Hindu College, Colombo - Temple of learning - Part III:

Services and sacrifices made by founder fathers

Kandiah Neelakandan

Continued from February 16

Vadamaradchy Operations (Military Action) in the Northern Jaffna in 1987 resulted in a number of families moving from Jaffna to Colombo. Hindu Citizens’ Committee under the leadership of Justice V. Manickavasagar was formed in Colombo.

Hindu College became the centre of activities of the Hindu Citizens’ Committee and helped displaced students from Jaffna. Thus the College continued to play a leading not merely as a school but a leading institution for the community. Thus it went beyond the dreams of the dreamers.

National school

Rajalingam was transferred to the Examination Department on August 31, 1990. V. Sundaramoorthy who was then the Vice-Principal acted as the Principal from October 21, 1990. Thereafter, S. Sri Rajasingham served as the principal for a short period from October 22,1990 to June 30,1991.

Since 1988, the HES, (the Founder Society), the All Ceylon Hindu Congress, the SDS and the Federation of School Development Societies in Tamil schools in W. P. and also M. S. Sellasamy who represented Colombo electorate in the Parliament requested the Government to declare Hindu College as a National School.

Fortieth anniversary for our family

However, it was R.M. Pulendran who ultimately had the school declared as a National School with effect from September 11, 1991.

I wish to place on record that R. M. Pulendran was taking a keen interest in the welfare of the school ever since she assumed office a speaking on behalf of the SDS I had the pleasure of commending her in the presence of her leader, the President, that although she was not blessed with a son she was the Mother for all the boys at Hindu College.

On February 12, 1991 the fortieth anniversary was celebrated starting with special Poojas at Shri Viththaga Vinayagar Kovil in the school.

Fourty well-wishers of the school lit the traditional oil lamp and the well wishers were hosted to a dinner also at Saraswathie Hall.

I had the privilege of addressing the Fortieth Anniversary Prize Giving at which President R. Premadasa was the chief guest. Having traced the history of the school and the sacrifices made by many to develop the school I told the President “It is indeed a great satisfaction for us - the Family of Hindu College - that this school has achieved the objectives for which the founder fathers established this school. Your Excellency, I said - ‘the Family of Hindu College’. Yes, as part of that family I take pride in telling Your Excellency and other distinguished guests that it is that spirit in which we live and develop this school.”

I quoted what Lord Krishna said in Bagavat Gita: “Knowledge, object of Knowledge and the knower are the three factors that motivate action: The senses the worker and the doer are the three constituents of action”.

I thereafter appealed to the President for another block of three-storeyed building. The chief guest readily responded and said that State Education Minister who was earlier described by me, as the Mother for the children of this school would do the needful. Next day the President made the order and that is how we have a President’s Block now. Subsequently with the commencement of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, Minister A. H. M. Fowzie also responded in the same manner with another block of three-storeyed buildings.

Benefactors

We had many benefactors who came to our rescue whenever we were in need of financial and other material support.

To mention a few among them, the Trustees of Shri Manicka Vinayagar Kovil who leased the front portion of the school land to the Founder Society, Shri Palaniappa Chettiar and his Co-trustees of the old Shri Kathiresan Kovil who gave the land (for the back side of the school) the late K. Gunaratnam, the late A. Subramaniam, the late T. Neethirajah, V. Balasubramaniam of N. A. Vaithialingam & Co., V. Balasubramaniam of Coba Mills and M. Thavayogarajah.

Cultural activities

Giving life to the dreams of the Dreamers students of the college have been given ample opportunities in their religious and cultural activities.

Establishment of the Kovil in 1988 went a long way to influence the religious way of life of the students.

Various cultural societies and teachers have been helpful in assisting students in various cultural activities which have taken them to the height of even winning National awards.

This is a unique advantage the children at this College had when compared with those who have to study in the other schools.

Present principal

The present Principal took over the reins of Hindu College on July 22, 1996.

I will be failing in my duty if I do not expressly acknowledge the dynamic leadership given by the present Principal, T. Muthukumaraswamy. He has an excellent style of management of delegating responsibilities to his staff and coordinating and supervising the same.

Hindu College has earned a good name and reputation largely due to his management skills. Furthermore, his honesty and integrity deserves to be specially mentioned. Those qualities have enabled him to prove to be really an efficient principal. Hindu College is fortunate to have him to lead it.

Let us remember with gratitude the great services and sacrifices made by the founder fathers and our predecessors who have held various offices in the staff, the PTA, the SDS, the SDB, and the OBA and pay homage to all those who are no more with us in the Golden Jubilee year but whose spirit will always bless the College.

I wish to conclude with quoting the Mission of the Hindu College formulated under the leadership of the present Principal:-

The mission of the school is to guide the students in the light of National Educational policies, preserving Tamil as well as Saiva traditions and values, to make them competent, creative, knowledgeable and disciplined citizens in order to face future challenges.

Concluded

The writer is Secretary, Hindu Educational Society