Celebrating Milestones: A Presidential Honour for Kerala’s Colleges

For any institution, few moments are as cherished as having the Head of State present to mark its milestone, a rare blend of history, recognition, and pride. The Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, is currently in Kerala to attend the celebrations of two such illustrious milestones, the Platinum Jubilee of St. Thomas College, Pala, and the Centenary of St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam. Heartfelt congratulations to both these eminent colleges.

Centenary and Platinum Jubilee of ‘sister’ institutions in Changanacherry

The occasion also brings to mind the remarkable milestones in the journeys of the sister institutions under the Archdiocese of Changanacherry. St. Berchmans College, Changanacherry, celebrated its centenary in 2022, while Assumption College marked its Platinum Jubilee in 2024. Interestingly, Assumption College had its beginnings as an annex of St. Berchmans College in 1949, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Thomas William CMI (Neriyamparambil) as Principal and Rev. Sr. Mary Xavier SABS as Vice Principal. In 1954, it became an independent college with Sr. Mary Xavier as its Principal.

In many ways, Assumption’s origin story mirrors that of Eve from Adam, a distinct creation, yet intrinsically part of St. Berchmans’ own history.

Why not such celebrations in these colleges?

It is not that the college authorities may not have made valiant efforts, but having the Head of State present at the right occasion is no easy task. There are numerous protocols to navigate, several impediments to clear, and often a fair amount of persuasion and coordination required in the right quarters for such a dream to materialize. Assumption College has still time to organise such a function.

Heads of state’s visit to S B College

St. Berchmans College has indeed been honoured by visits from Heads of State in the past, though, not during its historical milestones. Let us, therefore, recollect those golden occasions that have illuminated the college’s illustrious journey.

1952: The erstwhile Maharaja of the princely state of Travancore, His Highness Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, visited the college. There was a certain mystique surrounding the Maharaja’s visit to Changanacherry, it is said that carpets were rolled out along his path so that his royal feet would not touch the ground.*(Story of royal family’s avoidance of Changanacherry is given as appendix)

1986: His Excellency Giani Zail Singh, President of India, visited the college to lay the foundation stone of the Research Centre. The public meeting was held in front of the college tower, with a semi-permanent stage specially constructed for the occasion.

1997: His Excellency K. R. Narayanan, Vice President of India, visited the college to deliver the valedictory address at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the institution. He touched everyone with his humility and warmth. In his address, he fondly recalled his friendship with Prof. K. J. John of Kattoor, a former faculty member of the S.B. College English Department and his classmate at CMS College, Kottayam. Late Prof. John was referred to by the S.B. delegation that travelled to Delhi to invite Mr. K. R. Narayanan.

2005: His Excellency Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, visited the college for an interaction with students.

Since I was personally involved in Dr. Kalam’s visit, allow me to recall a few details on the memorable occasion.

It was in 2004, when I was serving as Vice Principal, that I accompanied the Principal, Rev. Fr. Tom Kunnumpuram, to Rashtrapati Bhavan. The meeting had been arranged by our alumnus, Mr. Jomy Thomas, then Editor at the Malayala Manorama Bureau in Delhi. He had specifically advised Rev. Fr. Tom to wear his cassock for the visit.

As we entered the spacious hall where the President was seated, Dr. Kalam immediately rose with folded hands-on seeing Fr. Tom in his cassock. Before we could even introduce ourselves, he began recalling with affection the Jesuit priests who had taught him at St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, mentioning several by name. After some inquiries about our college, we explained that our purpose was to invite him to inaugurate an international conference on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development, scheduled for August 2005.

The President called his secretary to check his itinerary, then gently declined, saying he would not be available for the inauguration. However, he added that he would be glad to have an interaction with the students of St. Berchmans College during his next visit to Kerala.

When we returned and shared the President’s assurance, many were skeptical. We went ahead with the preparations for the international conference in the second week of August 2005, aligning it with the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. To our pleasant surprise, we received an official letter from the President’s office confirming his visit to the college, on 29 July 2005.

Preparations began in earnest. The newly appointed Kottayam Superintendent of Police, Mr. S Sreejith, visited the campus several times to oversee arrangements. One notable directive from the President’s office was that the National Anthem at the end of the programme must not be a recorded version but sung collectively by the audience. Accordingly, we held rehearsals to ensure the entire college could sing in unison.

The original plan was for the President to arrive by helicopter at the NSS Hindu College ground and then travel by road to St. Berchmans. The College Manager, Msgr. Jos P. Kottaram, was designated to receive him at the helipad. Outside Kavukattu Hall, those assigned to offer bouquets included Mrs. Krishnakumari Rajashekharan, Municipal Chairperson; Dr. Jancy James, Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University; Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Auxiliary Bishop; myself as Vice Principal; along with a staff representative, a student, and a non-teaching staff member.

However, heavy rain on the morning of the visit disrupted the original plan. By noon we were informed that the President’s subsequent engagement at Parumala, the inauguration of the Dr. K. M. Cherian Institute, had been cancelled. There was palpable anxiety whether our event would also be called off. Eventually, confirmation came that the President would indeed visit St. Berchmans, but travel by road instead, as helicopter landing on the wet ground was unsafe. The Manager, unfortunately, missed his opportunity to receive the distinguished guest at the helipad.

Kavukattu Hall, with a seating capacity of 2,500, was packed to the brim. Dr. Kalam, adhering to protocol, spoke last, just before the National Anthem. His address, titled “Creativity Lends Beauty to Life,” was brief but profoundly inspiring. He urged students to become “job providers rather than job seekers.”

Students had been invited to submit questions beforehand, and a few were selected for the interactive session. The very first question was: “Your Excellency, what do you wish to be remembered as, a scientist or the President of India?”

Dr. Kalam’s reply drew thunderous applause: “I wish to be remembered as a nice human being.” The hall erupted in admiration. The remaining questions were answered with characteristic clarity and warmth, yet it was that first response that lingered in every heart.

The event concluded with the entire audience singing the National Anthem, a fitting end to a memorable day. For its flawless organization, inspiring message, and the radiant presence of Dr. Kalam, the occasion remains etched in the collective memory of the college.

To this day, I hold a quiet belief that it was the cassock worn by our principal during that visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan which helped secure this rare and historic visit. Our alumnus had made the right suggestion, and it brought an outcome we will forever cherish.

It is up to those concerned to pull the right strings, reach out to the right people, and strike the right chords to bring dignitaries of high office to the institution.

The visits of Heads of State to St. Berchmans College now form an integral part of the milestones proudly displayed in the administrative block, enduring reminders of moments when history itself walked through our gates.

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