Oneiros: Talk-a-thon

The next day of Oneros was filled with joy and fun activities, so was Sophia's next event: "Talkathon"

Talkathon is the event was a name for extempore speech competition. Extempore speech is reffed to as an improv speech for which the topics were given 2 mins before the speech. The participants were excited with the topics like Liberal Education, Reservation, Right to Speech and more.

The idea of the event was inspired from the fact that whatever our mind reflects within the first few minutes of an information, forms the basis of the opinions that we have (changeable).

The criteria for judgement was:

1} confidence and fluency of the participant

2}presence of mind of participant

3}relevance to the topic

4}keep in mind the time limit given to you.

The judges for the event were Dr. Sonali Singh, Assistant Prof of Political Science, Department of Arts, MUJ and Dr. Gopalkrishnan Thirumoorthy, MUJ.

The winner of the competition was Akash Yadav, 2nd Year B. Tech, MUJ.
His presentation skills were on the point and managed to impress the judges.
We congratulate the winner.

Oneiros: Sophia Debate

The second event for the day (19th of October) was the Sophia Debate. Like other debates, Sophia debate is also a formal discussion regarding the subject matter, involving generally two or multiple people, one showing the positive side of the coin and the other showing the negative side of the coin. in the Sophia debate the topic of the debate were given to the participants on the spot. The topic was "STRIKING OUT OF IPC SECTION 497 IS MORALLY AND ETHICALLY CORRECT"

Adultery law in India is defined by the Indian Penal Code Section 497. The adultery law has come under the scanner of the judiciary several times in the past but the courts including the Supreme Court held Section 497 valid. But in the latest case, the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra called the adultery law "anti-women" while hearing a petition that challenged Section 497 for being anti-men and giving leverage to women.

IPC Section 497 states, "Whoever has sexual intercourse with a person who is and whom he knows or has reason to believe to be the wife of another man, without the consent or connivance of that man, such sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, is guilty of the offence of adultery."

The Supreme Court on August 2, said, "The law seems to be pro-women but is anti-women in a grave ostensible way. As if with the consent of the husband, wife can be subjected to someone else's desire. That's not Indian morality."

We at Sophia believe that voicing your opinion is as meaningful as having them, and hence, like every year, Sophia debate received good number of participation.

The judges of the event were Dr. Sonali Singh, Assistant Prof. od Political Science, Department of Arts, MUJ, and Dr. Shambhu Chaudhary, Department of Chemistry, MUJ.

Nikhil Singh from LNM Institute of Technology won the Sophia debate'19.

Nikhil Singh, 2nd year, B. Tech, LNMIT, Jaipur. (Middle), along with Dr. Prof. Anthony Savari Raj, and the organizers of the event. 

Onieros: Let's Tweet

Onieros has been one of the most enjoyed fests of Manipal University Jaipur. Sophia Club, being one of the organisation committee of the fest organised three major events which will be covered through the blog.

The first event took place on the 19th of October, in the college campus itself. The event was Let's Tweet. The main idea behind the event was to ditch this screen culture and put forth our opinion offline. We tried creating an offline Twitter, upon which the participants were asked to retweet (forward their opinions on the given topic) in person.

The topic for Let's Tweet was the current famous movement #metoo.

The Me Too movement (or #MeToo movement), with a large variety of local and international alternative names, is a movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault. The movement began to spread virally in October 2017 as a hashtag on social media in an attempt to demonstrate the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and harassment, especially in the workplace. The original purpose of "Me Too" as used by Tarana Burke in 2006, was to empower women through empathy, especially young and vulnerable women. In October 2017, Alyssa Milano encouraged using the phrase as a hashtag to help reveal the extent of problems with sexual harassment and assault by showing how many people have experienced these events themselves.

Enough Said about the topic, the participants had a variety of opinion regarding the movement. Some of them said that the movement was serving its purpose of empowering women, yet some disagreed saying that this movement took advantages innocent men in an unstable relationship. The judges of the event were Dr. Prof. Anthony Savari Raj, HOD, Department of Arts, and Dr. Roshni Babu, Assistant Prof. of Philosophy, Department of Arts, MUJ.

The enthusiasm of the participants led our judges speak regarding the topic as well and spread awareness. Dr. Roshni Babu took the opportunity to explain to the crowd, the impression of such movements on the social reformation of the Society and making it harmonious. Later, Dr. Sonali Singh made us acquainted with the fact that this movement has become one of India's most prominent movement of the Year 2018, and hence was recognised by women who were suffering sexual assault or were in an abusive relationship.

Tanmay Thareja bagged the prize for the same. His views were novel, and the presentation style was appealing to our judges.

Tanmay Thareja,
Winner of Let's Tweet,
1st year, B. tech, MUJ

Sophia Quiz on National Unity Day'18

"There is something unique in this soil, which despite many obstacles has always remained the abode of great souls” ~ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

31^st October is celebrated in India as the National Unity Day. Sophia Club, under the instructions of MUJ, held a Quiz for its members. The president of Club, Payal Mulani; BA Psychology 2^nd year, threw light on the great life of The Ironman of India. 

Before the quiz started, faculty coordinator of Sophia Club, Dr. Prof. Anthony S. Raj inspired the part takers about “Philosophy” as the Love of Wisdom and Wisdom of Love.  All of the members, including Anthony Sir, paid homage to the departed soul of Vallabhbhai Patel.

The quiz was based on the life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and contribution towards Independence of India. The questions revolved around India before and after Independence and life of Patel. It was held in two rounds. The first round included all the participants who answered ten questions. All of them fared very well. The top five scorers made it to the final round in which level-up questions were asked.

We got a clear winner, Aman Tongia, B.Tech (Chemical Engineering) 2^nd year.

Dean Proctor of Student Affairs, MUJ, and our dear N.D. Mathur Sir gave his valuable words of appreciation to the Club and its members. We thank him for his presence on the occasion.

The event ended with a group picture and a heartfelt thanks to all the participants, Anthony Sir And Mathur Sir for their efforts and valuable time for Sophia Family. 

Thanking the Student Affairs, MUJ for giving us the opportunity. 

General Body Meeting- 2018

“The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing.”

The General Body Meeting of the Year 2018 was held on 22^nd of September in campus, MUJ. The now President, Payal Mulani, inaugurated the event by welcoming all the philosophy enthusiasts and specially Dr. Prof. Anthony Savari Raj. 

He has been nourishing Sophia from its roots to the very leaf. Being the faculty coordinator of the club, he has been very supportive and appreciative towards its activities and in reminding us that there is always room for better. The former president and General Secretary of the Club, Aparna Singh and Subhoshree Mitra joined us and increased the glory of the event.

Pranav Sirgur; 1^st Year B.tech, a proud member of Sophia, introduced Philosophy as being a broader term than usually used. It is the love of wisdom and wisdom of love; subject for some and a whole lifestyle for others. With that, he also introduced activities of the club: Discussion Forums, Debates, Rainbow Lectures, Guest Lectures, Research Methodology Classes, Harmony Trips, Movie Screening, The journal “Pratibimba”, and many more.

Anthony Sir dedicated his words to explain how this Epicurean Club; Sophia, will help you lead an epicurean life. An epicurean is a person who lives in the moment. Anthony sir defined Epicureanism as “Eat and Make Merry, as tomorrow we shall die”. He said that nothing lies in the reach of human intellect; it is all because of the collisions of atoms. Therefore, life should be passive experiencing what comes by without supposing ourselves to be capable of changing any situation.

On that note, The General boy Meeting was concluded by making the positions of the Core Committee and Organizing Committee open for Stage, Events, Art and Craft, and Promotions.

Sophia family happily and warmly extended its gratitude and welcomed its new members.

Release of The Second Edition Of "Pratibimba"

“Cogito Ergosum: I think, therefore I am”

The product of a thought, our annual journal “Pratibimba” came into being on 13th of April’17. The club released the second edition of its annual journal “Pratibimba” on the 4th of September. Payal Mulani, the current president of the club, greeted the audience and with great enthusiasm and commenced the program.

 The event could not get a better start than the Lighting of the Lamp which was done by Dr. G.K. Prabhu, President of Manipal University Jaipur; Prof. N.D. Mathur, Dean Proctor, Student Affairs, Manipal University Jaipur; Dr. Geetika Tankha, Head Of Department of Psychology, Manipal University Jaipur; Dr. Prof. Anthony S. Raj, Head Of Department of Arts and Faculty Coordinator of Sophia Club, and Aparna Singh (B-Tech ECE 4th Year) Outgoing president Sophia Club, Manipal University Jaipur.

Faculty Coordinator of Sophia Club, Dr. Prof. Anthony S. Raj, took privilege to welcome all the guests. He beautifully summed up what philosophy is and how Sophia Club has promoted Philosophy among the students of MUJ.

Aparna Singh, ECE 4th year, Outgoing President, Sophia Club, proudly stood up to introduce the Journal "Pratibimba" to the guests, tell them that the journal publishes research papers by the students and faculty of Manipal University Jaipur. She also introduced the activities conducted by Sophia Club, from Guests Lectures, debates, group discussions, to the harmony trip. She concluded by explaing that philosophy aims to provide a common platform for all students to exchange their intellectual thoughts and ideas and an outlet for dialogue on philosophical questions important in all walks of life.

Prof. N.D. Mathur, Director, Student Affairs, MUJ, was then invied on the  for his words of felicitation. He, in his speech, metaphorically summarized what a philosopher actually is, taking in consideration the fact that Philosophy is the mother of all other disciplines. He appreciated Sophia for being an active club, encouraging philosophy enthusiasts.

The release of "Pratibimba" was done by Dr. G.K. Prabhu, Prof. N.D. Mathur, Dr. Prof. Geetika Tankha, Dr. Prof. Anthony S. Raj, Ms. Roshani Babu (Professor, Department of Philosophy), Mr. Robin (Professor, Department of Philosophy). They showcased the cover page of the journal by cutting of the ribbons on the journal. They were assisted by Aparna Singh and Subhoshree Mitra (Outgoing General Secretary, Sophia Club). With that, a copy of the journal was gracefully handed over to the guests and the faculty.

Honorable President, Manipal University Jaipur, Dr. G.K. Prabhu addressed the audience with his words of blessing. He appreciated the scale of efforts being made by The Sophia, and all the other cultural clubs on focusing over the significance of extra-curricular activities in the campus. He very precisely explained why a leader should posses the skill of suffering and gaining experience. He emphasized on the fact that Experiencing is a Skill.

The event was successfully concluded by Subhoshree Mitra, 4th year, IT, and outgoing General Secretary, Sophia Club. She thanked the guests and faculties for their valuable presence.

-Subhoshree Mitra, General Secretary

Sophia Club organized a lecture which was held in March,2018 and our guest lecturer was Swami Shri Hari Prasad and along with our own HOD, Dept. of Arts, Prof. Dr. Anthony Savari Raj. 

After an opening and welcome by Sophia Club’s Vice President Sadvansha Munshi. Anthony sir welcomed Swami Ji, he then with a gleaming face, told us about his friendship with him and how open and big a heart he had. Swami Ji then started his lecture first by briefly explaining the four purusharthas, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. He started the lecture with slight humour and told us that each separate person has his own understanding of these purusharthas and he could only impart to us what his own understanding was, we were free to learn and form and understanding of our own. To understand them we should know the words of the scriptures themselves, everybody does not believe and those who do believe, they believe in only some of them.

Swami Ji then explained dharma and how the four pillars which guided it, principle of righteousness, honesty of purpose, truthfulness and not hurting others. Following these life moves forward in a proper way. Dharma is culture 

specific; every place has their own traditions which they follow. Dharma has few more shastras under it, but to study them would take time. Then there is artha shastra, which dictates what a person aims in his life and how to achieve it. Many people have similar aims in life but they are never the same. Each person has a different outlook to life. How one achieves success in life and the morals which guide us to the right actions done in a proper way. A narrow mined person will take his decisions viewing those close to him as family and a deeper and more understanding person will take the same decisions viewing the entirety of the population and mother earth as his family. Kama, the next shastra gives us the knowledge about not only physical pleasure but it also explains love for other people and the world. It explains all types of pleasure in life and thus has 64 further shastras under it. There exist shastras even for cooking and enjoying food. It guides people to understand that if there is a thing in your life you will enjoy it and if it is not present you won’t mind its absence. Finally there is moksha, which makes you ask yourself questions like who you are to yourself, what is the most important thing for you and may more. By observing yourself you can achieve moksha. Experiences in life are only to show you where you are and where you can go from there, they are not meant to tie you down. All of these shastras have negative effects if overly done, Kama can make a person only strive for physical pleasure, dharma can restrict your view to only what you believe in and artha can give you frustration when you compare yourself to others. All the shastras therefore have to learnt and not overdone.

He concluded his lecture by telling us that we shouldn’t keep asking questions and we should look for answers ourselves instead. We need to liberate ourselves from ideas which control us and make us their slaves. Nobody can free a slave who doesn’t want to be freed; only you yourself can strive for liberation in your life.

The lecture followed a quick Q & A sessions where Swami Ji gave us answers which opened our minds more. The vote of thanks was given by Robin sir; he thanked Anthony sir for planning this event and thanked Sophia Club for their work to prepare a suitable stage for that lecture and making this event successful and meaningful. 

All students walked out realising that they had now been given a torch which would help them shine some light on their lives and guide them on their journey of life.