Luminaria
St. Thomas College Palai Autonomous organised Kerala’s largest college-level expo, Luminaria, from 19th to 26th January 2025, in connection with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the College. The Exhibition attracted significant participation from scholars, students, faculty as well as the general public.
Luminaria was officially launched by Very Rev. Dr. Joseph Thadathil, Manager of the College at 6.00 pm on 18 January 2025, and the fest was opened for general public on the next day, 19 January 2025.
Luminaria distinguished itself through diverse meticulously curated programmes and activities. Key highlights included:
Academic Showcase by the Departments: Various Departments presented their projects and research findings, with dedicated exhibits for Literature, Science, Social Sciences, Commerce, Physical Education, Education and Vocational Education. Twenty-one stalls were erected by the different Departments of the college. This fostered an environment of academic exchange and knowledge dissemination.
Industry and Innovation: The Expo by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) provided valuable knowledge about space science and technology, while the MedEx exhibition offered exposure to the scientific structure of the human body and provided insights into immunity and diseases. Commercial stalls set up by various companies offered exposure to a range of latest products and services.
Cultural Enrichment: Vibrant cultural programmes showcased student talent through traditional performances, Fashion Show and Dance Competition. An intercollegiate dance competition was held on 23 January at Jimmy George Stadium and an intercollegiate Fashion Show was held on 24 January. A well organised Book Fair was a part of the Expo, in which more than twenty publishers and distributors participated. Programmes like Meet the Author, Release of New Books, etc were part of the Book Fair.
Community Engagement: Luminaria fostered community engagement through a Moto Expo (25 January), Miniature Car Models Expo (25 January), Super Bikes Expo (26 January), Pet Show, Food Fest, Film Fest and Farm Fest. Special attractions such as the Snake Awareness Programme by the Forest Department, Kayaking and the Adventure Zone broadened the event’s appeal. Opportunity for Camel ride and Horse ride made the event more colourful and attractive.
Interactive Experiences: Attendees enjoyed adventure sports and interactive experiences like the VR Gaming & Planetarium. Exhibition of archaeological objects by the Department of Archaeology, Govt of Kerala, enthralled history enthusiasts while the Painting Fete and stone sculpture exhibition added an artistic dimension to the expo.
Luminaria successfully integrated educational and cultural components, creating a dynamic and enriching experience for all. The event underscored the college’s commitment to fostering holistic development and community engagement. The expo was visited by more than twenty thousand visitors and it came to a successful conclusion on 26 January, with the Republic Day celebrations.
