Waste brings world at your feet

The word ‘History’ may make many people yawn. Many consider the subject to be disinteresting and dead.

However, the Department of History of St Agnes College (Autonomous) has innovatively made the subject lively and fascinating by remodeling history, hence bringing back the past before ones eyes.

The students have brought alive the splendour of the past with miniature models in an exhibition, “Remodeling history to cherish the past”. The unique thing about this expo is that the miniatures of some of the famous monuments of India have been created with waste.

One can see the famous Eiffel tower recreated with matchsticks, an igloo created with cotton, India gate, Charminar, Gol Gumbaz, Lotus Temple created with thermacol, The Mysore Palace and Golden Temple with cardboard, ornaments used in the early civilisation have been created with sea-shells, musical instruments with coconut shells, the traditional and modern weapons have been created with waste cardboard and boxes, caps made from coconut husk and many other items.

Speaking to City Herald, HoD of History Professor Shirley D’Silva said that 181 students studying in I, II and III year History have put up the expo. “The department puts up an expo every year. Last year, we had put up an expo of the crowns and head dresses used in different countries, and the same had received a very good response. The students have been working for the expo since two months,” she reveals.

Along with attractive miniatures, the students have put up a chart exhibition on theme “Eyes mirror of Life and Soul”.

“We want to sensitise students towards the importance of eyes, the problems and challenges of the blind. A few write History, a few read History, but we hope our students may create History by donating their eyes, so that many can view this beautiful world and leave behind an even better History,” says D’Silva.

“We do not feel bored with History. This expo has enhanced team-work and also made us think creatively,” says I year History student Sr Linet.

“The History and Psycholgy departments are very energetic. Usually Arts students do not have practicals. But, the students are bringing in new methods to innovate their study,” says St Agnes College Principal Sr Prem.

Psychology expo

The Department of Psychology too, has tried to make people understand the subject with an expo explaining some of the concepts in Psychology.

The students have depicted ‘Leadership styles,’ ‘Principals of Grouping,’ ‘Different types of birth,’ ‘How identical twins are born,’ ‘the brain,’ and ‘the neuron’ with models.

The students have also given awareness on eating disorders such as obesity, bulimia nervosa, anorexia with pictures and charts.

“We want people to understand Psychology. The students have worked hard on the expo. One can also understand various psychological tests such as ‘Aptitude Test,’ ‘Stroop effect,’ different illusions with the expo. The students have put interesting information on ‘Graphology’ where one can understand the meaning behind different styles of handwriting,” says St Agnes HoD of Psychology Elsie Tharien.