"I take this opportunity to thank everyone of you seated here for every smile, every kind word, wise counsel, guidance and support to my academic and administrative ventures..."

A Solemn Farewell | A Soul-Stirring Speech

The Farewell Function for our Retiring Staff held yesterday, in the Anderson Hall was such a memorable one by all means.

Dr. Minnie, HoD, Department of Computer Science (MCA) who spoke about her colleague Dr. Johanna, made a beautiful and a highly structured speech. She had divided her talk into three parts, and rendered it in such an elegant style, that was so engaging and endearing to all of us.

This was followed by Dr. Johanna’s Farewell Speech which was soul-stirring and straight from the heart.

In my more than two decade-long stint in this blessed Institution, I’ve been part of numerous farewell events every year.

But this one was different in many ways.

That’s because the retiring staff member did not just stop with talking about her past in MCC, but also spoke with great burden about her vision for this blessed Institution, her burden for this blessed Institution and her vision statement that she’s envisaged personally for the growth of this blessed Institution.

The talk was all the more inspiring, because it carried the burden of a lovely heart! A concerned heart! A caring heart!

A heart that cared so much about the Institution that gave her - her identity for more than 30 blessed years of her service.

This morning the first thing I did, at the Main Entrance to Anderson Hall, was to land straight in front of Dr. Johanna, and request her if she could part with her farewell speech.

Immediately, without a second thought, she took out the entire script from her bag and gladly gave it to me. She also said that she would send me an email of the typed version soon after.

Afternoon, when I was maneuvering my way to the Department to take our sweet colleagues along with me for the fellowship lunch @ AB today, I saw Dr. Johanna at a distance, waving at me. I stopped my car, alighted from it, and went towards ma’am.

She said, ‘Sir, as promised, I’ve sent you the mail’.

That’s Johanna ma’am for us dear ladies and gentlemen.

Teachers like Dr. Johanna are indeed a great asset to our blessed Institution.

Me thought of sharing snippets from her Farewell Speech, that, I’m sure would inspire us and ennoble us in our labour of love, in our loyalty to our duty and in our devotion and dedication to our beloved institution.

Please join me in celebrating such a phenomenal life, a life so well-lived, even as we read through her commitment, her devotion and her dedication in the various roles and responsibilities given unto her.

Here goes –

MADRAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

FAREWELL

APRIL 12, 2023

 Respected Principal Dr. P. Wilson, Bursar Mr. Cyrus Kallupurackal, in absentia, my dear Colleague Dr. Shyamala Lionel who is retiring from service this year along with me, my most respected former Principals of the College, former Bursars, former Heads of Departments and Units, my dear Colleagues of yester years and now, Ladies and gentlemen! A warm and humble greetings to you all!

When I was contemplating on various aspects of my life that I could share this evening, a clear voice echoed in my heart saying, ‘Count your Blessings’. Heeding to this divine direction, I wish to share an array of blessings that I received in Madras Christian College, through precious people, events and situations. As I count my blessings, I urge you to rejoice with me on the grace and goodness of God to an insignificant simpleton like me. 

 First and foremost is my heartfelt gratitude and thanks with due praises, honour and glory to my beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who gave me life and saved it in five near-death experiences in the past, to see this day and complete 30 years of service in Madras Christian College. At this moment, I prostrate before Him and surrender the rest of my life to be directed according to His perfect will for His purposes and His glory.

Dr.Minnie on Dr.Johanna

Born and brought up in Tirunelveli as the eldest daughter of Mr. M. Gabriel Johnson, a Government servant and Mrs. Navamalar Johnson, an elementary school teacher, I was blessed with convent education to completion of MCA in St. Joseph’s College Trichy, in spite of my family’s humble financial status. I cannot thank my parents enough for the disciplined Christian upbringing which was like a bitter pill at a tender age but was instrumental in bringing the protection and success in my life until now. My father’s dedication to the family, financial prowess and integrity are unparalleled and my mother’s perseverance and talent-investment are a great inspiration to me. I thank both my Appa and Amma for their love, sacrifice, guidance and care all my life and they continue to be a blessing to me in their ripe age of 90 years. 

With my first appointment in 08.07.1987 in Mepco Schlenk College in Sivakasi, I joined the education bandwagon following my mother and aunts. After six years of service in Mepco, I was prompted to apply for a position at Madras Christian College in Chennai. Not knowing its grandeur and legacy I attended the interview during the Principalship of Rev. Dr. Francis Soundarraj with one desire in my heart – to work in a Christian Institution in a city like Chennai. I thank God for fulfilling my desire. 

My first stay on Campus was at the Martin Hall with Dr. Anne Sudir, Ms. Ruth Kattumuri and Dr. Minnie and a band of supremely talented and ambitious girls. The Hall life under the wardens Late Ms. Chelliah and Ms. Mercy David served as a smooth launchpad to my work in MCC. I got married when I was in Martin Hall. 

The daily Hall prayers, the gatherings at Dr. Anne Sudhir’s room for laughter, discussions and fellowship provided the much-needed support to me when my marriage crumbled within a short span of three months. In spite of the storm, the Hand of God guided and oriented me to have focus and confidence to carry out my duties in MCC.  The exit from Martin Hall was indeed crowned with two gifts from heaven, Ms. Samantha Persis my only beloved daughter and completion of M.S from BITS, Pilani. 

Madras Christian College has the natural and professional ambience like no other college.  I thank God for the kind of love, care and friendship among the colleagues, the liberty that we enjoy and the teacher-student relationship, and salute our Founding Fathers for laying a Christian foundation in MCC and creating such a professional structure and ambience. I count it a great blessing to have known. every administrator of the college, colleagues, non-teaching staff, beloved students of MCA and other departments, hall and campus workers. The journey since1993 had been spiced up with memorable interactions between me and a host of scholarly, talented, god-fearing and accomplished men and women. 

I take this opportunity to thank everyone of you seated here for every smile, every kind word, wise counsel, guidance and support to my academic and administrative ventures, prayers and even admonitions during my interactions with you. I have been directly or indirectly mentored, nurtured and refined by you to who I am this day. I pray that God would bless each one of you and your families. 

My life in the Department of Computer Science was and is by far, the best. Kibble Computer Centre is not a palatial work environment like many other units of the College but it served as a humble nest of solace for me to work with a band of Colleagues who are god-fearing, amicable, extremely talented and hardworking. During my entire years of service, I was blessed to be under the leadership of Dr. Rani Siromoney, a legendary personality with unparalleled academic and research achievements who was much older than me and Dr. Milton and Dr. Minnie, who are younger than me. 

The Lord shaped my inner being and taught many vital life lessons through them. The company of Mr. Arumainathan and Mr. Alaguselvan were fun-filled. My daily professional and personal interactions with faculty members  Dr. Minnie, Dr. Feminna Sheeba, Prof. Christopher Charles, Ms. Felicia Rajathi and Dr. Shiny Priyadarshini to this day is a pleasant and purposeful affair. Mrs. Deborah Samuel and Mr. Shankar were the pets of the DCS family, and they were a healing balm with their hilarious comments and harmless pranks, when we were weighed down with personal or work-related burdens. We lived, loved and grew as a family. I will surely miss each one of them but will cherish the memories of our life together for the rest of my life. God bless you dears! 

Setting up of the Students Internet Centre, representing the Institution as a UBCHEA Fellow, serving as Dean of Women Students and IQAC Coordinator are certainly milestones in my career. With several constraints, the road I journeyed was sometimes narrow, stressful and challenging but the above God-given responsibilities were accomplished by His grace and not by my wisdom, strength or abilities. I thank the former Principals Dr. Alexander Mantramurti, Dr. VJ Philip, Dr. Alexander Jesudason and Dr. P. Wilson for considering me to represent the College and entrusting me with administrative responsibilities. 

I do not want to boast about what I have done in my administrative duties but at this juncture, I apologize to our Principal Dr. P. Wilson for what I did not do in IQAC in the recent past. I promise to consolidate the plans and guideline documents I drafted for the IQAC and send by email to you by May, which you may consider for implementation before the NAAC peer team visit, if you find it fitting and consented by all.  

My special thanks to Dr. Prince Annadurai and a host of colleagues who extended prayer support and administrative support when I served as the Dean of Women students. I also thank the Associate Coordinators of IQAC Dr. Amirthavalli and Dr. Ashik, the Criterion heads, the core team members and the IQAC Nodal officers from various departments for their wholehearted support to every initiative of the IQAC. My special love and thanks to Mrs. Jayalakshmi for her diligent work in IQAC and her love to me.  

At the personal end, entering into MCC was a jump into a fiery furnace of affliction and I do not attribute it to anyone in my family, friends or my colleagues. A biblical verse in Isaiah 43:2 says, ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze’. Nothing that happened in my personal life could sabotage what God intended for my professional life. It was God’s grace. This is my story; this is my song and testimony. 

My wisdom and understanding are limited to a timeframe of 30 years and I consider myself no equal to many of the legends who have lived and served in this great Institution. But with all the love that I have for this Institution I would like to place my observations and requests before you, on two vital aspects, in my final official address. 

MCC needs synergy of discrete efforts by all: Times are changing. Instead of having a pleasant and purposeful pace of work, we are now pushed into the rat race of achievement to the norms and demands of external agencies. Without a shadow of doubt, it is mandatory to prioritize the following projects -Digitization of student records, Establishment of a Data Centre, creation of a Principal’s dashboard to serve as a quick Academic Decision Support system, and the Department / Faculty Document submission portal with a Data Capturing system and Supporting document submission system. The completion of the above would synchronize and change the work environment and also improve the perception of the College in the eyes of the stakeholders, with added benefits to the noteworthy and sincere academic and administrative efforts taken by our Principal Dr. Wilson. Sir, I have marveled at your brainstorming speed. I request you to take a fresh approach to the above projects and not continue with the trial and error method and patchwork form of resolving issues, in the earliest possible time to see the fruits of your labour before your tenure ends. 

College events to echo the Vision and core values of the College: With the demands of ranking and accreditation agencies, to prove our existence through varied activities, the campus is now buzzing with events throughout the academic year. I agree that the College campus is the best place for students to nurture and showcase their abilities and talents and cultivate leadership skills. 

But a conscious effort can be taken to finalize the event calendar of all the departments and units of the College before the commencement of the academic year. The events can be categorized into Collectively celebrated events (freshers’ day, farewell, retreats), College level events (IQAC, FDPs, Student seminars etc.) and Department Academic events (Academic theme-oriented workshops, seminars). The events must be ensured to be in sync with the vision and core values of the College namely Academic excellence, Spiritual vitality and Social relevance and must be those that contribute to accreditation and ranking of the College. The students are constantly pulled in diverse directions and are distracted from academic work due to overlapping and overflowing number of events, which has already been sensed by the teaching fraternity.  

MCC is like Samson of the Bible who was a mighty man of valor. God’s power was bestowed on Him to deliver His people from their enemies. Little did he realize that his decisions would bring a series of consequences, contrary to what was intended for him to accomplish. Someone shared this in one of the sermons I heard - God in His infinite wisdom placed His power symbolically on Samson’s hair so that if and when he failed, his hair would grow again by the grace of God and enable him to fulfill the purposes of God. 

The clarion call of God for Madras Christian College also rests upon the Head of the Institution and I pray for you Sir, that grace would abound in your life to build the Kingdom of God in MCC with godly wisdom and impart education to the younger generation, that is unadulterated in any form contrary to the vision of our founding fathers.   

My heart is wrapped in gratitude and joy for what this Institution has made me into and the opportunities it gave to contribute to the College community. With regard to my contributions in the past 3 decades, some may applaud what I have done and a few others in all honesty may consider it much lesser than what they would have done if given an opportunity. I honor everyone’s valuation and opinion. But I will be satisfied if my Master would certify me with the words as seen in Mark 14:8 – ‘She did what she could”. 

My special love and thanks to my spiritual mentor Prophet Samuel Jabez, Mr. John Abel and Mrs. Natalie Reinhardt, the members of my God-given family for being present here to celebrate this occasion with me. 

Finally, I want to make a special mention about my daughter Samantha Persis who is an alumna of this College and thank her for her sacrifices and patience with me for nearly 27 years. I believe that the Lord who is mindful of the sparrows will carry me and my daughter Samantha in the years to come and make all things beautiful in His time. In the sight of God, ‘The end is better than the beginning’. 

What started in 1993 is ending well in 2023 and to God be the glory. 

God bless Madras Christian College! 

Thank you. 

April 12, 2023

"Earlier, I sought for validation from others. However, three or four months into my PG Programme, I stopped looking for validation from others. That’s when, I really started growing..."

Spirited Voices, Unwavering Character ❤️

Two Students and A Four-hour long Spirited Conversation

In the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs

A Teacher’s Joy & Delight! ❤️

Guess what? 😊 Last evening, I had sent out a special surprise invite to two students – from the II MA English Class, requesting them to meet me at the SRO whenever they’ve some spare time on them. Both of them cheerfully agreed, and the next morning they were promptly there at my office.

Initially they must have been a bit surprised to get this invite, and hence had a little puzzled look writ large on them.

Then, I had to break the ice by congratulating them for being the best version of themselves throughout their academic stint as vibrant students in this amazing institution.

Without much ado, let me proudly present them both to you, ladies and gentlemen -

Gayathri K, and Ganesh Aadhitya!

So yes! I start by asking the first question (in a more than four-hour long, free-wheeling conversation that followed) to Ganesh...

Is there any marked, perceptible change that you observe in your juniors today, that wasn’t there five years ago, when you started off on your BA Programme?

Five years ago, we had seniors – a few of them – who went that extra mile for us – after 1.30 pm every day, they used to stay back in Selaiyur Hall or Heber’s or Thomas’s, and these interactions with them were so helpful to juniors like me, back then.

They taught me about this wonderful Campus. The II MA Class has a great unity – a togetherness – that we learnt outside the classroom.

In the past, we used to have regular Literary & Debating Events which gave us an edge over the others. But today, sadly, this culture is on the decline. In 2018, there were 35 to 40 students staying back in College for Debating, Block & Tackle, etc. But today, sadly, the numbers have come down drastically.

In Loyola College, I bagged two first prizes – one for Quiz and one for Connection, and we were just six participants from our Dept for the event, and still we won!

Macphail’s, or the football ground or the stone bench, were some of our most frequented jaunts where we practised and honed our debating and discussion skills.

One thing I firmly believe is this: There’s enough space for these activities and more in MCC. The Campus here is a blessed space which we should capitalise on, to hone our skills and talents.

I put forth my next question to Gayathri –

So what keeps you vibrant all of the time, Gayathri? You are always busy doing something or the other, be it curricular, co-curricular or extra-curricular! You’ve already published an article in a SCOPUS -Indexed journal. You’re doing some amazing Friday Inspirational, so consistently, every Friday evening, and quite recently you’ve ventured into directing a short film as well. Something that we really admire in our students. The versatility, the vibrancy and the spirit…

I feel, it’s all in the mind, sir. If you resolve to do something, you can sure do it! No one has to tell me, ‘Gayathri, do this, or do that!’ That’s because the world will always try to pull you down.

My parents initially were a bit hesitant and reluctant when I told them about my passion for making short films. The ‘girl’ factor came into play. But then they started trusting in my abilities.

Many would feel that I do something for a reward. However, it’s not like that. I just do anything I do, because I love doing it. If internal motivation is there, you definitely can do anything for the pure joy of doing it!

Tell us something about your experience in directing your first short film –

I was looking for a cinematographer, and then I got an amazing cinematographer soon after. One thing about me is that, I don’t shout at my crew members. It was really a rich learning experience for me, since we had to pack up at 6 in the morning, and take an Uber taxi and go all the way to the shooting spot. At the last minute, some may call up and express their inability to come for the shoot.

At other times, some will give you some discouraging words, by saying, ‘I’m telling this only in your interest. You are a girl. Know your limitations. We are not trying to ‘discourage’ you”, etc.

Personally, I feel that, if you learn to ignore all these types of criticism, you can do great things in life.

Added, if you’re determined enough, no one can take you for granted. My juniors especially were very supportive of me - the love I give them, they give me back. Teachers’ encouragement also helped us lots.

Okay. Tell us something about your classmate - Ganesh…

He’s amazing, sir. He’ll come to class and once he’s in class, he’ll be very focused and very attentive. He will note down points from any lecture.

On some occasions I’ve asked him, ‘Why are you staying back today?’

He’d throw up a surprise, saying, ‘I want to attend this History Class, or this Economics Class’.

And he’s so passionate about learning and helping others.

Not only that, he’s quite sure of his priorities. He’d say, ‘Right now, this is more important for me’.

Ganesh responds, adding,

That’s right, sir. I usually love attending classes in History and in Economics. We need an inter-disciplinary dialogue. I feel Professors should have the willingness to explore more and more! The other day I had been to Dr. Nirmal’s house, and had a discussion with him for more than four hours. Dr. Nirmal’s talk was very involving and interacting. He had great confidence in his students.

He said, ‘You give any text to my student, and they would be able to work on it’. He was very confident of it.

When I asked him about the state of Higher Education today, he said, ‘As far as Higher Education is concerned, the informal classes that happen outside the class are equally important!’

I was delighted, when, after my Panel Discussion on Founders’ Day, he called me up to enquire how the programme went, and I was so touched by this gesture of Dr. Nirmal, sir.

That’s something I look for, in my teachers, sir. The care, the concern, the commitment and the inspiration!

To another question, Ganesh replied, ‘Idealism is everything, sir. There’s always scope for improvement all of the time!’. We should try and experiment with different ways to tackle an issue, by promoting dialogue, through discussion groups.

Okay Ganesh, now in all fairness, I want you to tell me something about your classmate Gayathri.

Well, sir, She’s always happy. I always see a positivity in and around her. There are very few in this class who are genuinely happy!

Then I interrupt him there and ask him, ‘Ganesh, what do you think makes a person genuinely happy?’

He replies confidently, ‘Whatever she does, she does it with great passion, giving her heart and soul to it, sir’.

And she has an amazing strength of character. Uncompromising in her character at all costs. She always has a sense of curiosity on her, and she always follows the rules as well. Unwavering character is very important to achieve anything in life, and she is blessed with this trait.

In fact, I personally feel that, true education is all about character formation, sir.

Great, Ganesh. Now, tell us about any three takeaways from MCC, after your lovely stint here for five years, now.

Well, in the past two years, especially, I’ve learnt quite a lot, sir.

Earlier, I sought for validation from others. However, three or four months into my PG Course, I stopped looking for validation from others. That’s when, I started growing. That’s real freedom, sir. If you attain that state, you achieve more and more.

I feel that, whatever you do, the personal satisfaction is more important!

Loving what you do, and doing what you love!

That’s real freedom. And to attain to this freedom, self-knowledge is important, sir.

That’s when you will get recognition coming search of you.

Secondly, there may be people around you all of the time, consumed by jealousy, who want bad to happen to you. Even to them, you do good without holding any grudges against them! One day they will recognize your true worth and value, I feel, sir.

I never rejected anyone anytime, sir. I always maintain my positivity at all times, which I feel, creates positive ripples all over.

So what makes MCC extra special for you, I ask Ganesh –

The ethos of self-governance in MCC is something so unique to our college, where we are given all the freedom in the world – we learn from our mistakes! Some of the things in life, you learn from experience, by making mistakes.

Now, I ask Gayathri –

What do you feel about the ambience in MCC, Gayathri?

The one thing that I really love about MCC is the freedom here, sir. I remember in our very first day in class, a professor telling us, ‘What are you doing in class on the very first day.. Just go out into the Campus and explore’.

In MCC you won’t have any academic pressure anytime. Moreover, you get to meet lots of students from different cultures.

For a person like me, who doesn’t confine to one particular group anytime, this was such an exhilarating experience.

The Poster for Gayathri K's short film

I’ve learnt a lot of things in MCC, and its multicultural fabric, sir.

I’ve learnt here that people are different. They come from different backgrounds. To each their aura! So certain things we should ignore about them.

At the same time, we should be bold enough to say a firm ‘NO’ when you want to say ‘NO’.

My father tells me, ‘You’re your manager’.

Your firm ‘No’ should be so emphatic that they should not ask you again. After sometime, they’d understand that it’s your character.

I personally feel that, maintaining our individuality is very important, sir. That’s because, once this programme gets over, we say, ‘bye, bye’ to our friends, and we alone are left for ourselves. So I feel it is always important to maintain a strong sense of individuality, sir.

I remember a person complimenting me, saying, ‘You don’t care about what others say!’

That’s so true about me, sir.

I don’t have any haters in class. I feel we need to maintain a neutrality, when Ganesh quipped, ‘detached attachment’!

Sometimes, people may indulge in backbiting, but you don’t.

But if you also do the same things that they do, then there’s no difference between them and you!

Gender discrimination is so rampant, everywhere, sir. But to me, I personally feel that, limitations are there for me. But they’re not restrictions. Within the limitations, I can grow only if I have intense passion.

Both together put forward a few constructive suggestions for the institution –

Effective dissemination of information – especially the information flow – like awareness of events happening in campus.

We should conduct conferences / seminars periodically.

Institutional values/brand name should take precedence over any number of narrowed identities.

The time was now 4.30 by my watch, even as I saw Prof. John coming straight towards me, happily with a hot cup of coffee in hand! That’s when we realised that time had really flown us by.

Well, on a personal note, let me add to say that –

As a teacher, everyone in the class holds a special place, because of their talents, their skills, and their commitment.

But these two vibrant kids I single out, for many reasons.

These two kids have never given me any excuse whatsoever any of the time. They didn’t feel the reason to explain themselves at any point of time, because they were so very committed in doing things on time, every time.

Chiefly for their consistency and their commitment.

They’ve rarely missed their classes with me anytime these two years.

And their enthusiasm is really contagious.

I always find them occupied in some curricular, co-curricular or extra-curricular activities all of the time, managing their time so well.

Ganesh had promised me that he’d present papers and publish papers when he is in his final year. [On an aside], I really didn’t take his words seriously. But he proved that he was capable! With confidence personified, he told me, ‘Sir, as I had promised you in the first year, I’ve presented three papers and also published in books and journals, sir’.

The desire to learn! The courage to be oneself, the love to be passionate about what you do, and enjoy doing it, the will to celebrate your sense of self-worth and individuality! The ability to reach out to everyone, and give that word of appreciation for everyone. Obliging the teacher!

And much more! But let me keep it for yet another post.

For now, please join me dear friends, in congratulating, appreciating and blessing these two amazing students of ours - for being the best version of themselves - celebrating their individuality in every way, and join me in blessing them the very best in their lives!

The 'Will to Read'...

Photo Story | A Gentleman Reading!

Well, there are three things about this particular photograph that inspired me, and made me in awe of this newspaper reader.

First and foremost, his intrinsic motivation.

No prodding from any one! Just the will to read!

Secondly, he has made it a daily routine.

Early mornings are said to be the best time of the day, when the mind is so cool, calm and collected - fresh and ready to absorb information more readily! 

Thirdly, he so carefully guards and cherishes his personal space even though he stands by the busy roadside!

To conclude, well, yes! taking a clue and a cue from this gentleman - celebrating one’s personal space is so important, because individual growth is important; and individual growth is important because it gives one a great sense of joy and fulfillment! A sense of fulfillment is again, so very important, because, it leads to the discovery of one’s strengths, desires, dreams and USPs, that would in turn help them make a difference to society in their own sweet ways.

So here’s my three cheers to all ye readers who celebrate your sweeet, personal space!

PS: You may want to read more on celebrating your personal space, on our past post HERE.

When Sun is Fun...!

 

‘Sun is Fun’

One of the simple pleasures of an early morning stroll is to find these lovely dogs lounging around in the sun.

This particular dog caught my attention, even as she was sunbathing, nonchalantly, fully absorbed in the feeling of the moment!

Pup experts would have us believe that, sunbathing gives the much-needed vitamin D for the dogs, which thereby helps in strengthening their bones, and in the control of muscles and nerves.

A quick and cursory look into animal cognition, would make us wonder, how, these pups, all by instinct, without any instruction whatsoever, right royally delight themselves in a sunbath!

For more on animal cognition and Jane Goodall, you may want to read our past post HERE

" Potato is ME!" 😊

Doodling Delights 😊

A Paean to ‘Desktop' Publishing ❤️

Well, there are types and types of creativity!

When the lecturer in class is going on and on, without bell or brake, and it gets into bore mode, you either take a sneak peek at your watches, or you allow your mind to wander yonder, or you tend to get into snore mode, or into that ultimate, elegant creative weapon of yours - scribble mode! 😉

Scribbling away your entire talent on the desk that’s gracefully hosted you for that entire hour.

Suddenly you find the lines that have been stuck in your head for a long time, slowly popping out one by one - for that long-awaited ‘desktop' publishing!

That’s when you elegantly take out your pen, and for once, instead of scratching your head, you start scratching your desk! You become wordy, the word-pecker!

A desk doodler…!

Well, MCC has always sported a very unique style in its DDs aka desk doodlings down the ages!

The graffiti are so refined in their sensibilities – and the themes range anywhere from Love, Beauty, Desire, Longing, Inspirational Quotes, Nature etc.

Today, even as the entire Department was on Academic Audit mode, and I was deputed by our HoD Dr. Mekala to give the Welcome Address for the Farewell function [hosted by students of our department at St. Thomas’s Hall], I took along two important dignitaries with me, who sat next to me in the Indoor Theatre, the venue for the event.

My eyes spontaneously looked out for the creative graffiti of our students, and hey presto! They didn’t fail me! 😉

Among a host of lovely desk doodlings, I found this one so lovely! So posting it here for us! The rest are meet for another post, that follows soon.

The Gallery classrooms are the best places to watch out for these desktop doodlings, as they are huge classes, where students usually get a bit more freedom and privacy to be themselves, especially in a not-so-interesting hour staring at them.

For example, you just gotta take a look at some of the 1930s desks that don the entire Arts & Science Blocks, and hey presto, you find graffiti doubling up as ‘secret letters’ for their love interests, in such soulful words, filled with literary allusions and images!

But one thing that shines above everything else, as far as desk doodling is concerned, is that, student graffiti aka desk doodling splattered in all hues and shades across the age-old desks in MCC, has tremendous possibility to make for the content of a Creative Writing Work Book in the Literature Class.

Creativity – that’s very well a cut above the rest!

Well, yes! If you have any catchy desk doodling on your mobile, do send them across!

Shall add them to the Photo Gallery here!

PS: This post is not meant to encourage desk graffiti in any way. But well, er… um.. it promises to celebrate desk doodling as a creative outlet for that pavapetta student in every way! 😊

Happy doodling away folks! 😉

"If you look back at the history of our institution, there was no room for mediocrity..."

Founders’ Day Celebrations [for Students]

3rd April 2023 | A Report

The Founders’ Day Celebrations got off to a grand start at 9 am today, to a packed capacity in the Anderson Hall, MCC. 

The programme was envisioned by our beloved Principal Dr. P. Wilson, as an occasion that would focus primarily on involving current students of the College, to help them get to know more about the life, the legacy, the history and the heritage of our great Institution.

The Programme began with the recital of the College Prayer in unison, by the four winners of the College Prayer Recital Competition. The winners were given Cheques of Rs.5,000/- each by our beloved Principal Dr. P. Wilson.

This was followed by a mesmerizing rendition of the College Prayer Song by our students – both past and present. Interestingly, this soulful number was set to tune by Mr. A. J. Mithra, and the lyrics were penned by Dr. Paul Prabhu, and performed [coordinated by our Principal] during the Quartoseptcentennial Celebrations of our College.

The Principal of Madras Christian College, Dr. P. Wilson welcoming the audience, remarked -

This is an occasion I’ve been waiting for a long time – that our students should be imparted with the real history and the real legacy of this institution. 

The college believes in autonomy for the students, but over a period of time we found out that, if the autonomy is not guided and groomed properly, it evolves on its own, and we lose the real essence of our rich legacy.

I had an occasion in my office, where I met up with two boys and two girls from the Research Department of English, who interviewed me for more than 2 ½ hours.  Over the process, we found out that the content of our interactions could be disseminated in the form of a Panel Discussion during the celebration of Founders’ Day. So from here, the idea of celebrating Founders’ Day with students emerged.

Every year we have the Founders’ Day thanksgiving Service which is confined only to  faculty members, and students were not a part of it. Keeping this in mind, we thought of creating one more vertical for our students, to help them get to know the Founders better, Founders who created the base for us to enjoy the benefits of a liberal higher education.

I thank Dr. Joshua for having accepted to moderate this Panel Discussion. Coming to the song that our students performed – this song was performed during the 175th year celebrations of our College. That time, I was given the responsibility of taking care of the Cultural Events. Dr. Paul Prabhu and myself, we sat together in the Pavilion, and we had to write the lyrics, and it was very difficult to translate the College Prayer since we had to take care not to distort its meaning.

So we had multiple sessions, to draft the lyrics for the song. We also had a music teacher in Campus – Mr. A. J. Mithra, who gave us the tune for this song. So we like to remember Mr. A. J. Mithra for his contribution, and we are planning to translate into English and in Malayalam. So the three translations will be released on a memorable occasion.

We would also like to encourage all of you who are musically inclined to be a part of this project. We would also like to produce a video of this performance and place this on the College website.

The vision of the college can never be changed, but the mission can be appropriated. The visions of our founders are embedded in the College Prayer. I hope you understand the whole design of this event. This event needs to be conducted by the students and for the students.

The seniors need to groom their juniors on the life and legacy of Madras Christian College. Being the first event, we had to make a lot of efforts for this event. But hereafter, it should be owned by the students, and if possible, the CUS should come forward and own this event, our Principal said.

Then followed the Release of the College Magazine - [touted as a heritage & history special issue] – by our Principal and the first copy of the Magazine was received by Dr. Johanna Johnsi Rani.

Then came up the exciting Panel Discussion, moderated by Dr. Joshua Kalapatti, [Former Professor of Philosophy, MCC], and author of the famous ‘Life and Legacy of MCC’ book.

The panelists were Ganesh Aadhitya, Joanna Obed and Souparno Bhattacharya, with guidance from Malar.

Dr. Joshua Kalapatti, Moderator of the Panel Discussion, in his opening remarks observed - 

Founders' Day is a day of remembrance, reflection and celebration as well. We the past students and faculty members, we consider Madras Christian College as a sacred space, a sacred ground, because every space in Campus, history is writ large. You find history in every nook and corner in Campus.

Take for example, this Hall – it’s named after Rev. John Anderson, our Founder. All of you walk past the statue of Miller. This statue was unveiled on 30th January 1937 – the very first day of Campus life here. It was unveiled by the Governor Lord Erskine, and that has a rich history. It was donated by a few of Miller’s students.

If you look opposite to Miller’s statue, you will find the sundial. How many of you know the story behind the sundial?

You need to know about the history of your College. Not only about the buildings, but also about the faculty members who have gone before us, who have inculcated a system of values, which are to be understood, propagated and appropriated as well.

I tell you, this is the biggest celebration of Founders’ Day in the last fifteen years or so. We have been observing Founders’ Day right from the time of Dr. V. J. Philip, and this is the first time that students are also involved in the Founders’ Day Celebrations.

Let this be a session of learning – where you learn more about the history, our culture, our values – what makes Madras Christian College a unique institution!

Ganesh Aadhitya spoke first on the panel, on the topic, ‘Academic Rigour as Culture’.

Ganesh presented his points in a very structured and balanced way, based on what he’s seen, gathered and experienced in the past five years as a student of MCC. Excerpts from his talk –

I will be focusing on academic excellence. If you look back at the history of our institution, there was no room for mediocrity, right from Dr. Miller’s time – when he upgraded the General Assembly School to College.

Academic Rigour according to me, is the culture of celebrating and respecting knowledge. One specific instance that I’ve chosen is the history of Tamil Nadu. All intellectual movements, in the Tamil intellectual front, back then, had had their origin here in MCC.

From 1920s to 1950s, dedicated scholars came up with works in Tamil that transformed the way Tamil society thought.

For example, we had the pure Tamil movement, and it was spearheaded by the great Parithimar Kalaignar and Maraimalai Adigalar, who were from the Department of Tamil. Next you have Madhavaiyya, a pioneer of Tamil novels, and many other scholars such as Rajam Iyer, and Krupabai Satthianadhan – the first woman novelist – whose works had also come out in the College Magazine.

S Vaiyapuri Pillai, one of the first lexicographers, and then the feminist Ambai, who sowed the seeds for feminism in Tamil Nadu even forty years ago.

In the case of science, we have an article in this year’s College Magazine, where we have Dr. Lakshminarayanan talking about the role of MCC Physicists in the making of Modern India.

The exceptional quality of our College Magazines is another phenomenal quality about the richness of our past. Our eternally curious professors, they literally wrote almost on anything. There was even an article on Artificial Intelligence back then in 1978, even!

Dr. William Miller, who has written the first Editorial of the College Magazine, writes,

To awaken thought among the class upon whom the future must depend, is the first object at which the Magazine will aim!

And true to his words, the high academic standards, and the diversity of materials published, can be seen in the past issues – the quality of the Magazines – when I visited the Archives.

Some of the old articles, they ran even for 20 pages. Each Hall had a magazine. The College Union Society too had a magazine called, Wood Chips, which was testament to the academic rigour.

That spirit of free thinking – through discussion and dialogue – that has been in the DNA of MCC – we should continue that.

Coming to my experience, on the encouragement of my professors, I presented a paper at an International Conference, where I presented a paper on Chicken Biryani and lemon rice, with regard to a Marxist concept on False Consciousness.

The response that I received from my audience – made me delighted that to know that my ideas resonated among the audience. That is how I guess, it must have felt for the MCC-ians who influenced society that way.

A mini-scale demonstration of what our MCC-ians did on a large scale.

The ancient Greeks believed that, the pleasure of learning is the most sublime of pleasures, but today, many trivialities are foregrounded. That vibrant academic atmosphere, although it is palpable, is overshadowed by the exceptional number of trivial events that are happening.

There should be a balance effected here, evaluating the purposefulness of every event.

All cultural activities should exist in continuity with academic endeavours, and not in opposition.

In my experience in Campus here, - a life-giving campus – that serene and relaxed atmosphere of our Campus – when it is combined with the ethos of our College which is self-governance, where the College grants freedom to each member of the Campus community – when these two are combined, it produces unique individuals with very strong character – a strength of character that I myself have experienced.

Souparno spoke next.

He started off with a brilliant quote. Said he –

A month ago, I was reading from a book titled, Emancipated From Mental Slavery by Marcus Garvey, where I came across a quote – “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”.

At that point, I had a question. As MCC-ians, are we aware of the true culture of our College. And what exactly is the MCC Culture?

I was privileged enough to read through Dr. Kalapatti’s book on the Life and Legacy of MCC. Our prestigious archives gave me a better idea on our culture as well.

I would like to introduce you to the terms, culture, subculture and counterculture that are there in our Campus.

Joanna Obed spoke next, on the concepts of Innovation and Research in Campus.

She suggested that, courses on Value Education, Personality Development etc can incorporate the values of our Founders, their driving principles that steered them to fulfilling their vision.

Dr. Joshua gave a fitting summing up the Panel Discussion, which was followed by a five minute documentary on the Founders of MCC, edited by Dr. Selvaraj.

Then, the cream of the session, a scene from the “Life of John Anderson” - From the play “Kadaikaalgal” written by Bharathi Prabhu, and directed by Ranjith, III BA English was staged to a thunderous applause from the audience.

Dr. Paul Prabhu and Mr. Bharathi Prabhu gave glimpses into the first staging of the play in Campus, over two decades ago. Mr. Bharathi Prabhu, the writer of the original script said that, 

Madras Christian College is not another College that gives you a degree and thereby helps you ‘survive’ anywhere in this world.

Rather, this is a hallowed ground that produces human beings who are filled with the spirit of humanity. The knowledge of all our Professors was really astounding. They used to give us amazing compares and connects – like connecting Thiruvalluvar with Shakespeare etc. Dr. Ganesh who taught us English, opened up vistas that would help us think for ourselves, he said.

Dr. Huldah Samuel did an amazing MC-ing, and Dr. Samuel Rufus gave the Vote of Thanks, followed by the Closing Prayer offered by Dr. Jannet and the Benediction by Rev. Ross.    

Founders' Day Celebrations @ MCC