St.Thomas College Bhilai under the aegis of Committee for Prevention of Sexul Harassment (CPOSH) organized a one day panel discussion webinar on “Gender and Sexual Harassment” The webinar mainly focused on the issues relating to sexual harassment within the college premises and providing safe environment . The welcome address was shared by Principal of the College Dr. M. G. Roymon. He discussed the importance and awareness to stop sexual harassment and ensure the safe environment to the students and faculty. The chief guest of the discussion was Hon’ble Dr. Aruna Palta, vice-chancellor Hemchand Chand Yadav University ,in her key note address  madam  discussed about the sexual harassment cell which is  the need of the hour for any institution  and throughout the world. She, in her words stressed on the condition of the women in today’s era and their difficulty in facing the challenges rather being excelling in their profession she further highlighted on gender discrimination and the condition of women who are always accorded in lower status of world. Her key word for this webinar was all about Gender inequality which is not a women issue but human issue.

The dignitaries of the Panel Discussion on the screen were Mrs. Pragya Meshram Add Superintendent of Police, ASP Bhilai Nagar,Durg, advocate Mrs Vaishali Tikle Practicing Lawyer,Mumbai High Court (MS), Dr. Debjani Mukherjee, Head Dept of psychology  with the host Dr. Aparna Ghosh, Convenor of CPOSH, St. Thomas College Bhilai. Giving the opening remarks and introduction of the programme of the Convenor and organising secretary of the event Dr. Aparna ghosh spoke about the indifference between the sex and raised the question on Gender based sexual harassment and violence in front of the panellist. The first panellist Mrs. Pragya Meshram reported the crimes and related gender inequality she also discussed about the third gender inequality and expressed taboo of the society.Adv. Mrs Vaishali Tikle discussed bout the cases which were difficult to handle due to some sensitive issues and forbidden acts, she talked about herresearch and stressed on the Data of 2017 # me to. She further spoke about verbal sexual harassment to women and girl child and trans-gender issues. She also talked about cyber sexual harassment transgender protection prohibition act bill 2019 enactment. Dr. Debjani Mukherjee in her psychological view talked about the social and mental statusof ancient and modern women by quoting the references of lilavati and Thana and talked about the stringent laws and action srelated to workplace. Further the discussion was processed with proper judgement action Posco-Act  and also the awareness of Teachers towards the sexual harassment in school and colleges. Mrs. Pragya Meshram highlighted the applications of Indian law and discussed the goodness of it based on the implementation.The interacting with the participants came out with positive note of wakefulness. the appreciation was applauded by the Management, Dean Academics and other faculty members.  The programme was wrapped up by Dr. Sheeja Verkey Addl. Head Dept of Commerce. The vote of thanks was given by Dr. Chanda Verma Addl Head, Dept of Chemistry.

The department of sports and psychology St. Thomas College organized national Webinar on the topic “Mental Health – A crucial ingredient for success of a sports person – Efficacy of sports & psychology.” The main theme for discussion was the importance of sports psychology in the world of sports and sportsperson. How sports psychology uplifts the mental health of a sportsperson was deliberated. Mr. P.C Anthony an international coach of basketball from Kerala spoke on the areas in the life of a player that can be impacted positively by sports psychology. Ms. Lalhmingkimi Khiangte, National level hockey player and Team member of International Tournament under 19 Asian Hockey Championship and an actress in Film ‘Chak De! India’, spoke on the need of a sports psychology as a player. She talked about her experiences as a player and how players are benefitted when a trained psychologist takes care of the anxiety and stress of a player. Mr. Dinesh Mishra awarded with IMG Reliance Scholarship, USA, 2011- 2015 and an International and National Level Basket Ball Player also spoke at the webinar. He had been given scholarship to train in Florida, USA where he had experience of training with sports psychologists. Mr. Dinesh spoke about these experiences and how he gained from it.

Principal, Dr. M.G. Roymon welcomed the speakers and participants on the occasion. He highlighted the areas on which sports psychology can be effective. Convener and Head of the department of Psychology, Dr. Debjani Mukherjee, introduced the topic and informed the participants about the positive impact a sports psychologist can have in the mental wellbeing of a sports person. Organizing secretary and sports officer, Mr. Kailash Narayan Verma summed up the proceedings and gave the vote of thanks. Dr. Sumita Singh and Mr. Mahendra Ikhar compered the webinar and Mr. J. Majju and Mr. Michael Fernandez (Broadcast Manager) gave technical support for the smooth conduct of the sessions.

Education Department of St. Thomas College, Bhilai organized an International webinar on Managing Mental and Physical health with yoga amid COVID-19.   Honourable Vice Chancellor, Hemchand  Yadav Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, Dr Aruna Palta was the chief guest of the programme and delivered keynote address. She highlighted the benefits of yoga at every stage of life and emphasized regular practice of yoga for young students. Very.  Rev.  Father George Mathew Rambhan blessed the occasion with his encouraging words. Principal of the college Dr. M.G Roymon extended warm welcome to the chief guest honourable VC Dr. Aruna Palta Madam, resource persons and all the participants. Dr. Sheeja Thomas, HOD department of education and convener of the program introduced the resource persons. Dr. Shabnam Khan, Organizing secretary gave brief introduction about the concept of webinar .

The invited resource person Dr. Ramakant Sharma spoke about various techniques of cleansing our system through kunjal, Jal-Neti, Rubber-Neti and Nasyam

Dr.  Premlal Patel enlightened about Ustrasana, tadasana, trikonasana, vakrasana, bhujangasana, matsyasana and kapal bhati kriya.

Dr. Abhishek Agarwal focused on stress management and importance of healthy diet.

Ms. Deepti Santosh conducted the programme and proposed vote of thanks.

Mrs. Rupa Shrivastva, Mr. J Maju, Mr. Chandan P Dekate and all the other faculty members of education department extended their support for smooth conduction of the programme.

P.G Department of English at St.Thomas College, Bhilai and Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) has jointly conducted an International Faculty Development webinar on: Effective e-Teaching: Trends and Strategies. The webinar focused on the techniques that can be integrated in our teaching learning process to make it more effective. The focus was also on reinventing education by digital transformation. Principal of the College Dr. M.G Roymon extended a warm welcome to the resource person and the participants. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Vinita Thomas, Dean Academics, (Head, Dept of Botany) St. Thomas College, Bhilai. Madam Thomas shared her views on online learning and emphasized that the faculty need to be competent in their role and possess the skills to positively impact student outcome. The invited resource person for the webinar was Dr. Saji Thomas from University of Oman, Dr. Debjit Roy, IIM Ahmadabad and Dr. Prasanta Roy from Calcutta University. Dr. Saji Thomas spoke on the topic Effectiveness and Impact of Online Learning. He said that the present situation has reinforced the need to adopt innovative ways of getting quality education services accessible at all levels. Dr. Debjit Roy spoke on the topic Case-based Teaching Pedagogy in the Digital World. He spoke about the innovative way of introducing a topic in the class through a case study and making the online class pragmatic and approachable to the students. The psychological impact of online teaching on educators and educated was discussed by Dr. Prasanta Roy. He elaborated on the various techniques through which both the mentors and mentees can balance their stress and anxiety due to online learning and teaching. The Manager Bishop of the College His Grace Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius, the College administrator Rt. Rev. Fr. George Mathew Ramban, Management and faculty members applauded the Faculty Development Program organized by PG. Dept of English and IQAC of the College. Convener of the webinar Dr. Shiny Mendonce (Head, Dept of English) and Organizing Secretary Dr. Sujata Koley conducted the program. The Co-convener Ms. Susan Ebison supported in the smooth conduct of the webinar. Dr. Debjani Mukherjee IQAC Co-coordinator, (Head, Dept of Psychology) summed up the session and proposed vote of thanks.