Former ISRO [ Mahendragiri ] SE Grade Scientist/ Engineer Er Chandran Gandhiji, B.E[ Electronics and Communication ]

Introduction     : Former ISRO [ Mahendragiri ] " SE"  grade Scientist / Engineer Er. Chandran Gandhiji  was  one of the unassuming great Space Scientists and was an unsung hero . His remarkable jump from the lake banks of  Vedanthangal village to the space research laboratories of  of  ISRO at Mahendragiri deserves our attention and admiration. He achieved greatness by his relentless hard work and  untiring self motivation . His rise from a Technical Assistant in ISRO to the grade of SE Scientist/ Engineer will definitely motivate and galvanise the village youth to aim  for higher goals and to live a meaningful  life 

                                        Former ISRO Scientist/ Engineer Er. Chandran Gandhiji 

Er. Chandran Gandhiji's Parents and Birth   :  Vedanthangal village lies in Acharapakkam Block, Maduranthakam taluk, Chingepattu dist, Tamil Nadu and  is one of the beautiful villages in Tamil Nadu. Vedanthangal Birds Sanctuary is world famous today .  Er. Chandran Gandhiji's  parents Mr Ezhumalai and Mrs Karpagam Ezhumalai are natives of this enchanting village and this couple gave birth to Er. Chandran Gandhiji on 11th march, 1961.  Er. Chandran Gandhiji even as a boy had his visionary dreams. 

Er. Chandran Gandhijji's Siblings  :  Mr. Ezhumalai and Mrs karpagam Ezhumalai couple gave birth to the following children namely  :[1] Mr. Er. Chandran Gandhiji , B.E, [ He is the Hero of this Article], [2] Ms Gandhimathi and she married Mr. Paramanandam ,[ 3] Mr. Karunakaran Gandhi [ IT.I ] and he married Ms Dhanalakshmi and this couple is blessed with 2 sons, [4] Mr Mohan Gandhi ,[Died], and [5] Mr. Rajan Gandhi, B.A, B.L, and  and he married Ms Anu and this  couple is blessed with one daughter , [

Er. Chandran Gandhiji's Educational Track   :  Er. Chandran Gandhiji did his School education at the Govt High School at Vedanthangal and passed his  S.S.L.C in 1977. Then he pursued his Diploma in Electronics  course at the Govt Central Polytechnic  College at Adayar, Chennai and passed his Diploma in Electronics [ D.E]  course in 1981.. He joined ISRO at Mahendragiri in 1983 as a Technical Assistant  and while working in ISRO, in line with his thirst for knowledge  he pursued his B.E[ Electronics and Communication ] and passed his BE in 2011 meritoriously. .

Er. Chandran Gandhiji's Wife and Children  : Er. Chandran Gandhiji married Ms Ravathy from a respectable family from Tuticorin and this couple is blessed with the following children namely  : [1]  Ms. Geetha , B.A, and she married Mr Jegathesh Kumar and this couple is blessed with 2 cute daughters , [2] Ms. Sidharthamathi , and she did her B.E[ Mech] at the University Engineering College Nagercoil and  she meritoriously  came out as College Topper in all the subjects and she was an University Rank Holder also in her B.E .. After having passed her B.E with flying colours Ms Sidharthamathi pursued her M.S [ Mech] in Germany and passed her M.S. meritoriously and currently she is working in a Bank in Germany in Engineering section , and [3] Ms. Sangamithra and she is currently doing her M.B.B.S. final Year at the  Tirunelveli Govt Medical College . 

Er. Chandran Gandhiji's Professional track   :  After having passed his Diploma in Electronics , Mr. Chandran Gandhiji joined ISRO at Mahendragiri as a Technical Assistant and after a few years he was promoted as Technical Assistant  ," C ".  He was discharging his professional functions  and responsibilities with great devotion and efficacy and he was promoted as Scientist/ Engineer ' S.B," in 1990 --1991. He worked in the Electronic Section in ISRO at Mahendragiri   as Electronics Scientist/ Engineer and his main function and responsibilities  were  to design and develop electronic systems , satellite system and propulsion systems and also to test, evaluate and develop Systems to test and evaluate Spacecraft Hardware , etc.  He was associated with the PSLV - Liquid Rocket Engine Testing .  After having worked for 37 years and six months in ISRO  for the cause India's progress  in Space Research, he retired from service in March 2021 as ,"SE'  grade Scientist/ Engineer .

Conclusion     : Er. Chandran Gandhiji's professional accomplishments and educational achievements  deserve our admiration .  As first generation graduate his reach to the citadels of Space research in ISRO  at Mahendragiri will definitely galvanise the  Indian Youth who plays in their village streets to set their goals towards planets in the sky and to become Space Scientists like him . His father was a great Gandhian and admirer of  Mahatma Gandhiji. Er. Chandran Gandhiji after his retirement  resides in Nagercoil with his family and he loves his wife and children so much. . He instilled the value and importance of education in the minds of his daughters  and accordingly his  beloved and brilliant daughters  have reached enviable heights in education . He is a humanitarian and a great Social Thinker and a staunch follower  E.V. R [Periyar] and Dr. Ambedkar. He follows the principles of equality,  fraternity  and social justice  It is not possible to accommodate all the chapters of his real life travel and  history within the space of this Article and so I will end this Article with the  following sentence, "Dear Er. Chandran Gandhiji, we are  proud of you, along with our nation " 

END.

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

     

y youth. 

A Short Introduction about St. Mary's Church, Madras and St. Mary's Charity School, Madras ,

Introduction   : To understand the history of St. Mary's Church and St Mary's Charity school at Madras we need to have some idea of Mr. Streynsham  Master . The Agent of British East India Company , Madras  Sir. Streynsham Master was the 8th son of Richard Master Esq., of East Langdom Court, kent, U,K,.  He entered British East India Company's service in 1659 and some years before he came to Madras , he distinguished himself at Surat in 1670 by his courageous defence of the factory against the forces of Sivaji with a party of seamen from Swally for which  he received the Gold Medal from the East India Company. He was appointed to Fort. St. George, Madras  with the understanding that he was to succeed Mr.Langhorne  [Mrs. Frank Penny, Fort St. George Madras ,p. 47 ].  Mr. John Langhorne left India with Mr. Herrys at the beginning of 1676. Mr. Master's first act was to remodel the rules which governed his Council and introduce a more orderly system of keeping the  accounts books.. On return from the Bay he set about consolidating and building up the status of Fort St. George, Madras . Mr. Streynsham Master  may be called the second founder [ Ibid. ,p. 60].He remodelled Mr. Langhorne's rules. . Fines were also imposed for swearing, lying, quarrelling and Sabbath- breaking. [Ibid, p. 61]. Mr. Master's reign was a short one yet in his  time he left two lasting memorials of his energy. One was the St. George Fort Church dedicated to God in honour of St. Mary ; the other was the Court of Judicature out of which was by and by evolved the Madras High Court [ Ibid., p. 62]. . Within a few days of the sitting of the Court of Judicature the foundations of St. Mary's Church was dug. It was the first Church of the Anglican Communion raised in India and it was built by the liberal subscriptions of the Merchants of St. George Fort , Madras . [ Ibid., p. 63]. When factories and forts were established in India  the Chaplains were appointed to them by the East India company . As early as 1655 mention is made that a protestant Chaplain in Madras Revd. Richard , the successor of Rev. Patrick Warner , and had the privilege of performing the dedicatory service of  the St. Mary's Church at St. George Fort, Madras,, two years later in 1680. [ Ibid ]. The spire was added in 1692 and quarters were built at the West and adjoining the Tower for the Chaplains[ Ibid, .p. .64]. 

                                                                Sir. Streynsham Master 

St. Mary's Church Madras      :   St. Mary's Church , Madras , is full of mementoes of men who have helped  to make history. and is the resting place of several English Governors and Commanders in Chief to the Madras Army , Mr. Francis Hastings , Sir. Thomas Munro, Sir Henry George Ward, Sir Alexander Campbell , Sir Samuel Hood, Lord Hobart, Lord Pigot, and others . [ Mrs. Penny, p.66]. Since the time of the consecration of St. Mary's Church , a Vestry was formed to govern its affairs. The history of this Body is unique being the story of irresponsible effort  nobly sustained for the general good of the settlement. The Governors usually presided at the Vestry meetings, supported by the Members of the Council and the chief people in the Company's service. The most important duty of the Vestry was the administration of the St. Mary's Charity fund. . This Fund was commenced with the foundation of the Church. -[ Ibid, pp 67 & 68]. Provision was also made for the orphans of poor Europeans by the St. Mary's vestry, as has already been described , which resulted in the foundation of St Mary's School in the  St George Fort Madras [ Mrs. Frank Penny, p. 129].  

Evolution and Establishment of St. Mary's Charity School , Madras         :   In 1670 the Directors of the  British East India Company made some inquiries about the education of the Children at St George Fort , Madras . In 1678 was taken, by the appointment of a scotch preacher named Pringle who kept a School for teaching the Portuguese, Eurasians, British Eurasians and the children of a few Indian subordinates.. Mr Pringle, Mr. Ralph  Ord,  and Mr. John Barker  successively worked in this school as teachers. When Barker died this small School grew in importance and attracted towards it, gradually increasing Charity stock for the care and education of the orphans.  After 1692 the work of superintendence was entrusted to the Chaplains who were required to have knowledge of Portuguese and Tamil for the performance of their new duty, by the Company Directors.. During this period of time Rev. Lewis was working as the Chaplain of St Mary's Church ,  Rev. Lewis  recommended to the then Governor of the Fort  Mr. Pitt  to establish two Nurseries one for Boys and the other  for Girls. . Mr. Lewis object was to make Portuguese the medium of instruction . [ Narendra Nath Law , Promotion of Learning in India,  London, 1915, pp 11 to 13 ].. But  his Plan was not carried out. [ Ibid],.  Yet Mr Lewis was  a great educationist he himself without waiting for any help from the Company or any other source,  founded a Free School in a large room under at the  St. Marys Church Library  which was carried on by himself as long as he remained in the St. George Fort Madras . After his departure he was succeeded by Rev. William Stevenson. {Ibid pp 14 & 15]. .

Rev. William Stevenson established the St Marys English Medium School    . Rev. William Stevenson thought that an English School for the children of English soldiers would be more useful than a Portuguese school. So Rev William Stevenson established an English School called  St Mary's English School and left the Portuguese teaching to the Danish Missionaries. [ Narendra Nath Law , p, 15]. This English School was opened in December 1715 with 18 boys and 12 girls under the name of  St. Mary's Charity School. Among the boys there was a Portuguese boy sent by the Danish Missionary Mr. Grundler [ Narendra Nath Law , op.cit. .pp 15 & 16. ].The establishment of  St. Mary's Charity School was one of the results of the greater attention paid to the matter by the authorities in England .[Ibid , p, 19]. During the initial days after the foundations of the School there were more than 30 children . The boys lived in one apartment under the charge of a Master and an usher and the girls in a  separate house under the care of a Mistress and an Assistant [ ibid , p.23]. Whether boys or girls, shall be taken into the school house at 5 years of age or thereabouts and be put out to service or apprenticeship  when they are about 12 years old. And while they are entertained in the School the boys shall be taught to read write, cast accounts, or what they may be further capable of and the girls shall be instructed in reading and the necessary parts of house-wifery. [ Narendra Nath Law , op.cit, pp 20and 21] .  

Conclusion      : I think it will be good to revisit the story of the St Mary's Charity School so that we can cover some uncovered information in this regard.   A Free school for elementary education had been in existence at St George Fort for many years. designed and established at the outset for English children, it was afterwards opened to the offspring of Portuguese and native parents. Mr.. Ralph Ord was appointed as School Master in 1678 was followed in 1682 by Mr John Barker, who governed the institution for a quarter of a century.. On Barker's death in 1707, Mr John Knapton was nominated to succeed. The Chaplain the Rev. George Lewis who had a good command over Portuguese language seems then to have assumed the Control of the school. After his return to England in 1714, , Rev. William Stevenson succeeded him as the Chaplain. Rev. William Stevenson emphasised the necessity for a  Charity School on the English Model ,  The vestry of St Mary's Chapel  agreed. to this proposal.in 1715 a Scheme was drawn up for an institution to accommodate the poor protestant Children from 5 to 12 years of age who were to receive both education and board. The Overseers of the School were the Ministers and Churchwardens with three others elected by the Vestry. This Church school was established on the 28th October 1715. . It received the assistance and support of the Mr.  Harrison's Government . . The Overseers of the school in 1716 were the Rev. William Stevenson, the Rev. Charles Long and Messrs Thomas Way, Mr. Catesby Oadham , Francis Hugonin , Thomas Robson and Thomas Theobalds. The SPCK cooperated with Ziegenbalg's Danish Lutheran Mission at Tranquebar and in 1717 the Rev. Grundler came up to the St. George Fort  to promote a scheme for erecting two Charity Schools in Madras one for the Portuguese in the English Town and another in Black town for the Malabars. The teachers were at first to be native converts from Tranquebar. With the approval of the Directors , Jearsey House and ground were granted for a new School building on the understanding that the compensation already given for the Church house which had been absorbed in the new  Hospital  should be refunded  [  HENRY DAVIDSON lOVE , VESTIGES OF OLD MADRAS , 1640-- 1800, vol  11, LONDON, 1913, PP 163 TO 165]. In 1872 the St Mary's School was removed from St George Fort to Egmore and amalgamated with the Civil Orphan Asylum,  another charitable institution for destitute Children [ Mrs Frank penny ,p. 130]. in short the St Marys Charity school played a galvanising and motherly role for the growth and spread of  modern  public education among  all classes of people  in Madras ,  Tamil Nadu and India. . The impact made by the St Mary's Charity School, Madras   and the Free Schools started by the Danish missionaries in and around  Tanjore ,    on  India's educational and intellectual progress deserves a detailed study.. 

END . 

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

. 

Illustrious and Concise History of the Founder of the Wesleyan Methodist Mission in India Rev. James Lynch.... PART FINAL.

Rev. James Lynch preached his First Sermon In a Godown in Black Town    ; Rev. James Lynch  reached Madras via  Tanquebar and on arrival in Madras Rev Lynch was received by one Mr Dunford with great hospitality and love. . On his arrival in Madras Rev. James  Lynch reported his arrival in Madras  to the then Governor of Madras . On March 2, 1817 , Rev. Lynch preached his first sermon in a godown in Black Town, and that was the first sermon preached by a Wesleyan Missionary in Madras.  and close to this godown  the English Wesley Church stands now.   In a  room at the backside of this godown Rev Lunch found his study room and bedroom and his meal he took with his friend Mr Dunford. , It was very clear that Mission urgently needed  a more suitable house for Church. [ G.G. Findlay, op.cit, p.179].

                                                     

                                                              Rev. JAMES  LYNCH       

The First Wesleyan Chapel was built in Royapetta            :         Rev. Lynch assiduously searched for a suitable place in Madras to buy and build a  Church  , At last there came an opportunity of purchasing a property in Royapetta  and Rev. Lynch thought it was a suitable place and his opinion was confirmed by  Mr.  Clough and Mr. Jackson who had come to Madras on a visit. . Finally this property in Royapetta was purchased by Rev Lynch with the support of Mr. Dunford. and this place became the Head Quarters of Wesleyan Methodist Mission  in Madras  A Chapel was built on the site thus acquired and it was opened for the public worship  on March 7, 1819. A Wesleyan Methodist Missionary society was formed  on February 1, 1819, and Mr Frederick Orme an English man practicing as a Lawyer in Madras was the first Secretary of  the Methodist Society in Madras . A systematic  method of seeking  subscription was adopted and during the three years which followed a large sum of Ten Thousand rupees was collected by way of subscription . In addition to this, large sums were obtained for the erection of chapels. It was clear that the first Wesleyan Methodist  Mission enjoyed the goodwill of the people, In 1820 the Rev Titus Close arrived Madras from England to help Rev. Lynch. Rev Close was put in charge of Tamil congregation . Rev Lynch was now able to minister to English and Eurasian residents at St. Thomas Mount and at San Thome . [ G.G. Findlay , p. 180 ].. In the same site a small Wesleyan School was also built by Rev. James Lynch in 1818.  and this Wesley School in Royapetta  became a High School in 1851. 

Rev. Lynch purchased the Second property for the Mission in Black town    : Rev. James Lynch bought the second property for the Mission in Black Town in North Madras .  Black Town was the most populous part of Madras and where the largest congregations assembled , the services had been held in various incommodious and unsuitable places, one of these, where the Methodist meetings were  first held in  Madras, was a stable altered for the purpose [ Elijah Hoole, op.cit, p. 178 ] . Rev. Lynch purchased a plot of ground with some old buildings upon it, situated in Pophams's  Street, or, it is usually called Popham's Broadway , being one of the widest and best streets in Black- Town.; and the principal building , a low room about sixty feet in length and ten feet in breadth, was  appropriated to the purpose of public worship: The Wesleyan society and the congregation agreed with the missionaries that a chapel was necessary and began to subscribe towards its erection .. It was resolved that the chapel  to be erected should be raised  one story from the ground floor , to secure free circulation of air and  to avoid the annoyance from insects and from the noises of the crowded streets . Rev. Lynch found no difficulty in receiving the encouragement  and liberal subscriptions from many of the servants of Government and other highly respectable residents in Madras and as well as from those who had profited by the ministry of himself and colleagues. .The Chapel was  substantially constructed of bricks and chunam and entirely plastered with chunam and without [ Ibid]. The below picture will give some proper idea about the chapel and its premises . 

The upper story which is the chapel, is fifty seven feet long, independent of the covered verandah or porch in front , about seven feet and thirty feet in breadth; and is capable of accommodating a congregation of three hundred persons : more than that number have assembled in it on special occasions. The roof  is of teakwood and covered with tiles; but within, has an arched ceiling of boards , the centre of which is nearly nineteen feet from the floor , which is also of teak wood.. The lower apartments are dry and commodious ; the front one is used as a vestry; that to the left is occupied as the Depository of the Madras Track Society ; that on the right is used for Committees and class meetings. The. small buildings to the right of the chapel is the place  formerly used by the English congregation as a place of worship [ Ibid]. 

The  Wesley Chapel in Popham's Broadway, Black Town  was opened in 1822 :  The newly built Wesley Chapel was opened on the 25th of April, 1822.  Before the appointed time of the opening of the newly built Chapel  at Popham's Broadway, the chapel was quite filled. . Missionaries from other Christian societies also participated in the opening function of the chapel.. The service was commenced by the hymn, beginning with , " Jesus we look to thee " &c, . Rev. Lynch preached an appropriate  and thought provoking sermon on Matt. xviii,  20:  " Where two or three are gathered together  in my name , there am I in the midst of them ". Thus another milestone Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was dedicated to the service of the living God, in Black Town in North Madras. .[  [1] G.G. Findlay , D.D, and W.W. Holdsworth , M.A, B.D, The history of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society , 1924, pp.181  & 182 ] ; [ii] John Telford , B.A,  A Short History of Wesleyan Methodist Foreign Missions,   p. 84, and [iii] Elijah Hoole, Madras, Mysore, and Other South India on a PERSONAL NARRATIVE , London,  1844., pp. 178 to  181 ] 

Lynch founded a Wesleyan Methodist Congregation at St. Thome , Madras       :    Following this a favourable opening  presented itself in St, Thome, Madras. The descendants of the Portuguese who more than two hundred years ago occupied St. Thome as their chief Station in this part of India. Numerous Indo Britains also resided there ;.sufficient to form a good English congregation  A poor Fisherman of St. Thome  whose father was an English man invited Rev. Lynch and Rev. Elijah Hoole  and requested them to make use of one of  his houses  at St. Thome as a Chapel. This request  was readily accepted and regular services at that house in St.Thome was commenced on August 28th, 1822. Rev. Lynch commenced the service with prayer and  short address in English . This House was subsequently purchased and altered for the purpose of public worship. . Regular English service  has been ever since held in it, twice or thrice each week and Tamil and Portuguese sermons have been occasionally preached in it to attentive congregations. Two schools one English, and the other Tamil were established and a English Society was formed . Thus a house was converted as a Chapel by Rev James Lynch. [ Elijah Hoole, , op.cit, p.p. 184 to 187 ]. 

Conclusion     :  After having worked nearly for seven years [ 1817 to 1824 ]  Rev. James Lynch was on the point of returning to England and Rev. J.H England, who had recently arrived in Madras was  obliged  to take up the  work among the English people in Madras . With the return of  Rev. James Lynch to  to his native country  in 1824, the first period of Methodist Mission to India came to an end. In the same year[ 1824] the division of the Tamil District, into two separate Districts of Madras and Jaffna was effected. and  Rev. Carver was transferred from Ceylon to Madras to preside over the continental section [ India]. . Rev James Lynch died in Leeds, England, on March 14, 1958. On many an  account Rev. James Lynch  was the most remarkable of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries who sailed with Dr. Coke to the East. . His possessed and manifested both  strength and tenderness. According to author G.G. Findlay, D.D,  , Rev. James Lynch . was one who pleaded with men for reconciliation to God.  The schools founded by Rev James Lynch served as seed beds for the cause of education.  It is not possible to accommodate all the activities and details of Rev. Lynch's religious, spiritual, educational and social  contributions  within the space of this Article  So I will revisit the words of  Mr. Thompson about Rev. James lynch and end this article. Mr. Thompson goes on to say :  " There was to be , however, another link  in  this chain of causation which James Lynch did not ,and could not, see.  William Butler, afterwards a bishop , and the pioneer and founder of the Missions in India of the American Methodist Episcopal Church , was an Irishman. he tells us that a Minister whom he knew in Ireland , of the name of James Lynch , first directed his thoughts to India and kindled the desire to become a Missionary in his heart . He once said  in the Irish Conference , " James Lynch laid his hands on my youthful head, and from him I received the missionary spirit." The Mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church have met with  marvellous success, and during the last thirty years have gathered in, a quarter of a million adherents to Southern Asia.' .Ziegenbalg, Wesley, Lynch, Butler -- so runs the line of spiritual ancestry."  . I thank God for Rev. James Lynch   and I adore Rev. Lynch for the remarkable part played by him for the cause of spiritual awakening and educational uplift of the people specially  in Ceylon and Madras and South India ".

END .

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

Illustrious and Concise History of The Founder Wesleyan Methodist Mission in India Rev. James Lynch. ---- PART A.

Introduction   : Among many Methodist Mission missionaries who came to India as Missionaries for the cause of Christ the following three namely :- Rev. R James Lynch, the  founder of the Methodist Missions in India  [ GG Findlay and Holds worth , p 178] Rev. George Mackenzie Cobban [ Ibid ,p 231 [ and Rev. William Goudie [ ibid, p, 232]  deserve our attention on many accounts. These Methodist Missionaries played  praiseworthy and spectacular  role for the spiritual, economic, social and educational  development of the poorest and uncared people who lived in the Northern districts of Tamil Nadu . Below we will see the biographical sketch of  the Founder of Wesleyan Methodist mission in India Rev James Lynch .

                                                                  Rev. James Lynch 

Rev. James Lynch's  Birth     : Rev. James Lynch was born in a Roman catholic family in about 1775 at Parish muff , County Donegal,  in Ireland.. His parents' names are not readily available and the names will be provided here later. . 

Rev James Lynch  Became a Methodist        : Rev. James Lynch was brought up as a Roman catholic . However in 1808 he converted to Methodist mission and entered Wesleyan Methodist Ministry .  We can infer that he underwent a theological Course before he began  to work as a Methodist Pastor in the North of Ireland .  He was ordained at Lambeth , St George's in -the - East, and great Queen street. While he was working as a  Methodist Pastor  in Ireland  he was requested  by Irish Methodist Conference to assist the venerable Methodist pastor Rev. Dr. Thomas Coke and accompany him as a Missionary Team member, in his journey to the East [ India and Ceylon]. .

Rev. James Lynch and his Team started their Missionary Journey  towards the East  [ Ceylon and India] ; .In 1813 the venerable Methodist pastor Dr. Thomas  Coke embarked for  India accompanied by the following six Wesleyan Methodist  Missionaries namely : Rev. James Lynch., Rev. William Ault, Rev. George Erskine,  Rev. William M. Harvard,  Rev. Thomas H. Squance and Rev. Benjamin Clough. and two sisters namely ; Mrs Ault and Mrs. Howard .. They were ordained at Lambeth, St.  George's in- the- East and great Queen Street. .Rev Dr. Thomas Coke  and his Missionary team started their  journey towards the East [ India and Ceylon ],  in December 1813 but unfortunately the leader of the team Rev. Dr. Coke died on enroute on May 3, 1814 and Rev. James Lynch who was the most remarkable of the Missionaries who sailed with Dr. Coke to the East  was asked to  take the leadership of the Missionary Team .. This Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Team had scarcely a guinea among them and when they landed three weeks later at Bombay, were unable to pay for their first meal at the inn.  With aching hearts they committed the body of their missionary  Bishop Rev. Dr. Thomas  Coke  to the mighty deep .  They started their voyage towards  Ceylon . Rev. Lynch and his Team landed at Galle in Ceylon on 29- 6- 1814.. This Methodist Missionary Team decided to assign the places of  missionary work  by Lot.   As per the Lot,  Rev. Lynch and Rev Squance were allotted Jaffna as their place of ministerial work. . Rev Lynch and Rev Squance initially started to preach at the Dutch Church at Jaffna Fort mainly to  the Soldiers and Europeans. 

Rev. Lynch Founded a  Wesleyan English School at Jaffna  : Rev. James Lynch was a visionary Educationist.  Rev. James Lycnh with the support of his co-worker  Rev Squance established an English School in 1816 in Jaffna .and it was called as  Jaffna Wesleyan English School. Rev. James Lynch served as its first  Principal   The relentless efforts of Rev Lynch attracted more than 60 students to the Jaffna  Wesleyan English School.. This School gradually and steadily started to grow. Sir Browning the then Governor of Ceylon writes that "there were 70 boys in the School [ Jaffna Wesleyan  English School ] who were instructed by Rev. James Lynch . The English School progresses well and created job for the students in Various sectors."  In course of time this Jaffna Wesleyan English School passed through many name changes and now it is called ."Jaffna Central College ". The following are some of the prominent Alumni  of JCC :-  Mr. Herbert Thambiah, , Mr. Henry Thambiah, , Mr. A.W. Mailvaganam, O.B.E, Sir Sabaratnam Arul Kumaran , the great Tamil Scholar Mr. Arumuka Navalar and many others.. In recognition of Rev. Lynch's contribution to J.C,C. a School Athletic House was named after him in 2002 and a Statue was unveiled in front of the Romaine Cook Hall , J.C.C, in 2013. .

Rev. James Lynch's Historical travel via Nagapattinam  to Madras    :  Rev. James  Lynch was asked to visit Madras  to take necessary steps to regulate the Wesleyan Methodist Society, which awaited his coming . Accordingly Rev. James lynch proceeded to Madras through Nagapattinam, located near Tranquebar in Tamil Nadu   and preached to some persons who were eager to hear him , so we can say that it was in Nagapattinam that the first message in India was delivered by a Methodist Missionary .. Mr.G.G Findaly writes in his book   "The history of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society " that , " On the way from Negapattinam to Madras Lynch was the guest of the Royal Danish Mission at Tranquebar and visited the graves of Plutschau and Ziegenbalg the first Danish Missionaries sent out under Frederick  IV of Demark ". A revisit and perusal of Lynch's diary about his visit to the graves of the pioneer Danish  Halle missionaries  will help the readers to understand the spirit of Rev Lames Lynch. And so the relevant page from Rev.  Lynch's diary is given below :                                                                                                                                                                         

From the above paragraph we can infer a direct line of spiritual succession--- Ziegenbalg; Susanna Wesley; John Wesley; James Lynch . ,  Rev.  James Lynch after having visited the graves of the pioneer Danish  Halle Mission Missionaries in Tranquebar proceeded towards madras and arrived at Madras and on arriving Madras Rev. James Lynch was received hospitably by Mr. Durnnford. . Rev. Lynch without delay reported his arrival in Madras to the Governor of Madras. .

Rev. James lynch Preached His first Sermon in a Godown in George town   

Next 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 ]. 

Danish Halle Mission Missionary Rev. Christopher Samuel John [ Rev. Dr. C.S. John ], and His impact on Rev. Ringeltaube and Mylaudy Maharasan Vedamanickam

Introduction  ; The forgotten German missionary who worked at the Danish settlement in Tranquebar as a  Danish Halle Mission Missionary late  Rev. Christopher Samuel John[ 1747 --1813]  was a remarkable educationist and his contribution for the cause of Education in Tranquebar and Tanjore area in Tamil Nadu and South Travancore was so great and memorable .  His life story and his  contribution for the cause of education and the part played by him directly and indirectly  to introduce  literacy and  education  to the illiterates lived in Tranquebar Danish settlement and South Travancore deserve our review , recognition , regard and gratitude,.  Generally when we speak about Danish Halle Mission Missionaries who worked in Tranquebar  we speak about Rev. Bartholomaus Ziegenbalg , Rev. Heinrich Pluschau, Rev. Grundler, Rev,. Schultze, Rev. Schwartz  Rev. J.C.. Kohlhoff and often forget the name of our Rev. Christoph Samuel  John. In this Article we will try to highlight his contribution for the cause of education and evangelisation through education  in the interest of readers. .

 .                                        Rev. Christopher Samuel John ,. [ 1747.....1813 ].

Rev.  Christopher Samuel John's Parents and Birth       Long time ago  in the eighteenth century there lived a Priest by name Julius Gerhard with his beloved wife Mrs Catharina Dorothea Pyriaus at Frobersgrun  near Greiz in Voigtland , Germany . God blessed this couple with all the conjugal blessings and this couple gave  birth to Christoph Samuel John on the 11th of August 1747 at Frobersgrun

Rev. Christopher Samuel John's Educational Track :  Rev. Christoph Samuel John did his  School education at a School at Greiz, Germany and after having passed his school examination  he pursued his study of Theology  at the famous University of Halle and also served as a Teacher  at an Orphanage connected with the Francke Foundation,  under the famous Theologian Johann Georg Knapp. It would be appropriate here to say a few lines about Rev. Johann Georg Knapp. Rev. Jophann Georg knapp  became the Deputy Director of the famous Francke Foundations in 1738 and its Codirector in 1737 and after the demise of Gotthilf  August Francke Johann, Rev. Johann G. Knapp succeeded   G. August Francke as the Director of the "Francke Foundations."  Christoph Samuel John's connection a with Johann G. Knapp and Frankcke Foundations immensely impacted  Rev. C.S John's way of thinking, theological approach, evangelical  actions and educational activities.  . In this context it would be useful to the readers to get some basic idea and information about  the ' Francke Foundations " .

The Francke Foundations  :     : The design and desire to start Lutheran missionary work in Tranquebar was conceived in the pietistic circles of the Danish king Frederick IV . The First two missionaries namely Rev. Bartholomaes Ziegenbalg and Rev.Heinrich Plutschau were recruited from the pietistic Francke Foundation, Halle, Germany.. The missionary enterprises of the Danish Halle Mission were financed by the contributions from the Danish State and from the Francke Foundation, Halle . The primary aim of the Danish Halle Mission was to guide and galvanise the Indians to convert to Christianity.. Pedagogue and theologian Rev. August Hermann Francke formulated and organised  his theological principles and policies and put them into practice in his Foundation in Halle.. This Foundation founded by A.H. Francke is being called as 'Francke Foundation " The upbringing and education of the youth were the central aspects of A.H. Francke's religious teachings. So the pioneer Danish Halle Mission missionaries who worked in Danish territory in Tranquebar used  Education as a path to conversion among the native youth  and this practice was generally followed by their successors. 

Christoph Samuel John Reached Tranquebar         : While Rev. Christoph Samuel John was serving as a Teacher at the Orphanage in Halle he was advised and directed by Professor Knapp in 1769 to go as a Missionary to Tranquebar , and after some rethinking and also with his father's consent he accepted the proposal made by Prof. Knapp . Mr. Christian Samuel John was  ordained at Copenhagen and travelled towards Tranqubar and  arrived  at Tanquebar in India in 1771 and spent the rest  of his life in Tranquebar., India .

Rev. C.S John's Educational Enterprise  in Tranquebar     :    :On arrival at Tranquebar  Re. C.S. John could not feel happy without having young persons around him whom he could teach and instruct according to his method and plan. and so he  selected a small number of Tamil grown boys and taught them in several European languages and other branches of useful knowledge so as to enable them to become fit for the Mission and other situations in life. Rev. C.S. John established a Boarding school and a separate Private school and in this private school he admitted the Roman catholic and heathen children so that they can partake the benefit  of the learning English , reading, writing and cyphering and  with other lessons of instruction ; and  encouraged by the success he was galvanised to establish Free Schools in the nearby villages of Tranquebar and in the Tanjore country .Five or six years before his death Rev, C.S John  founded some Free schools for children of all classes in Tranquebar and Tanjore ,and these schools made good progress. It is learned that approximately he founded fifteen Tamil and Five English native Free Schools and he longed to establish many Free Schools but he did not have sufficient finance and money and support to do so  . Rev. Dr. C.S. John firmly believed that the schools are the best path to bring these sacred writings [ Holy Bible] successfully into the hands of the youth and of their parents . Rev. C.S. John believed that the enlargement of the benefits of education will supersede the necessity of  any unjust and imprudent attacks upon what at present may seem to them impossible to be reformed of their ancient and inveterate customs .. No compulsion, or any kind of force or coercion must be exhibited to perplex , confound or terrify them [Christopher Samuel John,  On Indian Civilisation or REPORT of a Successful Experiment , in Fifteen Tamul and Five English native Free Schools . London , 1813, p. 48].. The above lines were his evangelical policy and approach The Francke Foundation's  conversion policy made striking impact in the minds of the Wesleyan  Methodist Mission  Missionaries , Free Church of Scotland Mission Missionaries , London Missionary Society  Missionaries ,etc.  

Rev. Ringeltaube Studied Tamil Under Rev. C.S. John at Tranquebar  ;  Rev. W,T. Ringeltaube remained at Tranquebar [1805 ] for some months assisting Dr. C.S. John, the Senior Missionary of the Tranquebar Mission then , whose learning in various branches of knowledge was so well known [ C.M.Agur,. Church History of Travancoe].. As a studious learner Rev Ringeltaube assiduously studied Tamil under the able guidance of Dr. C.S. John and also was gleaning and collecting  necessary information regarding the labours of previous Missionaries on the field and their history and also studied the natural history and philosophy of South India. .Rev. Ringeltaube was so successful in his Tamil learning and within one year he was able to compose small sermons in Tamil and also a short English and Tamil Pocket dictionary [ C.M.Agur, pp. 468 & 469 ].. Rev Ringeltaube's contact with Dr. C.S. Johm galvanised and impacted him to use education to  attract the natives towards Christ 

Maharasan Vedamonickam met Rev. Dr. C.S. John at Tranquebar   .. After having been baptised by Mr, Kohlhoff , Mylaudy Vedamanicakm stayed for some days at Tanjore and acquired some knowledge of the important doctrines of the Bible, and  longed to visit the Old Tranquebar Mission with this object he went to see the venerable Dr. C.S. John , the Head of the Tranquebar Mission, who at that time lived in Poreiyar [ Poreiyar is about a mile and half west of Tranquebar and  there the Mission has an excellent house , surrounded by a large garden; here the venerable Dr. C.S. John  lived . It is in fact a suburb of Tranquebar } Here we have to appreciate Mr. Vedamanickam's thirst for knowledge and his relentless  curiosity to know and collect more useful information about the mission  . Rev. C.S. John was a learned man and a Scientist . When Mr.Vedamanicakm met Dr. John,  his joy knew no bounds and Dr, C,S, John welcomed Vadamanicakm with sincere joy and conversed with Mr Vedamanickam with great enthusiasm . We must remember here that Dr. C.S. John was a great Scholar in Tamil also [ Rev. Ringeltaube learned Tamil under Dr. C.S. John ] .After receiving some useful tracts and instructions from Dr. John , Mylaudy Pilgrim Mr. Vedamanickam went to Tranquebar where he observed the working of the Mission Press and other Christian establishments , Printing Office and various Christian dwelling houses and then he returned to Tanjore .[ CM Agur, pp 443 & 444]. . The Schools, Printing Press , other Christian Establishments that he saw at Tranquebar and his conversation with Dr. C.S John made indelible impact in Mr. Vedamanickam's mind .  With great missionary zeal  and visionary goals Mr.Vedamanicakam reached his native place and on arriving at  Mylaudy, spontaneously the Schools he saw in Tranquebar and Poreiyar inspired Vedamanickam  to educate the local youth systematically to read and write and  so that they can read the Tamil  Holy Bible and understand the truth and convert themselves as  followers of Christ. . So he requested  Rev, Ringeltaube to start  a Primary School at Mylaudy, in line with  Modern System of Education at  Mylaudy in the pattern of the Tranquebar Free Schools founded by Dr. C.S John and accordingly a Primary School and a small Church were established at Mylaudy in 1809.. The Primary School built at  Mylaudy was the first Primary School established in line with the Modern System of Education in Travancore which  admitted students from all communities and nationalised education to all communities without discrimination .  And subsequently whenever a Christian Church was established in a village in South Travancore a School was also established near the Church..  The flame of Education and Christianity  spread in South Travancore rapidly .and now Kanyakumari District  stands in first line in the  field of education in India .

Conclusion      :. Late Rev. Christopher Samuel John [ Rev. Dr. C.S John] was a remarkable and visionary missionary and educationist . He loved and lived for the cause of  Christianity and Education.  His evangelical policy of converting natives to Christianity by providing Literacy and Education to the illiterate natives , deserves our admiration . His religious  policy gave  spiritual and intellectual food to the people. He was so wise and confident that the Sacred Words of God will transform people and lead them to Christ automatically without any force or compulsion. . Rev.C.S. John  loved humanity and firmly believed that if anyone is led to read the Holy Bible automatically the sacred words will motivate the readers to become a Follower of Christ. .  Education was a central element in the pietistic strategy of the Danish-Halle Mission to convert the Tamils to Christianity. and as a missionary of the Danish Halle Mission Rev. C.S. John wanted to spread the Sacred Words of the Holy Bible among the people  by providing education  to all illiterate  Indians. without any discrimination.  Rev. Dr. C.S. John's religious converting policy and educational motives and goals influenced  many Evangelists like Rev Ringeltaube , Catechist Mylaudy Vedamanickam , Rev, Iraenaeus and many others.  .Rev C.S. John played a powerful  and crucial indirect role for the spread of protestant  Christianity and modern system of Education in South Travancore through Rev Ringeltaube and catechist Mylaudy Vedamanicakm. . I thank God for Rev. Christoph Samuel John, Rev W.T. Ringeltaube and catechist Mylaudy Vethamanickam . 

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

 .

A Former President of Nagercoil Bar Association and Past Governor of Rotary District 3212 ,M.P.H.F. Rtn. M. Ashok Padmaraj, B.Sc, B.L ,.

Introduction     : A Former President of Nagercoil Bar Association and  Past Rotary Governor of Rotary District 3212 , M.P.H.F. Rtn. M. Ashok Padmaraj, B.Sc, B.l,  is dynamic personality and one of the illustrious sons of Kanyakumari district. Indeed he is a multi faceted personality, he is an eminent Lawyer, eloquent  Speaker both in Tamil and English, dynamic  Rotarian ,  great Christian Believer, efficient Administrator and a good unassuming Human-being . His life story and accomplishments will galvanise the readers with new goals, hopes, and mission and vision to live a meaningful life.

                                           MPHF . Rtn. Mr. M. Ashok Padmaraj , B,Sc, B.L,.

Mr. M. Ashok Padmaraj's Parents and His Birth    : There lived a gentleman by name Mr. Manas with his beautiful wife by name Ms. J. Carlin Ramani Bai   in Nagercoil and God blessed this blissful couple with all the connubial blessings and this couple gave birth  to Mr. Rtn. M.Ashok Padmaraj  on 16th May 1963.

Mr. Ashok Padmaraj's Educational track       :  Mr. M. Ashok Padmaraj  pursued his School Education   at the famous S.L.B Higher Secondary School, Nagercoil .and passed his Plus Two Govt Examination with high  marks.  After having passed his Plus Two examination with high marks he pursued his B.Sc [ Mathematics] at the famous S.T. Hindu College Nagercoil [ 1980-1983] and passed his B.Sc[Maths ] meritoriously..  Then Mr. M. Ashok Padmaraj did his B,L at the famous Government Law College Madurai  and passed his B.L ,

His Siblings   :   Mr .Manas and his wife Mrs Carolin  Ramani Bai Manas couple gave birth to the  following children namely  ;- [1] Mr. Ashok Macrin,  B.Sc [ Horticulture ] and he married Ms Anisha Shanie Thangam [ Retire as HOD, Commerce dept] and he served in the Department  of Horticulture, Govt of Tamil Nadu and after  having served  in the Horticulture  Dept  for 36 years with great devotion and distinction he retired as Deputy Director of  Horticulture and after retirement he lives with his family in Nagercoil. and [2]  Mr. M.Ashok Padmaraj, B.Sc, B.L , [ He is the Hero of this Article ], [3] Ms. Amutha . M.Sc, B.Ed, [4] Ms. Dr. Ajitha , M.Cm, M.Phil, Ph.D, [5] Mr Ashok Kumar and [6] Ms. Anitha, M.A,.

His Wife and Children        :   Mr. Ashok Padmaraj married  Ms. R.D. Sunitha on 13th January , 1994 and Mr Ashok Padmaraj and Mrs R.D. Sunitha Ashok Padmaraj couple gave birth to the  following children namely ;- [1] Ms .Dr. Shammy Caroline, M.B.B.S, and she married Mr. Laji Kumar and this couple gave birth to a cute son by name Yahin and Mr. Ashok Padmaraj likes his Grandson Yahin so much beyond words   [ 2] Mr. Shamin Samuvel , B.B.A, L.L.B[ Hons] and he is blooming as a  promising Lawyer.  Mrs. R.D. Sunitha Ashok Padmaraj is  a member of the Rotary Club of Nagercoil Mid Town. 

Mr. M. Ashok Padmaraj's Legal Career   :  After having passed his B.L, Mr. M. Ashok Padmaraj started his professional career as a Junior Lawyer at the Nagercoil District Court.  Mr. Ashok Padmaraj picked up the intricacies of the legal profession and  bloomed as an adept  Lawyer in interpreting the  provisions, sections  and acts of law . He started his own Law firm by name ,  " Manas Law Firm " just in front of the District and Sessions Court Nagercoil, Court Road Nagercoil . Since 1991 for the last 33 years he has been  practising  both as a Civil Lawyer and Criminal Lawyer with great legal efficacy and acumen. .He is the Senior Jurist of the Young Jurist Firm , a Pan India Law Firm in New Delhi.  As he is blessed with an excellent debating and arguing skill both in English and Tamil, he  won many important Law Suits and bloomed as a  famous  Lawyer in Kanyakumari district and Tamil Nadu  He won the love and respect of the Judges, fellow Lawyers and the general Public.  .. Mr. M. Ashok Padmaraj, B.Sc, B.L, was elected as the President of the famous  Nagercoil Bar Association for the year 2014-2015.  It would be useful to the historians and readers to remember a historical fact here that late Marshal A. Nesamony, B.A, B.L, also had served as the President of the Nagercoil Law Association in the year 1943..Mr.M. Ashok Padmaraj  had the rare privilege to serve as the President of Nagercoil Bar Association for three terms with great distinction. In every  working day  People throng the Manas Law Firm for legal advice  and filing Law Suits for redressal. and  justice.. .

Rtn. M. Askpk Padmaraj as  a Rotarian     :  Mr. M. . Ashok Padmaraj , B.Sc, B.L, joined the Rotary Club of Nagercoil Mid Town during the Rotary year 1994- 95  and afterwards there was no turning back . He had  decorated all the important positions in R.C of Nagercoil Mid Town  such as Secretary, President, Chairman of all Avenues, etc,. By his eloquent and mesmerising Speeches, very soon he became very popular  Rotarian in R.I. District 3212 and  became  a much sought after Speaker in Rotary Club meetings.. He had also served as Rotary District  Chairman [3212 ] for Club Services with great enthusiasm and efficiency.. Deservingly he got the privilege and honour  to serve  as an Assistant Governor of the R.I. District 3212.  Finally he was elected as the Rotary Governor of the Rotary District 3212  for the Rotary year of 2014 -2015..  MPHF Rtn.. M. Ashok Padmaraj succeeded Major Donor Rtn Jessiah Villavarayan as the Rotary Governor of Rotary District 3212 . District Governor  MHPF Rtn. M. Ashok Padmaraj, discharged all of his official duties as  Governor of Rotary district 3212 with great distinction and efficacy.. .During his Governorship he did so many worthwhile projects for the welfare of the people, for example  he established a Mother Feeding Centre at Nagercoil  Bus Stand for the first time in Tamil Nadu and later the Tamil Nadu State Govt also adopted the "Mother Feeding Centre Project" as a Government Project,.

Conclusion     : MPHF Rtn .M.  Ashok Padmaraj, B.Sc, B.L  is a remarkable and charismatic Rotarian , Lawyer and a good Human-being  . Rtn. M. Ashok Padmaraj had the privilege to visit the  following countries and cities namely ;-[a] Germany, Brussels, Paris, Switzerland and Holland. Mr. Ashok Padmaraj is really one of the best Lawyers in Tamil Nadu. and the Nagercoil Bar Association rightly recognised his legal acumen and administrative efficiency by electing Him  as its President for three times.   He is a powerful speaker and preacher.,  a lover of Books and a good Reader of valuable Books .. He is a staunch Christian Believer; Christian  Churches invite him to deliver sermon in the Church services.  PDG. Rtn. Mr. Ashok Padmaraj loves his wife , children and grandson Yahin  very much.  .Mrs R.D. Sunitha Ashok Padmaraj   plays a vital role  in his life and we can call her as the backbone of Rtn. Ashok Padmaraj.. He is invited as Chief Guest at Installation ceremonies in Rotary Clubs,   main Speaker at Pre- President Elect Training Seminars [ PETS], Rotary District  Seminars, etc.  He is also invited as Chief Guest  by Colleges, Schools etc. As a Rotarian his fame has reached beyond the borders of the Rotary District  3212 and he is invited as Chief Guest or main Speaker  by other other Rotary Districts also.. As he is an eloquent , elegant, inspiring and convincing speaker , people call him as ," Chollin Selvar " with great affection and admiration . He is a public spirited Lawyer and Rotarian and he balances his Legal profession  and Rotary career harmoniously . It is not possible to cover all the chapters and accomplishments of PDG .Rtn.M. Ashok Padmaraj, B.Sc, B.L,  within the space of this Article and so I will end this Article with the  following sentence .  " Dear and respected  PDG.Rtn. Ashok Padmaraj, I thank God  for you and 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].