Introduction : Former H.O.D of History Department, Madras Christian College , Chennai and Principal of CSI Ewart Christian Women;s College, Melarosapuram, Chengalpattu , Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar , M.A, M.Phil, Ph.D, is a remarkable lady and a dedicated and visionary Teacher . She is an efficient Administrator, a great Academician, Facilitator, Mentor , Motivator and Spiritual Thinker . She hails from an illustrious Christian family from Tamil Nadu . A perusal of her real life story and accomplishments in the field of Teaching and Education will definitely galvanise the Readers, young Academicians and Students with new hope, and motivations to reach great heights in life and to live a meaningful life
Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar Parents and her Birth : Mr. John Selvaraj , M.A [A product of M.C.C, Tambaram, Chennai ] of Chennai married Ms Sylvia Janet Marybai, B.Sc, B.T , from Madurai.[ Ms Sylvia Janet Marybai's mother hailed from a pioneer christian family from Agastheeswaram taluk, kanyakumari district] and God blessed this couple with all the conjugal blessings and they gave birth to Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar on 15th January 1960 in Chennai. It will be useful to say a few lines about this couple. Mr,A. John Selvaraj, M.A, after having passed his M.A , he joined the Madras Port Trust and worked for many years and retired as Deputy Traffic Manager . Mrs Sylvia Janet Marybai belonged to the First batch of Lady Doak College Madurai 1948 Intermediate. Class. . Mrs Sylvia Janet Marybai pursued her B.SC[ Home Science] at Women's Christian College Chennai and after having passed her B.Sc[ Home Science] she did her B.T at St. Christopher's Teacher's Training College ,Chennai and after having worked as a Teacher for many years at the St. Thomas Hr Secondary School , St.Thomas Mount she retired as an Assistant Head Mistress.
Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar' Sibling : Mr. John Selvaraj and Mrs Sylvia Janet Marybai couple gave birth to the following children namely;-[1] Mr. David Selvaraj and he gave birth to a son by name Mr. Emmanuel. Mr.David Selvarj is not alive now .While Mr David Selvaraj was alive he worked as Organist at the C.S.I ,Wesley Church, at St Thomas Mount and [2] Ms Dr Vasanthi Vijayakumar [ The Heroine of this Article ]
Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar's Educational Track : Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar pursued her School education at the famous St Dominic Convent [ Now, St Dominic Anglo Indian Hr Secondary School, St Thomas Mount, Chennai]at St. Thomas Mount .After having passed her S.S.LC she did her P.U.C. at the Women's Christian College Chennai and after her P.U.C., she did her B.A [ History] at the same Women's Christian College Chennai and passed her B.A[ History ]in First Class in 1980.. She pursued her M.A[ History] at the prestigious Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Chennai and passed her M.A[ History ]in 1982 as an Outstanding Student . Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar did her M.Phil on the Title, " Crime and Punishment in Madras ' at M.C.C. Tambaram and passed her M.Phil degree in 1984, {Thesis Commended ]. After her M.Phil, Dr, Vasanthi Vijayakumar pursued her Ph.D, Reseacrh Study on the Title, " Creating New Paradigms of Mission - Recovering Women's History-- A Study on the American Arcot Mission [ 1853--1978 ]", in Madras Christian College and she was awarded her Ph.D in the year 2008.[Thesis Commended ] In addition to these degrees she had passed her B.C.S. degree from the Senate of Serampore College [University]/
Dr Vasanthi's Wedding : Ms Dr. Vasanthi married Rev. Dr. James Vijayakumar on 29th December 1982. In this context it will be appropriate and useful to say a few lines about Rev.Dr James Vijayakumar . Dr. James Vijayakumar , M.Th. D.Th[ Serampore] was appointed as the First Executive Director of the Lutheran World Service India Trust [ LWSIT] on August 2009 and he discharged his official duties [ 2009-2015]with commitment and compassion .The goal of LWSIT , is ," Enhanced dignity of lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in India " and "Justice and Dignity for all," . [Dr. James Vijayakumar deserves a separate Blogpost..].
Dr. Vasanthi Vijakumar and Dr Vijayakumar Couple's Children : God blessed Dr. Vasanthi and Dr. James Vijayakumar with all the connubial blessings and this couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[1] Ms.Dr. Mathumitha Vijayakumar Abel , B.Sc[ Psychology], M.A, [Pub. Admn] , M.Sc,[ Psychology], Ph.D and she is the Founder and CEO of ' Seeds of Hope ". Dr. Mathumitha married Mr. Abel Roney Thomas, M.A,[Capegemini] and this couple's son Mr. Jeremiah Isaac is doing his VI Standard, [2] Mr. Mithun Isaac Vijayakumar , B.E,[ I.T], M.S[ Environment and Sustainable Development], U.K, and he married Ms Pauline Mithun, BPT and and this couple's son Mr. Nathan Abhishek is three years old now.
Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar's Professional Track : Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakuamr had the privilege to serve as Associate Professor at her Alma mater, Madras Christian College, Tambaram from 1986 to 2016 with distinction . She also worked as the Head of the History department of M.C.C, from 2016 to 2018 with great commitment and efficacy. Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar leveraged and led a Comprehensive Work- ethic in the department of History, M.C.C from 1986 -2018 and she ensured holistic development of the students and staff with a strong focus on good value system . On her retirement from M.C.C Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar was appointed as Principal of CSI Ewart Women's Christian College, Chengalepattu and she served as Principal of CSI Ewart Women's Christian College with dignity, distinction and efficacy and won the love and respect of the students, staff and the public. Dr Vasanthi Vijayakumar helmed the CSI Ewart Women's Christian College as Principal from 2018 through May 2022 and she created an inspiring vision for the future by mentoring her colleagues to focus on the vision and she built leaders to achieve that Vision she encouraged her Students to translate their learning and knowledge into action to bring about a Transformation in the community .
Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar as Resource Person, Coordinator and Guide : Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar , M.A, Ph.D, as a Guide had successfully guided 25 M.Phil Research Scholars and one PhD Research Scholar . She also functions as Resource Person for the students of the Elmhurst College , Illionois, USA , Furmon College ,South Carolina , USA and .Davidson College , North Carolina , USA . She serves as Coordinator for the Study Abroad Program of the Brethren Colleges abroad , Pennsylvania , USA , with great distinction . And she serves as Coordinator for the Study Abroad Program of Pennsylvania Centre for International Exchange and Partnership , Pennsylvania , USA.
Book Publication and Community Engagement of Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar ; In 2018 Dr Vasanthi co-edited a Coffee Table Book titled " Echoes of a Silent Legacy " funded by UBCHEA, on European settlements in coastal Tamil Nadu - Dutch, Danish, and Portuguese, tracing their History and impact on the local community.. She had curated a Compilation of Articles contributing one herself, titled, " Rethinking Gender "sponsored by the Lutheran World Federation, Geneva..
Articles by Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar : [1] Feminist Historiography -Re reading the past in the context of Indian women in the Christian Mission "in Facets of Contemporary History," MJP Publishers, 2015.. [2] The Cross Cultural Dialogue and the Indian Renaissance in International Journal of ,"Contemporary Research in Social Science, Hope Publisher, May 2015.
Conclusion : Dr. Vasantha Vijayakumar is a remarkable Woman, a true Christian believer and a compassionate human-being. She was a visionary Teacher and Principal and she introduced innovative methods on reviving the Ecosystem. She sensitised her Students to be conscious about Energy Saving and Conservation of Nature . In July 1999 Dr. Vasanthy Vijayakumar was deputed to participate in the International Partnership for Service Learning seminar at Quezen City, Philippines. The concept of Service Learning involves linking Knowledge to Action, and reflection to make the students more conscious of community needs and participating in the process of Social Transformation . Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar sincerely tried to instil these ideal goals of Service Learning Concept in the minds of her students .. Moreover to enhance and revive the young women's spiritual outlook she revived "Student Christian Movement of India" on the College campus . Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar had organised Several Conferences and Seminars in Chennai and also had participated in many State Level , National level and International level Conferences and Seminars..She is a Thinker and across her tenure at M.C.C. and C.S.I. Ewart Women's Christian College, she essayed a definite role in various community oriented activities . She loves plants and tress so much, and when not engaged in Scholarly or Church a related work or actively occupied with friends and family one can find Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar pottering around and amongst her beloved plants of her beautiful home garden . God has blessed Dr. Vasanthy Vijayakumar with all the blessings assured in Psalm 128 . "The single most powerful tool to drive effective leadership in Higher Educational and related institutions is the ability to unleash human potential to the maximum"and this is Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar;s "Maxim " . Her command over English language is commendable. It is not possible to accommodate all the aspects, accomplishments and chapters of her real life story within the space of this Article .. Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar is a highly motivated Professional , Academician, Administrator, and Leader Par excellence . I will end this Article with the following sentence , 'Dear Dr. Vasanthi Vijayakumar , I thank God for you, and we are proud of you "
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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].
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