TOI LUCKNOW - IT College set for celebrations

The quasquicentennial (125 years) celebrations of Isabella Thoburn College will kick off on Tuesday (November 1). While the registration of guests will be done on the first day, the main celebrations will begin from Wednesday after the formal inauguration by President Pratibha Patil. Former chairman of National Commission for Women and an alumnus of the college V Mohini Giri will also pay a visit to her alma mater on the occasion.

Last minute preparations are underway at the college to welcome the President Patil who will spend about an hour with the faculty and the students.

During the four-day festivity IT College will play host to several national and international guests. On the opening day, the registration of guests will be done the entire day. Later, a thanksgiving service will be held between 5.30pm and 7pm.

IT College principal ES Charles said: "During the celebrations, the foundation stone for the new PG block and a girls hostel will be laid.'' This will cater to the growing influx of students.

On the second two, the inaugural ceremony by the President will be followed by student celebration programmes. In the evening, March of Time, a sound and light presentation, will be held. On November 3, various workshops and seminars will be organised. The keynote address on 'Transcending Boundaries and Transforming Lives' will be given by Harriet Olson, deputy general secretary, Women's Division, US.

A session on global education including socio-political perspectives, gender-the unfinished agenda, engaging with diversity, dialogue between cultures, the sintered crucible will follow. Simultaneously, another session on challenging education with themes as responsible citizenship-civic realities, accommodating vulnerabilities, rewriting politics, privatisation and access - examining the balance sheet, the melting pot- poverty and health will be organised.

The last day will see a discussion on 'Innovations in higher education' which will include expanding paradigms-enhancing perspectives, common platforms-fragmented worlds, shared commitments and supportive networks, education-the hidden agenda, technology- the push cart, science and technology- addressing the trillions. An exhibition and a street play will also be organized.

Besides, the highlight for the celebrations will be the presence of a rock band from Mumbai and various cultural programmes by IT College students.

Started in 1860 in a one-room, the college was named as Lucknow Women's College which began functioning on July 12, 1886 with Fine Arts classes affiliated to Calcutta University. In 1984, the college was affiliated to Allahabad University. On 125 years of celebration, representatives from various Christian schools built by the Missionary that started IT will visit the college.

Recently, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) recommended the college for autonomy. The district administration too is overseeing the preparations at the college to ensure hassle-free celebrations. There will be tight security at the college during four-day festivity.