Department of Political Science

St. Mary’s Syrian College (Autonomous), Brahmavar
Academic Year 2024–2026 | Democracy & Civic Engagement Cell

Fostering democratic values, civic engagement, and political awareness through extension activities, guest lectures, and experiential learning programs.

Department of Political Science 2024-25

Grama Sabha Participation

17th August 2024

Students participated in Grama Sabha Meeting held at Varamballi Grama Panchayath. The visit provided firsthand experience of grassroots democracy, local governance, and public participation in decision-making processes.

Interactive session with Panchayath members and local citizens

Indian Democracy Day Programme

13th September 2024

The department organized a special programme on “INDIAN DEMOCRACY DAY”. Resource Person: Dr. Ashalatha, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Govinda Dasa College, Surathkal. She spoke on the evolution and strength of Indian democracy.

Engaging lecture followed by student interaction

Poster Making & Quiz Competition

National Voters' Day

Department organised Poster Making competition and Quiz competition on the occasion of NATIONAL VOTERS' DAY. Students showcased creativity and awareness about voting rights, electoral process, and democratic participation.

Winners awarded certificates for outstanding performance

Constitution Day Celebration

26th November 2024

Department celebrated “CONSTITUTION DAY” by taking pledge with students, teaching and non-teaching staff. The pledge reaffirmed commitment to uphold the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

Reading of the Preamble and discussion on fundamental duties

BOE Participation

1st & 2nd April 2024

Mrs. Helmina Mary Mamatha (HOD) participated as Member of Board of Examiners (BOE) held at Canara College, Mangalore. Contributed to academic assessment and curriculum evaluation.

Academic collaboration and standard setting

Educational Visit – Grama Panchayath Library & Museum

8th April 2025

Visit to Grama Panchayath Library, Brahmavar, Nagara Kendra Granthalaya at Udupi and Anatomy Museum at Manipal as part of experiential learning. Students explored governance resources and institutional knowledge systems.

Exposure to local governance archives and institutional learning
Department of Political Science 2025-26

World Democracy Day – Special Talk

24th September 2025

A special talk was organized on the occasion of World Democracy Day. Resource Person: Mr. Dayananda D. Kidiyu, Retired Professor, Department of Political Science, Government Girls PU College, Udupi. He delivered an insightful lecture on the relevance of democracy in contemporary times.

Topics: Democratic institutions, citizen participation, and future of democracy in India
Department Highlights & Achievements

Extension & Outreach Activities

The department regularly organizes visits to Grama Panchayaths, libraries, and civic institutions to provide students with practical exposure to grassroots governance and democratic processes.

Guest Lectures & Seminars

Eminent academicians and retired professors are invited to speak on contemporary political issues, constitutional values, and democratic rights.

Voters' Awareness Programs

Poster making, quiz competitions, and pledge ceremonies are conducted on National Voters' Day and Constitution Day to promote electoral literacy.

Faculty Academic Contributions

HOD Mrs. Helmina Mary Mamatha actively participates in Board of Examiners meetings, contributing to curriculum development and assessment standardization.

Vision & Mission

Vision: To nurture informed, responsible citizens who understand democratic values, governance structures, and political processes.

Mission: To provide experiential learning through Panchayath visits, expert lectures, and civic engagement programs that bridge theoretical knowledge with grassroots reality.

Upcoming Events (2025–26)

Mock Parliament Session

December 2025

Simulation of parliamentary proceedings to help students understand legislative processes and debate etiquette.

Essay Competition on Constitutional Values

January 2026

Theme: "Relevance of the Indian Constitution in the 21st Century" – Open to all UG students.

Visit to District Zilla Panchayath

February 2026

Planned educational tour to understand district-level governance and administrative functioning.

Voices from the Department

“Participating in the Grama Sabha meeting at Varamballi gave me real insight into how local democracy functions. It was eye-opening to see citizens raise issues directly to elected representatives.”
Rakshith K., III B.A Political Science

“The World Democracy Day talk by Prof. Dayananda Sir inspired us to think critically about democratic institutions and our role as responsible citizens.”
Anusha Shetty, II B.A