HGI Celebrates XMas

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

Hindustan University staged their Christmas celebrations with grandeur on 16th December 2011. Hindustan Group of Institutions comprising Hindustan University, Hindustan Institution of Engineering and Technology, KCG College of Technology, Hindustan College of Arts and Science, Orient Flight School, National Institution of Management Studies got together to celebrate the festive season and spread the message of Christmas. Dr. Elizabeth Verghese, Chairperson, HGI, Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Pro-Chancellor, Hindustan University, Dr. K. Sarukesi, Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Ashok Verghese , Director, Ms. Annie Jacob , Director, KCTECH, Dr. Susan Marthandan, Director, HCAS and other members of the Management, staff and students of HGI were present on the occasion.

The week long celebration was embedded with Choral Competitions and Biblia Quiz opened to the neighboring institutions that included schools, colleges and churches. This was a unique and first attempt by an institution to spread the Message of Christ in the right spirit of brethren among the fellow being and spread the message of love during the festive season.

The grand finale of the Xmas celebration was held at Hindustan University. The stage was decorated with X’Mas tree and well painted backdrop. The programme commenced with a prayer by Rev. Joby Thomas, Chaplain HGI. There was an invocation song “Joy to the world” by the student choir HITS.

Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Varghese, Chairperson, HGI in her welcome address stated that X’mas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and the divine spirit should prevail during the celebration with prime thought that , “Jesus is the reason for the season”. She congratulated the staff and students for celebrating X’mas in the true spirit she also mentioned that it was the first time in the city that an institution is conducting X’mas celebration . She applauded the efforts of Prof. Wilfred Chelliah (Hindustan University) who was instrumental in conducting Choral Competition 2011, for all the schools and colleges in Chennai. She also welcomed the Guests, S,.W. Chandrasekhar, Former Principal, Hindustan Bible Institute, Chennai and Rev. Dr. Prakash K. George, Chaplain, Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Chennai.. She concluded her speech with a message that Jesus came down to the earth to save humanity so that men may achieve salvation. X’mas is the time of sharing caring and also spreading love to brethren.

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

There was a congregational carol, “O Come all ye faithful” by the student choir HITS, the first Bible Lesson was read by Miss Annie Jacob Varghese, Director KC Tech. Student and staff HCAS rendered devotional hymns rejoicing the birth of Christ.

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

Dr Susan Marthandan, Director HCAS, read the verses from the Holy Scripture. This was followed by the rendition of carols by staff and students of Hindustan University that created a divine presence in the auditorium. There was an enlightening choreography performance by students of HCAS. Verses from the Holy Scripture was read by Dr. Dolly Varghese, Professor English, Hindustan University.

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

The rendition of carols by the Hindustan Group of Institution was melodious praising the birth of Christ. S.W Chandrasekran, Former Principal of Hindustan Bible Institution of Chennai (CG), said that purpose of celebration of X’mas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. He appreciated the message of the Chairperson, “Jesus is the reason, for this season”. He mentioned that the Beauty of the scripture(Isiah-1-7) is that Isaiah the prophet said that humanity will ask this question “God where do you live?” God lives in every human being on the earth. In his message he said that God is willing to come into man and bear all the evils and elevate the human life.

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

Mementos were presented to the guests by the Chancellor. Wilfred Chelliah, Professor English,( Hindustan University) Choir Conductor, mentioned that the Founder Chairman Dr KCG Varghese had the desire to conduct a choir competition and it was fulfilled by the Chancellor, Dr. Mrs Elizabeth Verghese. He also gave a brief report about the Choral Competition held at Hindustan University. Objective of the Choral Competition was to raise the level of interest in music, among young people. He noticed that they are interested in formal music. The competition was a platform to consolidate the potential of singers. There were three categories (schools, colleges and church) and they took part in the choral competition 2011, at HITS.

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

There was lot of enthusiasm and participation from the city colleges, schools and churches.

Details regarding the winners of the Choral Competition Schools

2nd Runner up- CSI Jessie Moses Matriculation
1st Runner up- Velammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School.
Winner- MCC Campus School.

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

Colleges
2nd Runner up- YMCA college of Physical Education
1st Runner Up- Patrician College of Arts and Science
Winners- Women’s Christian College (Day)

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

Churches-
2nd runner up- Leymans Evangeline Fellowship
1st Runner up- Malankara Marthoma Syrian Fellowship
Winners- CSI St.Georges Cathedral youth fellowship

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

There was a special rendering of carols by the winners of the Christmas Choral competition 2011, held at Hindustan University, the audience was mesmerized and the hall was filled with festive spirit of X’mas. The school students of MCC campus sang with true spirit of X’mas joy and four year old Lydion, left the audience spell bound with his drum performance. Women Christian College, the winners in the college category performed on the stage during the X’mas celebration in Hindustan. This was followed by the CSI St. Georges Cathedral youth fellowship, winners in the church category sang “Glory in the highest” in addition to the choral competition. Biblia quiz competition (inter collegiate) was held for staff and students of the 7 institutions of the HGI, this was held on 14th December 2011.

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

Christmas message

Rev. Dr. Prakash, K. George and Chaplain, Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Chennai spread the message of Christmas. He said,”Every festival is a time to strengthen our relationship. X’mas is a time we come together and share the spirit of joy and sharing. HGI have shown to us how to celebrate X’mas by bringing several colleges and schools and churches to celebrate X’mas”. He said that the Message of God is with us. Lord is Emmanuel. That is the message. Experience God within our midst.

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The challenge of X’mas is through celebrating the presence of human beings around us that’s how we experience the presence of God. A feeling of brethren among us is the greatest message of X’mas festive season.

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

Calendar 2012 of Hindustan University was released by the Chief Guest and Chancellor, HITS received the first copy.
The celebration ended with a congregational carol “Silent Night” by student choir, HITS.

Courtesy: Chennai Engineering Colleges

The vote of thanks was proposed by Rev. Joby Thomas ,Chaplain HGI and the celebration ended with closing prayer and benediction and arrival of Santa Claus