Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College, Colombo - 30th anniversary:

Proud and glorious history

Chelvatamby MANICCAVASAGAR

The 30th anniversary of Colombo Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College, Bambalapitiya will be celebrated today from 3.30 pm presided over by Principal Kothai Nagularajah at Ramakrishna Mission Hall, Wellawatte, Colombo 6.

Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College, Colombo

Principal Kothai Nagularajah

International Monetary Co-operation Senior Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama will be the chief guest while D M Swaminathan, Member of Parliament and former Governor of the Western Province and Professor Mouna Guru will be the special guests.

To mark this occasion the college headed by the Principal, staff, students and the School Development Society held its ‘30th Anniversary Walk - 2012’ and two day exhibition recently. Senior Superintendent of Police and Director Traffic Police (Administration and Road Safety) K Arasaratnam was the chief guest for the ‘30th Anniversary Walk-2012’ and P N Ilapperuma, Director of Education, Western Province, Education Department was the chief guest for this educational exhibition.

Vice-Principal Pari Manoharan, who is also in-charge of co-curriculum activities organized this event wich was successful since students and staff participated in large numbers.

The Colombo Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College which was established on January 19, 1981 has served the Hindu Community splendidly offering the wholesome education which ‘PLATO’ defined as the first and the fairest thing that the best of men and women can ever have.

Hindu culture

Several years ago eminent lawyers, great educationists and philanthropists of Colombo felt the need for a powerful educational institution which can impact an education integrating the essence of Hinduism, Hindu Culture and the nobility of the Tamil heritage. Year 1979 was significant in the life of the Hindu girls of Colombo, because it was in this year, a concerted effort was taken to establish a suitable and worthy educational institution in Colombo for Hindu girls.

When late President J R Jayewardene was the chief guest at the ceremonial opening of the ‘Presidential Block’ on January 17, 1979 at Hindu College, Colombo, a request was made by the then Principal of Hindu College J Sangaralingam emphasizing the importance of setting up a Hindu Ladies Institution in Colombo. President Jayewardene agreed to this request and thereafter an appeal was made to Dr Palaniappa Chettiar, Chief Trustee of New Kathiresan Temple for the required land. The President helped the authorities to acquire the temple land which was officially handed over on January 31, 1979 where the present building is housed.

Then Education Minister Dr Nissanka Wijeyaratne played a key role in the establishment of this College. The school which was established on January 19, 1981 with two classes, the lower kindergarten and Grade VI, had only 26 students and two teachers. G Puvanarajan was appointed as Principal on February 1, 1981 and the late M Arunagirinathan as the first teacher. Even classes were conducted at Hindu College, Bambalapitiya until the present office building construction was completed.

Able administrator

The formal inauguration ceremony of the school at its own premises was held on June 25, 1982 and President J R Jayewardene, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Anura Bastian and the then Director of Education K S Palihakkara were present. Though, this school was opened in 1982, it was closed owing to unforeseen circumstances and it was used as a refugee camp. During this period, classes were conducted at St Mary's School, Bambalapitiya. The school which commenced in 1981 underwent tremendous hardships and the progress of the school was slow. G. Puvanarajan was the Principal of this college from 1981-1983 and 1987-1988, K Suntharalingam was the Principal from 1984-1987.

Year 1988 marked a turning point in the history of Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College when Sivagurunathan was appointed Principal. She propelled this school towards the destination of incomparable stature with selfless sacrifice, rare insight and loving care. She was not only a great educationist from an illustrious family, but an able administrator par excellence with high degree of discipline.

She was awarded a Gold Medal by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Education in 1996. With her dynamic organizing skill, she improved this college not only in the sphere of education, but also in the sphere of social, religious and cultural activities. The students were encouraged to participate and gain knowledge in various fields for personality development. This college has devoted, dedicated and committed teachers who are well equipped and experienced. S M Kailainathan succeeded Sivagurunathan in 2003 and was Principal till 2006. During her period she took steps to improve this college in several ways. She was responsible for putting up a few buildings for this college.

Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College, Colombo staff

At the end of the Silver Jubilee era, Kothai Nagularajah assumed duties as Principal from January 3, 2007. She continues to serve for the betterment and uplift of this college. She courageously took the responsibility and identified each situation which were unfavourable to the school and solved them successfully. She is a woman with vision, mission and foresight. Due to the untiring efforts of Kothai Nagularajah and teamwork of the teachers, students were selected for Medicine, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Management and Fine Arts in many universities.

Teaching skills

A computer laboratory was established with the help of former Education Minister Susil Premjayantha. An English resource room was assigned in consideration of the importance of English Language development skill. The Silver Jubilee Memorial, four storeyed building which was started by the former principal was completed with the help of the Education Ministry. Teachers were given counselling and skills development seminars to improve their teaching skills and guide students properly.

The office which is vital to a school was renovated and rooms were allocated to Deputy Principal and Vice-Principal to do their duties well. In recognition, an appreciation of the Principal Kothai Nagularajah's dedication and commitment combined with her dynamism in piloting the affairs of the college to the greatest satisfaction of the parents and students, the Education Ministry appointed her as permanent Principal of this college on February 2, 2010.

Lamp of brightness

Kothai Nagularajah participated in a conference held in Thailand to promote peace and harmony among communities and denominations in 2008. To give an opportunity for students to participate in international competition, they were taken to Lucknow, India where they won prizes in international level in ‘GEOFIRST OLYMPIAD’ in 2009.

Kothai Nagularajah went to Sweden on a scholarship to participate on ‘Child Rights and School Management’ in 2010. Kothai Nagularajah's greatness is unique. There is a ring of authenticity and nobility of courage in whatever she does.

The commemoration of the college's 30th anniversary of the founding of this college, fills us with righteous pride and pleasure. This in fact, a timely, well deserved and beautiful gesture on the part of the principal, teachers, students and members of the school development society.

It is often said that “a man may build a ship, but a woman handles the captain, in whose hands the ship is but a slave.” The flame of wisdom and brilliance imparted to students by Ramanathan Hindu College will permeated one's very being and make one shine to dispel the gloom of poverty and ignorance.

Anniversary celebrations

You are the light of the world and you have been lighted to be a lamp of brightness. Laughter, good cheer and goodwill. This light will kindle your heart, the sense of right and wrong. Do not be like unfurnished and unpolished lamps hung in cluster in the corners of a room. Let your light shine far and wide scattering the soft, but brilliant beam, bringing into your home the beauty and splendour of light. So that I may say with Rabindranath Tagore, “My house is all dark and lonesome, lend me your light”.

The 30th anniversary celebrations of Colombo Ramanathan Hindu Ladies College exhorts us to remember with gratitude, the dedication and sacrifice of the scholarly founder as well as the commitment of her past and especially, present Principal Kothai Nagularajah, Deputy Principal, Vice Principal and teachers who have elevated this college to a prestigious position in the island and given her fame, name, glory and global dimension.