Great Christian Poets of Mylaudy:  Mr. John Palmer [1812-1883] :

The great Christian lyric poet  Mr. John Palmer was born at Mylaudy , near Nagercoil , Kanyakumari district on the 15th, November, 1812 , in the family  Maharasan  Vethamonickam of Mylaudy village .

He is considered as one the greatest Christian lyric poets next only to Vetha Nayagam Sasthiriyar  of
Thanjavur.

His birth  and family geneoly ;   John Palmer was  privileged to born in the family of Maharasan Vethemanickam, of Mylaudy ,the man who was responsible for bringing  the London Missionary Society's legendary  missionary  Mr. Ringetaube   to Kanyakumari District [South Travancore] in1806.  Johan Palmer was generally  and shortly called as  "JaPa " in Tamil .  JaPa was born on the 15th  of November , 1812, at Mylaudy , as the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs.Gnanapragasam Thesikar  of Mylaudy, a cousin of Maharasan Vethamonickam.  Mylaudy is a lovely idyllic village surrounded  by lotus ponds , coconut and mango tree gardens and verdant  fertile paddy  fields , located at a distance of  7  miles from Nagercoil ,near the famous Marunthuvalmalai, [Medicine Hill].

Geneology:  Mr.Gnanapragasam begot John Palmer, John Palmer begot  Abel Palmer  [Abel Palmer's brother Solomon Palmer's daughter,  Mrs, Manonmani was the wife of Mr  Gnanamuthu Jesudasan , the first ordained Indian Pastor of M.E.L.I.M--I.E.L.C.],  Abel Palmer begot Retnam Palmer,  Retnam Palmer begot  Muthuraj Palmer , Muthuraj Palmer begot Herbert Palmer , Herbert Palmer begot  Moses Palmer and Mr Moses Palmer is living with us today [ Mr. Moses Palmer is working with World Vision].

Education:   The legendary  L.M.S. missionary  Mr. Charles Mead  , shifted the Head Quarters of Mylaudy LMS  Mission field , from Mylaudy to  Nagercoil  in  1818 and  established a  Seminary at  Nagercoil  with the help of the fellow  missionary  Mr. Charles Mault in 1819.  Along with the other Mylaudy  lads like Devaram Biddulph, Christian, Moses and  three  others , John Palmer also had the privilege to continue his education at the Seminary at Nagercoil with help of Mr. Mead and Mr, Mault.   Tamil , English, Malayalam, Sanskrit, Greek, etc were taught as subjects at the Seminary.  JaPa  successfully completed  his  education at the Seminary.  In recognition of his educational accomplishment,  John  Palmer  was sent to  a famous Seminary , in Ceylon  for higher education by Mr. Charles Mead , Mr.  Charles Mault  and Mr. Knill .

John  Palmer  and Mr.Charles Mault :  On his return from Ceylon , Mr John Palmer was appointed as the Native Assistant to Mr Charles Mault, at Nagercoil  and also as an Assistant at the London Missionary Printing Press , Nagercoil . John Palmer was a born writer and poet  and  his job at the Printing Press helped him  immensely to improve his writing skill.

Family Life :  John Palmer married  Perinbamammal on the 5th of July, 1830.  He led a happy conjugal life with his loving wife  and they were blessed with many children . Mr. Charles Mault , Mrs. Mault  and Mrs. Eliza Caldwell [ The legendary wife of Dr. Robert Caldwell , the Author of the monumental book , The Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian  or South-Indian  Family of Languages, London, 1875 ]   were highly helpful to Mr. John Palmer's family in  many ways..

The great Christian lyrical poet Mr  John Palmer.   Mr. Mault and Mr. Mead identified the literary talents of John Palmer and spontaneously encouraged him  in his literary endeavors and travel. John Palmer wrote many beautiful and  meaningful  Christian Lyrics in  beautiful Tamil in melodious ragas [tunes]. All his melodious lyrics became instant success and were  with great reception,  included in the Christian Hymn and Lyric Books of the day  , of the Established Christian denominations of Protestant Christianity and were sung in the worship services with great enthusiasm and inspiration  because of  the tunes and the meanings of his Tamil  lyrics . Even today his lyrics are being sung in all the Protestant  Tamil Churches  like C.S.I , Lutheran Churches and such others , throughout the globe including India ,  Sri Lanka , Malaysia, Singapore , U.k. U.S.A  etc . The following are some of Ja Pa's very popular lyrics:  "Suya  Athihara ", "Bethalaiyil  Piranthavarai ",  "Osanna Paduvom " ,  "Innalil Yesunathar  Vuyirthar ",  "Aridathil  Yehuvom " ,   "Yesuvava Kirubasanapathiyae"  , Thevathi theva Thirumarai aruzhiya,  karunakara Theva..,Charanam, Charanam, Charanam..,Aa Varum Nam Ellorum  Koodi ,  Athi Anthamillatha Thevathi Thevan , Ventha thuyar neekiya.., Masilla Yesu vallalai Valththuvoma , Chuthihariyayo Thurkunam Neenga,  Parana Vunai Nambinan Vuramudan Thangiyah, Theeyan Ayienan Iya Ezhiyan , Iaiya Nan Voru Jenmi Aananna , Gunam Ingitha Vadivai  Vuyar kova Yesu Theva and so many others.

John Palmer's other literary accomplishments :   John  Palmer was  a  prolific  writer,  and some of his well known Tamil  books are listed below :  1.Gnanapatha  Keerthanam[Christian Lyrics],  2. Christhayanam [Life of Christ],  3.Messiah Vilasam [The Life of Christ in lyrics]  4. Sathyavetha Charithra  Keerthanai [ bible History in lyrics]  and  5.Pramanthakummi [ The heavenly delight]. Among his Tamil  creative works , "Christhiyanam ", is his masterpiece. This book has been written in the form of the Hindu Tamil Epics  "Ramayana ",  'Naidatham"  and   Beschi's   "Thempavani ".   It   is  divided  into  four  parts:

Part  I [Balakandam--Birth] deals with the birth of Christ , Part  II [ Kirya Kandam- Ministry] deals with the ministry of Christ,  Part  III [Avastha Kandam-Passion] deals with the Passion of Christ and  Part  IV [Arohannakandam -Ascension] deals with the resurrection and ascension of Christ.  This monumental book consists of 842 stanzas.  It is the moral responsibility of all the Tamil Christians  and  scholars to introduce this great masterpiece of  the great Christian Lyrical Poet  Mr. John Palmer , to the Tamil speaking world, in a proper , suitable and befitting  manner.

Conclusion :  Mr. John Palmer [Ja Pa] is no more with us but he lives in his Christian lyrical poems and also in his other  Great Tamil books penned by him .  After the retirement of Mr. Mault from the Mission owing to  the unkind  treatment received from members of the Chuch and Mission , Mr. John Palmer left the L.M.S. Mission  and entered Revd. Mead's service at Trivandrum.  Mr.Mead employed him in the Chaplaincy School,Government Press, and in some other offices. Mr.  Palmer's beloved wife Perinbam Ammal died on the  9th , February, 1859.  Mr. John Palmer died on the 2nd April 1883 at the old age of 71, and his mortal body was interred at the Christ Church Cemetery, Trivandrum.    The unoffical  ' Poet Laureate ' of  Tamil  Christan  Lyrics is silently sleeping in the Cemetery of Christ Church , Trivandrum

C.M. Agur, B.A.,  the great Church Historian and Author of the Landmark book," The Church History of Travancore"[1903], writes about Mr. John Palmer , "Mr.Palmer's style is plain. He confines himself to Scriptural thoughts and uses appropriate epithets suited to the language and habit of thought of Tamil Christians who are delighted with his simple and elegant Lyrics. Mr. Balm has remarked that what Dr.Watts , who aimed to sing for children by the very simplicity and beauty of his style was in England so Mr. Palmer was in the South Indian Church " .

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


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Great Vice Chancellors from Kanyakumari,  Part   III:

Dr. Sudalyandi  Kaliappan ,  B.E., M.Tech, Ph. D., [U.S] :      Dr. S. Kaliappan  from Kanyakumari District  had the unique privilege to work as the first Vice Chancellor of  Anna University, Tiruneveli.  He was born on 11th January , 1958 in Kanyakumari district and he is  a native of  Erachakulam village located in a lovely idyllic landscape, near  Nagercoil  . By sheer hard work  and unquenchable thirst for knowledge he reached the peak in the field of education , engineering   and research. The trajectory of his life travel  and educational voyage  is an inspiration to every body especially to those  neglected and poor students and younger  generation .

Educational  Qualifications  of Dr, kaliappan: : Education is the infrastructure of equality, social status and enlightenment.  Dr. S. Kaliappan was well aware of this great  truth from his childhood.  Shakespeare said, some are born  great and some achieve greatness  and certainly  Dr. Kaliapan belongs  to the second category.  Dr. S. Kaliapan was born in a very poor family   and  really  there was nobody  either to  help him monetarily or  to motivate him  with  inspiring  goals.  But he had a tryst with destiny about his educational accomplishments and so has achieved  the  dreams and goals  of his  life.

Due to his impecunious  family  background ,  he did his Diploma in Civil Engineering  at  Nagercoil  at  the Government  Polytechnic  College [1975-1978]   .  He successfully completed   his  B.E [Civil Engineering] in the year 1985; at the  College of Engineering , Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, [1982-1985] .   As a shrewd student , in tune with the  changing times  he selected a new subject, "Remote Sensing "  for  his   Post Graduation studies . As a visionary  in tune with his goal ,  he successfully completed his M.Tech, at  the College of Engineering , Guindy,  Anna University, Chennai. [1986-1989] . Then he went to U.S.A. to do his doctoral studies  and he successfully did his prestigious  Ph.D  , in  Environmental  Engineering , in the famous " Illinois Institute of Technology" , Chicago, U.S.[1991-1996]. 

Employment  of  Dr. S. Kaliappan:  He started his  teaching career as lecturer/ Assistant Professor  of Civil Engineering at the College of Engineering , Anna University, Chennai [1989-2000]. Step by step he became the Professor of Civil  Engineering  Department at  the College of Engineering ,Guindy ,  Anna University [  February 2005-March 2011].  He also had  the  privilege to work as Professor and Director at the Institute of Remote Sensing , College of Engineering , Guindy, Anna University, Chennai [October 2005-Sept 2007].  He  had been discharging   his teaching responsibilities and  duties  with great  distinction and dedication and so,  better opportunities knocked at his door.

Vice Chancellor Dr. S. Kaliappan :  He  was appointed as the first Vice Chancellor of  the newly formed "Anna University" , Tirunelveli and he took charge as the Vice Chancellor of Anna University , Tirunelveli, in Septemer , 2007.  All the Engineering Colleges located in Tirunelveli dist, Madurai dist, Virudhunagar dist, Thuthukudi dist  and Kanyakumari district  are  affiliated  to the Anna university, Tirunelveli.  He proved himself not only as a good teacher abut also as  a good administrator. He was  working  as  the   Vice Chancellor of the Anna University , Tirunelveli , till September 2010, in a remarkable manner.

He has  published articles  in the international journals and magazines: To his credit  he has got many research articles  published  in  the  following  research journals and magazines : International Journal of Science and Technology ,  International Journal on Computer Science and Engineering ,  Vienamis Journal of Environmental Science and Technology,   Biotechnology and Bio-process   Engineering ,   Solar Energy , Water Quality Research  Journal of Canada .

He has also co -authored a famous book : Target Identification in  Multi Spectral  Images  Using in -Situ Hyper -Spectral  Reflectance .

He is a member  in many  globally famous Groups and  Associations  example :  the  American  Society  for Photogrammetry  and Remote sensing;  Engineering journals and magazines,  IEEE. Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society [IEEE GRSS] , The Society of  Environmental  Engineers [SEE] and in  some other Associations.

Conclusion .  After retirement he has been living in his native village , Erachakulam , identifying himself with the ordinary people of his village and district and also with the intellectuals.. He is one of the intellectual giants of  Kanyakumari District .  He is an eloquent orator also. By accident of birth he was born in a poor and disadvantaged  family , but by his indomitable will power and ceaseless perseverance  he made himself a worthy son of Kanyakumari  district and India and faced  all types of challenges  with great courage and conviction.  He is Great Social  thinker also , he is a crusader for the cause of social  justice , knowledge  and research .

P. Babu Manoharan. [Rights reserved.  This Article will be modified or altered if needed later]

Great Vice Chancellors from Kanyakumari.   Part  II: 

Shri. P. Michael Vetha Siromony, I.A.S:   P. Michael Vetha Siromony ,I.A.S.  was a former Director and Vice Chancellor of the prestigious  Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development [A Deemed University] , Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.  He was  a native of  a  tiny   village called  Oduparai  near Eraniel [ former capital of Venad  Kingdom] , in Kanyakumari district .  He was born on the  8th August, 1953  at Neyoor, in  Kanyakumari district as the second  son Mr. D.P. Mani and  Mrs. Palammal Mani [I.E. Lutheran Christian] .  By his remarkable accomplishments  as a Civil  Servant , Educationist , Author  and   Social Thinker , he   has inherited  and inscribed  a glorious place for his little and  unknown village  " Oduparai" in the social , historical and   intellectual map of    Kayakumari district , Tamil Nadu, India and world.

Educational Qualifications :   Shri P. Michael Vetha Siromomy did his  middle and high school studies  in the Government High School   ,Eraniel.   He was an alumni of  Scott Christian College, Nagercoil  and he did his  P.U.C.  in Scott Christian College[1968-1969]  and his  B.Sc[Botany], in Scott Christian  College, Nagercoil  [1969-1972].   Then he proceeded to Chidambaram  and did  his  M.Sc [Botany] in the famous Annamalai  University, Chidambaram [1972-1974].  He did hid his  M.B.A. in   Public Sector  Disaster Management [1997]  in   U.K.

P. Michael Vetha  Siromony , I.A.S :  Shri. P. Michael Vetha Siromony, a 1982 batch IAS  officer   of the Kerala State  was appointed  as a  probationary officer by the government of Kerala on 08-09-1982 , on his successful completion of the probationary period ,he was confirmed on 8-9-1984.  Since then without any turning back he has been  marching forward with new force  and commitment to serve the cause of  the country and fellow country men as a Civil Servant.  He  is unassuming ,   modest , efficient and sharp ; so he is liked by all. He has  decorated many important positions with great dignity and decorum both in Kerala State Government and  Government of India.

Wayanad  District Collector  Shri. P. Michael Vetha Siromony , I.A.S : Shri. P. Michael Vetha Siromony , IAS,  was effectively and efficiently   functioning for two years as District Collector of Wayanad with effect from 5-7-1989 to 10-8-1991.  As a District Collector  he took keen steps and interest  for the amelioration of the poor and tribal people of Wayanad district , and during  one official trip deep into the thick forest,  he was unexpectedly confronted  by a huge elephant  at a close distance with great presence of mind   he ran away and saved his life. The people of Wayanad  district still  remember this Collector.

Shri.P. M.V. Siromony, I.A.S., decorated   many important Designations  and Offices with great dignity and commitment , as mentioned below . It may not be on chronological order :

Shri. P. M. V. Siromony  at  Kerala House , New Delhi:   He was  appointed as  Resident Commissioner  of the Kerala Government , at the " Kerala   House " in New Delhi and  he discharged  his official duties with great distinction and vision  and proved himself as a productive and meaningful Ambassador of  Kerala Government   in New Delhi  and  a useful link between the Government of Kerala and the Government of India .  He maintained  a cordial  and meaningful  relationship  with Kerala Development Society {KDS], Delhi.,

National Human Rights Commission  : Shri. P. Michael Vetha Siromony, I.A.S ,  took charge    as Chief Coordinator [Training] on 16 March , 2006  in the" National  Human Rights Commission"  of India and did great justice to his Post till he was moved to another  Post.   He  had the honour and opportunity to serve as the Convenor of the  N.H.R.C , Committee on Missing Children..

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration & P.Michael Vetha Siromony: He   also  had the prestigious privilege  to work as a  Deputy Director in the  Lal  Bhadur Shstri National Academy of Administration , Mussoorie,   in the Faculty of Public Administration and Social Management   and to teach the future   District Collectors  and other Civil Servants of the Nation .  

Michael Vetha Siromony in Indian Red Cross Society :  Shri. P.M.V. Siromony had the golden opportunity to  work with the Indian  Red Cross Society as it's Senior Disaster Management Adviser .

He had edited  a famous resourceful  book on disaster management , "Source Book on District Disaster Management", and it was published  by  Mussoire: SOTRAIN, 2000,  pages. 397.  Now this book is used as a resource book in many  important Institutes of social sciences and   higher education .

Shri. Michael Vetha Siromony, I.A.S.,  worked as Vice Chancellor  of RGNIYD  :   Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development is a Deemed University  U/S .3 of U.G.C. Act 1956.  It is an autonomous organization of  the Ministry of Youth affairs and Sports , Government of India. Mr. Michael Vetha Siromony  was appointed by the Government of India   as the Director and Vice Chancellor of  the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi  National  Institute  of  Youth Development 

[RGNIYD] and he took charge as the Vice Chancellor and Director of  RGNIYD, on 11th December ,2009 .  

                        

RGNIYD was established  to function as resource agency and Think-Tank for youth programms , policies and implementation of strategies.  Also to develop  multi-faceted  programmes for youth in view of social harmony and national unity as ultimate objectives.  P.Michael Vetha Siromony  , as the Director and Vice Chancellor  of RGNIYD,  thought , spoke and acted in harmony with the  basic objectives of this  famous deemed University.

 During his tenure as Vice Chancellor , Shri P.M.V. Siromony, conducted  many  important  State level ,National level and International Seminars and Conferences  in the Campus of R.G.N.I.Y.D,   Sriperumbudur.      The fourth S.A.A.R.C, Youth Camp was jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and  R.G.N.I.Y.D    from  11-2-2013  to 15-2-2013  at RGNIYD campus , Sriperumbudur.    Asia Pacific Regional Conference  on Youth in Development  Policies and Programmes , was  conducted  at RGNIYD  [ February-2013] and many other seminars and conferences. During Shri. Michael Vetha Siromny's tenure as Vice   Chancellor,  the  RGNIYD  has been blooming as a Think Tank for the cause of  the Youth of  India and Ambassador of national unity and social harmony .  On completion of  his   term  as V.C.,  a farewell party was held  in his honour  on 13th July 2013 .

Conclusion  :  Shri. Michael Vetha Siromony has  recently   a took charge as the Managing Director of Kerala Minerals and Metals , Quilon , Kerala , on 19-7-2013.  Most probably this will be his last designation as an I.A.S. officer in active service.  He is a role model for thousands young people and specially  for the younger generation of the poor  sections of the society.  In 2011, the Scott Christian College, Nagercoil  invited  Shri .Michael Vetha Siromony , I.A.S , the then Vice Chancellor of  Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development   as the Chief- Guest  of the College Day celebration and honored  him .  Only a very few I.A.S. Officers have ever  got the distinguished  privilege of functioning as Vice Chancellor of  a University.  Definitely  he is a  rare and remarkable shining  milestone in the history of Kanyakumari district and India.

P. BABU MANOHARAN . M.A,.[ Rights reserved.  This Article will me modified , altered  or corrected if needed later]

Great Vice Chancellors  from  Kanyakumari:  Part  I:

Prof. Dr. V.I. Subramaniam [1926- 2009] : Dr. V.I. Subramaniam  had the distinctive honor of serving as the first Vice Chancellor of the Tamil University, Thanjavoor; and  he  was a native of Kanyakumari district, and he was one  of the greatest Tamil scholars of the world.

                                                                 Dr. V.I. Subramaniam

Birth  of Prof.  V.I. Subramaniam :      Vadasery Iyempermal Subramaniam [ V.I. Subramaniam ] was born at Vadesery in Nagercoil  in the year 1926, in an orthodox Hindu family.  He carried the lovely name of his village" Vadasery"  with him throughout the world and popularized the name of his native village by prefixing his  village name  with his name. Definitely Vadesery has assumed  and attained a new status because of V.I.  Subramaniam.   Prof.V.I.S. , that was the way he was well  known  to his friends ,colleagues,students and fans .

Education  :  Prof. V.I. Subramaniam ,did his  High School studies at S.M.R.V. High School , Vadesery and continued his Intermediate course at Scott Christian College , Nagercoil.  and  went to  Annamalai University ,  Chidambaram ;  to do his B.A.[Hons], in Tamil Literature.  This period laid the foundation for his bright future. The great Tamil Scholar Thani Naygam Adihalar,    Mr. Anbazhagan[ Former minister of Tamil Nadu] ,  Mr. V.R. Nedunchezhian [Former Minister of Tamil Nadu]  . Mr. Mathiazhahan { Former minister of Tamil Nadu]  were some of his   remarkable   class mates  in  Annamalai University and the last Trio played a dominant  part in the  Dravidian Movements and   Dravidian  Parties'  politics.

Higher Studies.  : V.I.S. was a research student under the great Tamil scholar  Pro. Vaiyapuri Pillai in the Kerala University  for some time.    V.I.Subramaniam's  thirst for linguistic research   forced him to   proceed to U.S.A. for his higher studies in Linguistics. He did his Ph.D., in Linguistics in the famous Indiana University , U.S.A .

He was a dedicated teacher : He was a great teacher in all sense of the term.  He had the privilege of working as a Tamil Lecturer  in the famous  Annamalai University, one of his Alma Maters.   Then he moved to the University of Kerala.  Till then  the  great  Tamil  research scholar  Prof. S.  Vaiyapuri Pillai , was working as the Professor of the Tamil Chair in the University of Kerala University [1951-1954].  Prof. Dr. V.I. Subramaniam  succeeded  Prof. S. Vaiyapuri  Pillai , and  took  very keen  interest to upgrade the status of the Tamil Chair into a full fledged Department and he succeeded  in his effort ;  and as  a result  Prof .Dr. V.I. Subramaniam became the first Professor and Head of the Department of Tamil in the University of Kerala.  He held that post with great distinction  and served the department with great dedication [1954-1966]..

The First  Vice Chancellor of the Tamil  University : The Tamilnadu State Legilative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution for the establishment of the Tamil  University   in Thanjavoor, in   September , 1981  and Prof. Dr. V. I. Subramaniam took charge as the first Vice Chancellor of the Tamil University in September , 1981 . He served the cause of Tamil through  the Tamil University with complete dedication and competence . In recognition of  the valuable and constructive service to Tamil and  the Tamil University, the Government of Tamil Nadu  gave him a second term extension as Vice Chancellor but due to some reasons he resigned  from the V.C. Post before the completion of the V.C. term.

Pro Chancellor of  the Dravidian University , Kuppam;    The Dravidian University,  at Srinivasa Vanam, , Kuppam , Andra Pradesh was established in 1997  by the Government of Andra Pradesh.   Prof. Dr. V.I. Subramaniam  played a crucial role in line with his mission and  vision  for the establishment of the Dravidian University at Srinivasa Vanam, Kuppam , Andra Pradesh., for the cause of  linguistic research  on Dravidian languages and to promote a greater sense of fraternity and spirit of integration among the speakers of the major Dravidian languages in South India. .  In tune with   it's objectives  the Dravidian University is located at a  Tri-lingual junction in the South-West tip of Andra Pradesh  at Kuppam, ; 4 Km from Karnataka   border and 8  km    from Tamil Nadu border  .  V.I.S.  was appointed as the first Pro Chancellor of the   Dravidian University at Kuppm , Andra Pradesh.   He discharged  his duties and responsibilities with  great distinction and dedication  as  Pro- Chancellor of the Dravidian University ,Kuppam.

Prof. V. I. Subramaniam and the Central Institute of Classical Tamil : For  a pretty long period of time, great Tamil scholars  and intellectuals  and the Tamil speaking people throughout the world had been striving   for the official recognition  of  Tamil language  as a Classical Language ,on par with the other Classical Languages  like Hebrew language,  Greek language , Latin language. Sanskrit  language ,  Arabic language  etc.  At last ,Tamil  was officially recognized  as a Classical  Language by the Government Of India in  2004.  .  The concerned  Ministry of the Government of India informed the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2008,  regarding  it's  decision  to establish the "Central Institute of Classical Tamil [CICT]"  in Chennai .  A long pending cherished goal of the Tamil speaking people  was at last realized  as a reality. The dream of Prof. Dr. V.I. Subramaniam   and all Tamil speaking people  became a reality.  The great Classical Tamil scholar  Prof V.I. Subramaniam  , a native of Kanyakumari district, was aptly selected to function as Vice Chairman  of the " Central Institute of Classical Tamil " Chennai  and he did real justice to his  post as Vice Chairman.

Prof. V.I. Subramaniam and  Dravidian Linguists' Association , Thiruvananthapuram : The Dravidian Linguists' Association was jointly established  on 15th March ,1972 by Dr. V.I. Subramaniam [Kerala University], R.C. Hiremath {Karnataka Unversity], and Mahadev Sastry [ Sri Venkateswara University]. It is an association  of scholars of Dravidian languages , at Thiruvanthapuram . It publishes , The International Journal Of Dravidian Linguistics and  related books.

Prof. V.I. Subramaniam and  The International School of  Dravidian Linguistics [ISDL] :    It   was established  on 25th February, 1977  with   R.C. Hiremath as the internal Director and Franklin C. Southworth as  the first external Director of the ISDL.  A Council of Directors was also formed . The first annual conference of Dravidian linguistics  was held in 1971. The primary objective of this  School is to undertake , organize and   guide original and advanced research in Dravidian studies.  This important school was started on a low pulse rate but  the  then Chief Minister of Kerala. Sri. Achutha Menon  took sincere interest  in the growth of this school. Prof V.I. Subramaniam was the founder and honorary Director of ISDL.  By the efforts of  Prof. V.I. Subramaniam , the I.S.D.l. purchased 20 acres of land near  St. Xavier's College, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram . Prof. V.I.S. loved this School very much.  I.S.D.L has published several volumes of  books like the monumental  " Dravidian Encyclopedia " .  I.S.D.L also brings out a bi-annual  journal, "International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics"  to disseminate knowledge on various subjects related to Dravidian  languages, linguistics and literature.

Prof. V. I.Subramaniam and Dravidian Linguists' Association  Institute ,Thiruvananthaouram :

Prof.Dr. V.I.Subramaniam the internationally acclaimed Linguist was the founder  Director of the, Dravidian Linguists' Association  Institute, at Thiruvananthaouram  .The prime objectives if this Institute  are:  To undertake , organize and guide , original and advanced research in Dravidian studies.   Prof.V.I. S was conducting the inter disciplinary academic activities till his death on June 2009.

Conclusion:    Prof. Dr. V.I. Subramaniam was an era and he was a great visionary and force. The internationally famed Tamil and Linguistic scholar  Prof. Dr. V.I. Subramaniam was a multifaceted personality ; he was a thinker, researcher, linguist , writer, administrator ,scholar, visionary and good human -being.

He had the privilege and opportunities  to rub  shoulders  and move with many great personalities  of all walks of life  like academicians, politicians,  journalists,  State Ministers ,  Vice Chancellors, writers, Chief Ministers and so on.   T. V. Ramasubbaiyar ,the founder of Dinamalar, was one of his best friends and  he liked and respected  T. V. Ramasubbuaiyar  very much.   He had great admiration and regard for the  former Union Cabinet Minister  late C. Subramaniam  and Kee.Aa .Pa .Viswanathan and Prof. Vaiyapuri pillai .  In recognition of his service for the cause Tamil language and Dravidian linguistics  ,  more than  6 Universities have honoured him with honorary doctorate degrees , including the famous Jaffna University, Sri Lanka and   Tamil University , Thanjavur.  He was a tall and towering personality in all sense of the word. He was not only an intellectual designer and builder of intellectual and research institutions  but he himself was an intellectual  Institution  . No doubt he was one of  the greatest  Tamil sons ever born to a Tamil mother. After having lived a checkered  intellectual life he passed away on 30th June , 2009.

P.BABU MANOHARAN.[Rights reserved].

The Remarkable Mr. Devadasan and Dr.Robert Caldwell and Woodlands Estate:

Introduction: Mr.  M. Devadasan of Nagercoil  was a remarkable person and a   native of Kanyakumari district . Some make history  by their accomplishment and some others make history by  rubbing shoulders with great historical personalities; and  Devadsan belonged to the second category.

Devadasan and  Caldwell's Woodland Estate in Asambu Hills in Kanyakumari district: 

                            CHILDREN of Mr. MOSES DEVADASAN & THEIR FAMILIES.

The legendary son-in-law of  Revd. Charles Mault and the author of the monumental and epoch making book , " A  COMPARATIVE GRAMMAR OF THE DRAVIDIAN  OR SOUTH INDIAN FAMILY OF LANGUAGES "[ Published in London, 1875].  Dr. Robert Caldwell was owning a fertile and spacious Estate covering an area of 275 acres in Asambu hills.  He loved his lovely Woodlands Estate situated on the top hilly slopes in Asambu hills in Kanyakumari district. Rt. REV. ROBERT CALDWELL , D.D , LL.D ,  and his wife Eliza were stationed at Edayankudi in Tirunelevali district. Whenever Dr. Caldwell and his wife  Mrs Eliza Caldwell  felt  home  sick and needed  rest they used to visit and stay at their  poetically beautiful Woodland Estate, in Asambu hills, in Kanyakumari district..

Dr. Robert Caldwell was in need  of an able, educated and trustworthy person  to take care of the  Estate and it's cultivation  and as he  found all these traits in  Mr. Devadasan  of Nagercoil  ; he appointed Mr. Davadasan as the Conductor of the Woodlands  Estate.  Mr. Devadasan  managed and looked after the affairs of the Woodlands  Estate to the full satisfaction of   Dr. Robert Caldwell.    Coffee, tea , cardamoms, oranges , sweet limes, and guavas were cultivated in the Woodlands Estate.

At the center of the Woodland Estate there was a  spacious  and magnificent bungalow  having many spacious rooms, with high ceiling and  stately   teak wood furniture   splendidly  adorned  the lovely rooms of the bungalow.  Dr Caldwell was having a standard library  in his  Estate bungalow and books on sociology, religion,history,  literature  and literary magazines such as Temple Bay,  and Mac Millan lined and decorated the tall shelves of the Library in the Woodlands Estate.  Woodlands Estate played an inseparable part in the life of Dr. Caldwell. , and it is pertinent to remember that Caldwell's loving second daughter Mrs. Louisia Shephered  died in 1872 at Woodlands Estate , Asambu hills, Kanyakumari district

Mr. Devadasan  became the owner of the Woodlands Estate:

Dr. Caldwell became very sick and old so he wanted to sell his beloved Woodland Estate ,  and  Caldwell rightly and aptly remembered the great and sincere services rendered by Mr. Deavadasan , the Conductor of the Woodlands Estate  and sold the Woodlands Estate to Mr. Devadasan  just for !00 cash of that time. Devadasan became the proud owner of  the  Estate of 275 acres.  A Conductor  was converted as  an Estate owner . Devadasan  had a big bungalow at Nagercoil very near to the Nagercoil Home Church and also he owned  a majestic horse and he used  to go to his Woodlands Estate riding on his horse


Mr.M. Devadasan's  Parents and family background : During  19th century there lived a gentleman and his name was Mr. Santiago and his wife's name was Mrs Arulai . Mrs. Arulai Santiago and Mr. Santiago were blessed with a female child  and a male child  namely  Jeevaratnam. and Devasahayam respectively. And at that time there lived a nice  man and his name was Mr. Moses. and  Mr . Moses married Miss.Jevaratnam { daughter of Mr and Mrs Santiago and sister of Mr Devasahayam}. Mr Moses and Mrs.Jeevaratnam Moses gave birth to our patriarch Mr.M. Devadasan, And Mr Devadasan married  Miss. Annammal. from an illustrious christian family from south Travancore.

Mr. Davadasan and his wife and children :

Devadasan and his dynamic wife Mrs. Annamal  were blessed with 10 lovely children namely[1]Rev. D.M. Devasahayam, [2]Mr. George Dawson, [3] Mrs. Victoria , [4] Mr Charles Samuel Dawson, [5]Mrs. Lily Joseph [ Wife of Mr J. M. Joseph, formerly the Head  Master of  the famous Scott Christian High School , Nagercoil], [6] Mrs. Grace ,[7] Mrs . Chinnathai, [8] Mrs. Patience , [9]Mrs. Bernice  Ebenezer and [10] Mrs . Dorothy.  Below I am high lighting some of the prominent members of his  family for the review and evaluation , by the readers.

His fiirst son Revd. D.M. Devasahayam , B.A., B.D   was the first B.D. Graduate   in the whole of India , from the pioneer Serampur University.  An unique honor that can not be undone  by anybody . Devasahayam is generally called as DMD . Thus this family of Mr, Devadasan has got an unique place in the history of  Theological  education of India.

George Dawson:   Devadasan's another son George Dawson  got 5 children.  George Dawson worked as a Secretary in the YMCA.  George Dawson's first son Mr. Edward Dawson , B.Sc., B.T., became a great evangelist and he joined the famous " The Jehovah Shamma" , Chennai, established by Bro. Bakth Singh of Punjab, in 1945   and he was number two in command in that  Christian religious organization. He was serving as the Publisher and Editor of Hebron Messenger.

George Dawson's second son Mr. Rabindranath Samuel Dawson married Mrs . Ranniamma, M.A[Maths], M.A[ English] , [who  worked as a Senior Lecturer in The S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil  for many years]. He is popularly  known as RS .Dawson , and he was a well known senior Rotarian  in Nagercoil.

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Mr. Devadasan's  family link with the great theologian Dr. Paul  D. Devanandan ::

Charles Samuel Dawson [C.S.Dawson]:  He was the fourth son of Mr. Devadasan and he married Mrs Shantamal Chandraleelamal, a daughter of Mr. Ragland  David Servai.   Mrs Shantamal Chandraleelamal was a first cousin of the world famous Indian theologian  Dr. Paul. D. Devanandan , [The first Director  of  C.I.S.R.S,Bangalore and son-in-law of K.T. Paul , who represented the Indian Christian Community in the Round Table Conference in London in the year 1930-1932].

Moreover the  third daughter of C.S.Dawson and Mrs.Shantamal  Dawson , Miss Queenie

was given in marriage to the  Chief Architect of the Government of Kerala. Mr. J.C. Alexander [son of  Mr J. M. Joseph,  former Head Master of Scott Christian High School , Nagercoil ]  who was the chief architect for the  famous 'Gandhi Memorial  Building" at Kanyakumari. { his profile will be dealt in another Post ] .

Conclusion:  Thus Mr. Devadasan and his children had played a remarkable role in the social , religious and  intellectual history of Kanyakumari district  and India with great distinction and had laid  some remarkable milestones  in the glorious map of Kanyakumari district and India.  So long as the Tamil speaking people and Dravidian Movements remember the great linguistic  scholar Dr. Robert Caldwell,   nobody shall forget  the" Woodlands Estate'  and  Mr.Devadasan of Nagercoil.

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

Great Head-Masters of Kanyakumari

Great Head-Masters of kanyakumari :  Part  I

Mr.Paul Daniel , M.A, L.T,  :   Mr. Paul Daniel , was one of the most  remarkable  Head Masters of Kanyakumari district and India.  He was a genius and multifaceted personality  . He was a former Head Master of the famous Scott Christian High School , Nagercoil, from 1906 to 1927 and also served as the Principal of Scott Christian College for some period of time.   He was responsible for producing some remarkable personalities who reached enviable heights in their respective fields .   He has planted some striking milestones in the educational , social, and religious history of Kanyakumari   district and India.

                                                           Mr. PAUL DANIEL, M.A, L.T

Birth  and family of  Paul Daniel:   He was born at Santhapuram , near Nagercoil in  a good Christian family.  His father Mr. Paul was a catechist in LMS  and his mother was from a traditional Christian  family from Ikkiyapuram otherwise called as Ikkiyanam, near Chungagkadai and Nagercoil    ,Kanyakumari District.  The famous Paul Apollos Deacon of the Home Church was his brother and the  remarkable .D.C. Joseph ,the editor of "Travancore Times", was his son-in-law.

His Education : Paul Daniel was a brilliant student . Even while he was a student in the LMS  Seminary , his brilliance in education was observed by Rev Duthie and  he encouraged  Paul Daniel very much . As sson as he passed the Matriculation Examination , Rev. Duthie sent Paul Daniel to  Trivandrum for collegiate education. He  passed  the  B.A. examination  of the University with flying colours ,  and  got the Unversity Gold Medal  for his outstanding performance in English and also received  a  Webster dictionary from the Maharaja of Travancore  for his accomplishment  .  Mr. Paul Daniel passed his M.A. degree examination with distinction from H.H. the Maharaja's College, Trivandrum  and he was the first  South Travancore Christian to get M.A. Degree.  

Paul   Daniel  and Scott Christian High School, Nagercoil :  Paul Daniel joined as a teacher in the Scott Chriatian School in 1896 and served as the Head Master of the prestigious Scott Christian High School, Nagercoil with great distinction from 1906 to 1926. As a dynamic Headmaster he had the privilege to shape the  educational and professional destinies of thousands of young people  of Kanyakumari district.

Paul Daniel and Scott Christian College. :  During those   days there  existed  a friendly understanding and relation between  Scott Christian High School and  Scott Christian College  ,  So Mr. Paul Daniel the then H.M  taught physiology   to  the students of Scott Christian College.  He  enjoyed the good patronage of. Revd. Duthie and Mr. Parker, who were in the  helm of affairs  of the Scott Christan High School , during that period.  He  also  had the honour of serving as the Principal of Scott Christian college for a short  span of time.

Public life  : His  versatility    and  command over the English language lifted  him to greater heights in public life. He also   had the privilege to serve as the Deputy Chairman of the Nagercoil Municipality from 1911to 1920. His name and  fame reached  far and wide  and consequently he   was  nominated to the Travancore Legislative Assembly by the Maharaja of Travancore and served,   as a  popular and eloquent  Legislator from 1926 to 1928 in distinctive style.

Church activities :As a son of  a Christian Catechist,    Paul Daniel  took active interest in Church activities. He was elected as a Deacon to the Home Church Nagercoil in 1895. and continued  as a Deacon till 1931, for about 36 long years. He played a spectacular and contributing  part   in the formation of the Church of South India.  He was a great Church leader.

Conclusion : He was really a towering personality.  He served   within the Church and outside the Church with great distinction  and landmarks. He was a convincing orator , fluid writer and great administrator . He was very kind with the poor people.  In short he was an epoch , and he passed away on 23rd July ,1931. In honour of Mr. Paul Daniel ," Paul Daniel Block" was constructed  in the School, and it was opened by the then  honourable  Chief Minister of Madras State  Sri.. K. Kamaraj  on 22nd April 1961.
By.P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, [Rights reserved. This article will be enlarged modified and corrected later , if needed].

                                                          ______________

J.M.Joseph, B.A.,LT, [1886-1951] :  Mr. J.M. Joseph was one of the remarkable Head Masters  of Kanyakumari district and India, in any sense.   As the Head Master of Scott Christian  High School , Nagercoil ,  he installed a lasting milestone in the educational map of  Kanyakumari district and India.

Birth , Education  and Family :  J.M. Joseph  was the son of  Mr.  Alexander Masillamani Joseph  of Chennai, who served as a Deacon in the Nagercoil  Home Church  for 24 years from 1875 and her mother belonged Anamalai, Pollachi .  He was born  at Nagercoil , on 23rd November , 1886.  He continued  his school education at Nagercoil and collegiate education in Trivandrum.  As a clever student he successfully completed his formal education and got  B.A., L.T.  letters  to his credit . Mr.J.M. Joseph's son  Mr. J.C. Alexander, BA., B.E.{Hons .], C.E.[Hons.], B.S.Arch [USA], M I E. ,   worked as Chief Architect  in the Government of Kerala   State.

As Head master  of Scott Christian High School:    He succeeded Mr. Paul Daniel as the Head master of Scott Christian High School, Nagercoil , in 1931  and proved himself as one the best Head Masters we can ever have. He functioned as the Head Master of Scott Christian High School at Nagercoil  for 13 years and made some indelible  prints   in the educational history of Kanyakumari district and India.  Mr. J. M Joseph retired  in 1944 and he was succeeded by Mr. D. Joshua.  From 1943 to 1951  Mr. J. M. Joseph  had the rare privilege to work as the first Indian  Manger of Scott Christian High School.

Public life and Church activity :   He  took active interest in  Church  activities and served as a deacon in the Nagercoil  Home  Church  from 1930 to 1945  with real interest and involvement.   When Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer was serving as the Devan of  Travancore  , Mr.  J.M. Joseph was nominated to the Travancore Legislative Assembly  by the Government of Travancore.  It is said that whenever J.M.Joseph delivered his eloquent speech in English in  the Assembly , the Assembly used to be fully packed and thronged to hear his mesmerizing and enchanting English.  He was loved and respected by  his students, fellow christians and the general public, for his intellectual  calibre  , egalitarian attitude, and  integrity.  He passed away on 19th February, 1951.

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






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 Mr. Gnanamuthu Jesudasan , the first Indian ordained Pastor of the   M.E.L.I.M ., in India [ 1872-1955]::

Introduction:  Mr.Gnanmuthu Jesudasan was one of the important milestones  of the   religious and social history of Kanyakuamri district.  He was the man who  was singularly  responsible for  establishment of Missouri Evangelical Church {MELIM} in Kanyakumari district in the year 1907 and he laid the foundation for the educational and cultural renaissance of  the  long neglected poorest sections of the society.. He was popularly called as the  second Vedamanickam of South Travancore. Vedamanickam was responsible to bring London Missionary Society into South Travancore in 1806 and his close relative  Gnanamuthu Jesudasan was responsible to bring Missouri Evangelical Lutheran India Mission into South Travancore exactly after 100 years..

                                                                   Rev. G. Jesudasan 

His Birth and Place : Mr. G.Jusudasan was born in the month of June , 1872, in kandy in Sri Lanka.  His parents originally belonged to the Nanjilnadu of Kanyakumari district. He was baptized by Revd. William Clarke in 1872 at the C.M.S. church at Kandy , Sri Lanka.

But he continued his education in Kanyakumari district, and passed his  Madras Matriculation examination in 1893.  Then he continued his  Senior  Intermmediate Course   in the Scott Christian College , Nagercoil  and as he failed in the  exam he discontinued his college education.  But propelled by his indomitable will power he passed  the  Pitman Short Hand  examination  with flying colours.  Jesudasan joined as  the  Secretary to the then British Resident at  Trivandrum in the year 1896.  During this period of time, Jesudasan's relative   and author of the the Church History of Travancore, Mr. C.M. Agur ,B.A., was functioning as the Office Manager in the British Resident's office at Trivandrum and  Jesudasan's brother Mr. Gnanamuthu Joshua , B.A., was serving as a Secretary to the Government of Travancore .

Jusudasan's marriage: In the year 1901 , Jesudasan married Christina Manononmani, the grand-daughter of the great Christian   poet   Mylaudy John Palmer at Christ Church , Trivandrum and the marriage was  solemnized by an English Missionary by name   Revd. Boyer.  Five children were born to him including the great Organist , Violinist and Flutist  Mr. J.  Sam Raj, B.A, L.T

Jesudasan resigned  his respectable job:  He believed  that Christianity will  empower  the neglected sectionof his community educationally and socially ; and as  he was displeased  with  the working design and style of the London Missionary Society in Kanyakumari district,  he wanted to bring   a new Christian Mission.  to Kanyakumari district  to work among and for  his poor people. .

Invitation to MELIM Missionaries:

Jesudasan was an  voracious reader and writer ; and he had good command over English language. He was contributing  English  Articles  regularly in a magazine called" The Chritian Patriot ", published from Madras; and one day while reading that magazine he came across an Article  about MELIM and it's missionary field. Since 1895 The MELIM missinaries  like Theodre Naether were doing evangelical service and work in Krishnagiri and Ambur areas in the  northern Tamilnadu   .He instantly wrote an invitation letter to the MELIM missionaries who were working in  Krishnagiri area. . After some  initial clarification the MELIM missionaries accepted the invitation of Jesudasan and sent  two  MELIM missionaries , Rev. Huebener, and Rev .Nau to  South Travancore [Kanyakumari  district]and  Jesudasan went to Aralvaimozhi and received the MELIM missionaries on 21st February , !907 .  And these MELIM missionaries started the Lutheran Mission's missionary work in Nanjil Nadu in Kanyakumari district   with the help of Jesudasan. In order to assist the Lutheran missionaries Jesudasan  resigned his  respectable and remunerative British Government job after one year  in 1908. Really it was a historical sacrifice.

MELIM Churches were established in Kanyakumari district[South Travancore]:  The first MELIM church was established at Vadesery in 1907  and  staring from  Vadasery many  Lutheran churches and side by side many Primary Schools and some High Schools  were also  established  in Kanyakumari district, within a short span of time . The Lutheran missionary fields were extended to the Tiunelvelli and Trivandrum areas also, due to the tireless efforts of the MELIM missionaries  and Jesudasan . The MELIM missionaries gave short theological training to Jesudasan  and  in  recognition of his valuable missionary work and his deep Bible knowledge, Jesudasan was ordained as  the first  Indian   MELIM  Pastor in 1921 by the MELIM   missionaries even before the establishment of the Concordia Theological Seminary at Nagercoil in 1924.   Jesudasan as a dedicated social and Christian Missionary worked for the comprehensive  and total progress and development  of the  poor  people,through his tireless  missionary service.  This great visionary and missionary Gnanamuthu Jesudasan  passed away in 1955.

Conclusion :

In 1958 ,  The Missouri Evangelical India  Mission  changed its name as India Evangelical Lutheran Church. Since then the IELC has been continuing its religious , social and educational goals and commitments with new scope and spirit.  Now IELC has three Synods namely: Ambur Synod, Nagercoil Synod andTrivandrum Synod.   In the IELC  there  are about  114600 members  today and it has 764   congregations . There 61 Elementary and middle schools; 12 High Schools and Higher Secondary Schools, 8 Schools for the  mentally challenged people and 3 prestigious  Hospitals  and   a  Theological College by name the Concordia Theological  College at Nagercoil [affiliated to the Serampur University,India] and so on Many  doctors , scientists , university and college and school   teachers, para- medical professionals , pastors and engineers of  IELC  and specially from Nagercoil Synod are working through out the world including the  countries like U.K, U.S.A., Canada , Gulf countries and so on . To cite one example , I am proud to say that  Dr. R.  John, B.Tech, M.S , Ph.D,. a    Lutheran Christian from Vadesery congregation , after having received a Ph.D  in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech, U.S. in1984 ,  worked as a Scientist in the world famous NASA , USA from 1986 to 1994.  Gnanamuthu Jesadasan's vision is being actuated by the younger generations of the IELC and so long  as there is IELC,   Gnanamuthu Jesudasan's name will be also remembered  by the Lutheran Christians  , general public ,historians  and social  activists of Kanyakumari district and India .

P.BABU MANOHARAN, M.A,{Rights reserved- This Article will be modified or altered if needed later].