Session on legislative think tanks, social empowerment organized at Mangalore University
Mangaluru: The Centre for Future of Democracy, in collaboration with Yes We Can and NSWS, conducted an insightful session at Mangalore University. The event, held recently, was focused on Legislative Think Tanks and Social Empowerment in alignment with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The session was aimed at providing insights and experiences to political science advocates and students from the Department of MSW.
Guests, Stephen Anurag, a Clinton Global Fellow and NISG Project Officer for the Government of Meghalaya, and Shaun Dsouza, a Clinton Global Fellow of 2023 and Director of Myriad Corp, were featured speakers at the event.
Both speakers engaged with the students, sharing their perspectives and encouraging discussions on the impact and scope of social work and political empowerment for the future.
Faculty members from the Department of MSW set the stage for the discussion, emphasizing the importance of exploring ideas rooted in social work to contribute to the achievement of sustainable goals. Stephen Anurag took the opportunity to extend internship opportunities for MSW students in the Centre for Future of Democracy, providing them with practical exposure to real-world scenarios.
The collaborative effort between the Centre for Future of Democracy, Yes We Can, and NSWS aimed to empower the younger generation to participate in shaping the future of democracy and contribute to the accomplishment of the SDGs.
The event, hosted at Mangalore University, emphasized the crucial role of social work in legislative processes, social advocacy, indirect participation of youth in politics, social entrepreneurship, and political advocacy.
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Kerala government to create microsite on ‘Islam in Kerala’ to boost tourism
Thiruvananthapuram: In a bid to showcase Kerala’s rich Islamic heritage and attract a diverse range of tourists, the Kerala government will create a microsite on ‘Islam in Kerala’. The initiative, supported by Kerala Tourism, will feature a comprehensive digital presentation tracing the historical and cultural roots of Islam in the state. Kerala Tourism has sanctioned a sum of Rs 93.8 lakh for the development of the microsite, which aims to highlight the socio-cultural evolution of Islam in Kerala over centuries.
Islam has a deep-rooted history in Kerala, dating back to the 7th century. The microsite will serve as a digital platform to explore the role of Islam in shaping Kerala’s history, architecture, lifestyle, arts, and cultural practices.
The microsite will be divided into six chapters, each highlighting a distinct aspect of Islamic heritage in Kerala, aimed at both domestic and international travellers. According to an RTI filed recently, the content for the microsite is currently under development, with active research being carried out. Field shoots are being conducted at various historic mosques across the state to visually document it.
The first chapter, ‘History of Islam in Kerala’ will focus on the early introduction of Islam in the region, particularly through traders and their first settlement along the Malabar coast, as reported by The Hindu.
Chapter two will be on the Islamic pilgrim centres in Kerala such as Beemapally in Thiruvananthapuram and Juma Masjid in Kasaragod. A host of ancient mosques which are pilgrim centres, including the Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallur, Jama-at Mosque in Malappuram, Mishkal Mosque in Kozhikode, Odathil Palli in Thalassery, Palayam Mosque in Thiruvananthapuram, Ponnani Juma Masjid, Pazhayangadi Mosque in Kondotty and Vavar Mosque in Erumely, will be featured, the publication added.
A third chapter will delve into the rich culinary skills of Muslims — Mappila cuisine, the distinct culinary tradition that blends traditional Kerala, Persian, Yemeni, and Arab influences. This segment will highlight the vibrant costumes of the community, including weddings, pre-wedding, and post-wedding ceremonies, which are expected to be an attraction for tourists.
Another chapter will focus on architecture, particularly the fusion of Arabic and indigenous construction techniques seen in the state.
The final chapter will cover art forms and festivals celebrated by Muslims in Kerala, including the influence of Mappila songs, a form of folklore that emerged in the 16th century.
“There is a need to bring together all the information on Islam, which played an important role in shaping Kerala, under one roof, as part of tourism promotion. This will help tourists and play a major role in bringing religious scholars, historians, students, and pilgrims to Kerala,” a senior officer with Kerala Tourism told the news outlet.
The launch date of the ‘Islam in Kerala’ microsite has not been decided yet. Earlier, Kerala Tourism had created similar microsites on Christianity, Judaism, and temples in Kerala.
