Kottayam: The Manjeri Government Medical College has won the Malayala Manorama Chief Editor's Trophy for the best college magazine in Kerala.
The award-winning magazine is 'The Fifth Chamber'. The student editor would be awarded Rs 50,001 and the Chief Editor’s trophy, while the college would also get a trophy.
The second prize went to the magazine of the College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences at Pookode in Wayanad. The name of the magazine is 'Perinte onaam chalana niyamam'.
The third prize went to the 'Ottadal' magazine of the Maharaja's College in Ernakulam. The student editors would get Rs 30,001 and Rs 20,001, respectively, along with a trophy. The colleges would also get a trophy.
The winners were picked by a jury, comprising noted writer Benyamin, director Abrid Shine and Malayala Manorama senior associate editor Jose Panachipuram.
A window to the world
The magazines that competed for the Malayala Manorama Chief Editor's Trophy carried in-depth analysis of myriad issues. The student contributors have expressed their observations on the times we are living in.
Through both words and illustrations, the magazines have touched upon varied topics from campus jokes to the local history of the region where their college is situated, contemporary politics to the post-Covid world, and from social norms to gender politics.
Apart from printed magazines, e-magazines were also in the fray. The e-magazines that made it to the final round are proof that the students have been able to make effective use of technology. Overall, the magazines are a testament to the fact that the campuses are keenly following the happenings of the outside world.
Professional design standards
It is noteworthy that several of the magazines, which were designed and the layout set by the students, are on par with the magazines designed by professionals.
The winning ones
The Manjeri Medical College's 'The Fifth Chamber' has been conceptualised as a journey to the human heart. By also including braille, audio magazine and sign language, the magazine tries to reach out to even those with physical disabilities. The jury also specifically cited the contemporary relevance of the contents.
The College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences that won the second prize had chosen the theme of 'names' for its magazine. From amusing monikers to the politics over changing names have been discussed in the magazine. Amid this, all the contemporary issues have also been well-presented.
The magazine 'Ottadal' of the Maharaja's College, that bagged the third prize, includes features and articles by students who wrote on topics from their own social milieu. An article on the gotra culture and life was written by a student from the same community, while a Kashmiri student wrote about Kashmir.
Jury remarks
Writer Benyamin said that the campuses are attempting to take a different approach to contemporary and relevant issues. “This attempt is praiseworthy. In the magazines, we could see a powerful expression of the changing approach to religion, politics, romance, and minorities,” he added.
Director Abrid Shine pointed out that visual representation of the chosen topic is also important, during these times when there is a lot of emphasis on visualisation. "Several magazines have succeeded in doing this. But certain magazines that had excellent content did not pay sufficient attention to layout and design. Still, I was happy to note some pages that were as beautiful as the movie frames,” he remarked.
Manorama senior associate editor Jose Panachipuram noted that the creativity of students is changing with the times. "As spokespersons of the new age, their usage of language is very different. The magazines reflect the zest of the students to boldly approach varied topics,” he pointed out.