A Homecoming in Words: Celebrating Veenita Pacheco’s Book Launch

 

A Homecoming in Words: Celebrating Veenita Pacheco’s Book Launch

There are events that inform, and then there are events that inspire. On 12 December 2025, the Carmel College Library became a space of inspiration as students gathered for the Book Launch and Discussion of alumna Veenita Pacheco’s book, Mother, I: The Fourth Dove, Among the Three.

Organised by the Department of English, Department of Library Science, and the Readers’ Mind Book Club, the programme was not just about releasing a book — it was about celebrating a journey from classroom reader to published author.

A Beginning Filled with Warmth

The morning opened with a welcome and invocation, creating a reflective atmosphere. The audience was introduced to the young author and her academic journey, reminding everyone that the path to authorship often begins in familiar places — libraries, lectures, and late-night thoughts.

When the book was officially released, followed by a small celebratory cake-cutting, the moment felt deeply personal. It was less like watching a guest speaker and more like celebrating one of our own.

Behind the Pages: The Writer Speaks

The highlight of the event was the interactive conversation with the author. She spoke about:

• Her inspiration for writing
• The themes explored in the book
• The challenges of completing a manuscript
• The experience of publishing at a young age

Students listened not as spectators, but as future writers imagining their own possibilities.

Questions That Sparked Ideas

The Q&A session transformed the programme into a dialogue. Questions about creativity, discipline, and writer’s block led to honest answers that demystified the writing process.

Writing, students realised, is not sudden brilliance — it is patience, observation, and persistence.

Why the Event Was Special

Meeting an alumna author made achievement feel accessible. The distance between “student” and “writer” suddenly seemed very small.

The programme encouraged:
• Interest in reading beyond academic texts
• Confidence in creative writing
• Engagement with contemporary literature
• Aspirations toward publication

A Takeaway Beyond the Book

By the end of the event, the book had certainly found readers — but more importantly, it had sparked writers.

The session left behind a quiet but powerful message:

Every reader carries a story.
Some just need the courage to write it.

Rethink, Reuse, Reimagine: The Eco-Conscious Thrift Initiative

 

Rethink, Reuse, Reimagine: The Eco-Conscious Thrift Initiative

In a world of fast fashion and faster consumption, Carmel College chose to slow down — thoughtfully. The Department of English, along with the Carmel Cine Club, organised an eco-friendly thrift initiative beginning 27 January 2026 under the library premises.

What looked like a small display of pre-loved items soon turned into a powerful lesson in sustainable living.

More Than a Sale

Clothes, books, accessories, and reusable items were arranged neatly, each carrying a story of its own. The idea was simple:
instead of discarding useful items, give them a second life.

Students browsing the collection weren’t just shopping — they were participating in a movement against waste.

Learning Sustainability Practically

Environmental awareness is often discussed in classrooms, but this initiative allowed students to experience it firsthand. By choosing reused items over new ones, they understood how everyday decisions affect the planet.

The activity gently challenged habits of impulse buying and encouraged mindful consumption.

Small Choices, Big Difference

The initiative promoted:
• Reduction of landfill waste
• Reuse culture
• Responsible lifestyle choices
• Awareness of environmental impact

Participants realised sustainability doesn’t always require large sacrifices — sometimes it begins with a simple decision not to throw something away.

The Real Success

The event wasn’t measured by the number of items sold, but by the conversations it started. Students began discussing fast fashion, overconsumption, and environmental responsibility in everyday life.

Because sustainability becomes meaningful only when it becomes personal.

And this initiative did exactly that — it transformed an ordinary space under the library into a reminder that caring for the planet can begin with the smallest action.

A Book, A Voice, A Beginning: Celebrating Xena Bal’s Literary Debut

 

A Book, A Voice, A Beginning: Celebrating Xena Bal’s Literary Debut

Some moments in college life quietly turn into milestones — not just for the person being celebrated, but for everyone who witnesses it. On 7 February 2026, Carmel College hosted one such memorable occasion: the Book Launch and Discussion of alumna Xena Bal.

Held in a hybrid mode at the IQAC Hall, the programme brought together students, faculty, and online participants, proving that literature easily crosses both physical and digital spaces.

A Warm and Meaningful Beginning

The event opened with a prayer, setting a calm and reflective tone. The guest was warmly introduced, and the audience was given a glimpse into the author’s journey — from student to published writer.

Soon after came the most awaited moment:
the official release of the book, carried out in the presence of faculty members and the author’s parents. The atmosphere felt personal and celebratory — not just an academic event, but a proud community achievement.

When a Book Becomes a Conversation

The highlight of the programme was the book discussion led by the Head of the Department. The session explored the themes, style, and relevance of the work, helping students see how literature is analysed beyond simply “reading a story.”

What followed was the most engaging part — an interactive Q&A session.
Students asked about inspiration, writing struggles, and the creative process. The author’s honest responses made writing feel real and achievable rather than distant or intimidating.

Why the Event Mattered

For many students, meeting a young author — and that too an alumna — changed their perception of writing. Publication no longer seemed like something reserved for famous writers alone.

The session encouraged:
• Reading beyond the syllabus
• Confidence in creative expression
• Curiosity about publishing
• Inspiration to begin writing

A Lasting Impact

The programme concluded with gratitude and a sense of motivation lingering in the room. Students didn’t just attend a book launch — they witnessed the journey of someone who once sat where they sit now.

And perhaps the strongest message of the day was simple:

Writers are not born elsewhere.
Sometimes, they grow right inside classrooms.

Kerala Literature Festical-KLF

 

A Journey Beyond Books: Our Experience at the Kerala Literature Festival 2026

Some learning doesn’t happen inside classrooms — it happens by stepping into the world itself. And that is exactly what a group of English students from Carmel College experienced when they attended the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) 2026 at Kozhikode Beach from 22nd to 25th January 2026.

Where Literature Meets Life

The Kerala Literature Festival, often called Asia’s largest literary festival, is not just about books. It is a celebration of ideas, cultures, voices, and conversations. Writers, artists, scientists, journalists, and thinkers from across the globe gather at one place — and suddenly literature becomes alive.

For us, it felt like entering a living library.

A Conversation… From Space!

One of the most unforgettable moments was the interactive session by NASA astronaut Sunita Williams titled “Once Upon A Time… In Space.”

Listening to her journey — from an ordinary middle-class childhood to travelling beyond Earth — was deeply inspiring. She didn’t just talk about science; she spoke about courage, discipline, and dreaming beyond limitations. It made us realize that stories are not only written in books — some are written in the sky.

Voices That Opened Our Eyes

The festival introduced us to realities far beyond our textbooks:

• Journalist Anjana Sankar discussed the lives of Afghan women under the Taliban — a session that was emotional, intense, and eye-opening.

• Actor Prakash Raj shared his personal journey in cinema and life, making us reflect on art as a form of truth.

• Japanese author Satoshi Yagisawa spoke about global storytelling and cultural connections through literature.

• During a book signing interaction, Dr. Shashi Tharoor encouraged students to stay curious and reminded us that the future belongs to young thinkers.

Each session felt like travelling to a different country without leaving the beach.

Learning Outside the Classroom

The festival was not just about listening — it was about thinking. We questioned, debated, reflected, and connected literature to society, politics, culture, and identity.

We discovered that literature is not merely stories written by authors — it is the story of humanity itself.

What We Took Back Home

We returned with more than souvenirs and photographs:

• Confidence to express ideas
• Awareness of global issues
• Motivation to read beyond syllabus
• Inspiration to write and create
• Appreciation for culture and heritage

Most importantly — we came back seeing literature not as a subject, but as a way of understanding the world.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes a festival becomes a turning point. The Kerala Literature Festival was exactly that — a space where curiosity was encouraged, questions were welcomed, and learning felt exciting.

And perhaps the biggest lesson we learnt was this:

Books tell stories.
But conversations change people.

Play A Character

 

Lights, Camera, Character! A Day of Creativity at Carmel College

What happens when cinema walks out of the screen and onto the stage?
On 9 January 2026, Carmel College witnessed exactly that — a vibrant celebration of imagination and performance through the Play-A-Character Inter-Higher Secondary Competition, organised by the Carmel Cine Club in collaboration with the Department of English.

The campus transformed into a mini film universe where iconic characters came alive, not through CGI or camera angles, but through pure talent and enthusiasm.

A Stage Full of Stories

The event began with a warm welcome by the Principal, followed by encouraging words from the Head of the Department of English, both highlighting how performance arts nurture confidence and creativity beyond textbooks.

Soon after, the stage belonged entirely to the students.

From dramatic villains to beloved cultural icons, participants embodied characters with remarkable dedication. The audience watched in awe as figures like Pennywise, Queen Padmavati, Kaashibai, Gangubai, Baburao, Dayaben, Meenamma, The Godfather, Jhilmil Chatterjee, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj appeared one after another — each performance distinct, expressive, and unforgettable.

It no longer felt like a competition.
It felt like cinema breathing in real time.

Solo Acts, Group Magic

The solo category showcased individual brilliance — voice modulation, expressions, costumes, and confidence all came together to recreate cinematic personalities.

The group category brought another dimension — teamwork. Coordinated movements, shared dialogues, and storytelling created miniature stage productions that kept the audience completely engaged.

To add fun energy between performances, spontaneous film-based spot-prize activities kept everyone laughing and participating.

Celebrating Talent

After a challenging evaluation by the judges, the winners were announced:

Solo Category

• 1st Prize — Deepali Jamuni (Chhatrapati Shivaji portrayal)

• 2nd Prize — Trishani Mondal (Dayaben)

• 3rd Prize — Riddhi Gadekar (Jhilmil Chatterjee)

Group Category

• 1st — The King’s School

• 2nd — St. Cruz Higher Secondary School

• 3rd — Manovikas Higher Secondary School

The applause that followed proved that every participant had already won confidence and experience.

More Than Just Acting

By the end of the event, students had gained much more than certificates:

• Confidence in public performance
• Better communication and expression
• Appreciation of cinema as storytelling
• Team collaboration skills
• Cultural understanding through characters

The Real Achievement

The programme reminded everyone that education is not limited to lectures and exams. Sometimes, learning happens when a student dares to step into another person’s shoes — even if that person is a fictional character.

Because when students perform, they don’t just act —
they understand emotions, perspectives, and humanity.

And that is where real learning begins.