Former Secretary to the Govt of Travnacore the Remarkble Shri.Gnana Joshua , B.A,.

Introduction ; Late Mr Gnanamuthu Joshua, B.A, was really a remarkable person ; he was a multifaceted personality, an unsung Hero,  educational and social Reformer and he was a Force; generally he was called as Gnana Joshua . He and his illustrious brother late Rev  Gnanamuthu Jesudasan [ Rev Gnanamuthu Jesudasan, was mainly instrumental in bringing the Missouri Evangelical Lutheran India Mission [MELIM] Missionaries to Kanyakumari District and also Rev Jesudasan was the first ordained Indian MELIM  Lutheran Pastor in India] were really outstanding  persons and both of them had done outstanding service to the cause of Social Justice, Cultural Renaissance,Christianity and  People's Education   In a sense they were social revolutionaries and they had become a part of the social, religious and educational history of Travancore and South India. In short  these two  outstanding brothers were trendsetters of their time.

Gnana Joshua's Parents and Birth : Gnana Joshua's father Mr. Gnanamuthu  hailed from a tiny village called Uthirappatti, located on the fertile banks of the ancient  river Pazhayar , near Suchindrum , Agasteeswaram taluk, Kanyakumari District and Joshua' mother Mrs Saratha Gnanamuthu  hailed from the family of Maharasan Vethamonicakm of South Travancore [Kayakumari Dist].. It will be useful to mention here that  later Mrs Saratha Gnanamuthu's younger son Rev Jesudasan's daughter was also named as Saratha in remembrance Mrs Sartha Gnamauthu. Rev G. Jesudasan married Ms Manonmani Solomon Palmer., a granddaughter of  Christian Tamil Poet Mr John Palmer.]  Mr Gnana Joshua's exat date of birth is not known , however we can infer and  say he would have born  most probably in the year 1870..[ His younger brother Rev.G. Jesudasan was born in June , 1872, in Kandy, Srilanka ].

Gnana Joshua's Wife and Children : Mr Gnana Joshua married Ms Perinbam Ammal most probably  in 1914 [ The base for my inference .is that the first child of Mr.Gnana Joshua and Mrs. Perinbam Ammal Gnana Joshua couple, Mrs. Edith Rajambal K.V Joseph Natarajan was born on 20th October, 1915, in Trivandrum ] and this beautiful  Gnana Joshua and Perinabam Ammal couple  was blessed with eight lovely children namely; [1] Ms. Edith Rajambal  [Mrs Edith Rajambal efficaiously worked as Headmistress at Karaikudi Menakshi Girls High School ], [2] Ms. Lily Pushpam, [3] Ms Clara Christambal, [4] Ms. Sara Navamani ,[5] Mary Ranjitham ,[6]Ms. Joanna Ratinam ,[7] Mrs. Lizzy Muthammal and[8] Ms. Sugirthambal Joshua.. It is pertinent here to remember  that Mr Gnana Joshua's illustrious relative Poet John Palmer's wife's name was also Ms Perinbam Ammal.

Gnana Joshua Joined the Travancore Government Service. ; Mr Gnana Joshua  hailed from one of the very influential and illustrious Christian families of Travancore. Mr Gnana Joshua did his early education in Srilanka  and came to India for higher studies.  After  receiving his BA degree [in 19th century] Mr Gnana Joshua  joined as a Civil Servant in the Government of Travancore State.  It is apt to mention here that Mr Gna Joshua was one of the pioneer  B.A, degree holders in South Travancore..During that period  while Gnana Joshua  was working as a  Senior Civil Servant in the Travancore Government , his relative Mr C.M Agur B.A was working as Office Manger at the Honorable British  Residents' Office in  Trivnadrum . Mr.Gnana Joshua's  younger brother Mr Gnanamuthu Jesusdasan also was working as Personal Secretary to the then British Resident , Trivandrum.. Gnana Joshua had the privilege to work in a colorful  and distinctive manner  as Education and Finance Secretary  in the Travancore Government. Mr Gnana Joshua maintained a good rapport with the British Resident and the Maharaja of Travancore. Mr Gnana Joshua earned the good will and respect of the Maharaja of Travancore for his integrity and efficacious  hard work Mr Gnana Joshua in his capacity as Education Secretary  introduced many  outstanding educational reforms in the educational policy of the Government of Travancore.


Conclusion ;   The then Maharaja of Travancore  highly appreciated the  outstanding service rendered by Mr Gnana Joshua, B.A, to the people of Travancore state and nominated him  as a Member in the Sri Chitra Legislative  Council and Sri.Gnana Joshua served the Legislative Council in a colorful, distinguished and enviable way. Unfortunately the last end of Mr Gnana Joshua's life is  not clear in the History.  Any how some of  the educational  and social reforms introduced by him had helped many poor students  to come up in education and life. Really Mr Gnana Joshua achieved greatness by his  visionary and honest actions. and accomplishments. Actually  we  and Indian  history need his  Biography. Mr Gnana Joshua , B.A, lived up to the level of his name's meaning and significance and he will live for ever in our minds.
By. P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, [ Rights reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified and corrected later , if needed].

Former Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia Rt Rev. Datuk. Dr.S Batumalai, Ph.D, {U.k] and His Family .Part Final

Former  Assistant Anglican Bishop Dr.S. Batumalai , Ph.D,[U.K] . Part Final .

Rt. Rev.Dr.S Batumalai and his Siblings: Mr Sadayandy from the comely Cluny Estate, near Slim River, West Malaysia  and  his beloved wife Mrs Ammakannu Sadayandy were blessed with two smart sons and two  lovely daughters namely : [1] Mr S Batumalai Sadayandy, [2] Mr.S Kanny Sadayandy ,[3] Ms.S. Kanniamma ,  [2] Ms.S. Rajamma,.  It is pertinent here to say something about Mr.Kanny Sadayandy. Mr Kany Sadayandy  was probably the first Indian to hold the post  of Director of the Malaysian Industries Development Authority,[MIDA}, Government of Malaysia. . .

Rt Rev Dr S Batumalai and his wife and Children :  Rev Dr S Batumalai  and his lovely wife Mrs Elizabeth Batumalai are blessed with one smart son by name Mr Devanandan Palmer Batumalai and a beautiful daughter by name Mrs Shobanam . Dr.S Batumali has two lovely grandchildren namely: Adam and Noah. and these two grandchildren are the joy  and bliss  to Dr. S Batumalai in his old age.

Rev. S. Batumalai's  Ordination and  Theological Education :  After taking  Baptism young Batumalai willingly became a Volunteer with the OMF that was functioning in his locality and  surroundings The OMF[Overseas Missionary fellowship ] and a local Tamil  Clergy  belonging to Anglican Church sowed the seed  for Christian Ministry in the mind of young S. Batumalai . Accordingly Young S. Batumali committed him self for Lord's Ministry.  Young  S. Batumali  had to work very hard to secure a HSC  to join Trinity Theological College, Singapore. for theological study.  Mr S. Batumali worked as Evangelist for 2 years, before he was ordained as a regular Anglican Church Clergy in the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia.. Anglican Bishop Rt Rev Dr..John G Savarimuthu [1972-1994, West Malaysia Anglican Diocese ], encouraged, motivated and inspired  our young Rev S. Batumalai as a god-father, to secure his B.D and M.Min and other educational degrees..

Some High-Lights on Rev S. Batumlai's Clergical Career and Education  :  During the period between 1973 and 1981,  Rev S. Batumalai served as Anglican Clergy  at the Church of the Holy Spirit , IOPH . West Malaysia .

Rev S Batumalai's intellectual inclination and excellent aptitude for higher learning took Rev S. Batumalai to England for Higher  Theological Studies.. Rev. S Batumalai  joined the famous Birmingham University for his Ph.D in Theology in 1981, and successfully passed his prestigious  Ph.D  degree course in 1984.

From 1984 till 1990, Rev S Batumalai functioned as a Dean of Students and  Acting  Principal at the famous Seminary Theology Malaysia [STM]. with great dedication and distinction
During the period between 1990 and 1991 Dr. S Batumalai had the distinctive privilege to  serve as a Teaching Staff at the famous Anglican College of Ascension , Birmingham University, UK. and during this period Rev Dr S Batumalai successfully completed an M. Phil in Islam from the famous Birmingham University, England. 

From 1991 till 2000, Dr S Batumalai served as an Archdeacon of Perak and Vicar of St Johns , Ipoh. West Malaysia. During 2000-2011 Dr. S Batumalai  served as Archdeacon of Johor, Melaka, and Nefri Sembilan and Vicar of Christ Church Melaka.

Dr. S. Batumalai was consecrated as Assistant Anglican  Bishop:  During while Rev Dr. S Batumalai was working as Vicar of Christ Church, Malacca, Malaysia ; Rev Dr S Batumalai was consecrated as Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia on Thursday , 27 th November ,2008 at St Mary's Cathedral ,in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.

                                                                                       

                                                                            
                                                                 St Mary's Cathedral , Kuala Lumpur, { Anglican ]
                                                                                      [ Courtesy : Wikipedia ]



Rt. Rev Dr. S. Batumali is An Outstanding Writer : It is said that Rt. Rev. Dr. S Batumal wrote many books in English , to incite and inspire Christians to think . He has written many thought provoking books , and some of his  famous books are given below:
[1]  Christian Prophesy and Intercession: The Bible, Barth and Koyama in Relation to Contemporary            Malaysia [ His Doctoral  Dissertation, University of Birmingham, U.K 1984].
[2]   A Prophetic Christology of Neighbourology  [KL: 1986 ].
[3]   A Malaysian Theology of Muhibbah- A Theology for a Christian Witnessing in Malaysia [KL:        1990 ]
[4]   An Introduction to Asian Theology [New Delhi , ISPCK, 1991].
[5]   Islamic Resurgence and Islamization - A Malaysian Christian Response [ IOPH: 1996 ].
[6]   The Story of My People - The Malaysian Tamils- An interview for our Identity and Selfhood,  in          Yeow Choo Lak [ed] , Doing Theology  and Peoples Movement in Asia.- No.3[ Singapore, ATESEA,        1986,]
[7]    [ed] . Vision 2020. A Malaysian Christian Response; Theology Wawasan 2020- A Dialogue            between   a Christian  Understanding of God's Vision and the Vision 2020.[ Kuala Lumpur,              1992].

[And also some other books . He has also written  many Articles in many important Christian Thelogical Magazines and Journals. ]

Conclusion : Rt. Rev Dr. S Batumalai  is an intellectual and visionary  . He is a force , great social Thinker . He is an extraordinary reader, scholar and writer, a great Christian leader, humanitarian and an untiring
fighter for social justice and religious harmony.In recognition of his various contribution to the nation the Governor of Malacca , Malaysia  conferred the Award and Citation, Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka , on Rt.Rev Dr. S. Batumalai, that earned him the Title Datuk . Rt. Rev. Dr. S. Batumalai retired from active service as Bishop in 2011.He is one of the greatest authorities on Asian Theology and Islam. His remarkable books have been decorating many famous public and private Libraries throughout the world. Rt Rev Dr. S Batumalai .Ph.D,[U.K.] by hard work and perseverance and  grit  has reached great enviable heights from the plains of Cluny Estate . We are proud of  Rt. Rev. Datuk. Dr. S. Batumali. Ph.D[ U.K].

By P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, [Right reserved. This Article  will be enlarged, modified and corrected , later if needed ].

Former Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia Rt. Rev. Datuk.Dr. S. Batumalai, Ph.D,[U.K] and his Family . Part A

Intoroduction:  Former Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Diocese  in West Malaysia Rt Rev Ven. Dr. S Batumalai, M.Phil, Ph.D [ U.K] is one of the greatest Theologians in Asia , and  was a prolific Writer, original Thinker, Reader , Scholar ,etc,.. He has penned so many outstanding books on Theology specially on Asian Theology and Anglican Church history. He is a many faceted personality. His biography and unrelenting struggle for his principles and good convictions will be immensely useful to the readers, researchers and the younger generation in many ways.

                         Christ Church Malacca, Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia
               

Dr. S. Batumalai's Birth and Parents:   Long time ago during nineteen forties  , a hard working, smart and a flourishing young Tamil  man  from Southern Tamil Nadu by name  Mr. Sadayandy  was happily working as a successful Plantation Supervisor in the idyllic and colorful  Cluny  Estate near Slim River in Perak, West Malaysia , with his beautiful and smart wife Mrs. Ammakkannu Sadayandy  and  during those lovely period in 1946 a beautiful boy child was born to them ;and Mr. Sadayandy and   Mrs.Ammakkannu Sudalayandy christened their  boy son  with the name Batumalai.


Mr S. Batumalai's Early  School Education : As our Bishop Dr Batumalai happened to born in a cottage located among the tall rubber trees in the Cluny Estate , near Slim River, he did his Primary School education in the schools located in the Estate and at St. Paul's at Slim River. Even though Mr Sadayandy worked only as a Rubber Plantation Supervisor , he was a different man ; he thought and acted differently and distinctively.. He eagerly longed to give a better life to his son Batumalai and  so acted accordingly. As an independent thinker Mr Sadayandy thought that  the future of his beloved descendants lies in the town , Christianity and English education and so  he acted accordingly. Dr.S Batumalai  is one of the famous former students of the famous Anglo Chinese School [ACS ],at IPOH, Malaysia . The mind blowing theological Educational details  of Rev S Batunali  will be dealt with later
.
Mr Batumalai married Ms Elizabeth Ananthan Swamithason Palmer:  Rev S Batumalai married Ms Elizabeh Aanthan Swaamithason Palmer,  daughter of Mr Ananthan Swamithason Palmer . Mrs Elizabeth Batumali is a direct descendant of the great Christian Poet Mr John Palmer of Nagercoil , Kanyakumari District in Tamil Nadu. Mr.S. Batumali married Ms Elizabeth ,daughter of Mr. Ananthan Swamithason Palmer. In this context  it is appropriate to give some reference, in the larger interest of the readers,  about Mrs Elizabeth's family back ground. Mrs Elizabeth Sadayandy, hailed from one of the pioneer and illustrious Christian Families of Nagercoil , kanyakumarai Dist, Tamil Nadu [then  South Travancore] . .Mrs.Datin Elizabeth Sadayandy is one of the direct descendants of the great Tamil Christian  Poet , Mr John Palmer[ John Palmer was born at Mylaudy in 1812, near Nagercoil , in the then  Travancore State]. .Our great Christian Tamil Poet Mr John Palmer had written many famous and popular Tamil Christian Lyrics , and  in this context  I would like to cite a few songs as ready reference [1],Thevaathi Thevaa Thirumarai Aruzhiya ..,[2]karunahara Theva Eranki Intha, [3]Aa Vaarum  Naam Ellarum Koodi Mahil Kondaduvom [4]Beththalaiyil Piranthavarai Pottiththuthi Manama ,[5] Enna Paadu  Patteer Iya Ennai Retchikka ..,[6] Vaaraa Vinai Vanthaalum Choraatha Manama [7] Yesuva kirubasanapathiya Ketta Izhinjan Enai.... .[8] Aaritdahil Yahuvan Nan Aathri Iya.,etc, And these Tamil Christain  songs of John Palmer are being sung by Tamil Christians in  Tamil Churches  throughout  the world during worship.services. Apart from these popular Tamil Christian lyrics Mr John Palmer had written the following literary works[books] :- [1] Christhayanam  [2] Gnanapatha Keerththanam,  [3] Mesiya Vilasam, [4] Saththiya Vetha Chariththira keerthanai and [5] Perananthakummi..

Mrs  Datin Elizabeth Batumalai's genealogical link with the great Tamil Christian Poet Mr John Palmer :
Great Tamil Christian Poet Mr. John Palmer  begot Mr Retnam Palmer , and Mr Retnam Palmer begot Mr Ananthan Swamithason Palmer , and Mr Ananthan Swamithason Palmer  begot Mr William Thason Palmer and Ms.Elizabeth Ananthan  Swamithason Palmer. Ms Elizabeth Ananthan Swamithason Palmer married Rt Rev Dr S. Batumalai. Mr William Thasan Palmer begot Mr. Manohar Andrew Palmer and Ms Alice Rajamanohari . In this context it is good  to say something about the great Christian Tamil Poet John Palmer.  Mr John Palmer was working as  Native Assistant and Tamil tutor to the famous  English L.M.S. Missionary Rev Charles Mault in South Travancore . And  Bishop Caldwell the great Linguist and author of the epoch making book "THE COMPARATIVE GRAMMAR OF DRAVIDIAN LANGUAGES,"  married Rev Charles Mault's beloved daughter Ms. Eliza Mault, at Nagercoil Home Church, in 1844, during that period Mr John Palmer was working as Native Assistant to Rev. Charles Mault..

Part B will follow soon .
By P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, {Rights reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified and corrected later , if needed ].