Vakkom Moulavi Foundation Trust celebrated the historic newspaper ‘The Svadesabhimani’ and the 150th birth anniversary of Vakkom Moulavi On November 16, 2023, on the National Press Day, The event, held at the Foundation Hall, brought together a diverse group of individuals to explore into the theme, ‘Fostering a Democratic India: The Role of Media Then and Now. The thought-provoking discussion was organized by, the Swadeshabhimani Media Study Centre under the Vakkom Maulvi Foundation, in collaboration with the Department of Malayalam and Mass Communication & Dept. of English and Media Studies, St. Xavier’s College Thumba.
The discussion featured distinguished speakers from the field of journalism, each shedding light on vital aspects of media’s impact on Indian democracy. Smt. Saraswathy Nagarajan, Senior Deputy Editor at The Hindu, dissected the intricacies of news reporting in her presentation titled ‘Facts and Fiction in News Reporting.’ This insightful discussion laid bare the challenges and responsibilities faced by journalists in presenting accurate information to the public.
Sri. Abhilash Mohanan, Deputy Editor at Mathrubhumi News, contributed to the discourse with his presentation, ‘News and News Reporter: News Presentation as a Spectacle.’ Exploring the evolving nature of news presentation, Sri. Abhilash narrated how media has transformed into a spectacle and its implications on the information landscape.
The former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University, Prof. J. Prabash, skillfully moderated the session, ensuring a dynamic exchange of ideas. His role was pivotal in steering the conversation and encouraging a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding media in India.
Smt.Saraswathy Nagaran discussed the role of media and laymen in understanding facts and fiction in a news story. she also elaborated on the difference between misinformation and disinformation. Disinformation is the distribution of fake news mistakenly or unintentionally while misinformation is the deliberate and intentional distribution of fake news.

The event saw active participation from approximately 70 attendees, including journalism students who added vibrancy to the discussions. Prof. V. K. Damodaran in his opening remarks highlighted the significance of Vakkom Moulavi and Svadesabhimani newspaper in the contemporary media landscape. By fostering a space for meaningful dialogue, the event has contributed to the ongoing discourse on the role of media in shaping a democratic India

Students, parents, and faculty engaged in an animated discussion over women’s rights and changing family and social relationships as part of the “Documentary Screening and Discussion ” meeting on October 21, 2023. This followed the screening of P. A. Haneena’s ‘And I Call Him My Father’, and Dr, Fathima Nizaruddin ‘s “My Mothers’ Daughter”, short documentaries which featured the personal stories of the directors. Prof. Jameela Begum introduced the discussion, by comparing the films to stories by other authors and offering her perspectives on “feminism” versus “womanism”. About 70 people participated in the event including students from St. Xavier’s College, Thumba, and Iqbal College  Peringammala. Fathima Nizarruddins ‘My Mother’s Daughter’ begins as an exploration of the lives of great-grandmothers who were strong matriarchs in a Muslim family in Kerala. But soon enough, cracks from the present creeps into the stories of the past. The volatile relationship between the filmmaker and her mother leads to many arguments that raise questions about the choices made by different generations of women in the community. During the discussion, a  comment from a student resonated with the audience: “The movie made me think of my grandmother, who lived life on her terms. This film encourages women and girls to make their decisions independently and live life on their own terms.” Fathima responded, emphasizing the importance of personal choice and the autonomy to make decisions free from external influence.

Haneena’s And I Call Him My Father is the journey of Muthafa, father of the documentary maker who has been restoring a piece of degraded mining land tucked away in a village of Kerala into a Greenland of his mind. The land then witnessed substantial changes. Six years later, his daughter retraces the steps of his journey to develop the land.

Through the lens of personal stories presented in the documentaries, the audience was compelled to reflect on their own experiences and contemplate the broader societal implications. As discussions like these continue, they contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding gender, and the importance of embracing diverse narratives in our collective journey toward a more equitable and inclusive future.

The Seminar Series on Education Research in Kerala, a collaborative effort between the Vakkom Moulavi Foundation Trust (VMFT), the Centre for Development Studies (CDS), and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), was inaugurated on  October 19, 2023, by His Excellency Kimmo Lähdevirta, the Finnish Ambassador to India . The event was held at the Sonata Hall of the Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram. The University of Jyväskylä in Finland will play an active role in the seminar series and will contribute to collaborative research along with the Indian partners. The event was organized in the context of the partnership between Finland and Kerala on education and the visit of  the Honorable Minister of Education of Finland, Anna-Maja Henriksson, to Kerala between October 18-19, 2023.   

During the inauguration ceremony, Ambassador Lähdevirta expressed his delight at witnessing this collaboration and extended his good wishes for its sustained and substantial evolution. In his address, he emphasized Finland’s profound interest and enthusiasm in Kerala’s education system. He emphatically articulated the reciprocal nature of the learning process and highlighted the pivotal role that education research plays in fostering mutual growth. Dr. Sajitha Bashir, Vice-Chairperson of VMFT, made a presentation detailing the challenges facing the Kerala education system, the priority research areas and possible areas of collaboration with the  University of Jyväskylä, 

Accompanying Ambassador Lähdevirta were distinguished faculty members from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland and representatives of Finland’s Global Innovation Network for Teaching and Learning (GINTL), India, along with other members of the Minister’s delegation. Prof. Marja-LeenaLaakso, Vice-Chancellor of the University and Prof. Anna Maija Poikkeus, Dean (Faculty of Education and Psychology) made excellent presentations on the Finnish education system.  Members of the audience, which included senior faculty members from universities in Kerala, researchers and school teachers, engaged in an interactive discussion.