A Pioneer MELIM/ IELC Pastor late Rev. P.A. Samuel and his Children [ Eg: Former H.M, IELC School for the Blind Bargur Mr S.V. Joseph, M.A. M.Ed ] and Grandchildren and their Families... PART FINAL

[E ] Ms. Jessie Gnanadeepam  and she worked as a Health Visitor [ Diploma in Nursing ] and she married  Mr. Sindhamathar [ Pharmacist] and this couple gave birth to the following children :[1] Mr. Allah Pichchai and he works as a Pastor of an independent church called  Kirubiyin Vaasal Church in Ambur,[2] Mr. Ahmed Selvam [ Diploma in Cooperative Training] and he married Ms. Kumari, M.A, B.Ed, and this couple is blessed  with one daughter by name Ms. Jeniffer, B.E [ now married ], [3] Mr. Malka Mal  Chandran [ now no more ] he married Ms Senthamarai  and this couple gave birth to a son , [4] Ms. Jancy Fathima , M.A, B.Ed, and she is married to Rev. Davidson , B.A, B.D  and Rev Davidson is currently working as President of Nagercoil Synod [ I.E.L.C] . Ms Fathima and Rev Davidson couple is blessed with the  following children namely :-[a]Ms. Sinthahi , M.A, M.Ed  { Currently she works in I.E.L.C, C.B.S.E Matriculation School Nagercoil] [b] Ms.JencyShalom .MBA, and [c] Mancy Sharon,M.A,[ Journalism];

 

A casual Photo of Rev.P.A. Samuel [ MELIM/ IELC]

[F] Ms. Joyce lily  and  she worked as a Staff Nurse and she married Mr. Jeevarathnam , B.A,  and Mr Jeevarathnam formerly worked as  Administrator of Bethestha Hospital Ambur[ IELC]  and Mr.Jeevarathnam's brother is Mr Jacob. Mr Jacob's son Rev. Dr. Priestly Balasingh is the current President of the I.E.L.C . Ms Joyce Lily and Mr Jeevarathnam couple gave birth to the  following children namely :[1]Mr Samuel Sundara Suganthan alias Thambu [ late] , [2] Ms .Mercy Gnana 

Suganthi and she married Mr Sunder and he retired as a Head .Master . of a Primary School ], [3] Dr. Joel Rathnakumar, MBBS , M.D,  and he married Dr. Malini Sujatha Kumar, MBBS, ,and currently both  Dr. Joel Rathanakumar and Ms Dr. Malini Joel are working as General Practitioners in the reputed Multi Speciality Hospital namely Prime Hospital, Deira, Dubai . Dr Joel Rathnakumar  and Ms Dr Malini Sujatha Kumar couple is blessed with the following children namely : [a] Ms Asha Shandra , M.B.B.S, [b] Mr. Kevin [ Sound Engineer], [4] Ms. deborah Sweetlin Sundari, B.Sc[ Dialysis] and she married Pastor Deva Sundara Dhas, B,Sc [Dialysis]and now Pastor Deva Sundara Dhas is working as full time Pastor in Newzealand . Ms Deborah and pastor Deva Sundara Dhas couple is blessed with a smart daughter by name  Jerusha , B.Sc [ Physician Assistant ];

[G]  Leela Bai and she worked as a Music Teacher in the famous Duthie Higher Secondary School for Girls , Nagercoil . She married Mr. Appakudamm. M.A and he worked and retired as a gazetted  Personal Assistant to the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Kerala,[expired ]. Mrs Leela Bai 

                     

       Ms. Leela Bai Appakudam with her Husband Mr. Appakudam, M.A,and Children 

Appakudam  and Mr. Appakudam couple  gave birth to the following children namely :- [1]   Dr Malini Apsala , M.A, B.Ed,M.Phil, PhD and currently she is working as Assistant Professor  of History, St Mary's  College [Autonomous]Thoothukudi, for many years  . Dr. Malini Apsala married Mr Joseph Bernard  and this couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[a]Mr. Chris Bernard , B.Sc,[ Physics] and after having passed he B.Sc ,currently he is pursuing M.Sc [SGT ] in the University of Hariyana, [b] Ms Leeja Bernaarad and she is doing her 3rd year B.Sc [ dialysis] at  C.M.C, Vellore ,[2] Mr Monicka Vasaham , B.A[ Music] and he married Ms Johnny Muriel , B.Sc [ Nursing]. M.A,and Ms Johnny Muriel is currently working as Nursing Superintendent at  the famous Thiraviam Orthopaedic Hospital, Nagercoil  and Mr. Monikavasaham and Ms Johnny Muriel couple gave birth to the following children namely "-[a] Mr. Ashley and he is doing his Plus two ,[3] Mr Sam Theoder  Dhas [ Pharmacist]  and he married Ms Alice Sujatha  and she is working as a Staff Nurse in Qatar  . Mr Sam Theoder Dhas and Ms Alice Sujatha  Theoder couple is blessed with a smart son by name Mr. Aaron and he is doing his Plus two, , [4] Mr Suresh kumar, M.A,[ Hospital Management ] and he married Ms Jeniffer , B.Sc [Nursing] and currently she is working as a Staff Nurse in NHS UK and Mr Suresh Kumar is also working in UK and this couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[a] Mr Adrin  and [b] Ms. Adlin;

[G] Mr. S.V. Joseph, B.Sc, M.A, M.Ed , S.D.T.B,  he  worked as a Teacher and later as Head Master of the School for the Blind Bargur[ IELC} for 21 years  with great dedication and efficacy and before that he worked as a BT Assistant  in the Hindu High School, Vaniyampadi [ now it is a  Hr Secondary Schoo]  and then he went to Ethopia and and worked there for about 11 years as a Teacher . Mr. S.V. Joseph married Ms Nahomi , B,Sc, B.Ed, and she had worked as a B.T Assistant in the Government Girls High School , Paramakudi . for some years and then she moved to Vaniyampadi and served in the Hindu Higher Secondary School , Vaniyampadi and after that  she worked in the Concordia Higher Secondary School Bargur till her retirement .Mr.S.V. Joseph and Ms Nahomi Joseph couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[a] Mr. Prem Anandh, N.T.T.F  [ 4 years Diploma Course in Electrical and Electronics Engineering]. Mr Prem Anandh formerly worked in the famous Siemens company in Bangalore and then he worked in Toshiba company for some years , Currently Mr Prem Anandh is  working in Siemens in Toronto, Canada and he is a Canadian citizen . Mr Prem Anandh married Ms Edith , M.A [ Journalism ] and currently she is working in IBM , Canada and this couple's daughter Ms Abigail is studying in a School in Canada, [2] Mr John Merlin, B.Sc ,[ Hotel Management] and he married Ms. Dr. Selvi, B.D.S,  and now Dr. Selvi  is pursuing  her M.D.S, in Bangalore and this couple gave birth to the following children namely :- [a]  Ms Krista [ doing 9th Std], [b] Ms. Sthuthi ,[3]  Ms. Amutha Christina is now working as a Staff Nurse in NHS, UK  and she married Mr Jeya Seelan and he works as a Imaging Technician in NHS,U.K [ Northampton General Hospital , UK] . Ms Amutha Christina Jeya Seelan and Mr. Jeya Seelan couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[a]Mr. Kevin Samuel, [ doing his 9th Std in U.K] , [b] Mr. Lazer , [Studying 8th Std in U.K] and [c]Ms Jessicca [ Play School , U.K] ;

[H] Ms. Nirmala and  she warked as a staff Nurse and she married Mr. Regan Prabhu and he is working as an Electrician in Bangalore and this couple's son Mr Samuel is doing his 9th Std; 

[I] Mr.Navaneetham , this child died at  its infant stage ;

[J ] Mr Frederick Palmer [ National Diploma in Commercial practice] . He worked in Concordia Theological Seminary, Nagercoil as a Librarian and Bursar  and he married Ms Palammal and this couple gave birth to the following children namely ;-[1] Ms. Stella Mary Mangeshkar , M.Com, and she is currently working in the IELC Central office, Nagercoil . She married Mr Devaraj , D.M.E, and he is working in Saudi Arabia. This couple gave birth to the  following children namely ;- [a] Mr Shafrin Deepak, B.Tech, [ Artificial Intelligence], [b] Mr.Pragin Aasnik , and he is doing his B.E, first year; [2] Ms. Nalina Deeepa mangeshkar, D.M.L.T , and she is working in Muscat. Ms Nalini married Mr. Robin and he is also working in Muscat. This couple's daughter Ms Riona Dollin died as an infant;

         L to R ; [[1] Mr. John Edwin G.P.Das, ,[2] Mr. S.V. Joseph, [3]Mr.S.Gilbert Sweekaran,          [4]Mr..G.Clement & [5] Mr. Christoper G.P.Das

[K] Mr. Gilbert Sweekaran [ Suvi ], B.Com, he started his professional career as an Accountant in the Church of North India, Bombay office . Afterwards he went  to Gulf countries and worked in  gulf counties namely Muscat, Saudi Arabia, and worked for about  6 years . Then Mr Gilbert Sweekaran worked as an Accountant in some Schools for the  Blind  and Deaf, and Orphanages . He then worked as  Director,  at the Mentally Retarded Home , at Veppam Patti located near Avadi for nearly 4 years .Finally Mr. Gilbert Sweekaran  worked as Director of Little Flock Children Home , Singamperumal Koil near Chengalpattu . Mr Gilbert Sweekaran married Ms. Nalini and she works as a smart Home Maker . This couple gave birth  to the following children namely :- [1] Mr Samuel Jeeva Vinoth , B.B.A, and he is working as Certification Analyst in FLOCERT India  [German Company] Company in Bangalore and he is married to  Ms Alice Anitha , B.Sc and she is serving  as Secretary [ Executive Assistant ]  to the Management in Amazon, Chennai and this couple is blessed with the following children namely :- [a] Ms. Sarah Celine and she is doing her 8th Std, [b] Mr Alpheus Ethen and he is doing his 4th Std, [2] Ms. Esther Gnanapriya and  she is named in memory of the great Social Worker and Founder of the IELC  School for the Blind Bargur Ms Esther Cornelius . Ms Esther Gnanapriya married Mr. Victor Elango , B.E and he is working for the Cisco in Florida , USA . This couple is blessed with the  following children namely :- [a] Mr. Richard Stevens and he is doing his  third year in Engineering in USA , [b] Ms. Richanda Steffani and she is doing her 1st year Medicine in USA.. 

Conclusion      :A perusal of the life story of late Rev.P.A Samuel and his children and grandchildren,etc, will certainly and conspicuously reveal the universal truth that those who obey God will be blessed with Wisdom and all other blessings.  .Rev.P.A. Samuel  served God willingly and enthusiastically and now it is really heartening to know that his children and grandchildren are also giving much honour to  the  holy God, Church related activities and  charity works .This family has produced  many eminent Musicians including vocal Singers, key Board players and Guitarists and so we can call this family as a Musical family. The unity that prevails among the  children of late Rev. P.A. Samuel  and their children is so amazing , "How Good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity" [ Psalm 133 : 1 ] The marvellous travel done by this family from  a little known village called Maraukalthalai  to some magnificent metropolitan cities like Toronto, London and Florida, etc  fills our minds with great joy and amazing wonder .The descendants of Rev P.A. Samuel are doing very well in the field of Medicine, Nursing , Education, Music, Social Work, and Church Activities, etc, . It is not possible to cover  all  the aspects, facets  and accomplishments of this  blessed family within the space of this Article . Now I will  end this Article with the following sentence, "I thank God for the beautiful and blessed family of late Rev. P.A. Samuel  of MELIM / IELC, and his blessed Descendants" 

END 

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

\

A Pioneer MELIM / IELC Pastor late Rev.P. A. Samuel and his Illustrious Children, Grandchildren and their Families . Part A .

Introduction   ; Rev. P A. Samuel [ 1902---1987 ]was one of the pioneer MELIM / IELC. Pastors  and he hailed from an illustrious Christian family from an idyllic village called Marukalthalai in Thovalai Taluk, Kanyakumari District .  In line with his inner and inherent urge he became an ordained Pastor in MELIM and served his Lord Jesus Christ through MELIM/ IELC as an ordained  Pastor for nearly 35 years with great devotion and distinction . He was a Man of Prayer , he discharged his ministerial duties with great devotion, conscience  and efficacy  He was an effective Preacher , talented Singer and he loved God and his fellow human beings .His real life story will really ignite and galvanise the present day IELC Pastors and IELC Leaders and readers with the spirit of  service and christian compassion . His galvanising Profile will definitely remind the readers about the famous Psalm 128 and by his exemplary life he inherited the blessings enshrined and promised in the Psalm 128.  . 

Rev. P.A. Samuel   

Rev. P.A. Samuel's  Forefathers, Parents, Birth    : Marukalthalai village is a beautiful idyllic village located on the northern end of Thovalai Taluk in Nanjil Nadu, K.K. District :Many decades  ago there lived  a blessed Couple and this blissful couple gave birth to the following children namely: [1]  Mr. Abraham[ His son late Rev. Perinbanayagam was one among the first seven ordained M.EL.I.M Pastors  and he mainly served  as a M.E.L.I.M Pastor in Ambur Synod ],[2]Mr.Anbudaiyan,and [3]Mr. Suviseshamuthu.[ Father of  late Brigadier S. Yuthappirasanghi ]. Mr.Anbudaiyan married Ms Sebathiyayee and Mr Anbudaiyan and Ms.Sebathiyayee couple gave birth to Rev.P.A. Samuel in the year 1902.

Rev.P. A. Samuel 's Ministerial Track and Retirement and Death   :  Rev. P.A. Samuel served as an ordained MELIM and IELC  Pastor for nearly 35 years . He mainly worked in the following MELIM congregations in Nagercoil Synod [ IELC }namely ;  Kandigaipari congregation, Samathanapuram Congregation, Charalvilai congregation , etc. He worked efficaciously as an I.E.L.C Pastor of Charalvilai congregation for many years till his retirement and after his retirement he settled in Chralvilai village . At the age of 85 Rev. A. Samuel died in Charalvilai on the 4th April 1987.. He was a convincing Preacher, and also was a talented Singer and Musician and he loved the common people with natural compassion  and he was respected by the public also. He was physically and mentally strong and beautiful..

          Rev. P.A. Samuel with His Wife and Children and Grand Children and Relatives

Rev. P. A. Samuel's Children and their families  : Rev. P.A. Samuel and his beloved and beautiful wife Mrs.Gnanam Samuel were blessed with all connubial blessings and this blissful couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[A] Ms Alice Selvam and she worked as a teacher and she  married Mr Gnanamoni from Surandai and he was also a Teacher. Ms. Alice Gnanamoni and Mr. Gnanamoni couple gave birth to  a smart son  namely : Mr Clement , D.T.E, D.T.B, M.Div, . For about 15 years Mr. G. Clement  worked in the Ministry of Health in Lybia . Now Mr G. Clement  has been  working as Pastor of Ebenezer Assembly Church in Vellore . Mr. G. Clement married Ms. Parimazha [ Staff Nurse] . Mr G.. Clement and Ms Parimazha Clement couple gave birth to a female child namely Ms Praisy Joylyn and she is doing her third year B.E ; 

[ B ].  Mr. John Anbiah [ late ] and he worked as Purchase Officer in the famous Unichem Company . Mr John Anbiah married Ms Lalitha and this couple is blessed with only one son namely Mr Mahesh Babu, B.Com, and Mr Mahesh Babu is working as a Business Analyst in reputed company in Bangalore  Mr Mahesh Babu is married to Ms. Dr. Sumathi, M.E, Ph.D and Dr Sumathi is working as a Teaching Staff in a reputed Engineering College . Mr Mahesh Babu and Ms Dr. Sumathi couple's son Mr. Deivik is studying in a good School ; 

[C] Mr. Cyril Raja and he worked as a  Govt Middle School teacher and retired as  Head Master of Government Middle School. . Mr Cyril Raja married Ms Theiva Chitham [ Sister of IELC Pastor late Rev James Sundara Dhas] and she worked as a  Drawing Mistress in a Govt Higher Secondary School in Krishnagiri District and retired, Mr. Cyril Raja and Ms Theiva Chitham Raja couple gave birth to the following children namely :- [1] Mr. Charles Gilbertson , [2] Mr. kamal kumar, [3] Mr. Joshi Ram Babikar and [4 ]  Ms. Lily Josephin ;

[D]  Mr. Gnana Packia Dhas , B.A, and during early years of his professional career  he worked at the IELC General Treasurer's Office, functioned at the Concordia High School Compound, Nagercoil as an Accountant when L.C.M.S Missionary Rev.Clarence Rittman was the General  Treasurer of IELC [ later Rev Dr Jackayya succeeded Rev. Clarence Rittman as the General Treasurer of the IELC }. Afterwards Mr. Gnana Packia Dhas went to Bahrain and  worked as an Accountant in a reputed Company in  Bahrain for 20 years . Mr Gnana Packiadhas married his cousin Ms Selvam and Mr S.G Packia Dhas and Ms Selvam Packiadhas couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[1 ] Ms. Easter Gnanamalar , B.A, and she married Mr Jeya Prakash [expired] . Ms Easter Gnanamalar and Mr. Jeya Prakash couple gave birth to the following children namely ;[a] Ms Anita, B.C.A, [b] Mr. Anand and Anand is doing Visual Communication study, [2] Ms Catherine Easter, B.Sc [ Radiography ] and she married Mr Rama Murthy , B.Sc [ Radiographer] . Ms Catherin Easter and Mr Rama Murthy couple gave birth to the following children namely :- [a] Mr. karthikesh Sundaradhas, B.E [ Electronics] and now Mr Karhikesh Sundaradhas is working in the prestigious Bank of America in Hydrabad and Mr Karathikesh Sundaradhas's wife Ms Swathi is a qualified Charted Accountant and she works as a Charted Accountant , b] Mr. Joel Rakesh  and he is currently doing his B.Tech final year , [3] Mr. John Edwin, B.Tech, M.Div, and currently he is working as Director of the acclaimed  AMEERI  Industries , Bahrain . AMEERI [Industries] comprises of Bahrain's largest Electrical Plant [ AMETECH] as well as Bahrain's Sole Manufacturer of Road Crash Barriers , and Street Light Poles [ AMGARD] etc,  for more than thirty years with great efficacy and distinction Mr John Edwin married Ms Yesuthangam [Sister of former Head Master of Vallioor Concordia Higher Secondary Scchool, Mr. Karunadhdhas] and she worked as Staff Nurse / Midwife and now retired. Mr John Edwin and Ms Yesuthangam John couple's daughter Ms Esther Packia Selvi is doing her 10th Standard in the prestigious Indian School , Bahrain , [4] Mr. Chistopher Samson , M.A, and he married Ms Jasmin Alwi Merlin and she works as a Staff Nurse in ARAMCO in Saudi Arabia . Mr  Christopher Samson and Ms Jasmin Alwy Merlin couple's daughter  Ms Angeline Beula Christy is doing her  B.Sc [ Psychology] final year,. [5} Ms Sheela Easter Joy , M.Sc, B.Ed , M.Phil, and she is working as a Teacher in a Govt High School in Chennai as a B.T. Assistant .  Her husband Mr Immanuel Franklin  worked in the Southern Railways. Ms Sheela Easter Joy and Mr Immanuel Frankilin couple gave birth to the following children namely : [a]Ms. Sharon Selva Priya , M.A  and she is married to  Mr. Ajay Lal, B.E, [b] Mr. Joshua Gnanaraj, B.Sc [ Multi Media and Administration and currently he is doing his higher Studies in  Multi Media and Digital Marketing  in Canada , [c] Mr Joshah Devraj, B.E, [Mechanical ] and he is working in T.V.S. Lucas, [6] Mr Joseph Manns , B.Com , and he is  working as a Music Teacher [ Online ] and he married a multi talented young woman  by name Ms kanakavalli, B.E.S, M.A [Eng], B.Ed, C.I.C.T.L, T.E.F.L. Ms kanakavalli Manns works as I.E.L.T.S Trainer, Student Career Counselling G.C.C green belt-a Corporate Training Consultant [ Cyber Security]- Koenit Solutions, Chennai[ H.O. Delhi ].This lovely couple is blessed with the following children namely : -[a]Ms. Jenisha kristalena and she is doing her B.A[ English] and [b]Mr. Johann krispacselin is doing his 9th Std;  

                               Mr. Gnana Packia Dhas , B.A and his wife Ms Packia Selvam

Part Final Will Follow Soon.

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

 

An Economist Par Excellence, Founder of CReNIEO Chennai, Author, Teacher in the University of Madras[ Dept of Indian Economics ], A Former Director of the Gurukul Theological College and Research Institute Chennai, President of N.C.C.I, Executive Committee Member of the World Christian Council, Executive Secretary of the U.E.L.C.I, Executive Committee Member of the Lutheran World Federation, Syndicate Member of the University of Madras, Acting V.C .of the University of Madras and Master of the Senate of Serampore College [University] Dr. Kunchala Rajaratnam, M.A, Ph.D [ L.S.C ], D.Th, D.D, D.Litt,. Part Final

On Return From LSE Dr.K.rajaratam joined the University of Madras :  On successful completion of his Ph.D, research studies at the famous London School of Economics, Dr. Kunchala Rajaratnam returned to Chennai and joined his Alma Mater Madras Christian College as a Lecturer in the Economics Department . After having worked in the  Economics department of the Madras Christian College for some period of time Dr. Kunjala Rajaratnam joined the Indian Economics Department of  the University of Madras and at that time the famous Dr. Lakshamanswami Mudaliar was serving as the Vice Chancellor of the Madras University.  As an erudite scholar Dr.A.L. Mudaliar was very keen to select  Teachers who were trained in the best Universities of the world. Dr K. Rajaratnam's application for Job in the Madras University attracted the attention of  Dr. A.L Mudaliar and Dr. K .Rajaratnam was selected and appointed as an Economics Lecturer in the Department of Indian Economics, the University of Madras  in the 1960s. So Dr.K. Rajaratnam resigned from the Madras Christian College and joined the Madras University as an Economics  University Lecturer .At this time Prof Dr. R. Balakrishnan was serving as H.O.D of this department , and he was  an alumnus  of Dr. Vera Anstey in the prestigious London School of Economics, U.K.  Dr. kunjala Rajaratnam was a Teacher Par excellence and students longed and loved to hear his thought provoking lectures delivered in impeccable English. Dr. K. Rajaratnam also had the privilege to serve as the Chair Person of the Board of Studies, Post Graduate Economics, Madras  University. . Dr. K. Rajaratnam introduced the Gandhian Economics and Environmental Economics in M.Phil . He was also responsible to introduce a separate M.A degree course in Environmental Economics in Madras University.[  Ed. Prasanna kumari, Empowering Society p.p. xxiv &..xxv] .  Dr. K. Rajaratnam was appointed by the then honourable Governor of Tamil Nadu as a Member of  the Syndicate  of the Madras University. . Dr. Kunjala Rajaratnam also had the honour of  serving as  Acting Vice Chancellor of the Madras University for some period of time . Really he was a Teacher of Par Excellence 

Dr. Kunchala Rajaratnam, M.A,{ Eco],, PhD [L.S.E ]

Dr. K. Rajaratnam Played a Dynamic and Deciding Role in the Church       : Dr. kunchala Rajaratnam loved the Church and  Society so much  than anything else and through Church he wanted to bring spiritual , social , economic and intellectual development in the society and so he devoted major portion of his life for this cause. He very actively and enthusiastically participated in the affairs and activities of the Church specially in the Lutheran Christian Church. Dr. K. Rajaratnam was elected as the Secretary of the Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India in the year 1968 which is now called as United Evangelical Lutheran Churches  in India [ UELCI ] . He had the  privilege to serve  as the Executive Secretary of the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India for more than two decades. He played a dynamic and deciding role in the affairs of the UELCI.. Dr. K. Rajaratnam was elected as a Member of the Executive Committee of the World Lutheran Federation  in 1970 at the World Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation ,held in Evian , France.  Dr. Rajaratnam was elected  to serve as the President of the National Council of Churches in India and he served as a fearless and dynamic President of NCCI . 

                     Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute , Chennai 

Dr. K. Rajaratnam and the Gurukul LutheranTheological College and Research Institute  : The Gurukul Lutheran Theological college and Research Institute has reached the present growth and status  through some process over the years. The years 1927, 1931, 1953, 1984 and 1985  stand as milestone years in the development history of the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute Chennai . With great positive vision Dr. K. Rajaratnam reopened the Gurukul Theological College  and Research Institute and assumed charge as the Director of the Gurukul Theological College Chennai. He implemented his brilliant  theological visions wisely and  became  the corner stone of the academic pursuits and  activities of the college ..He with visionary grit introduced some unconventional subjects like Women Studies , Dalit Studies, Theology of Human Development etc in the the Gurukul Theological College and Research Institute. Moreover he introduced an innovative system of Management of the academic affairs of the college by staff and student Committees [ Ed.Dr. K.P. Krishna Shetty , op.cit , p.p 22&23 ]. In 1987, M.Th was introduced in two branches namely Christian Theology and Religion . Doctor of Theology [D.Th ] course was introduced in 1997 due to  the efforts taken by Dr.K. Rajaratnam.  By his hard and devoted work he transformed Gurukul Theological College and Research Institute Chennai  as one of the best Theological Colleges  in India .   Even after his retirement Dr. K. Rajaratnam served as a Director Emeritus of the Gurukal Theological College and Research Institute  till his death with great distinction 

                                        SERAMPORE  COLLEGE  [ UNIVERSITY  ]

He had the Privilege to serve as the Master of the Senate of the Serampore College [ University ] The innovative reforms introduced in the Management of the College  and the new unconventional Subjects introduced in the Curriculum of  the Gurukukul Theological College Chennai ,by Dr. K. Rajaratnam made him very popular and famous among the theologians and in the theological Colleges in India . No wonder Dr. Kunjala Rajaratnam was elected , Master of the Senate of Serampore college [ University].  Nearly 40 Seminaries of the Protestant and Orthodox churches in India are affiliated with the Serampore College [ University ]  The position .Master of the Serampore college[ University] in fact is the position of the Chancellor of the Serampore Univesity. .As Master of the Serampore University  Dr. K. Rajaratnam took many initiatives  to introduce welfare schemes for the Teaching and Non Teaching staff in all the 40 Seminaries affiliated to the Serampore University  .The Senate of Serampore College [ University ] honoured Dr. K Rajaratnam by conferring Doctor of Divinity degree [Honoris Causa ] on Dr. K. Rajaratnam in the year 1989.

Dr. K.. Rajaratnam and Martin Luther University in Shillong  :  Dr. K. Rajaratnam as the Chairman of the National Lutheran Health and Medical Board played a leading and pivotal role  in the establishment of the Martin Luther Christian University in Shillong. Martin Luther Christian University in Shillong , Meghalaya is the first Christian University in India and it is named after Martin Luther, the father of Christian Reformation.  Martin Luther Christian University has committed itself  to render service to the community and provide students with high quality education that will enable them to become duly qualified graduates and talented and competent  professionals, .so that they can work and serve community throughout the world  with professional proficiency and competence.

Dr. K. Rajaratnam was an  Economist Par Excellence ;  According to Dr. K. Rajaratnam , " End of Economics is the beginning of a New Social Order"  and finally he had said, "true Development is a package of several elements of quality of life, physical [ food, clothing, housing, health and employment], cultural[ education, family and socio life] and spiritual needs" .His conception of Development is seasoned with Justice.  Dr. K. Rajaratnam's contribution to the methodology of  Rural Development and Action Research Programs deserve our attention and  appreciation. As a Gandhian Economist Dr. K. Rajaratnam had authored a thought provoking  book, " Development and Environmental Economics--Relevance of Gandhi "  Dr, k,. Rajaratnam was a down to earth Scholar and Economist. He fully believed in the Gandhian concept of ,"Unity of Theory and Action ". In order to realise this concept in action , he established in 1979 the  "Centre for Research on New International Economic Order [ CReNIEO ] This brain child of Dr. K. Rajaratnam has been  recognised by the University Grants Commission as a Research Institution for Ph.D research studies, and has been  affiliated to the University of Madras for the M.Phil and Ph.D Courses in Economics and History and to the Bharathidasan University, Trichy for Ph.D course in History .  The most vital ideology of CReNIEO as set out by Dr. K. Rajaratnam is determination of the priorities for development and evolving a sound strategy to ensure a New Economic Order sans exploitative trauma. So CReNIEO took up socially relevant research, used research results for social action programmes and trained young men and women in research and oriented their academic research to social development to help the poor in India [ Ed. Dr. K.P. Krishna Shetty ,  " A Life's Journey Towards a Just Society," Op.Cit, pp.16 & 17]. Three major projects successfully launched by CReNIEO are Koraput Project in Orissa , Integrated Fishfolk Development Project [IFDP ] and Servarayan Hills Tribal and Community Development Project , Yercaud. [ Ibid, p. 18 ]. CReNIEO  had entered the scene with well planned "Integrated Fisherfolk Development Project" with great positive hope. for the all round improvement in the life style of fishermen in Pulicat lake. The landmark Projects are , 'Pulicat National Matriculation School, a Co-education School started in 1988 by CreNIEO and Lake Women's Education Project started in 1990. for the upliftment of women in such areas as informal education, skills training, health, hygiene and sanitation, nutrition, and campaign against liquor [ Ibid ]. The Servarayan Hills Tribal and Community Development Project which covers 67 villages located below the coffee plantations at Yercaud near Salem . This Project had made an excellent impact on the lives of the Hill people in important aspects  like comprehensive leadership , medical and functional literacy, etc,.[ Ibid ] 

Conclusion         :Dr. Kunchala Rajaratnam loved Christ, Church  and the  fellow human beings . He had a spontaneous special concern for the social ,cultural, economic and spiritual development  of the marginalised poor people. He dedicated his life to social concerns through his religious faith represented by the Church . He wanted education to reach all people specially the marginalised sections of the society. Dr. Kunchala Rajaratnam Christian Degree College,Chittor and Dr Kunchala Rajaratnam Christian College of Education , Renigunta, will speak volumes about the educational vision and service of Dr. Kunchala Rajaratnam for many centuries.     He was an eloquent  and convincing speaker in English, and he had the privilege to deliver thought provoking  lectures on Economics and Ethics  in some foreign countries and places like Rome ,  Sweden  and  Germany. According to Dr. Prasanna Kumari, " Dr. Rajaratnam was an Institution. His life had inspired many other lives and was instrumental in initiating many programmes and institutions of services to the Church and Community" .  His colleague Mr Vedagiri Shanmugasundarm calls Dr. K. Rajaratnam as a determined Development Activist among Economists.  Even though Dr K. Rajaratnam decorated many envious positions like the Chancellor [ Master ] of the Senate of Serampore College [ University] and President of NCCI he always kept his head and mind  cool and  balanced   He was an Economist Par Excellence, Teacher Par Excellence and Visionary Par Excellence . Dr. Kunchala Rajaretnam passed away from this world on the 7th April, 2010. It is not at all possible to cover all the chapters and aspects of his fertile life story and accomplishment within the  space of this Article . I will end this Article with the following sentence, "Dear and respected Dr. K. Rajaratnam, really you were a Retnam [ precious stone] among human-beings, I am proud of you and thank God for your meaningful life I salute you for the life-long  service you had rendered for the cause of Church and  Society and for the common man  " 

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By P. Babu Manoharan,. [ All rights are reserved. this Article will be enlarged, modified, or corrected later if needed ]. 

 

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