Carmel College of Arts, Commerce, and Science for Women, Nuvem, Goa celebrated world literature on 19 July 2025. The idea emanated from under-graduate students of the BA programme offering World Literature at Semester 3. Dr. Aldina Braganza e Gomes, Officiating Principal, spoke of the value of literature and urged the students to set a target of reading at least 12 books in a year. Dr. Glenis Mendonca, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of English, welcomed the gathering, taking special note of the Carmel HSS students who had joined, led by Teacher Sarah Fernandes. Dr. Brian Mendonca, course facilitator, dedicated the event to the enthusiastic students who had come up with their ideas and stitched the event together. The event focussed on the literature, cuisine, and culture of 5 countries prescribed for study in the course, viz. Australia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and China. Poems and folktales were read by students by poets and writers from these countries. Pari read ‘Freedom on the Wallaby’ by Henry Lawson; Simran read ‘Tulu-e-Islam’ by Allama Iqbal; Angelina read ‘Toiling Farmers’ by Li Shen; Anvitha read ‘Telephone Conversation’ by Wole Soyinka; and Melanie read ‘Monuments’ by Kamala Wijerathne. An interactive quiz on the countries was conducted by Angelina and team. Danielle regaled the audience with the song ‘Riptide’ by Vance Joy from Australia and had the crowd clapping to the beat in the chorus.
Anvitha introduced the food from the countries specially made by the students for the occasion. It included Lamington, momos, sausage rolls, Pani Pol pancakes, Jolorice, and chana chaat. Cresida gave the vote of thanks. Hazel compered the programme. Daiamon, Sweasha and Irene put up the decorations. The event, curated for 60 minutes, ended with the students and teachers munching the snacks and mingling with each other to the music of the Sinhala song ‘Manika Mage Hithe.’