Govt.CTE, Trivandrum-Centenary: 2. Formation of the Swagath Sangham

For the well wishers, staff and students of the Government College of Teacher Education, Thiruvananthapuram, the academic year 2009-2010 was a period of great anticipation, excitement and pride…for, the college was on the threshold of celebrating its Centenary.

Many preliminary meetings were held in the college to initiate steps for the formation of a Centenary Reception Committee (Swagath Sangom) comprising the alumni, the general public and staff and students of the college to plan and celebrate the cherished moment.

The Formation of the Swagath Sangham

Press notifications and letters were mailed to the alumni of the last ten years (2000-2010) intimating the proposed formation of a Swagath Sangam on 5^th March 2010. From the members present on the day of formation of the Swagath Sangam, a Committee was formed.

The then Principal of the college, Dr. M.S.Geetha, officially took over as the General Convenor and a former Principal of the college, Prof Jacob Mathew took over as the Chairman of the Steering Committee. All the faculty members of the college were assigned role as Convenors and members of the alumni and former teachers present during the meeting were assigned roles as Chairman of the fourteen different Committees.

The meeting also approved the Centenary Logo and the Welcome Song- Swagatha Ganam designed and composed by the then College Union Chairman, Sri Francis. The proposed plan for hosting a series of programmes based on the limited funds available through contributions from the alumni, the college faculty, parents and well wishers was also approved during the first meeting. For proper execution of the programs the faculty of the college were assigned roles as Convenors for the major programmes proposed to be organized during the Centenary year.

Change of Office

Being a Government-run college, half way through the Centenary Celebrations many teachers were transferred and some promoted and appointed in other teacher training colleges in the State.

In mid 2011 Mrs. Mary Xavier, assumed office as Principal of the college and in the Swagath Sangam meeting held in the college, she took over as the General Convenor of the Centenary Celebrations.