Outstanding Orator, Writer and former HOD of Commerce Dept and Dean Of Students, St Xavier's College , PalayamKottai Prof. Dr. C. Eugine Franco, M.Com, M.Phil, Ph,D,. Part -A. .

1987

Introduction:  Former HOD of Commerce Department of St. Xavier's College , Palayamkottai  Prof. Dr. C. Eugine Franco , M.Com. M.Phil. Ph.D was an outstanding orator , author, teacher , debater and unassuming multifaceted personality and he was a  native of Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.  By his illustrious career and accomplishment he has become an indelible and shimmering milestone in the social , educational  and literary history of kanyakumari district and Tamil Nadu..  He hailed from one of the illustrious christian families of Kanyakumari district and his life history has become an important chapter in the main-stream History of Tamil Nadu.

                       Prof. Dr. Eugine Franco, M.Com, M.Phil, Ph.D.

His Parents and Birth :  There lived an educated eligible bachelor by name Mr.M. Cyril in Ramanputhur, Nagercoil and he married a smart modest young lady from Thalavaipuram, Nagercoil  by name Ms.I. Soosai Mary Annal on 31st August , 1959 and this lovely couple gave birth to a smart boy child on 12th October 1962 and the couple christened their boy child as Eugine Franco

Dr. Eugine Franco's siblings and families: Mr. M.Cyril , B.A, and Mrs I. Soosasi Mary Ammal couple gave birth to five boy children namely ;[1] Mr. Jude Andrew[ Andrew married Ms. Irene Selvadas and this couple is blessed with two daughters namely Ms Dhanya Sharon, B.Sc [Nursing] and  Assistant Professor Ms. Magdalene Diana, M.A, M. Phil., [2]  Prof. Dr. Eugine Franco, [3] Mr.. Edward Wilson and he  married Ms.Eunice Jemila and this couple is blessed with one daughter by name Ms E. Adline Prisca, B.E , [4] Prof. Dr. John Moses and he married Ms. Sobin Feria and this couple is blessed with two sons namely Mr. J.S. Joffen Moses, [B.E]and Mr J.S. Jeffner Moses, , and [5] Mr. Arul Jothi and he married Ms. K. M. Manjula and this couple has been blessed with two sons namely Master Jefrin .A. Mayo and Chriswin A. Mayo

Prof. Dr. C. Eugine Franco's wife and children : Prof.. C.Eugine Franco married Ms. Mary Prim Rose from Mathiravilai on 29th June 1987 [a daughter of Mr Savariyar Adimai and Mrs.Pushpabai  Savariyar]. Mr. C. Eugine Franco and Mrs. Mary Prim Rose Franco couple is blessed with two daughters namely Ms.E.Bono Filia, M.E, and Ms.E. Euginia Rosan, M.E. Ms E. Bono Filia Susan is married to Mr. Basto, B.E  and this Bono Basto couple is blessed with a male child by name Bryan . And Ms E. Jennie is married to Mr. Mervin ME, and this couple is blessed with a girl child by name Fiona .

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

Winner of the prestigious Cultural Scholarship from Govt of India, Acclaimed Tabalist, Miruthangam Player, Musician, and Singer Sri. Michael Alexander of Kattakada

Introduction:  Nationally acclaimed Tabalist, Singer and a former winner of the All India Miruthangam Competition conducted by the All India Radio Sri. Michael Alexander is really a born musical prodigy with multifaceted musical talents but  he is an unassuming human soul.. In spite of his great musical talent he has not been given the due recognition by the society, music social cirlces  and the government . Definitely he is an unsung hero and a shining  musical milestone and he has brought an indelible place to his native town Kattakada in the musical map of Kerala and India. A short write up about him is my sincere attempt to bring out his hidden  musical  accomplishment to the attention of the global music lovers and readers


                  
                                              Sri . Michael Alexander

Mr. Michael's Parents and Birth: Tabalist Sri Michael's father Mr. Alexander served as a Catechist in the Thiruvananthapuram synod of IELC  Catechist Mr. Alexander and his wife Ms Appipen Alexander couple gave birth to eleven children including Mr. Michael Alexander . Mr Michael was born on the 1st December 1956 at Kattakada town in Kerala state.

His Musical Education at the famous Swathithirunal Music College, Trivandrum : Mr Michael Alexander was a born musician .  He did his High School education at Katakada Government High School  but did his SSLC at the Kuttichal Paruthipalli Govt High School . After SSLC he did Pre-Degree course at the Christian College at Katakkadai. After his successful school and Pre degree   [1974-1976] education in Katakadai  in tune with his natural flair for Miruthangam and music his parents allowed him to do his 4 year Miruthangam Diploma course at the famous Swathi Thirunal Music College in Trivandrum. After having meritoriously passed his diploma course he continued his musical education and he did his  three year Post-diploma course in the same subject in the same college and passed his Post Diploma Course also with flying colors.  In the musical colleges  Mr. Mavelikara .K. Velukutti Nair, Palakadu C.S. Krishnamurthi, Chennithalai Krishnan Kutti Nair and Mr Prasanna Ravi were Michael's professors.

His wife  and Children : Mr. Michael Alexander married a God fearing and beautiful woman by name Ms. Suprabha  and Ms. Suprabha served as a Music Teacher.  Mr Michael and Mrs Suprabha Michael couple is blessed with two cute and smart daughters  namely Ms Aneeshya  S. Michael and Ms Maneeha S. Michael . The elder daughter Ms. Aneeshya S. Michael.did her MA in English language and literature and for some period of time formerly she worked as  a guest Lecturer at the famous Mar Thoma College for women , Perumbavoor. and Mr Michael's younger daughter Ms Maneesha is currently doing her first year M.A[ History ].
Musical Awards Won By Michael Alexander : Mr. Micheal stood first in the All India Miruthangam Competition conducted by the All India radio and received the Award from the then president of India Hon. Sri. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy in absentia in 1989.  As a corollary he got the Cultural Scholarship from the Government of India for two year higher studies on Miruthangam and Tabala.

He had the honor to play Miruthangam and Tabala for many famous Cinema Playback Singers: Mr. Michael is an extraordinarily talented Miruthangam  player and Tabalist.  As an accomplished Miruthangam player and Tabalist he had the privilege to accompany the following  celebrated cinema Playback singers namely  Sri. KJ. Jesudhas,  Ms.S. Janaki , Sri. M. G. Sivakumar, Ms. K. S. Chitra, Mr,. Unni Krishnan, Mr. P. Jeyachandran,and  Ms. P. Suseela to foreign countries like USA, Australia, Switzerland, Nigeria, Singapore , Canada, gulf countries etc and play Miruthangam and tabala in the concerned musical concerts in foreign countries.  He won the applause and appreciation of music lovers and audiences in those foreign countries as a great Miruthangam player and innovative Tabalist.

Mr. Michael and TV Channels ;Mr. Michael  Alexander was a regular  player of Miruthangam and Tabala in the musical programs conducted in  TV Channels namely Kairala, Asia net,etc,.

Conclusion : In the initial stage of his musical career Mr. Michael was recognized encouraged and helped by Rev. Paul Pollox and Rev. Dr/ Suviseshamuthu [ Vanmalr, IELC, Chennai].  Mr. Michaele is great creative Miruthangam playear, extraordinary Tabalist and talented singer  good human-being, honest, modest and unassuming. The vibrating echoes and sounds of his Miruthangam and tabala beats are still floating and vibrating  in the sky and definitely such musical instrumental sounds will last for eternity. As long as Miruthangam and Tabala are used in our Music concerts Mr. Michael Alexander will also be remembered .  Now  he is  not only  living   with his family at his home at Kattakadai. but also in the mindsof the music lovers . Yes he is a legendary Tabalist  and musician.

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

 

Author & Publisher of the famous You Tube Channel, " Chemistry Learning Simplified" and Former Prof & HOD of Chemistry Dept of Scott Christian College,Nagercoil Prof.C.Chitra Thomas, M.Sc, M. Phil.-Part Final.

Prof. Chitra Thomas' Wife and Children :  Prof. C. Chitra Thomas married his college-mate Ms Betty M.Sc [ Chemistry], and they are blessed with a daughter and a son .Mr.Chitra Thomas and Mrs.Betty Chitra Thomas couple's daughter Ms. Kavithanjali, B.Sc, M.A [S.W ] has married Mr. Vinesh Christopher, B.E . They are  U.S citizens now and they are living in Atlanta Georgia U.S, with their  twin children Michael Christopher and Michelle Christopher. Prof..Chitra Thomas and Mrs.Betty Thomas couples's son Mr Anu Chitrathomas, B.E, is a permanent resident of Australia and he  is living in Melbourne , Australia with his wife Mrs. Elizabeth  Anu Prakash and their son Joshua Chitrathomas.

                                                        

                                                               Pro. C. Chitra Thomas

Prof. C. Chirta Thomas' long teaching career and retirement  : Immediately after having successfully finished his M.Sc , Mr. Chitra Thomas joined as a Demonstrator  of Chemistry , in Scott Christian College , Nagercoil in August 1973. And afterwards there was no turning back.  As years passed by he was promoted as Assistant Professor, Professor  and HOD of the Chemistry Department of the Scott Christian College.  After having served the Chemistry department and Scott Christian College  in an envious and efficacious manner  for 36 years and 10 months he retired  from  active academic service in May 2010.

What the international students and Scholars say about Prof. C.Chitra Thomas:  Of course his You Tube  Video channel has connected him with students , researchers and  universities of   many  countries including India. The overwhelming reception, appreciation and acknowledgement that he has been receiving are so heartening and encouraging and fill and propel  him with new energy and enthusiasm to work more for the cause of Chemistry education.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNLMTODI0QSliLNLxyC2Akg This is the link to his You Tube  Video Channel , Chemistry Learning Simplified . 
Definitely it is only appropriate to cite a few  comments of appreciation that he has received  from the readers of his You Tube Channel. A Canadian Ph.D candidate studying molecular dynamics in ultrashort laser pulses has commented about  Prof C. Chitra Thomas, and his You Tube Video Channel in the following words, " This amazing set of lectures was obviously crafted by someone with a deep and profound mastery of abstract algebra, something most physical chemists unfortunately lack. I liked and subscribed ".  One Mr Umesh Acharya has commented on Prof. Chitra  Thomas like this, " Well put material . You did an awesome job. Inorganic chemistry is gonna be a piece of cake for most of those who watch your videos. Thanks a lot ". Mr. David Michael a graduate student at Indiana University, US, has commented in the following words, "  Hi Sir, ....Your work is significant and highly valued. It is hard to overstate the importance of people like you for the future of education".  Mr Jose Miguel Zabala Aragon from Spain who has a doctorate in chemical engineering has conveyed his appreciation to Prof. Chitra Thomas in the following words, " Thank you Mr. Chitra Thomas for your work. I am trying hard to learn Group Theory . Your method step by step, has covered many doubts I had in this new fields. One can follow several courses from MIT, Standford etc,.........or class videos , but your approach power point , is much more easy to understand ". Like these encouraging comments , everyday he has been receiving inspiring and galvanizing comments from students and scholars from across the world.

Conclusion: Prof. C. Chitra Thomas' contribution to chemistry education deserves still greater recognition. I will not be surprised if a foreign university invite him  surprisingly and confer a doctorate on him in recognition of the excellent educational service being rendered by him to the global students through his blockbuster  You Tube  Channel Chemistry Learning Simplified .  Definitely it is not at all possible to cover Prof. C. Chitra Thomas within the  limited space of this Article . Prof. C Chitra Thomas is a great Chemist,,Chemistry teacher, innovative thinker,and  he is very sharp, bold, creative and intelligent modest and unassuming.  I am really impressed by Prof. C. Chitra Thomas' profile and accomplishments 
By P. Babu Manoharan ,M.A,.[ All rights are reserved. This Article will be modified, enlarged or corrected later if needed }. 

Author and Publisher of the Famous You Tube Channel ,"Chemistry Learning Simplified" and Former Professor and HOD of Chemistry Dept of Scott Christian College, Nagercoil Prof.C.Chitra Thomas, M.Sc,M.Phil,. Part--A.

Introduction:   Former Professor and HOD of Chemistry Department of Scott Christian College , Nagercoil Prof. C. Chitra Thomas is an outstanding Chemistry Teacher and he is an expert to teach even the most complicated and abstract concepts  in the field of Chemistry, like Group Theory and Chemistry and Quantum Chemistry. He was a Member of the Elite Group of Experts of an American Online Tutoring Service answering questions from  American students. He is the author and publisher of the world famous You Tube Channel, CHEMISTRY LEARNING SIMPLIFIED, which helps the students to understand and learn Chemistry with ease . His educational service through his You Tube channel is  simply marvelous and deserves our spontaneous appreciation , and he has become an acclaimed and innovative global chemistry teacher and expert to teach abstract concepts in chemistry with ease.  He hails from one of the illustrious Christian families of Kanyakumari district. Definitely he is a valuable and shining intellectual milestone in the educational and intellectual history of Kanyakumari dist, Tamil Nadu. and India . I am sure his profile will be really an inspiration to the readers, researchers and students.

                                        
                                            Prof. C. Chitra Thomas,

Prof. C. Chitra Thomas and his acclaimed You Tube Channel ," Chemistry Learning Simplified : The famous  You Tube Channel, "Chemistry Learning Simplified" is the brain child of  Prof. Chitra Thomas. During his long teaching career in Scott Christian College , he found out the need and importance of teaching the abstract concepts like Chemistry and quantum Chemistry  and group Theory and Chemistry in a simplified and comprehensive manner and accordingly he made a through study in these fields  and  after his retirement he created his You Tube Channel "Chemistry Learning Simplified"  in December 2014.and started writing lessons in a comprehensive and simplified manner  in his  You Tube Channel to help students to learn abstract concepts with ease .And  he has has succeeded  in his mission and endeavor  beyond all normal expectations.

So far Prof. C.Chitra Thomas has written and published 218 You Tube Videos.in his You Tube channel .And his You Tube channel , "Chemistry Learning Simplified", has  been experiencing and witnessing regular views  from 50  federal states in US,  and from more than 450 universities from all over the world including IVY League Schools, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,  Harvard  University, Oxford University, Cambridge University , Indian Institutes of Science, all Indian Institute of Technology and so on. . We can proudly say his You Tube channel has regular views from more than 150 countries.This famous You Tube channel Chemistry Learning Simplified  has got and crossed 188664 views from across the globe from students, readers  researchers and university professors and it has 4436 subscribers.

Now before proceeding further I would like to give some basic biographical and educational  information
about Prof. Chitra Thomas.

His Parents and Birth:    Shri. Chitra Thomas' father Mr. D. Caleb, B.A, served in the Police Department, kerala State and retired as an Inspector of Police and his mother Mrs D.P. Bhaghyavathy was an affable and efficient Home Maker. Prof. Chitra Thomas was born in a historical village called Karkaud near Suchindrum, in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, on 3rd October 1951 in an illustrious family.

His Acedemic Qualifications:. Since his Primary School days Prof. Chitra Thomas had been a brilliant student . He did his high school education at the famous S.M.S.M High School at Suchindrum .  He did his B.Sc [ Chemistry] in the famous Scott Christian College,Nagercoil [1969-1971] and his M.Sc [ Chemistry] at the prestigious Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Chennai [ 1971-1973] and passed these  UG and PG degree examinations with flying colors. He meritoriously did his M.Phil in the famous Madurai Kamaraj University.

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].

The Historical Mead street at Nagercoil and Some Important Former Residents of Mead Street and its Glorious Forgotten History.------ Part Final.

Rev Mead brought  Some Pioneer Christian Families to settle at Nagercoil  from Mylaudy:  
The great Church historian Mr.C.M Agur writes  that  the first settlers at the newly formed Christian village at Nagercoil  near Rev Mead's bungalow,[ Inside the present W.CC.Campus, Nagercoil ] were Mr. Mead's servants and a few mission agents and boys from Mylaudy [ CM. Agur, Church History of Travancore, Madras, 1903, p. 681]. Rev.Charles Mead stayed at Mylaudy before moving to Nagercoil  and during that period of time we can infer that Mr. Mead's domestic servants were selected from the pioneer christian families of  Mylaudy Maharasan Vethamonickam , and those domestic servants might have formerly served as domestic servants and helpers  to Mr. Ringletaube. We know Ringeltaube stayed at Mylaudy from 1806 till he left Mylaudy, India in 1816 .After having moved to the bungalow presented to him by the then British Resident Col. Munro inside the present WCC campus, Rev Charles Mead wanted to establish a new ideal  casteless christian  village at Nagercoil near  his residence.. Mr Mead helped his servants and other willing poor people from Mylaudy with financial assistance to build their houses in line with his social vision in the sites allotted to them in and around Mead Street. Mr Mead settled his Servants  in the new neat small houses built in and around the Mead street. .Mead street was formed  not at a particular date but it was formed and developed during the course of some years.  I do not get any clear clue to name the servants of Mr. Mead. who settled in around Mead street. We can say  some relatives of Mylaudy Maharasan Vethamanicakm  were the privileged pioneers to settle down in the new Christian village at Nagercoil initiated and founded by Rev. Mead.                               

Mission Agents from Mylaudy who settled in and around Mead Street, Nagercoil :
The following persons  from Mylaudy who worked as Catechists at the Nagercoil Church  , and Teachers at the Nagercoil Seminary and Composers at the Printing Press at Nagercoil  and Native Assistants to Rev. Mead and Rev. Mault namely Mr. Devavaram Biddulp[ Poet,Catechist,Nagercoil church and Teacher at the Nagercoil Seminary, Native Assistant to Rev.Charles Mead and  Mylaudy Maharasan Vethamonikam's brother's son], Mr. Christian David of Mylaudy [Teacher , Nagercoil Seminary], Mr Masillmani of Mylaudy [ Catechist, Nagercoil Church- ], Mr. Moses of Mylaudy[Catechist , Nagercoil Church and Assistant to Rev. Charles Mault and a son of Maharasan Vethamonickam], Mr.Arumainaygam writer of Mylaudy [Teacher, Nagercoil Seminary],  Mylaudy Samathanam mastry[Nagercoil LMS Mission Printing Press], were initially  brought from Mylaudy and settled in the new Christian village in and around Mead Street with their families. And also Mr Packinathan [ kanakkan or Accountant and son-in-law of Maharsan Vethamoncakm and Head Gomestha or the chief ministerial officer of the Nagercoil Court when Mr Charles Mead worked as the District Judge , Nagercoil ] and some other people  from Mylaudy or connected with Mylaudy also lived in and around Mead Street.

                              
                      Daniel Paramanandam Deacon's grandchildren and great grandchildren
 [ Dr.Schafter, [ in his military uniform] Mr.,Lamuel Peter, Mr.Chinnathmbi Peter, Mr.Nallathambi Peter and others including,Ms. Mathiabaranam, Mrs. Daya Manuel,  Mrs Josephine Retnammal ]

Some Important Descendants of the original Residents of Mead Street Nagercoil :  As C.M.Agur had written the Christians brought from Tanjore and people brought from Mylaudy mixed freely without caste discrimination, at the initiative taken by Rev. Charles Mead and his beloved wife Mrs Coelestina Horst Mead. After Vethmonikam's family lost its hold in the Mission, things started to change. As time passed the original dwellers of Mead street and the nearby area moved to other places and countries such as Trivandrum, Madras, Bangalore, Rangoon, Singapore, Malaysia , Ceylon and so on due to many social, economic, and personal reasons.  The last batch of the descendants of the original inhabitants of Mead street  were[1] Dr. Schafter and family[ Music Composer and Singer  Dr. Anand Chellappa'a maternal Grandfather],[2] Mrs.Mathiabarnam  [a daughter of Mr. Jonadab and Deivayi and mother in-law of former Methodist Bishop of Malaysia and Singapore Dr. Theodre R. Doraisamy. Mr Jonadab and Dr. Schafter were brothers  ],[3]Mrs. Josphine Retnammal Thomas [ a daughter of Mr. Jonadab, and sister of Mrs Mathiabaranam ,[4] Mr. Dharmaj[ generally called as Kutty mama, who settled in Rangoon], [5] Mr. Hawlockk, B.E [ a son of Mr . Jonadab,  and Mr Hawlockk was a qualified engineer and he worked as an engineer at the Rare Earth Company at Manavalakurichi].  Unfortunately  at present no descendants of these families live in Mead Street, Nagercoil.  Both the buildings and people are new. Only Mrs. Saro Asir, the daughter of Mrs. Josephine Retnammal Thomas lives near at Arul Nagar and at present  Ms Saro Asir and myself are attending the Calvary Lutheran Church Nagercoil .

Conclusion : Today Mead street looks so different with many new shops, bank buildings and new houses. It is pertinent to remember a historical fact that the  famous Tamil Christian Poet John Palmer who lived in Mead Street Nagercoil, resigned his Mission job supporting the cause of Rev. Charles Mead's resignation from the LMS in connection with Mr.Mead's  revolutionary marriage with Ms Luis Devaram Biddulph and moved to Trivandrum with his family . Some of John Palmer's descendants  moved to Malaysia after the death of John Palmer in Trivandrum during the last quarter of 19th century in search better job opportunities and settled in Malaysia. The descendants of John Palmer are doing very well in Malaysia and Singapore. It will be heartening to mention here that a direct descendant of Poet John Palmer Mrs Datin Alice Rajamanohari {Palmer] Samuel is the wife of the Assistant Anglican Bishop West Malaysia Dato Rt. Rev. Charles Samuel. 
                                
L to R: [1]Bishop Dato.Charles Samuel,[2] his wife Datin Alice Rajamanohari [Palmer] Samuel and {3] their daughter Ms. Miriam Samuel.

Whenevr I pass through Mead street tears of joy and sorrow brim my inner eyes. Definitely Mead street had played an indelible and historical role and the descendants of the original residents of Mead street, Nagercoil were/are shining as high profile Government officials, Educationists,  Bishops, Singers, Lawyers, Doctor, Music Composers, Pianists, Engineers and in short in all walks of life   in the diaspora , throughout the world.
By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A,.[Rights are reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified and corrected later if needed].  

The Historical Mead Street at Nagercoil and Its Glorious Forgotten history. Part A.

Introduction; The Mead Street that lies north east of CSI Home Church and south of Nagercoil Municpal Office is  truly one of the most important streets in Nagercoil , and it has played a very core and crucial role in the social, educational, religious and economic history of Kanyakumari District , Tamil Nadu. and India.  .
    
                                                  
                               Rev. Charles Mead [ Founder of Mead Street,Nagercoil].]

The formation of Protestant  Christian[ LMS] settlement in Nagercoil:  The construction of the LMS Home Church  [Present CSI Home Church] at Nagercoil  and the Christian settlement near and around the Church started simultaneously due to the visionary initiative taken by Rev Chrles Mead of London Missionary Society.  Immediately after having transferred the Mylaudy Mission Head Quarters from Mylaudy to Nagercoil in April 1818,  Rev Mead purchased  eight pieces of  ground adjoining his house [situated inside the present day Women's Christian College compound] at Nagercoil  to construct buildings for the Central Church, Boarding Schools, Printing Press, Orphanages, and other necessary establishments.for the Mission . Mr Mead also purchased 2 acres of land at Nagercoil near the Church [Present CSI Home Church at Nagercoil.] for settling some Christian families which he longed and planned to bring from Mylaudy and Tanjore.

The first settlers in the Christian village near the CSI Home Church [LMS] Nagercoil:  Mr Mead not only brought the  willing Christian families   to nagercoil from Tanjore and Mylaudy[ The relatives of Maharasan Vethamonickam's family members and realives]  but also he gave financial help towards the erection of  their small houses near and at the present Mead Street at Nagercoil .Poor widows  and other  such poor people were housed fully at the Mission cost.. Thus the nucleus of a small Christian village was formed The first settlers at this newly formed small Christian village were Rev. Charles Mead's servants and a few LMS Misssion agents and boys from Mylaudy

Pioneer Settlers in and around Mead Street, Nagercoil : Mr.  Charles Mead's wife Mrs  Joanna Coelestina Horst Mead brought some native Christian families from Tanjore to settle at Nagercoil in1819. Rev..J.C. Kohlhoof , a brother-in-law of Mrs Joanna Mead induced many native Christian families of Tanjore to settle in  South Travancore under the direct care and protection of Mrs Joanna Horst Mead. .When Rev Mead established the Printing Press and boarding school, he was in need of experienced teachers and  experienced workers and as Mrs Mead was connected with the Old Danish Missionary families of Tranquebar and Tanjore Mr Mead was enabled and facilitated to bring experienced workmen and teachers  to South Travancore , from Tanjore and Tranquebar regions without much difficulty.

The famous Christian Tamil poet of Tanjore Vedanaygam Sastri's cousin Arulai accompanied Mrs Joanna Mead  with her husband and Arulai's husband Mr Arulanandam was appointed as catechist of Nagercoil. This couple was given a house near what is at present called Mead Street..Mrs. Arulai Arulandam's younger brother Christian who was one of the pioneer teachers at the newly established  Seminary at Nagercoil was given a house near his sister  Arulai's house.  Because of the  inducement offered by Mr. Mead there was a regular inflow of Christians from Tanjore and Tranquebar area and chief among them were Mr.Arulanandam Pillay and  Mr.Christian Pillay from Tanjore , Rayen Pillay and David Pillay from Tranquebar and some others from other places also moved to Nagercoil such as  Mr. Nallathambi Pillay from Palayamcottai, Mr.Gnanayutham Mudali from Vadakkankulam and Savarimuthu Pillay from Kattarapuram.  The inflow of Christian emigrants from Tanjore to  the newly formed Christian village at Nagercoil continued for sometime . Revd Rhenius had also given his  testimony about the emigration  that took place from Tanjore  to Nagercoil in his diary[ CM.Agur, CHT, Madra,1903, p.682].

The people called the new street in the new Christian village at Nagercoil as Mead Street: The newly formed street at the northeast of the  central LMS Church[ CSI Home Church Nagercoil] on the two acres of land bought by Rev. Charles Mead was called  "Mead street" by the people   Charles Mead formed this new Christian Village in tune with his egalitarian ideals and according to him Christians should not be discriminated on the basis of Indian caste system . it will be really pertinent to remember CM Agur's lines, "Under the fostering care of the Missionaries and through the help of the early Christian settlers from Tanjore who freely mixed with the Travancore Christians, the Nagercoil Mission Station grew to be an exclusively Christian village the very atmosphere  was Christian. We should not, however , omit,  to note this distinction, viz.,whereas in the Tanjore Mission the demon of caste played a prominent and undesirable part, in the Nagercoil and Travnacore Mission generally it was excluded by Mr. Mead and the early missionaries. Travancore Church was a model church  in this respect ".[CM. Agur, CHT,Madras ,1903,  pp.682-683].. We can  say due to the mixing of Tanjore and Mylaudy Christians  who  were settled in and around the Mead street  a new breed of Christians came into existence and this new breed of Christians played a deciding and crucial core role in the educational,social and religious history of Travancore, Tamil Nadu and Southeast Asia countries like Singapore and Malaysia.
                                            -------------------------------
Part B.will follow soon [ Part B will deal with the Mylaudy Christians and their families who lived in Mead Street].
By P. Babu Manoharan, M.A,.[ All rights are reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified and corrected later if needed].

Connoisseur, Founder of Thirukural Research Centre and Kumari Kalai Kazhaham, Writer , Thinker, Humanitarian Thirukural Dr. Kesava Subbiah . Part Final.

Dr. Kesava Subbiah founded the Kumari KalaiKazhaham in 1983:  Thiru Kesava Subbiah was not only a Tamil Scholar but also a great visionary and connoisseur . He was a great artist , lover of all fine arts like music, drawing, dance, painting, etc,. And as a creative visionary he wanted to inspire, encourage  and bring out the artistic and other related skills and talents of students and so he founded the famous Kumari Kalai Kazhaham in 1983. with the support of some like minded friends and well wishers.   Since its inception and inauguration Kumari kalai Kazhakam  has been conducting competitions annually every year for the students ranging from LKG to University.  Annually the Kumari Kalai kazhakam conducts Elocution competition, Singing competition, Drawing competition, Essay writing competition, Short Story Writing competition and Poem writing competition, Fancy dress competition, Quiz competition, Dance competition, Thirukural recital competition etc. for the participating students and recognize their talents by giving Prizes and Certificates to the winners. Dr. Subbiah's death was/is a great loss to Kumari Kalai Kazhaham and to the people of Kumari district. In his absence the  annual Competition and administration of the Kumari Kalai Kazham is carried out by PDG.MPHF. Dr V. Shanmugam [President], Mrs. Rajam Muray [ Director and Treasurer] and Mrs Velammal Arumugam[ general Secretary]  and some other office bearers with great commitment, interest and efficiency. 

                           

                                          Dr. Kesava Subbiah [ Front row middle]

Awards and recognition received by Dr. Kesava Subbiah : The world recognized the valuable  and indelible services rendered by Dr. Kesava Subbiah  for the cause of Thirukural and fine Arts  and society , and he deservingly received many medals, awards, honorary degree and citations from  eminent individuals and institutions from India and abroad. The following are some of the important recognition and titles that he received :[1]  Star of Asia  award from International Open University , [2] Doctor of Hon SW  from International Open University, Malaysia  [3] Visvakarma Retna  award from Minister Shri. Sarguna Pandian,[4] Viswakarma Mootha Marabu Kani award from Architect Selvaraj, [5]  Thirumanthira Aaivu Chemmal award from Dr.S.Chokkalingam, [6] Thirukural Chemmal award from Dina Mani Editor Shri. K. Vaithiya Nathan,[7] Samuthaya Chirpi  award from Minister Vezha Vanthan, [8] Ashta Avathani award from Rev. Dr.N.P.Immanuel, [9] Adhithanar Memorial Prize from the president of Chennai Bharathiyar Sangam Shri..Gandhi, [10]  Bharathi Puhazh Parappunar award from Malaysia minister Datto Saravanan,[11] kalai Kavalar  award from World Tamil Kalai Ilakkiya Mambattu Paravai , [12]  Raja Kalainjan award from Thrichy kalai Pannpaattu  Paravai and many other awards.

Books written by him: Dr. kesava Subbiah had written many outstanding books ; [1] Then Paandi Thantha Thiruvalluvar, [2]Mayan in Tamil literature, [3]Bharathiyin Pannokku Paarvai [Poetry],[4] Thiru Manthirathil Oru Manthiram , [5] Dr. Vaasthu Vinjani Sthapathy Ganapathy Valkai Varalaru, [6]Ainthirama Ainthirrama ? Ore Aaivu., [7] Vunarvum Ninaivum [ Poetry]. 

Conclusion:  Dr. kesava Subbiah  also payed a vital role for the total development of his Visvakarma community. he served as the  general Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Viswakarma Seva sangam . He also served as the president of  Bharathiyar Sangam  and Thirumanthira Aaivu kazhaham of KK Dist, Dr K. Subbiah also served as the Director of Viswa karma Educational Trust, KK dist,  He enrolled and continued as the life member of the Kanyakumari District Tamil Writers Welfare Association. He also served as the President of the Brama Gnana Sabai, Kanyakuamri district. with great distinction.  He proved himself as an efficacious journalist by seving as the Editor and publisher of  V.K. Seithi Malar . Out of his spontaneous love of Tamil he also founded Thol kappiar Paravai and served as its president in an enviable manner. He loved Tamil  language and Tamil people . He was a great humanitarian and championed the the cause of equality, human dignity and fraternity among all human beings. He had conducted many inportant Thirukural conferences and Tamil Research conferences and had presided and presented many valuble research papers in thse conferences. This Article will not not have enough space to record all his literary, intellectual and soical contributions. So long as Thirukural will be remembered Thirukural Dr kesava Subbiah will also remembered. He was really a remarkable Tamilan.
By. P. Babu Manoharan , M.A.[ All rights are reserved. This Article will be modified, enlarged and corrected later if needed ].