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Speeches of Alagappa Chettiar |
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Welcome speech by Dr. RM Alagappa Chettiar on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Dewan Bahadur Murugappa Chettiar Hall 6.2.1955. Revered
Sir A.Ramaswami Mudaliar and Friends: Friends, I have on more that one occasion, at any rate, to the students of our Colleges I have had occasions to refer to these extraordinary and significant fact, that the chain, I should say, of these four Colleges and other institutions that have come existence in this College Campus, are due to the inspiration of that great man Dr. Sir Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar. It might be some little interest to such of those who do not know, for me to recall to your mind very briefly as to how I belonging to Kottaiyur came into existence at Karaikudi. This is what happened. Away in 1947, sometime in July, while I had the occasion to attend the Dr. Besant Centenary Celebrations at Adayar, our revered Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar was presiding over a function, which was attended by late lamened Lady Madne Montesorri. It was on that occasion, after hearing that most beautiful and inspiring speech of Dr. Mudaliar, I suddenly got properly excited and sought permission from him to make a statement. I did not tell him what I was going to make. He, in his unusual and innate kindness said, " You may do so ". I just got up and said " I have very great pleasure in announcing the starting of a College somewhere in Ramnad district. AT that time, thought I knew that topographically Karaikudi was very near to Kottaiyur, my village, I had the least idea of starting a College here. Not that I had no idea in my mind. I simply said "Ramnad District". So it happened almost immediately thereafter, the suggestion was given to me there was a hall called Gandhi Maligai Hall belonging to anybody else, but to the Karaikudi Municipality, whom we could persuade to give it to us rent (on reasonable rent) for a period of a couple of years. I was naturally anxious to avai lmyself that little bit of loan transaction. I, immediately set about the matter and I was able to persuade the Government of Madras to permit the Municipality to give this building on rent to us for a couple of years. Events followed quickly after, and with such rapid succession that I must tell you quiet frankly, I did not have the slightest idea of what is going to happen. As I have always felt in man and human life, all the major things of life just happen and to one by the will of God and through the mercy of God. It is only minor things in life that we deliberately and carefully plan and perhaps occasionally achieve. And that is the manner in which these beautiful and great events happened in my career. First there was the College - the Arts College. Almost next year Pandit Nehru, our beloved Prime Minister came over here to Karaikudi at my persistent request and laid the Foundation Stone for the great National Laboratory - Electrochemical Research Institute. Soon after that the talented savant Dr. C. R Reddy came here and formally inaugurated the Training College. A little later while I was away in London I made the announcement of our Engineering College, and no less a person than our beloved Rashtrapathi Dr. Rajendra Prasad came and laid the Foundation Stone. A little latter while I had the privilege oif accompanying the great men, Dr. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar, Sir Ramasamy Mudaliar,Sir C. P . Ramasamy Iyer and Govindarajula Naidu. While I accompanied them to Europe to Cambridge to attend the Common Wealth Universities Conference, I conceived the idea of this Women's College and sought the assistance of the gynaecological Expert Dr. A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar. His consent was given and what happened? Immediately thereafter and perhaps before the normal time the child was delivered. The Women's College came into existence, and Sir Chintaman Deshmuk came and formally inaugurated the College. We are in the course or rapid evolution as I said not by our deliberated planning, but the grace of God and goodwill of many friends. (incomplete)
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