FormerPrincipals First Annual Report
ARCHBISHOP BENEDICT MAR GREGORIOS ( First Principal)
Born
in 1916 at Kallooppara in Thiruvalla,
T.E. Vargheese joined
the Bethary Ashram, receiving the name Benedict, symbolic of
the renunciation of his household life to embrace spiritual
life in priesthood. He was ordained as a priest on 24 August 1944
and was introduced as
the Bishop of
Trivandrum on 29 January 1955. He was the president of Kerala
Bishop’s
Conference and the Catholic Bishop Conference of India. He
travelled extensively across
the world. Besides the Education
and Agriculture, he showed a keen interest
in Labour, Industry, Housing, Social Services, Religious
Harmony, Ecumenism, Environment Problem and Media. As an Economist
he did a great deal as precept and practice to spread modern
ideas from the common people.
He
implemented a low cost housing scheme for the homeless. Under the
ten – point “Health for a Million Programme” activities were organized under the following heads.
-
Education for Health and Development
-
Nutrition Programme
-
Special Care for Children
-
Juvenile Guidance
-
Maternity care
-
Family Planning Through Responsible Parent hood
-
Socio – Economic Development
-
Environmental Sanitation
-
Disease Control, Healing the Sick, Rehabilitation of the Disabled
-
Nature Cure and Yoga Treatment
Besides
being a spiritual leader, he
was an eloquent speaker, a linguist, an educationist and
economist. He rightly interpreted the vision of the founder,
Archbishop Mar Ivanios to
the society and the Gospel of Love to millions.
FIRST
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MAR IVANIOS COLLEGE 1949-50
PRESENTED
BY THE PRINCIPAL REV.FR.BENEDICT.O.I.C
Sir,
I have great pleasure to place before you the Annual Report
of this College.
This College saw the light of day under identically the same
auspices as those under which the ancient universities of the West
began. It is the incarnation of a high ideal conceived in a mind,
mellowed by a culture of the very highest degree and matured by long
experience in the field of education. Once conceived, the ideal was
carried into reality by the strength of will and constancy of
purpose that are His Grace’s own. Things began to move and even
mountains! Rubble and bricks, planks and girders sometimes from the
antipodes – began to fall into shape and as by magic a beautiful
and spacious modern building was erected on this, once forlorn hill
covered with thickets and the home of jackals.
The foundation stone of the College was laid as early as 31st
January 1947 by His Lordship the Rt. Rev. Mar Severios, the
Administrator Apostolic of Thiruvalla. Work went to steadily. And
there were many temptations to begin classes at a much earlier date.
But His Grace wisely resisted them till 1949 by which time
sufficient arrangement was made to begin with proper equipments,
though on a modest scale. Affiliation was granted in Arts subjects
and we opened the college on 27th July 1949 with the two
Junior classes having a total strength of 145 students. This small
beginning was of set purpose. It was considered advisable to begin
with a small number. To grow slowly and steadily would make for the
creation of a healthy wholesome “genius loci” – to use the
words of Newman,-congenial to a sanctuary of learning.
Perhaps it may interest you, Sir, to know that we have been
making an attempt to implement one of the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan
Report. We began a course in general ethics. The students showed
keen interest in the course and apparently they have benefited by
it.
Realising full well that common life is the better part of
education, more important even than instruction in classes, from the
very start, we made provision in classes, from the very start, we
made provision for the hostel accommodation for a good part of our
students. Although the hostel arrangements were not in the beginning
anything like perfect, from the point of Physical comfort, I must
acknowledge with gratitude that there has been all-round and
generous co-operation on the part of the hostellers who have taken
the inconveniences in good part.
With regard to attendance in classes, I must say that under
the present circumstances, with due regard to the distance from the
City and difficulties of transport, the average attendance of 90 per
cent is to be considered quite satisfactory.
I am glad to report that our students took a reasonable
attitude with regard to undesirable and un-academic activities,
which are unfortunately finding their way even to the sacred
precincts of Universities and Colleges. The authorities of the
College got the best co-operation in this matter from the students.
If an esprit de-corps has been created, if a love of peaceful and
earnest work has been instilled into the students, I shall consider
my labour more than rewarded. I am very thankful to God, and under
God, to the students for the peaceful and cordial atmosphere that
has existed in the college throughout the year. I can only hope and
pray that the same spirit may be cultivated and developed in the
years to come.
We began three literary societies. An English Literary and
Debating Society with Mr. M.P Paul M.A., as President and Mr. K.
Ramakrishna Iyer as Secretary, a Malayalam Association with Mr.
Vaidhyanatha Aiyar B.O.L., as president and Mr. M. S. Chandrasekhara
Warrier as Secretary and a History and Economics Association with
Mr. K. Mammen M.A., as President and Mr. Richard A. Pereira as
Secretary. Owing to various handicaps, particularly owing to the
very inconvenient timing of the transport service, attendance at the
meetings was not very encouraging. But some very useful work has
been done during the year.
Sports.
Facilities were provided for games and sports on the limited grounds
at our disposal and good use was made of them. Our students took
part in the Inter-Collegiate and Inter-University sports and games.
Our students I. V. Moni brought credit to the College by his
performance both at Colombo and at Ernakulam. I may recall here that
all the points our University scored in the Inter-University sports
were due to the performance of Moni in the One Mile Race in which he
distinguished himself.
Staff.
It was perhaps not improper that the smallest College should have
the youngest Principal. The special advantage thereof is the absence
of preconceived ideas and settled personal bias.
We were fortunate in obtaining the services of the veteran
Mr. M. P. Paul on our English Staff. The whole body of the staff
represented a happy blending of mature wisdom and youthful
enthusiasm. The co-operation that I have obtained from my colleagues
on the staff leaves nothing to be desired.
I cannot find sufficient words to express my gratitude to His
Grace for all that His Grace has been to the College and for all
that His Grace has done to help me forward in my work. A word from
His Grace, a smile or the very presence of His Grace were often
enough to make the greatest of my difficulties disappear into thin
air. May God grand His Grace length of years to guide the destinies
of this young institution. Amongst so many who have been of special
help in the working of this institution I must here make particular
mention of two Rev. Fr. Hadrian with his vast experience, generously
placed all his personal resources at our disposal. But for his
constant and unfailing help, I should have long ago succumbed under
a burden so heavy. Rev. Fr. Seraphion, who has been responsible for
the construction of this splendid building was ready with his help
at any time of special need.
I must here mention also the name of Rev. Fr. Philip who was
a few months ago appointed to help me in the several departments of
administration as also in the care of hostellers. Our hostellers and
myself are much indebted to him.
In fine, casting my eyes forward, I must say that the work
already done has been the realisation of only a small portion of
what I may be permitted to call a sublime ideal on which this
institution was conceived. Two more large blocks of buildings have
to comp up and their construction is already begun. For very good
reasons our plan is to make this practically a residential College.
To begin with we hope to provide hostel accommodation for some 300
students next year. Immediate arrangements are in progress to open
the science courses for the Intermediate class, during the coming
academic year. Everywhere we find signs and even the pains of
growth.
May this institution grow to the full stature intended for it
by its generous founder.
One behalf of this institution let me take this opportunity
to thank the distinguished President of this evening. I consider it
a good augury that our first public function should be presided over
by the Vice-Chancellor of our University. I should like to thank
also Mr. R. V. Thomas, for his kindness in associating himself with
this function, for his kindness in associating himself with this
function. Finally I am deeply grateful to our distinguished guests
who have graced the present occasion by their encouraging presence.
I conclude my report by thanking God the Giver of all good
gifted for what has been achieved any pray Him to guide us to higher
and higher achievements in the years to come.
Rev.Fr.Benedict.O.I.C
