A Great Philosopher, Theologian, Author, Educationist, An Alumnus of the Madras Christian College , Church Leader, First Indian General Secretary of the Church of South India [C.S.I] , and Former Principal of the St. Columbus High School. Chengalpattu , Mr George Vedanayagam Job , M.A. L.T ,.

Introduction   : Former Principal of St Columbus High School at Chengalpattu and the First Indian  General Secretary of the Church of South India Mr. George Vedanayagam, M.A, L.T  was a remarkable multi faceted personality and he is generally known as Mr G.V. Job.  He was a Philosopher, great Theologian, brilliant Educationist, a Dynamic Church leader, a versatile Writer in English, a compassionate human-being and Thinker; and his arresting and galvanising  real life story will definitely motivate and inspire the readers , pastors . teachers and fellow  citizens to live a meaningful and purposeful life. Indeed . Mr George Vedanayagam, M.A, L.T was a shining and galvanising milestone in the Educational, Cultural, and Religious, Spiritual , and Social history of Tamil Nadu and India  

                                                 Mr. George Vedanayagam Job, M.A, L.T,.

Mr. G. V. Job's  Parents and Birth       Famous Tamil Christian Poet Rev. S.George  Vedanayagam [ Solaimalai George Vedanayagam the author of the Tamil Christian Lyric, Arasanaikaanaamal Iruppoma, " etc]  and his beloved and beautiful wife Ms Asirvathammal  Vedanayagam couple was blessed with all the connubial  and spiritual blessings and this blissful couple gave birth to  Mr. George Vedanayagam Job on the 26th October , 1889 . at Chengalpattu.  Mr George Vedanayam's  forefathers were serving in the British Indian Army . Mr. G.V. Job's father Rev S. George Vedanayagam started his pastoral profession  in the American Madura Mission   but later he joined the Free Church of Scotland Mission and served as a Pastor for many years in Chennai and its surrounding area including St Andrews Church at Choolai,Madras [ Current C.S.I Church in Choolai] with consuming  devotion to God and great compassion for his fellow human-beings.

Mr. G.V. Job's Illustrious Siblings     Rev. S. George Vedanayagam and Ms  Asirvathammal Vedanayagam  couple was blessed with all the conjugal blessings and gave birth to the following children namely ;- [1] Mr. George Vedanayagam Job, M.A, L.T, [ Mr. G.V.Job]  and he is the hero of this Article], [2] Ms. G.V. Elizabeth Charlotte Rungaswamy [ Elizabeth Charlotte married Rev J.W.S Rungaswamy and this couple gave birth to the following children namely ;[a] Mr. John Rungaswamy, [b] Mrs Gurnsey Isaiah , [c] Mrs. Annie Arumainayagam, [d] Ms. Mercy Job , [e] Ms. Maida Charles , [f]Ms Elsie David, [g] Mr. George Vedanayagam , [h] Ms Amy Jean Chandraleela  Samuel and [i]Ms Susanna Vasantha Chitha,[3] Mr. G.V. Jeremiah , [4] Mr. G.V. Thomas Isaiah, and he married Ms Dhanam and this couple gave birth to the following children namely :[a] Dr. George Devanesan  Samuel Isaiah and he married Amy Jean Chandraleela Samuel Rungaswamy ,[b] Ms Alice and she married Mr Victor Mithradoss,[c] Rev. Ebenezer Immanuel and he married Ms Joy Immanuel and [d] Rev. G.T. Vethanayagam  ,[5] Mr. G.V. Ezakiel  and he married Ms Leela and this couple gave birth to the following 3 sons and 3 daughters  namely :-[a]  Mr. E. George Alexander, [b] Mr. E. G. Charles, [c] Ms . E. Mary Sulochana , [d] Ms. E. Vimala kalyani , [e] Mr.E. Zaphania [ Cheppie] [f] Ms. E. Suseela Choochi [6] Mr. G.Henry Azariah and he married  Ms. kirubamani Azariah .Mr George Henry Azariah and Ms Kirubamani Azariah  couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[a] Mr Kirubakaran  Manohar, [b] Charlotte Asirvadham Chellammal Balasundaram ,[c] Mr Victor Jesudas Immanuel ,[d] Ms Ruth  Magadelene  Violet Devrajulu, [e] Mr Joseph Barnabas  Scudder ,[f] Ms. Elizabeth Sheeba Leela Vasikaran, and [g] Ms Margaret Selvasegari aka Susan Lawrence. ,[7] Mr. G.V. Amos, and {8] Ms. G.V. Susannal and she married Mr. James Samuel and this couple had no children.

                                                  

                                                     Mr. G.V.Job, M.A, L.T and his Family 

Mr. G.V. Job's educational Track   : Mr. G.V. Job had been a brilliant student since his primary School days.  After having passed his F.A  examination he pursued his B.A[ Philosophy] at the prestigious Madras Christian College and he was a classmate of the former President of India late Mr. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan  in Madras Christian College . The discussion between Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and Mr. G.V. Job regarding Christianity was  widely well known at that time .Mr. G.V. Job passed his B.A[ Philosophy] meritoriously...  Mr. G.V. Job, loved teaching career seriously and sincerely, and so  he did his Licentiate in Teaching course [ L.T] in the YMCA  College of Education in Saidapet in Madras [ Chennai]  and passed his L.T. examination with high marks. 

 

Mr. G.V. Job's  Teaching Career.  After having passed his B.A [ Philosophy], Mr. G.V. Job worked as a Lecturer at the prestigious Bishop Heber College , Trichy for some period of time and even today we can see  Mr. G.V. Job's photo on the  walls of Bishop Heber College, Tiruchinopalli. Mr. G.V. Job's teaching career was involved, evolved and revolved around the St. Columbus High School, Chengalpattu.  Mr G,V, Job served as a Teacher in the St Columbus High School and afterwards he was promoted as  Head Master of the St.Columbus High School at Chengalpattu and he worked as H.M for  for many years and later he got the privilege to serve  as the Head Master of the St.Columbus Higher Secondary School at Chengalpattu following the up-gradation of the St Columbus High School as a Higher Secondary School , with great efficacy and devotion till his retirement.  Mr. G.V. Job  took keen interest not only to impart knowledge to his students but also to mould them as good human-beings with high moral and spiritual  values. 

Mr. G.V .Job's Wife and Children     :  Mr. G.V. Job , M.A. L.T married  Ms Esther Gertrude daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel . Mr Samuel worked as a Teacher in Capron Hall School Madurai and his wife was a Muslim convert. .Mr. G.V.Job and Ms Esther Getrude Job  couple  gave birth to the  following children namely:-[1] Ms. Jemmi Job Rajamanickam , [2] Ms. Dr. Leela Kezia Job , did her MBBS at the prestigious Christian Medical College Vellore and she was privileged to be trained under the the great Dr.  Ida Scudder, [3] Ms .Kirubavathi Job , [4] Mr Dr. Samuel Vedanayagam Job, M.Sc, Ph.D [ Canada],  and he is generally called as Dr. S.V.Job. It will be appropriate to record some lines about Dr. S.V. Job . Dr. S.V Job was born in the year 1922 and he had an outstanding educational record and career and  he was the winner  of the Caithness Gold Medal in his P.G. Degree in Zoology from the University of Madras ,And by winning the prestigious Vincent Masseey Award he did his Doctoral research in the Dept of Zoology , University of Toronto , Canada and received his Ph.D degree . He served in the Madras Christian College as a Lecturer in Zoology, Department. Then he worked  as a Reader in the Madras University and  while he was working in the University of Madras he was transferred to Madurai University and after having worked for many years in the Madurai University Dr. S.V Job was promoted as Head and Coordinator of the School of Biological Sciences and a Professor and retired as such.. During his prolific teaching career Dr. S. V. Job had guided and  produced 25 Ph.D degree holders. To his credit he had authored an epoch making book titled," THE SEED; Evolution: fact or Fiction ?' .Dr. Prof. S.V. .Job married Ms Marjorie a daughter of Mr. Paul and Mrs Gloria Paul in January 1950 at the Madras Christian College chapel . Dr.S.V.Job  and Ms Marjorie Job couple gave birth to the following children namely :- [1]Mr. Noel , [2] Mr Alan, [3] Ms. Phebe and [4] Mr. Danny [ Daniel Job ]. .Dr. S.V .Job and Ms Marjorie Job  were closely  connected with the Laymen Evangelical fellowship of India and its founder Bro Joshua Daniel [5] Mr. Commodore Dr. Ernest Chandran Job, M.B.B.S, and he married Ms Abranam Vethavathi, M.A, , daughter of  Advocate Mr.  Devadasan, B.A, B.L, and Ms. Annamuthu Devadasan{ She hailed from an illustrious family from Nanjil Nadu, K.k.Dist] on 26th may 1950 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral , Palayamcottai... Dr. E.J. Chandran Job, MBBS, served in the Indian Navy  as a Commodore and while serving as Mess Officer in the famous INS Vikrant he had the rare privilege to flank and dine with the former Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indra Gandhi in the same dinning table. . Dr. E.J Chandran Job and Ms Abranam Vedavathi Job couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[1] Dr. Sheila Sekar, M.B.B.S  and she married Mr Abraham Sekar, B.E. M.Tech[ I.I.T, Bombay] and she currently resides in US with her husband and children and [2] Mr. Prabhu Job, B.E and he married Ms Sheila Prabhu, B.E   ..   [6] Ms Sarojini Asirvatham and [7] Mr. Basil Gunaseelan Job

                                            Mr. G.V.Job with  his Sons and Sons in Law 

Mr. G.V. Was a great Thinker and Author   :  Mr. V.V. Gob was a contemporary of the following Christian theologians and thinkers namely :- , Mr. V. Chakarai, Mr . P. Chenchiah, Mr. D.M. Devasahaym, Mr. S. Jesudasan , Mr. Eddy Asirvatham and Mr. A.N. Sudarisanam. Mr. G..V. Job and his intellectual Christian friends with great vision thought about the future of Christianity and Christians after India's Independence, In this context with great responsibility the above said thinkers  wrote amazing Essays  and Write ups and compiled those brilliant Write ups and Essays in the form a Book under the Title, A RETHINKING CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA 'and this epoch making book was published by Mr. A.N. Sudarisanam , Kilpauk , Madras , 1939 , pages 327.. Mr. D.M. Devasahayam , the Hon Secretary , Bangalore Conference Continuation and Mr A.N. Sudarisanam [Editor] had written a thought provoking Preface to this iconic Book . Mr. G.V. Job had written the first Chapter of this Book, " The Christian Movement in India '.  And this first Chapter authored by Mr G,V Job covers  45 pages . This Chapter begins like this, "   The strength and momentum of the Christian movement in India cannot be adequately measured by the numerical strength and the cultural and spiritual attainment of the Christian Community:"  This chapter reveals not only the intellectual maturity and  the amazing theological grip of Mr G.V. Job but also his concern for the present and future  of Christianity and Christians; in India . Mr. G.V Job as a great visionary  visualised the problems and challenges that Christianity would face in future. and  he had sharply indicated the faults and mistakes committed by the Indian Church and Christians.  Mr. G.V.Job writes that, : The Church was wholly unprepared for the sudden and phenomenal expansion of men's thoughts and ambitions which came with the progress of exploration and scientific invention" and again he writes about the Christian Church in India , "Instead of christianising  commerce she allowed Christianity to be commercialised "  Really this is one of the greatest crucial  problems being faced by our Christian Churches.today 

    It is not possible to review this first Chapter written by Mr G.V. Job within the space of this Article . Mr. G.V. Job  writes" ......... of a reluctance on the part of the richer and more educated section of Indian Christians to identify themselves with the poorer members of the community". Even today our  Indian Christian Church faces this great problem . Mr. G.V. Job writes, " And our telling has to be supported by our living"  Mr. G.V. Job has not failed to  delineate the crucial current problem that the Christian Church faces today, and Mr. G.V. Job writes, "  It will be valuable to keep in mind two classes of Indian Christian congregations. There are those which are educationally and economically advanced and there are those which remain almost on the level of the most backward Indian classes"  Mr. G.V. Job again writes, "...and that Indian Christians are more eager to assume power and control finances than to serve the cause of the Gospel " .  He again writes that , " The foundations laid by the missionary enterprise are too weak to bear the superstructure of the Indian Church'  . It is not possible to cover all the significant points written in the first chapter[The Christian Movement in India] in the book  "Rethinking Christianity in India" by Mr. G.V. Job, M.A, L.T , in this Article; so  if possible please read this thought provoking book, "Rethinking Christianity in India ".

Conclusion  :  Mr. G.V. Job, MA, LT was a remarkable man . He was a great man of God . He loved Christ and the Indian Christian Church so much with all his might and strength.  He played a crucial role for the Unification of the various Protestant Christian denominations in South  India  as Church of South India   Mr. G.V. Job had the privilege to serves as a Member of the Special Committee on Church Union appointed by the executive Committee of the South India United Church [ Bangalore, 4-8 1929] along with Rev. L.R. Scudder, Rev. R. Robertson, Rev. A.H. Legg, Rev, I.J. Thomas, Rev. G.D. Thomas, {Rev.J.J. Banninga, Rev. W.E.H. Organe, Mr . K.T , Paul, OBE, and Mr Paul Daniel M.A, L.T . Really Mr. G.V.Job  had played  a commanding and commendable role for the  formation of the Church of South India. He  had the unique privilege to serve as the First Indian General Secretary of the newly formed Church of South India [C.S.I] with great devotion, distinction and enviable efficacy .  His family life was/is blessed in line with the blessings enshrined in Psalm 128. It is not possible to cover all the aspects  and accomplishments of late Mr. George Vedanayagam Job within  the space of this Article .  I will end this Article with the following  sentence , " Mr. G.V. Job was a versatile personality,  a great believer in Christ, he was known for his clarity of thought and charity of heart and I am proud of him and thank God for him  " 

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By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A,. [ All rights are reserved. This article will be enlarged, modified, or corrected later if needed }. 

Former Head Master of an Aided Higher Secondary School Late Mr.M. Chidambaram, B.A, L.T, Rtd Head Master of a Govt Higher Secondary School Mr.M. Sathianesan , M.Sc , B.T and their Illustrious Nephew and Former Principal of Concordia Theological Seminary Nagercoil Dr. D. Monika Raj, M.A, M.Th, D.Th and Family

Introduction  :Former Head Master of a famous aided  Higher Secondary School in Trivandrum city  and Mathematician  late Mr .M.Chidambaram B.A, L.T  and his brother Rtd Head Master. of a Government Higher Secondary School Mr Sathianesan, M.Sc, B.T and their sister's son and Former Principal of the Concordia Theological Seminary, Nagercoil,. Dr. D. Monika Raj, M.A, M.Th, D.Th had played an important and indelible role  in the Social, Educational, and Cultural  history of  Kanyakumari District and South India. A short profile about each of these remarkable personalities will definitely  help the readers, youth  and the micro-historians  to know more about the untold and galvanising history of these unsung heroes and their families. 

                                                            

Rev. Dr. D.Monika Raj, M.A, M.Th, D.Th

The Parents and Siblings of Mr. Chidambaram and Mr Sathianesan   : Some decades ago an agriculturist  and gentleman by name Mr Monikam lived in a beautiful idyllic village called  Peruvilai near Nagercoil with his beloved wife Ms Neelambaal Monikam . And God blessed this couple with all the connubial blessings and this couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[1] Mr. M. Chidambaram. B.A.L.T,[ he is one of the heroes of this Article and a short profile will be given below about him ], [2] Mr. M. Velayutham, [3] Ms. kannimarial, [4] Ms.Punniamuthu and she married Mr. Daniel and this couple gave birth to Dr. D. Monika Raj [one of heroes of this Article; a short profile will be given below] , [5] Mr. Pauliah,  [6] Mr. Muthiah ,[7] Ms. Aabaranam and she married Mr Sundaram  and[8] Mr.Sathianesan, M.Sc, B.T [ One of the heroes of this Article and a short profile will be given below ] 

Former Head Master late Mr. M. Chidambaram , B.A, L.T    : Mr. M Chudambaram, B.A, L.T,  son of Mr Monikam and Ms Neelammaal of Peruvilai was a great educationist and mathematician. .Mr. M. Chidambaram married Ms Renjitham from Ambulikonam and Mr Chidambaram and Ms Renjitham Chidambaram couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[1] late Mr. C. Paul, B.A, B.L , [2] Ms Nirmala , M.A and she worked in BSNL and she married  Mr. Samuel and Mr Samuel worked and retired as a Head Master of a Higher Secondary School in Chennai , [3] Ms Mary , [4] Ms Grace , M.A[ English Lit ], B.T, . 

Mr. M Chidambaram  after having passed his B.A, L.T, joined as a High School Teacher at the famous S.A. High School at Kowdiar in Trivandrum and later this School was upgraded as a Higher Secondary School .Mr M Chidambaram was a great Teacher and Administrator. Out of his total service of 35 years in this School, nearly 25 years he served as Head Master of this School  with great Distinction then he retired from his long cherishing teaching career . As an Educationist and Teacher he was very popular in Trivandrum and some of his former students decorated very high positions in the Kerala government and also in public life. 

Mr. M. Sathianesan , M.Sc. L.T ,  ;   Mr . Sathinesan  was born to Mr Monikam and ms Neelammal as their last child .  Mr. Sathianesan M.Sc, LT married Ms Thasammal and this couple  gave birth to two sons and two daughters namely :-[1] Mr. Babu, [2] Ms .Reji, B.Sc and she is married and is blessed with two sons and both of these two sons are B.E engineers , [3] name is not available , [4] Ms . Nirmala, B.Com, B.T, and she is married and blessed with one son and one daughter. .Mr. M. Sathianesan M.Sc, L.T worked as a PG Assistant in some Government Hr Secondary Schools for some decades and finally he worked as Head Master at the Government Higher Secondary School at Arumanallur in K.K Dist and retired. He is currently living his retirement life at the beautiful  Thazhakudy Village in Thovalai taluk . 

Rev. Dr. D. Monika Raj's  Parent and Birth   :   In Nanjil Nadu a gentleman by name Mr Daniel was living in a beautiful village called Pranthaneri  with his lovely wife by name Ms Punniamuthu  and God blessed this couple and this couple gave birth to Rev.Dr Monijkaraj on 28th March 1952 . 

Rev. Dr. D, Monika Raj's Educational Track   :  Young Daniel  Monika Raj did his Primary School education at the Lutheran Primary School a Charalvilai. and then  he pursued his  High School studies at the Concordia High School Nagercoil and passed his S.S.L.C in the year 1969. Then he did his P.U.C at the famous Pioneer Kumaraswamy College , Nagercoil and passed his P.U.C in 1970. Rev. Monika Raj pursued his B.A at the famous Scott Christian College Nagercoil and passed his B.A in the year 1973. . After having passed his B.A, Rev Monika Raj did his one year Catechist Course at the Concordia  Theological Seminary Nagercoil [1975--1976] and successfully completed this Catechist Course, . Rev Monika Raj in line with his family tradition he is also blessed with the thirst for knowledge and so he did his M.A {Sociology ]in the Annamalai University through Private Study   and passed his M.A[ Sociology] in the year 1980.

Dr. D. Monika Raj's Theological Education       Rev Dr. Monika Raj did his B.D,[Bachelor of Divinity] at the prestigious United Theological College [ UTC] in Bangalore [1976--1981] and passed his  B D, in the year 1981. . While doing his B D. course at UTC Rev. Monika Raj bagged three First prizes namely,[1] First Prize in Greek Preliminary, [2] First Prize in Hebrew Preliminary and [3]  First Prize in Church History . Rev. D. Monika Raj pursued his M.Th at the UTC, Bangalore [1986--1988 ] and passed his M.Th in the year 1988. After having passed his M.Th, Rev.Daniel Monika Raj pursued his Doctor of Theology [ 1996--2001] at the Serampore University and passed his D.Th.   The title of his Doctoral  Thesis was "New testament--- Kingdom of Christ]".

Rev. Dr. Daniel Monika Raj, M.A, M.Th, D.Th  and his family 

Rev Dr Monika Raj's  Wife and Children   :   Rev. Dr. D. Monika Raj married Ms. kamala Raja Selvi , M.A, M.Ed  a daughter of major Manuel . Ms kamla Raja Selvi worked as a P G Assistant for many years in Government Higher Secondary Schools and retired while working at the Thopoor Govt Higher Secondary School. She was a very good English teacher and also a good communicator in English. Rev. Dr. D. Monika Raj and Ms Kamala Raja Selvi couple gave birth to the following children namely :- [1] Rev. Maccaranth M. Thomas, B.D M.Th and he married Ms. Selina , B.Sc [ Nursing] and this couple is blessed with two lovely children .Rev. Maccaranth Thomas is working as a Pastor in I.E.L.C   in Nagercoil Synod, [2] Mr Easter M Patric , {B.Sc[ Nursing] and he married Ms Deepthi, B,Sc[ Nursing] and this couple is blessed with two sons namely Eathen and Ervin  and [3] Mr Gibson M. Daniel, B.E[ I.T] and he is married to  Ms .Dr. Preethi, B.D.S, and this couple is blessed with two sons namely Machshan and Zacrion 

Rev. Dr. Monika Raj's Pastoral Career   : Rev. Dr. D. Monika Raj commenced his Pastoral service in the I.E.L.C as a Pastor at Valuthalam Pallam Lutheran congregation in the year 1981.. Then he was transferred to Calvary Lutheran Church in Nageercoil  and while he was working at  the Calvary Lutheran Church Nagercoil; Rev Daniel Monika Raj was  ordained as a Pastor  in the year 1984. While working at the Calvary Lutheran Church he also had the privilege to work as a Part Time Lecturer at the Concordia Theological Seminary Nagercoil  in 1986. 

Rev, Dr. Monika Raj's Teaching career  in Concordia Theologiacal Seminary, Nagercoil    : Rev Dr. Monika Raj joined as a full time  New Testament Professor  at the Concordia Theological Seminary Nagercoil in the year 1991 and afterwards there was no turning back. Rev. Dr. D. Monika Raj was promoted as Principal of the  Nagercoil Concordia Theological Seminary in the year 2013 and after having served for some years with distinction as Principal of the Concordia Theological Seminary, Nagercoil  he retied from  service  in the year 2017 . 

Conclusion   : Rev. Dr. D. Monika Raj is a good writer and he has written the following books namely ;-[1]  Sermon Outline [ Three Volumes in English], [2] A Daily Bible Reading book in Tamil called ' Ovvorunaazhum  Yesuvodu [ each day with Jesus ],[3]The Inheritors of the Kingdom of God,  According to Luican Perspective , published by ISPCK, Delhi, 2008, Pages 288 + ] . Rev. Dr. Dr Monika Raj is  a powerful Preacher and Evangelist. and a good writer both in English and Tamil . He had visited the following countries namely [1] USA [ 4 times], [2] , Germany, [3] South Africa ,[4]New Zealand , [5] and Sri Lanka [ 4 times]. . Some of his theological students who studied under him at the Concordia Theologial Seminary Nagearcoil are doing very well in many fields, like Pastors,   Church Leaders, Theology Teachers and so on but here I will cite only one person.that is  Rev. Dr. Babu , D.Th,and he  was one  of Dr. Monika Raj's worthy and brilliant students and now he is working as the Chief Executive Officer in CMS, India .  It will be appropriate and useful to readers to know that Rev.Dr. D. Monika Raj is a paternal First Cousin of the the former Additional Chief Secretary to the Govt of Kerala Mr. P.Michael Vetha Siromony , I.A.S .. Rev Dr. Monika Raj's  thirst for knowledge , and his new approach and explanation on theological issues and his thirst  for the total liberation of the marginalised sections,  really inspire and galvanise us with new inspiration and goals  His galvanising Book, "The  Inheritors of the Kingdom of God, According to Lucan Perspective " proves himself as a great Theological and Social Thinker . Rev. D. Monika Raj  always loves to walk in the clothes of the humble among he poorest,lowliest, lost and the last . Indeed Rev. Dr. D. Monika Raj is great Pastor  and theological  Teacher and a valuable and shining Milestones in the I.E.L.C  history and I am proud of him.

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By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A,.[ All  Rights area reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified or corrected later if needed ]