Friday, January 31, 2014

Eight Years of Blogging and 'Seema's Corner'

It has been eight years of blogging for me. I created this blog in January 2006 and wrote some random posts, shared some things about my life, events, thoughts, dreams, wishes and introspection. It was not on any one specific subject, but it was about some things in my world. That is why I called it 'Seema's Corner" I still write once in a while. Sometimes, the posts have been regular and frequent, at other times, less frequent. I also started my Hindi Blog named 'मेरी कृति' (Meri Kriti) in February 2006.                                                                                                                                                                                            
Seema's Corner

As years went by, I also created my website. However, I still prefer to use blogger for my blogs, for the simple reason that it is very user-friendly and I like the features that are simple to use without too much of technical know how.

I have already written some posts on my reasons and motivations behind blogging, like in this post One year of blogging... one year of 'Seema's Corner' which I wrote when I completed one year of blogging and later, on completion of five years of blogging, I wrote Five Years of Blogging and 'Seema's Corner'. So I will not repeat the same here.

I would only like to thank you all who still come back once in a while to read my blogs, to all who have come earlier to read, to all who supported me, motivated me or criticised me and taught me new things. Do keep coming back with your feedback, comments and suggestions.
THANK YOU :)

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Pongal Celebrations at NIFT Chennai


Decoration in progress for Pongal celebrations at NIFT, Chennai
It is good to see students of NIFT, Chennai, actively participating in all kind of functions and cultural activities being organised in the campus. Pongal was one such celebration where the students, faculty and staff participated in Indian ethnic attire, mostly is traditional south Indian ethnic attire. The dress code for the occasion was South Indian Traditional Clothes – Veshti and Shirt / Kurta for men; Paavadai and Daavani/ Saree for women.
Pongal celebrations at NIFT, Chennai
Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by Tamil people in the month of January. Magh BihuPongal, Lohri, Makar SankrantiUttarayana, Khichdi are some of the other festivals that celebrated across India at the same time, either on 14th January or one one of more days between 13th to 16th January.
Bharat Natyam performance by Fashion Design student
The programme included performance of Bharat Natyam, Group Dance, Folk Dance, Design Competition, and Debate. Everyone was served Pongal for eating.

Folk Dance performance
Group Dance performance by the winners of Zonal Indiafest
Lighting the Diyas
Students in Indian Ethnicwear
Happy Pongal
A lot of efforts from the side of the coordinators for student development activities and the support of the management and staff. 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Republic Day 2014 Celebrations at NIFT, Chennai

Indian Republic Day is a special day for me, not only because it is the Republic Day but also because it my daughter's birthday. She is always excited about her birthday, like all children are. So when I have to go to the institute to be a part of the flag hoisting and also prepare for her birthday celebration the same day, it becomes hectic. However, I actively participate in both.

This year I went to attend the flag hoisting function at 8:00am at NIFT, Chennai. I was glad I went as I was was mesmerised by the musical performances of the students. It is always good to see talented youngsters perform.

Flag hoisting at NIFT, Chennai

Flag hoisting at NIFT, Chennai

Address by Director, NIFT, Chennai

Song by a Design student of NIFT

Vande Mataram song by students

Thursday, January 23, 2014

“Reflections 2014”, International Conference on Fashion, Retail and Management (ICFRM) at NIFT, Hyderabad

My visit to NIFT, Hyderabad was to present my research paper titled “Colour and Clothing for Patients and Well-Being" at “Reflections 2014”, International Conference on Fashion, Retail and Management (ICFRM) which was organised by National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad, from 9th to 11th January 2014 at Hyderabad.

Floral decoration at NIFT, Hyderabad campus
NIFT, Hyderabad campus
The venue of the Conference was the welcoming campus of NIFT, Hyderabad. My visit was self-sponsored and I attended the Conference on 10th and 11th January 2014. Participants came from different NIFT centers and from outside NIFT as well and presented papers in different tracks like Marketing; Production of Fashion, Lifestyle and Accessory Products; Consumer Behaviour; Sustainability; Retail; Fashion and Interdisciplinary.
Reflections 2014 - A session in progress
Reflections 2014 - 10th January 2014, NIFT, Hyderabad
I was invited to Co-Chair the presentations on ‘Sustainability’ track and it was good to get a certificate and memento for the same. 
Memento
I presented my paper on 11th January 2014 under the track “Fashion and Interdisciplinary”. My paper titled “Colour and Clothing for Patients and Well-Being" was well received as an “interesting topic” for research and was encouraged to continue research on this topic. Taking a multi-disciplinary approach, my paper explores psychological and physiological impact of colours on patients, and the relationship between colour, clothing and well-being. More about my paper in another post to come.       
   
Selected papers have published in ISBN numbered Conference Proceedings. My paper was the only paper to be published under “Design” heading.  
Reflections 2014 - Conference Proceedings Publication
Colour and Clothing for Patients and Well-Being by Seema Kumar
Valedictory session and awarding of certificates took place on 11th evening. Though the brief tenure of the visit, which included overnight onward journey by train and return by bus, made the trip tiring, overall it was a good experience. 
Reflections 2014 - Valedictory Session 
It was a short trip, but I visited Shilparam, which is an arts, crafts and cultural village at Hyderabad located near NIFT. It is a nice place to visit, see the landscaping and also shop for traditional Indian crafts  and clothes. 
At Shilparamam, Hyderabad
At Shilparamam, Hyderabad

At Shilparamam, Hyderabad

Wednesday, January 01, 2014

Happy New Year 2014


Happy New Year 2014

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” — Mother Teresa

Wish you all a very happy New Year 2014! May this year your choicest dreams come true. May joy, happiness, hope and peace lead our world in this year. Like every year, we start this new year with many new thoughts, wishes, dreams and resolutions. May all these be fulfilled for our betterment this year :)
At midnight - to welcome 2014