| |
|
VARKEY
SIR, had very close association with M.A. College from
its inception. We quote the relevant portion of the
article “A Short History of the Mar Athanasius
College association” written by Mr. M.M. Varghese,
M.A. the then Secretary, MACA, published in the Silver
Jubilee Souvenir, 1981, which is self explanatory. |
| |
“The idea of
starting of an Arts and Science College under the
auspices of the Jacobite Syrian Christian church was
in the minds of most of the responsible members of
the Church for a long time. How ever, it was Sri.
P.R. Parameswaran Paniker, Pro-Vice Chancellor of
the Kerala University, who made a concrete suggestion
in this regard during a discussion in early January
1950 with Sri. M. VARKEY who was a member of the Legislative
Assembly at that time.
|
|
|
| |
Since
the matter required serious consideration Sri. VARKEY came
over to Kothamangalam and discussed the matter with M/s V.P.
Cherian, P.J. Varkey, Rev. Fr. Issac V. Malil, N.M. Chacko,
A.K. Poulose and Kottalil P. Abraham and they met His Grace
Poulose Mar Athanasius, the then Malankara Metropolitan, at
Thrikkunnath Seminary, Alwaye. |
| |
Mr.
M. Varkey & Very Rev. Fr. Prof. George Kottalil
in a function at M.A.C. Kothamangalam.
|
It was a time when
several new colleges were being started in this state.Convinced
about the imperative need of the college to help the
young people in their education and progress His Grace
Poulose Mar Athanasius submitted an application to
the University on 20-1-1950 for sanction to start
a college. Subsequently
on 16-3-1950 His Grace convened a meeting, at Thrikkunnathu
Seminary, Alwaye, of the representatives of the Dioceases
of Ankamaly, Cochin and Kandanad and also many of
the important members of the Church. The meeting was
presided over by His Grace Poulose Mar Athanasius
and the proposal to start a college was discussed
and it was unanimously resolved.”
|
|
| |
“ ….. At
the meeting a committee was constituted with fifty
five members with right to co-opt other members.
The committee met at Thirkkunnath Seminary on 26-3-1950
and elected Sri. P.J Varkey as Treasurer
and Sri. V.P. Cheriyan as Secretary
and Sri. A.P. Varghese as Joint secretary.
The committee began its
work in Mar Thoma cheriya Palli and Martha Mariyam Valiya
Palli, Kothamangalam and Thrikkunnathu Seminary Alwaye.
The important matters which were taken up by the committee
were (1)finding and obtaining a proper site for the
college;(2) obtaining the sanction of the University
for starting the College ;and (3) preparing a constitution
for the management of the college. |
| |
| 
P.R.
Parameswara Paniker |
Rev.
Fr. Isac Maliyil |
Dr.
P.T. Thomas Palampadam |
Sri.
Kottalil P. Abraham |
| |
|
Regarding
land, several places in and around Kothamangalam and Piravam
were considered. But finally the present site was fixed. Application
to the Government for getting the land on lease was submitted
by Fr. Issac V. Maliyil on behalf of the College committee,
and sanction for 50 acres of land was finally obtained as
per order D.Dis.L.R.-4-5104/50/RD. dated 5-10-1951. Again
an area of 13.35 acres was also obtained from the Government
as per order No. B. Dis. 10215/56/ R.D. dated 16-4-56. Later
the agreements with the Government were executed by Sri. M.P.
Varghese, Secretary of the Association. The University Commission
(Site Inspection) visited the site on 22-3-1952 and the Commission
was satisfied about the site…..” |
| |
| 
M.Varkey
Thanelimalil |
P.J.
Varkey Pukkunnel |
M.P.
Varghese Manjummekudiyil |
V.P.
Cheriyan Vengasseril |
|
| |
| “….The
first meeting of the Board of Governors as provided
in the constitution was held on August 30, 1953 and
elected His Grace Poulose Mar Philexinos as Chairman,
Dr. P.T. Thomas as Vice-Chairman, Sri.
P.J. Varkey as Treasurer and Sri. M.P.
Varghese as Secretary of the Association
and Fr. Issac V. Maliyil and Sri. N.M. Chacko and Sri.
Kottalil P. Abraham as members of the Executive
Commettee. |
|
| |
| 
N.P.
Varghese Naduvileveettil |
N.M.
Chacko Naduckudiyil |
A.K.
Paulose Anachira |
|
|
| |
| The
design of the college was prepared by Sri. J.C. Alexander.
Construction was begun in 1954 and after completing the ground
floor, the college was started on July 14, 1955 with Intermediate
classes. Special mention may be made about the efforts of
M/s.Thomman Kuruvilla, Geevarghese Mathai, Korah Paily and
M. Chacko Pillai in raising Rs. 50,000/- during the previous
night of the opening of the college to make part payment to
the contractor of the college building and thus avert a crisis
which might have tarnished the solemnity and happiness that
goes with the birth of a great institution. The College was
formally inaugurated by His Majesty Haile Selassie on October
3, 1956.” |
| |
| 
M.M.
Ittan Pillai Malil |
P.P.
Abraham Pallimalil |
K.E
Varkey Kattanganal |
|
|
“…………….Even
though the college was started with the initial payment of
Rs. 1 lakh from the Mar Thomman Cheriya Palli, Kothamangalam,
subsequently the management had occasion to face very serious
financial strain several times. It may be noted here that
somehow we have been able to tide over such difficult times.
The further contribution by the Mar Thoman Cheriya Palli of
more than 2 lakhs has greatly helped the management in its
time of need. Simlarly the donation of Rs. 1 lakh by his Majesty
Emperor Haile Seiasee was also a timely help. Again, the collection
of Rs. 1.75 lakhs through the lottery conducted by a committee
under the convener-ship of Sri. M.P. Varghese and with the
effective co-operation of M/s O.M. Mathew, K.K. George, P.I.
John and Miss. G. Pappy helped the management a lot.” |
| |
| 
A.P.
Varghese Elavumkudiyil |
John Philipose Elanjikal |
V.O. Markose |
A.M. Thomas Alumgal |
|
| |
| “………….….I
may be failing in my duty if I do not mention with gratitude
the services rendered by innumerable people towards
the cause of the institution under this management.
If it had not been for their sincere services we could
not have attained the present heights. In this connection
the following names deserve special mention--- Sri.
P.R. Parameswara Panikkar, His Beatitude Basalius Paulose
II, Catholicate of the East, Rev. Fr. Isac V. Maliyil,
Dr. P.T. Thomas and M/s. Kottalil P. Abraham, M. Varkey,
P.J. Varkey, M.P. Varghese, V.P. Cherian, N.P. Varghese,
N.M. Chacko, A.K. Poulose, M.M. Ittan Pillai, P.P. Abraham(Pallimalil),
K.E. Varkey, A.P. Varghese, John Philipose , V.O. Markose,
A.M. Thomas, M. Chacko Pillai, Thomman Kuruvlla, M.G.
Mathai, M.K.Paily, and T.K. Abraham who have rendered
maximum service for the establishment and progress of
the two colleges.”
|
| |
|
| 
M.
Chacko Pillai Kallanikkel |
Thomman
Kuruvila Manjayil |
M.G.
Mathai Manjummekudiyil |
M.K.
Paily Manjummekudiyil |
|
| |
Prof. M.P.
Varghese who joined the College in 1955, assumed charge as
Principal in 1963 and continues in his office as Secretary
of the Association lending to it the lustre of brilliant administrative
ability and profound academic achievement. He lives a life
fully dedicated to the noble cause of education. He has been
the dynamic force behind the growth and expansion of the two
colleges. |
| |
Mr.
M. Varkey inaugurating the construction of Indoor Stadium
at M.A.C Kothamangalm (15th April 2004)
From
Left K.K. Dany, Prof. E.M. Paulose, M. Varkey, Prof. M.P.
Varghese, M.I. Markose, K.E Varkey Kattanganal and Prof.
T.M. Paily, Melath Johny, Kallingal Abraham, Prof. E.K.
Mathai, Kunjikora, Paul Mathew(Principal M.A.C.E), GeorgeKutty
K (Principal Adimali), Dr. Winny Varghese(Principal M.A.C),
Prof. P.K. Skaria and staff members..
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
