THE INAUGURATION OF THE GOLDEN JUBILEE AUDITORIUM: A TRIBUTE TO THE ALMA MATER As the final touches were made, a dream in brick and stone unfolded a symbol of the bonds of affection between generations of alumni and their cradle of learning. A new page was scripted in the annals of the Animal Husbandry sector as history was made by hundreds of veterinarians who contributed in one way or the other to the making of the Golden Jubilee Auditorium. The inaugural ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Auditorium was held on 23rd April 2010 under the joint auspices of the Veterinary College Alumni Association, Kerala (VAAK), Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. Dr. E. Nanu, Dean, COVAS Mannuthy, welcomed all those who had gathered on this solemn occasion while Dr. Panampilly Vijayan, President, VAAK, delivered the presidential address. Sri. K. Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble Speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly inaugurated the Golden Jubilee Auditorium by lighting the lamp. In his address the Hon Speaker lauded the efforts of all those who had contributed to this effort. The office of the alumni association was inaugurated by former Speaker, Sri. Therambil Ramakrishnan, MLA. In his address, Sri Therambil Ramakrishnan recalled the commendable contribution made by the alumni of the Veterinary College to the Animal Husbandry sector of the state and stressed the need for the establishment of a Veterinary University. The key of the new auditorium was handed over by Dr. Panampilly Vijayan, President, VAAK to Sri K.R. Viswambharan, Hon Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University, in the presence of Sri. Rajaji Mathew Thomas, MLA and Executive Committee member, KAU and Dr. Joby V Paul, Registrar, KAU. The renovated Veterinary College Hospital and the Veterinarians’ Seminar were inaugurated by Sri K.R.Viswambharan, Hon Vice Chancellor, KAU. In his address, the Hon Vice Chancellor congratulated the organizers and all the veterinarians who had contributed to this magnanimous effort. Sri. T. Chandradath, Director, COSTFORD, presented the report on the construction of the auditorium. A souvenir to commemorate the inaugural function was released by Dr V.K. Ramesan, President, Indian Veterinary Association, Kerala. Dr K.N.M. Nayar, former Dean, COVAS Mannuthy received the first copy of the souvenir. Dr K. G. Suma, Additional Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, released a book “Competition Winner in Veterinary and Animal Sciences” authored by Dr E Nanu, Dean, COVAS, Mannuthy, by handing over the first copy to Mr Nithin C.J., Secretary, Literary and Debating Club, Students’ Union, COVAS, Mannuthy. The Farmers’ Seminar was inaugurated by Dr K. Udaya Varman, President, Kerala State Veterinary Council and Director Museums and Zoos. Dr C. B. Manomohan, General Convener, Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee, recalled the financial support extended to this venture by Sri P.P. George the then MLA of Ollur ,Sri C.K. Chandrappan, the then M.P. of Thrissur and Sri K. Chandran Pillai, the then M.P (Rajya Sabha) who had released a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs each from their Local Area Development Fund, besides the wholehearted cooperation of all the veterinarians working in the state as well as abroad. However he emphasized that more work needed to be completed to make the auditorium fully functional and requested all veterinarians to contribute generously to this noble cause. Dr A.M.Chandrasekharan Nair, Treasurer, VAAK, presented a brief report about the financial support received from various sources for the construction of the auditorium. Sri C. R. Das, Councilor, Thrissur Corporation, felicitated the gathering. Felicitations were also offered by Dr N. Vijayan, Member General Council, KAU, Dr Ani S Das, MD, KLDB, Dr R. Rajendrakumar, Associate Dean, Dairy Science, College, Kumari Aiswariya R. Venu, Member, General Council, KAU, and Sri. S. Kiran Babu, President Students Union, COVAS, Mannuthy. Dr K.P. Sreekumar, General Secretary, VAAK proposed the vote of thanks. The function was graced by the presence of all retired Deans, over 300 Veterinarians from all over the state and the students of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. As part of the inaugural function a Farmers’ seminar was held. It was attended by over 200 hundred farmers. The inaugural function of the renovated Veterinary College Hospital was a colorful event that included the inauguration of the laparoscopy unit by Sri K R Viswambaran, Hon Vice Chancellor, the inauguration of the critical care by Sri C.R. Das, Councillor, Thrissur Corporation while the portable ultrasound unit for large animals was inaugurated by Dr N.N. Sasi. Dr Aravidakshan, Executive Committee member inaugurated the renovated Andrology laboratory and Frozen semen unit. As part of the celebrations calves and kids were distributed to farmers by Dr V Raju KAU Associate Director of Research, and Sri Suresh Babu Director of Physical Plant, KAU. In the afternoon, a seminar for field veterinarians on Advances in diagnostic techniques was held in the Golden Jubilee Auditorium. The classes were handled by Dr Shobana Mohandas, laparoscopic surgeon, Elite Mission Hospital, Thrissur, Dr S Ajithkumar, Dr Shyam Venugopal and Dr Hiron M Harshan. Dr P.C. Alex, Associate Director of Research, KAU was the moderator for the session. A colorful variety entertainment programme was organized by the students of COVAS, Mannuthy in the evening. As the curtains fall on this historic moment, the realization that we still have a long road ahead before the auditorium is fully completed dawns upon us. Furnishing, stage curtains, audio visual equipment, the list reels on. A sum of around 20 lakh rupees will be required to fully equip the auditorium. The onus is on us, each and every veterinarian, to contribute liberally to this spirit of brother hood of the veterinary fraternity and make our dream complete.