Latest news with #SSUS
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Bid to develop Sanskrit varsity into heritage tourism campus
Kochi: Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS), Kalady, is set to launch an initiative to transform the Kalady main campus into a heritage tourism campus. The announcement was made by syndicate member K S Arun Kumar during a press conference on the campus on Friday. The university also reached an agreement with the protesting students after the varsity made relaxations on curfew times of hostels and rolled back fee hike. The heritage tourism campus project will be implemented by integrating departments of theatre, fine arts, music and dance. Innovative skill development courses will be launched to equip students with expertise in at least three different disciplines. Short-term courses will be introduced in collaboration with ASAP (Additional Skill Acquisition Programme) and Knowledge Mission. For undergraduate students, hostel timings will be until 7.30pm. However, in essential circumstances, students can be permitted to go out till 9.30pm after entering in the movement register. For postgraduate students, hostel timing will be till 9.30pm, with extensions allowed for university-related events upon prior permission. Researchers will be allowed to use the reading room even after 11pm. However, entries must be made in the hostel and reading room registers for usage after 11pm. Students can leave the hostel in cases of medical emergencies, part-time jobs or other urgent needs with special permission. The university's main gate will close at 11pm. A special meeting will be held to discuss research scholars' concerns on Wednesday.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Memo issued to students agitating against restrictions on SSUS campus
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS), Kalady, has issued show-cause notices to 22 students asking why action should not be taken against them for protesting against disciplinary rules imposed on the campus and hostels. The Students Federation of India (SFI) had launched a protest against the order issued by the varsity to ensure discipline on the campus and hostels. The student activists had staged a protest at the main gate, demanding that the curbs imposed on classrooms and hostels be withdrawn immediately. According to the new rules, students will not be permitted to remain in classrooms after 5 p.m. Entry to hostels will not be allowed after 9.30 p.m. The absence of students from hostels after the deadline will be intimated to parents. The disciplinary rules were proposed by a sub-committee of the Syndicate led by K.S. Arunkumar, member of the Ernakulam district secretariat of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). A communication issued by the varsity on Wednesday alleged that the students' protest was launched without prior notice. They had obstructed the duty of security personnel by not permitting them to lock the gate at night. Hostel residents were allegedly asked to come out of hostels as a mark of protest against rules. The screening of a movie on the campus at night was also a serious violation of norms, it said. The SFI unit committee had alleged that the restrictions that students should not remain in classrooms after 5 p.m. would affect their studies, especially for those pursuing dance and theatre courses.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kalady Sanskrit University staff's journey from fitness to arangettam
A desire to keep their bodies fit and flexible as old age beckoned saw Betty Varghese, Sunitha Rani, Manju, and Sheeja George — four non-teaching staff of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) at Kalady — practice Bharatanatyam. An arangettam (debut) performance soon followed on the university campus, further cementing their journey as classical dancers. 'None of us has a classical dance background,' Betty, a 53-year-old engineer with the university, reflects. However, she wanted to take up an exercise regime to ensure she remained agile and flexible, in addition to, of course, losing weight. 'When I shared my thoughts with Sushma, a final year Mohiniyattam student, she suggested dancing as a remedy. Well, that was the start,' Betty says. As for Sheeja George, an assistant with the painting department of the university, never in her wildest dreams had she thought she'd learn classical dance or perform on stage. 'For me, the buck stopped with Zumba,' Sheeja says. But what got her learning Bharatanatyam? 'Everything for me and the other three began when we started practising the steps for Thiruvathira, which was to be performed for the university's Onam celebrations. Since we didn't have a dance background, we found it difficult to pick up the steps,' Sheeja adds. So, when they discussed it with their colleagues, one of them suggested seeking help from the students of the Dance Department. 'That's how we got in contact with the Mohiniyattom student Sushama,' says Sheeja. The three began taking dance tuitions from Sushama after working hours from 5pm to 6pm. Betty also joined in and the quorum was complete. 'The initial days were tough for us,' says Betty. With no exercise, their bodies were rigid and Bharatanatyam not only requires flexibility but also stamina by the truck-load. 'It was tough doing the 'Araimandi'. So you can imagine how tough it would have been for us to do the muzhumandi. But after a year and a half of practice and performances, I can do Araimandi easily,' Betty adds. She was also able to reduce her weight. 'Besides the weight loss and flexibility that we have achieved, the most important gift that dance has given is mental happiness. Dance is a true stress-buster,' agree Betty and Sheeja. But why Bharatanatayam? 'The dance, unlike Mohiniyattam, has vigorous movements and steps. Since our main agenda was exercise we opted to go with this dance form. Now, we will be continuing our dance classes and would love to perform on stage if chances present themselves,' says Sreeja, who is 52. Betty and others point out that they have gained the confidence to perform on stage. The Bharatanatyam Arangettam, something that has never happened in a university until now, has got other staff in the university keen to join the dance classes as well.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Historic ship embarks on final voyage to become world's largest artificial reef: 'An emotional maritime moment'
An ocean liner that holds the transatlantic speed record and once carried movie stars and presidents across the sea is about to embark on a new voyage — at the bottom of the ocean. The SS United States, long celebrated as America's flagship, will soon be transformed into the world's largest artificial reef, according to Nice News. The ship had long been out of use and was under a court eviction order, putting it in the crosshairs of being scrapped. Instead, the historic vessel will be carefully prepared and sunk off the coast of Florida, becoming a permanent home for marine life and an intriguing destination for divers and researchers. "This is an emotional maritime moment," Capt. Joseph Farrell, a ship-sinking and reef expert, told NBC Philadelphia. "The SS United States is a testament to America's might and engineering ingenuity. Her sinking is the final chapter for the last all-American-made, America-flagged ocean liner." And it's easy to understand the nostalgia. The ship, which is over 100 feet longer than the Titanic, set off on its maiden voyage in 1952 and once carried John F. Kennedy, Walt Disney, Judy Garland, John Wayne, and Marilyn Monroe as an iconic symbol of Americana. Its next journey may just be the most meaningful yet. The SS United States Conservancy has long been working to protect the ship's legacy, and former President Bill Clinton called it "a symbol of our country's industry and accomplishment." However, attempts to find a new port or make it an attraction have failed. Luckily, artificial reefing offers the SS United States a new life that preserves its legacy in an eco-friendly way. Artificial reefs help restore damaged ecosystems by providing shelter for fish, coral, and other marine life. They also ease pressure on natural reef systems by drawing tourism and supporting coastal economies. This is a perfect example of how communities can honor their cultural heritage while also boosting local economies and building a cleaner, safer future for all of us. "As the World's Largest Artificial Reef, the story of the SSUS will be told to thousands of divers from around the world as they explore her unique design and features," a news release stated. "She will also benefit her surrounding ecosystem and become home to countless marine species that will thrive from the presence of her structure." How concerned are you about the plastic waste in our oceans? Extremely I'm pretty concerned A little Not much Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
SS United States arrives in Alabama to be prepped for sinking, world's largest artificial reef
March 3 (UPI) -- The decommissioned luxury liner SS United States, dating back to 1952, completed its final journey Monday from South Philadelphia to Alabama, where it will undergo preparations before it is sunk in the waters off Florida's Gulf Coast to become the world's largest artificial reef. The massive 72-year-old ship, which was retired in 1969, will be submerged after more than six months of work in Mobile to insure that the vessel is environmentally safe, Okaloosa County wrote in an email to UPI. The work will include removing old fuel, paint and wiring and will be done in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Environmental Protection. The ship, which is made entirely of metal, is expected to be submerged about 20 nautical miles south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Florida. "We are proud to continue the story of this historic vessel as an artificial reef along with the land-based museum," Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon said Monday. "I applaud the Destin-Fort Walton Beach team in their efforts to succeed in this important next step and look forward to the immense impact she will continue to have on the lives of those who appreciate her history." The SS United States, which remains the largest passenger ship ever built in the United States with the capacity to hold 1,984 passengers, will provide a "much-needed habitat for a variety of marine species like grouper, snapper, mackerel and tuna." The plan is to cut holes throughout the ship to make sure it lands upright and to provide openings for marine life. It will also become a "worldwide hub for divers." The luxury liner, which measures 990 feet long, will provide diving opportunities for both beginners and technical drivers. The depth of the reef is expected to be 180 feet to the bottom and about 55 feet to the upper deck. "As the World's Largest Artificial Reef, the story of the SSUS will be told to thousands of divers from around the world as they explore her unique design and features," the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department said in a news release last month. "She will also benefit her surrounding ecosystem and become home to countless marine species that will thrive from the presence of her structure." The SS United States, which once held the transatlantic speed record between the United States and Europe at an average speed of more than 41 mph, departed South Philadelphia nearly two weeks ago and was towed by several tugs along the Atlantic Coast and around the southern tip of Florida to Alabama. Its journey was delayed last year after Coast Guard officials questioned its seaworthiness amid storm activity. Among its esteemed passengers during its 17-year run, were comedian Bob Hope, actor John Wayne, Princess Grace of Monaco, artist Salvadore Dali, actress Rita Hayworth and former President Harry Truman. The ship had spent the last 29 years docked on the Delaware River in Philadelphia after falling into disrepair. The SS United States' two smoke stacks remain the world's tallest at 65 feet each, which is about the size of a six-story building. The two funnels will be removed before its sinking and will be placed in an onshore museum, which will also house other artifacts from the ship. The entire project -- which includes acquiring the luxury liner, getting it ready to be submerged and building the museum -- is expected to cost $10.1 million.
