. N. P. Pillai – GURUSMARANA - was inaugurated by Dr. A. Jayakrishnan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kerala. The Inaugural Address was given by Mrs. Padma Ramachandran, Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala and Former Vice Chancellor, M.S. University, Baroda. Padmasree Dr. Vellayani Arjunan, D.Litt. (Jabalpur University), D.Litt. (Agra University), Former Director, State Institute of Encyclopaedic Publications delivered Commemoration Speech. This was followed by presentation of website on Dr. N. P. Pillai by Dr. Achuthsankar S. Nair, Director, School of Bioinformatics, University of Kerala. Dr. Bindu R.L., Associate Professor, Department of Education, University of Kerala shared her views and introduced the winners of the Essay Competition held in connection with National Teachers' Day (September 5th) as a part of the Commemoration Programme for Teachers Educators of Kerala and Lakshadweep.

The First Prize went to Ms. Ligi Kochukunjan, St. Joseph College of Teacher Education, Ernakulam; Mrs. S. Karpagam, Adi Sankara Training College, Kalady and Ms. Divya T. H., St. Josephs College of Teacher Education, bagged Second Prize.. Mrs. Preetha Raju, PIZ Training College, Malecruz, Puthencruz was selected for Third Prize. The winners were awarded with cash prize of Rs.2000/-, Rs.1750/- and Rs. 1500/- respectively besides certificates by Mrs. Indira CPN Nair, Managing Partner, Devaki Ayurvedic Foundation and daughter of Dr. N. P . Pillai.

This was followed by launching of the CENTENNIAL PROGRAMME on Dr. N. P. Pillai by Mr. A. Prabhakaran, Chairman, SPFERD (Director, Gyan Vani FM Radio, IGNOU, Thiruvananthapuram). He highlighted the activities to be organized in connection with the year-long programme (26th July, 2011- 5th September, 2012) and the names of the agencies collaborating with it.

The fond remembrance on Dr. N. P. Pillai was made by Dr. Mohan Mathew, Former Faculty, Department of Education (Former Counsellor cum Correctional Educator, USA), Dr. C. P. Sreekantan Nair, Chairman, Council for Teacher Education, CTE, (Academic Director, PTM College of Education, Maruthoorkonam, Thiruvananthapuram), Dr. J. Gowrikutty Amma, Former Director, IASE, Thrissur, and Dr. S. Sreedevi, Former Principal, Govt. College of Teacher Education, Thiruvananthapuram. Mr. Radhakrishnan Nair, Mrs. Chandrika Nair, Mrs. Rekha and other family membrs of Dr. N. P. Pillai, well-wishers, teacher educators, teachers and students attended the meeting.

   
The programme was ended with Vote of Thanks by Dr. V. M. Sasikumar, Executive Director, Dr. K. Sivadasan Pillai Foundation (SPFERD).