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Engaging Youth Voices: MSSW at Manorama Hortus Chennai Meet…

A team of students from the Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) — including Gouri Jayan and five other students — actively participated in the Manorama Hortus – Chennai Discussion held at the Malayali Club, Chennai. The program was organized as part of the lead-up to Manorama Hortus, Kerala’s largest art, literary, and cultural festival.

Event Focus

The discussion centered on the theme:

“TV Series: What Is Changing, What Needs to Change?”

Speakers explored how television serials shape public thinking, influence social attitudes, and often continue to present outdated and regressive ideas despite technological advancements.

Panelists & Speakers

The event included several prominent personalities:
• Actress Sujitha Dhanush
• Producer Dr. A. V. Anoop
• Dr. C. G. Rajendrababu – Former Head, Malayalam Department, University of Madras (Moderator)

They discussed issues such as unrealistic portrayals of women, excessive melodrama, violence, and the pressure of TRP-driven storylines.

Gouri Jayan and five other MSSW students attended the discussion, actively contributing by:
• Asking insightful questions
• Sharing youth perspectives on media responsibility
• Discussing the need for content regulation and healthier representation
• Highlighting the impact of television serials on social behavior and family dynamics
• Raising a key question about introducing a censor board for television serials to improve content quality and reduce harmful messaging

Their presence added academic depth and a strong social work perspective to the event, enriching the overall dialogue and bringing forward the voice of the younger generation.