Community Living Camp: Day 4

The day commenced at 6:30 am with the customary aerobics class led by Ms. Jithi J.G., the physical instructor at CET. This early morning exercise invigorated the participants. Following breakfast, each group presented camp news, and select individuals shared their experiences from the previous days.

The first  session emerged as one of the highlights of the camp. Gireesh Puliyoor captivated the audience with his poetry and impassioned discourse. He began by reciting a poem critiquing the stigma surrounding menstruation. His poetry often champions noble causes, and his recitations, marked by lyrical quality and straightforward diction, left a lasting impression. Puliyoor’s anthology, *Karinkuyilum Kanivellariyum*, was generously donated to the college library and accepted by Dr. Anju I. on behalf of the institution.

The afternoon featured an institutional visit to the Indian Institute of Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram. Departing at 1:45 pm, the journey was filled with excitement and anticipation. The vast IIST campus, dedicated to space science study and research, was awe-inspiring.

Mr. Umesh Khadane warmly welcomed the group and delivered a talk on "The Art and Science of Learning." His engaging demeanor and extensive teaching experience captured the audience's attention. Khadane emphasized the "art of learning" within scientific education, advocating for active learning and data-driven assessments. He highlighted the critical role of teachers in navigating classroom dynamics and student expectations, blending creative freedom in teaching with scientific principles.

Bhagya Murali from the English department extended a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to Mr. Khadane for his valuable insights. Following a brief intermission, the group toured three space science and research labs. Although the complexity of the explanations was challenging, the visit provided a glimpse into the significant efforts behind scientific innovations.

Keerthana Anil from the Mathematics department thanked the coordinators, faculty, and research scholars for facilitating the visit. She noted the excitement and enduring impact of the experience. The group departed the campus at 5:45 pm.

Upon returning to Grameena Padana Kendram around 6:30 pm, participants engaged in preparations for the evening's cultural programs and camp news.

Dinner was served from 8:00 pm to 8:30 pm, and the cultural programs commenced at 8:45 pm with a captivating performance by Bhagya Murali and Parvathy S. The evening featured various group and solo acts. A memorable moment was Anju Ma’am’s unexpected and beautiful song, which surprised and delighted everyone. Another highlight was an impromptu role-play by Sibana S. and Praveen Kumar, recreating an iconic scene from the film Manichithrathaazhu.

Initially, few performances were planned, but the enthusiastic reception encouraged more participants to showcase their talents, extending the event until 1:00 am. As it was the final night of the camp, the participants reveled in the festivities, creating lasting memories before retiring to their rooms by 1:30 am.