Aadiperukku Festival Celebrations at CTTE College
The Department of Tamil at Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women organized the celebrations of the Aadiperukku Festival, a traditional Tamil festival that pays homage to rivers and water bodies as symbols of life and prosperity. Rooted in the timeless words of Thiruvalluvar, “The world cannot survive without water,” the celebration emphasized the cultural, ecological, and social relevance of water as a life-sustaining resource.
The festival, observed on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi, holds a special place in Tamil cultural traditions. It is a thanksgiving ritual performed to express gratitude to rivers, which nourish human life and agriculture, and to pray for their eternal flow as jeeva-nadis (life-giving streams). Tamil literature reveres this occasion as Puduppunal Aadal (the dance of fresh floods), reflecting both the poetic imagination and ecological wisdom of ancient Tamil society. Folklore and traditional beliefs affirm that deeds performed on this auspicious day will yield manifold benefits. This belief also finds expression in the proverb “Aadipattam Thedi Vidhai” (Sow seeds in Aadi for prosperity), which connects the celebration with agrarian practices and community life.
The celebration was both a cultural observance and an educational initiative aimed at sensitizing students to the importance of water conservation and the urgent need to protect water bodies. The festival served as a reminder that cultural traditions are deeply intertwined with ecological values, and that safeguarding rivers and natural resources is essential for sustaining life and community well-being.
The students of II B.Com (A&F) actively participated in the event, engaging in traditional observances with joy and reverence. Through their participation, they gained insights into the historical and cultural significance of Aadiperukku, while also reflecting on contemporary environmental challenges such as water scarcity and pollution. The celebration thus offered a holistic learning experience, combining cultural appreciation with ecological responsibility.
By celebrating Aadiperukku, the College highlighted its mission of integrating cultural traditions with modern ecological consciousness, inspiring young learners to uphold heritage while contributing to sustainable futures.
CTTE College marks 386th Madras Day with human formation and poster making contest
The Department of Corporate Secretaryship at Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women, in collaboration with Thuvakkam NGO, organised the 386th Madras Day Celebrations on August 22, 2025, commemorating the founding of Chennai (Madras) and reflecting on its heritage, civic life, and sustainable future.
A major highlight of the event was a Human Formation titled “A Salute to the Legacy of our Beloved City”. In a symbolic gesture, 386 students came together to represent each year of the city’s existence, creating a striking visual tribute to Chennai’s history and identity. The formation, organisers noted, was designed to foster unity, civic consciousness, and collective memory among young learners.
The celebrations also featured a Poster-Making Challenge on the theme “How do you want to see Madras after 30 years?”. Students presented a wide range of creative ideas, envisioning Chennai as a city marked by green infrastructure, clean environments, technological innovation, and social inclusivity. The contest encouraged students to link heritage with urban aspirations, combining artistic expression with civic imagination.
Faculty members highlighted that the initiative integrated CTTE College’s core principles of Values, Knowledge, Skills, Quality, and Lifelong Learning, while the partnership with Thuvakkam NGO underlined the importance of academia–community collaboration in addressing urban and environmental challenges.
Speaking at the event, representatives from the organising committee said, “By adopting the principles of Green Campus and Clean Campus, Madras can evolve into a sustainable city that sets an example for others. Our collective efforts must aim at building a superior and luminous Chennai, one that blends heritage, innovation, and community values.”
The celebration, while honouring Chennai’s 386-year-old legacy, also served as an educational platform for students, encouraging them to connect cultural history with contemporary challenges such as urbanisation, environmental degradation, and civic responsibility. The college described the event as part of its broader mission to promote heritage-based civic education and ecological consciousness, inspiring students to become responsible citizens committed to shaping the city’s future.
