Vanithadinam News

International Women’s day Celebration

TSCS were able to celebrate the International Women’s day on 8^th March at Pennamma Bhavanam. Sarah Joseph, the eminent writer and orator, did the Main talk on ‘Women, Identity and Resistances’. In her speech Sarah Joseph demanded that the Women, Dalits and Adivasis should get their birth right not the reservation. They should not sit silent but involve creatively and dynamically, otherwise the patriarchal forces will get strengthen and they will continue to subjugate the marginalized sections of the society. She urged that the women should understand their inner strength as change makers and should work as a catalyst for a just society. Mrs. Sajini Pavithran, short story writer inaugurated the session. Dr. Varghese George responded to the talk. Mr. Philip George chaired the session. There are persons from different movements like Chengara Land Struggle and Aaranmula Samara Samithy participated which really enriched the programme. 55 people participated.

  

      “Penn Mizhikaliloode” Reformation

Looking back all the reformation debate going on in and around, the Sanghom decided to look from a woman’s perspective. Thus we read the novel “Berza” of Dr. Khadeeja Mumtas and organized a programme on 27^th November 2011 at Believers Youth Centre, Thiruvalla. The book was read in different perspective by Ms Omana Mathew (Feminist Scholer), Mr K M Thomas (Development Consultant) Mr. Amrutharaj (Editor, DC Books) and Prof.  Mammen George (Thinker). Then Dr Khadeeja Mumtas responded to the presentations. A dynamic spirituality which involve in our day to day lives of the family, society and the Religion was demanded by the women which can transform the life and witness of the church and society was discussed.

Workshop on Eco-sensitivity

Genitcally Modified Crops and its effect on Nature was done on 19^th November 2011 at Believers Youth Centre, Thiruvalla. Mr. Sreedhar and Ms P S Usha from ‘Thanal’ Thruvananthapuram were the facilitators of the programme.  The history of agricultural experiments in India was discussed in details, so that the complexity of the issue could be more understandable. The process of GM Crops and the danger in which when it exposed in the nature in an open area was discussed clearly and the threat was identified. About 50 people were participated.

              

 Contemporary reading of MM Thomas

 A Book reading experience was done at Pennamma Bhavanam on 4^th October 2011 about “Aadujeevitham” by Benyamin. The main presentation was done by Mr. K M Thomas and he tried to derive its spirituality through Christian spirituality. There was big debate about the book and its content. About 15 people participated for the programme.

Workshop on Gender Sensitization

A Workshop was organized on Gender Sensitization in association with the NSS Unit of Christian College Chengannur on 1^st October 2011. Ms. Ragi K R and Ms Ashi Sara Oommen were the facilitators.

               The concept ‘patriarchy’ and its socialization process, the expressions of patriarchy and issues of women in the society are dealt with. The students made a creative chart paper presentation about selected issues of women in the society. About 150 students participated. The discourse had been effective and interactive.

Dharna Against Price Hiking

A Dharna against the phenomenon of price hiking was organized jointly with Dynamic Action on September 24th 2011 at Thiruvalla (Opposite of Transport Bus Stand).

The socio-economic and political nexus which contributed to the price hiking was discussed. The arrogance of the corporate and markets over governments and people of the land was highly condemned. The understanding of price hiking phenomenon as nothing but robbing or snatching away from the poor people’s pocket was explained. A Booklet on ‘Prathirodhangalude puthiya Sabdangal’ was produced and distributed during the Dharna. A Signature campaign was also done from the public.

Workshop on Re-inventing Personhood

A video screening and discussions was conducted at St. Johns Mar Thoma Church, Amalloor on August 30th 2011. The clippings were able to touch the emotions and lives of the participants to think over their life situations and re-enter into it and have a better personhood. About 50 church members participated.

MM THOMAS ORMA

“MM Thomas Vision : Reminiscence and Reading “

Saturday 21 May 2010

Believers Church Youth Center, Tiruvalla

Schedule

Fore-noon Session . 10am Seminar

Moderator : Smt. Ashi Sara Oommen

Presentations:

1.Samudayikavlakaranam keralathil :

(religious stratification/ communitisation of Kerala society)

: Sri. K Venu

2.Land reforms and struggles with special reference to Women and

Dalits

: Dr. Simon john

3.Endosulfan ,symbolic of the degenerated ideology, culture and faith

: Sri.KM Thomas

Discussion :

Afternoon session

2.30 pm. Public Meeting

“Democratic, Secular, Just Society and Communitisation .“

( janadhipathya, mathethara, neetthi samuhavum and samudayavatkaranavum )

Chairperson : Rev.Thomas John

Reminiscence : Prof. Philip N Thomas

Key note Address : Dr. Rajan Gurukkal

Response : Dr. Varghese George

CAMPAIGN

PennammaBhavanam

along with Kerala Council of Churches , URI, and Dynamic
Action is organizing a Protest March and Public Meeting ,

on Monday 25April

at Tiruvalla ,

joining the world wide campaign to ban

ENDOSULFAN.,

The campaign is also intended to press the Govt. of India to adopt a
stand in favour of a global ban on the production and use of Endosulfan at
the International Conference beginning in Geneva on April 25

The Protest March starts at 3pm from YMCA junction to reach the venue of
Public Meeting at the Salvation Army Compound.

CAMPAIGN

Invitation to participate in a programme protesting the use of draconian laws on humanrights and civilrights movement of the country; expressing solidarity with Dr. Binayak Sen and campaigning for his release

At YMCA Thiruvalla on 9^th February 2011 at 3 pm

Greetings to you!

We are in the gross shadow of the gross injustice perpetrated on Dr.Binayak Sen; who has been convicted for life imprisonment.

The verdict passed by the District and Sessions Court Raipore on 24^th December 2010 against Dr.Binayak Sen,

lover of the oppressed and the champions of their cause shocks us and angries us.We feel that the democracy of our country is losing its meaning.

Sure, it is the duty of all who uphold human rights and civil liberties to protest against the proceedings based on the draconian laws of

Chattisgarh State Govt .for the human rights activities championed by

Dr. Sen among those who are denied them.

Thiruvalla Ecumenical Charitable Trust, Dynamic Action Collective and Kerala Council of Churches

are jointly organizing a meeting to express solidarity with Dr. Binayak Sen and to urge the authorities concerned to initiate steps for his release.

The meeting is proposed to be held at 3pm on Wednesday 9^th February, 2011 at the YMCA Hall , Thiruvalla.

Most Rev Dr. Philippose Mar Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan will Inaugurate the meeting and

Dr. Sebastian Paul will be the keynote speaker.

Rt.Rev.Dr. Kuriakose Mar Ivanios; the Vice president of KCC will preside over.

Participation of all concerned with human and civil rights are expected.

NATTUKOOTTAM ;

It is four months since MJ has moved from our midst. We look for his spirit to rest on us; whereupon we propose to live and honour Rev. M.J. Joseph with his favourite style of NATTUKOOTTAM ;

an open gathering to celebrate love, joy and sharing of selves and groups; of course with some open forums for serious thinking together.New Year day 2011 will mark the occasion.

You are invited most earnestly to join at Charalkunnu on 1^st January 2011 to celebrate the life of our M.J.The events will begin with an exhibition of his paintings at 11 am. Also, leading painting artistes join with children and elders for a celebration through creative involvement of brush and colours.

An opening act at 2.30 pm will mark the formal beginning of the get-together.

From 3.30 pm; to put our thoughts and vision together; we have the theme’ Spirituality and Politics –in the context of Social Action and MJ’s life’ and will go up to 5.30 pm.

Dedication of Paintings and Sharing of Memories: between 5.30 and 7.30 pm.

Cultural Action Celebration - 9.30 pm onwards, expecting to finish by a closing act by midnight.

DR. MM THOMAS MEMORIAL LECTURE

DR. MM THOMAS MEMORIAL LECTURE

We are happy to inform you that the 14^th Dr. M.M. Thomas Memorial Lecture is arranged to be held at 4 pm on Friday, 3 Dec.. 2010 in the YMCA Hall, Tiruvalla , jointly by Thiruvalla Ecumenical Charitable Trust (TECT) and Kerala Council of Churches (KCC)

Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon,

General Secretary, National Council of Churches, USA

has kindly consented to deliver Lecture on the theme

“MM Thomas and the Future of Ecumenical Witness”.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos Metropolitan

of the Orthodox Church will preside over the function.

DISCUSSION

A DISCUSSION BASED ON COMING KERALA STATE LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT ELECTION WILL BE HELD

on

8th October 2010,3.30 PM

at

Pennammabhavanam Manjadi Thiruvalla

Subject

Development

CAN NOT REPLACE

Power to people.

Presentation By

Sri K M Thomas

(Former Kerala State 8th Planning Board consultant)

\

Rev M J Joseph Achen Passes Away...

Dear Friend,

Our beloved M J Joseph Achen, after a short period of hospitalization, left us for ever at 00.30 hrs on 12-07-2010.

His friends and relatives will have an occasion to celebrate his valiant and faithful life at Dynamic Action Office in Manjadi,Thiruvalla at 11. 30 AM on 14th July 2010.

The burial service will begin at 2.30 PM in the St. Thomas C S I Church .Tholasserry, Thiruvalla.

Yours in Christ,
Rev Thomas John (Chairperson, TECT)

MM Thomas Memorial Lecture 2010

MM Remembrance Get Together 2010

Date: Saturday 15 May 2010, 10.00 am

Venue: Pennamma Bhavanam, Amalloor, Manjady, Tiruvalla

We are coming together on Saturday, 15 May 2010 to celebrate the 94th birthday of Dr M.M. Thomas.

We will have Dr. Binayak Sen as our Chief Guest.

We invite you and family to join us on this occasion, to celebrate our fellowship and affirm our solidarity to the people in struggle. Kindly see the details as given below and keep May 15^th free. We request you to bring your contributions also, as our functioning depends on your financial support.

Thank you.

For the Tiruvalla Ecumenical Charitable Trust,

Rev. M. J. Joseph, Dr. Varughese George, Jomon Cheriyan James, T.M. Sathyan, Joy Joseph

Programme

10.00am: Opening Affirmation of Togetherness in Struggle

11.00am: Main Address by Dr. Binayak Sen:

State, Corporates and People:

War on People and Dalit - Adivasi Alienation

2.00 pm: Sharing by friends in the struggle

4.00 pm: Cultural Celebration

Discussion Series on
Faith and Politics
at Pennamma Bhavanam

In the contemporary world, the deabte on the political dimension of faith remains as a key issue, especially in the context of the neo liberal world order and its construction of the terrorism discourse. The question of faith is also important in the context of the fresh insights on the secularism/nationalism discourse.

In this context, we would like to initiate fresh debate on the theme through a series of sessions.
The details of the Sessions are given below:

Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 2.30 PM
Session led by Prof C. Mammachen

Friday, February 12, 2010, 2.30 PM
led by Rev. Thomas John

Friday, February 26, 2010, 2.30 PM
led by Rev. MJ Joseph

Saturday, March 13, 2010, 2.30 PM
led by Prof. Mammen Varkey

ALL ARE WELCOME

M M Thomas Remembrance Gettogether 2009

MM Thomas Remembrance Gettogether 2009
We have come together on Friday 04 Decemer 2009 (from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm) at Pennamma Bhavanam to comemmorate Dr MM Thomas on his death anniversary. The programme has begun with singing, worship and bible study, followed by a Seminar on

"Refelctions on Land and Development"
Theme Presentation was made by Smt. Sara Joseph (Renowned feminist writer and activist)
Presentations: Sreeraman Koyyon, Geethanandan & Varghese George

The get together was planned in the backdrop of the contemporary new social movements emerging from the nook an corner of India, which bring in the issue of land and development from different vatage points.

Nalini Naik

Sara Joseph, Rev M J Joseph (chair)

audience

Sara Joseph

audience

audience