NISCORT Bids Farewell to its Longest Serving Dean

NISCORT Bids Farewell to its Longest Serving Dean

Thomas D’Silva

Vaishali (Ghaziabad), Aug.17: National Institute of Social Communication Research and Training (Niscort) Centre bid farewell to Rev. Dr. John Edappilly,  who is transferred after serving 8 years as its dean.  The function held here today was attended by Rt. Rev. Salvadore Lobo, the Bishop of Baruipur, several prominent media persons, the priests and nuns from the neighbouring institutions and the staff and students of the institute.

Enumerating the abilities and achievements of the outgoing dean, Dr. Jude Bothelho, the director of Niscort expressed, “I could fully depend on John and I knew the task taken up by him will be fulfilled.” Among the many success stories under Dr. Edappilly, the affiliation of the Centre to Makhanlal Chaturvedi University, Bhopal is the biggest one, he felt. He was candid in admitting that the centre would miss the services of Dr. Edappilly very much.

Bishop Lobo, who is also the member of the Governing Body of Niscort pointed out- “Fr.John’s welcoming smile is a contagious one”. Among many virtues of Dr. Edappilly, “I liked his initiative of community building the most”, announced the Bishop. He thanked him on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) for the long and meritorious service rendered to Niscort. It is to be noted that Niscort is the media wing of the CBCI and now Dr. Edpappilly has been replaced by Fr. Devassy Kullankudiyil as its study co-ordinator.

The staff and students of Niscort expressed their sadness at the transfer of one of their long serving dean, colleague and professor. Mr. A.J. Philip and Ms. Sunaina Chabra speaking on behalf of the staff felt that Dr. Edappilly was a strict disciplinarian and at the same time very human and understanding. The students gave expression to their emotions: as Thomas D’Silva quoting from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: ‘Veni, vidi, vici’ (he came, he saw, he conquered) said, “Father you have conquered our hearts”. The farewell song- ‘All of us gathered here’ put the gathering in the farewell mood.

The ‘Memories of Dr.John Edappilly’, a documentary with his photos and video footages, was the highlight of the function. ‘Save the Earth’, the street play and the fusion dance gave some food for thought and also kept everyone tap tapping their feet.

The final message from Dr. Edappilly, was witty, humorous and at the same time with a lot of wisdom. He thanked everyone, in particular the staff for the co-operation, he acknowledged the good words of appreciation and gave the last piece of advice to the students, “You have facilities second to none in the country. Make the best use of them and remember there is no substitute to hardwork.” Anand Kumar, the Master of the Ceremonies was forthright in telling that with Dr. John Edappilly’s transfer, “An era has come to an end.”