Stella Maris College student-led Walkathon to Promote the ART of Humanity

The three-week student-led campaign on Acceptance, Respect, and Tolerance (ART of Humanity) concluded with a walkathon

The student-initiated campaign “Yaadhum Manamae Yaavarum Kaelir” by the Department of Public Relations, Stella Maris College celebrated its valedictory with a walkathon conducted at Elliot’s Beach, Besant Nagar, today. The walkathon was inaugurated by Actor and Mixed Martial Arts Athlete, Mr. Santhtosh Prathap and Thiru. S. Nelson, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adyar. Around 100 walkers took their step forward towards creating a better world that celebrates diversity and embraces differences.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr. S. Shrinidhi, Head of the Department of Public Relations, Stella Maris College, said “A campaign that includes multimedia communication has always been effective in building awareness on social issues. This campaign by the final year PR students, aimed at garnering the support of the public towards understanding the importance of acceptance, respect, and tolerance. The walkathon proved to be an example of how the community came together to celebrate humanity.”

Mr Santhosh Pratap addressing the gathering

Mr Santhosh Pratap leading the walkathon

Scene from the play Komaligal by Theatre Akku – Picture 1 – at Stella Maris College

Scene from the play Komaligal by Theatre Akku - Picture 2 - at Stella Maris College — Scene from the play Komaligal by Theatre Akku – Picture 2 – at Stella Maris College

Ms. Zumla Ofhran, student representative and member of the organizing team of the campaign stated, “We have always been taught that everyone is different but along the way, we tend to forget that our values and beliefs are unique to each of us. To exist in perfect harmony, we need to respect, accept and tolerate the other person for their opinions and choices. We believe this walkathon propelled conversations around the same.”

Team of artists of Theatre Akku performing at Stella Maris College

To emphasize the importance of the ART of humanity, Theatre Akku also staged a Tamil play “Komaligal” on Saturday (4 June 2022) at the Stella Maris College, which threw light on pressing issues such as gender inequality and intersectional abuse as an outcome of stagnant cultural attitudes and practices like discrimination based on social and cultural backgrounds.

“Yaadhum Manamae Yaavarum Kaelir” was inaugurated on 12 May 2022. The campaign focuses on spreading awareness of values such as acceptance, respect, and tolerance. So far as part of the campaign, awareness sessions and webinars were conducted at various colleges in Chennai. Every year the Department of Public Relations conducts a campaign based on a social and environmental issue.