A bicentenarian college is richer with a golden feather
text, images by Kurian Pampadi
CMS College, Kottayam, Kerala, seven years to its bicentenary, added a golden feather to its heritage cap the other day in the form of post card dated October 16 1938.
It was sent to Philip Lea, the last of a long array of Englishmen who served as its principals, by none other than Mahatma Gandhi. Philip Lea’s 70-year old son, Dr. John P. Lea travelled all the way from Sydney to hand over the rare treasure to CMS College.
After handing over the card to the college manager and bishop of the CSI Central Kerala Diocese Thomas Samuel at a somber function at the Great Hall, Dr. Lea said that the card held close to his heart by his father has travelled to Australia, South Africa, India and back to Australia wherever he worked. A DSc in architecture, he is now professor in the University of Sydney.
Gandhiji’s letter was in reply to a letter written by Rev Philip Lea to bring his attention to the lawlessness of his students while they agitating against the British rule. Gandhiji, the apostle of peace and non-violence, was shocked by Lea’s letter. Gandhiji wrote in the card: “I am issuing a statement as suggested by you. It is sad to think that the students should have resorted to rowdyism. I wish I had the influence you credit me with. Do send me your report of the happenings in Travancore, Yours Sincerely M.K.Gandhi.”
Dr. Lea who also delivered the Benjamin Bailey Memorial Lecture on ‘Our Urban Future: Reflections on Planning , Development and sustainability’ had a pleasant surprise in meeting a few of his father’s colleagues and students now well past their nineties.
One of the colleagues was P.P. Mathew of Puthenangady who retired as Dy Chief Chemist, Customs, Govt of India. Along with him was wife Sarojam who was Lea’s student. “He was a maths specialist from Oxford and taught me calculus”, she told this correspondent. She could not continue her studies after her days in the CMS as she was married off at the age of 18.
Another of Philip Lea’s students was also there—P.I. Abraham Palampadam. In fact the principal had complained to Gandhiji because of firebrands like him. As a consequence of the students’ agitation, Abraham had to discontinue studies in the CMS and join St Xavier’s College Palayamkottai. “Rev. Lea was friendly to us. He was a forward-looking person who opened the portals of the exclusively men’s college to girls. But there were court cases, etc against us on account of the anti-British stance and we had to go away,” said a beaming Abraham who is just past 90.
Among Rev Philip Lea’s students was K.R. Narayanan, who rose to become the President of India recollected Bishop Thomas Samuel in his welcome address. Lea had taken special care for a brilliant student like Narayanan and extended fee concession to him.
Dr. Susan Varghese, Convener of the Benjamin Bailey Memorial Lectures, instituted in 1983, introduced Bailey to the audience. Rev.Bailey who landed in Kottyam in 1816 was the father of printing in Travancore. The Kottayam trio consisting Bailey, Henry Baker and Joseph Fenn did pioneering work in enlightening the native population through education and emancipation, she said.
Principal MM Korah, former principal Rev MC John and Dr. George Jacob also spoke. The principal presented a memento to Dr. Lea while prof Varghese Eapen presented another to Mrs Deirdre Lee and prof Dr. Y. Mathew to their daughter Dr. Mary Ann Lea.
The 29th edition of Bailey Lectures, compered by Dr. Mini Chacko, was well attended and well orchestrated. The college choir made a beautiful presentation and Dr. Rema Devi sang the bhajan ‘Vaishnava Janato’ while the post card was being presented.
Credit for organizing the whole event with elan goes to Dr. Susan Varghese, head of the college department of English, also convener of the Frances Wright Collins Lectures. She is busy with its next edition falling in November. The lectures in memory of Frances Collins, wife of former principal Rev. Richard Collins, a writer by her own right, was launched in 2007. Writer-social thinker Susie Tharu gave the first lecture, Nirmala Aravind the second and Dr. M.D. Radhika the third.
