Dr.Chettiar's Correspondence

letter to T.V.S. Manian

Dr. ALAGAPPA CHETTIAR EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Dr.RM.Alagappa Chettiar 

Camp: Paris

       25th June '51.

My dear Mani,

On all accounts you have done and are doing good work. I am very happy. Please send me full particulars. - The more I see Paris the more I want to transform our campus - overreaching ambition!

Yours ,
Chettiar

Mr.T.V.S.Manian
Manager
Dr.Alagappa Chettiar Educational Trust
Karaikudi

 

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Dr.RM.Alagappa Chettiar 

M/s Alagappa Textiles (Cochin)Ltd.,
Alagappanagar P.O.,
Travancore - Cochin State.

       22nd November, '52.

My Dear Mani,

The clock strikes seven. The noise and the humming of motors is stopped for the moment. Workers rush out in haste to enjoy their interval. I sit alone heavy in heart and start writing to you in the hope that speaking out in silence thus in this letter will relieve the pressure and give me some comfort, One gets a little relief by weeping. That was the case with the Tennyson's Poem "Home they brought her warrior dead". Courtesy and so called manners cons- train one rather cruelly and restrain him from breaking out. I am in that unhappy position all through. How I wish I could have the liberty to shed tears. Life is much too harsh and even the right to weep and shed a tear is denied to one stricken with sorrow all in the name of drawing room manners. Rarely do I get a chance to withdraw into myself and find my soul. I feel happy when I am really sad and when I have cause to be sad.

I have lived my life. I wish I had come to the end of. it. It was Rajaji who said yesterday that every child born is really born with a capital sentence on its head. That is life.. Life gets its fulfilment only in death. But one must have the wisdom and patience to wait 'for Him to take away what in fact He has given. Worldly sorrows make one yearn pre maturely for what is not his due yet. Instead of being thankful to Providence for what He has given us, we in our greed and foolishness desire yet another favour improperly by wishing for the end before it is time. We want to have the best of both worlds. That I know is wrong and a grievous mistake. But I am so selfish that I want to jump out of my shadow and desire to avoid my suffering which is only a reward for what I have done already whether consciously or otherwise. I wish I had a little more balance earlier and conducted myself With caution and restraint.

I do not for a moment regret the good that it has been my privilege to do. I wish I had realised that even good things are not immune from the laws of nature. I often ask myself as to why I did not address myself often earlier. I have no right to blame Providence for what is happening to me. The moving finger writes and having writ moves on. All goodness, kindness, sighs and tears cannot wash a word of what has been written. My happiness is in the thought that our colleges are humming with activity. No one can have any idea of my happiness when I see the bustle of the students. My health which is poor, and wealth which is poorer and energy which is limitless are all dedicates to this noble cause-the education of the young and old. I am anxious to see children roaming about full of joy. That is why I am looking forward to the opening of the Montessori classes soon. The noise of the children gives me happiness and joy not a whir less than that I get from the activity of students of the Engineering college in the workshop. Generations of students are all my children by adoption. Despite all my suffering and mental anguish, I get happiness even at the thought of the college. I am grateful to you for associating yourself in this 'none too pleasant a task of managing these institutions. Believe me you are taking away a fair load off my head by sharing my troubles. Well has it been said sorrow shared is sorrow halved. You must excuse me .for giving your this load ever. Though young it is sweet of you to be so generous. I pray for His guidance and blessings. Irrespective of consequences which look frightening I have decided to march on with resolution, courage and faith. I expect your sympathy and cooperation.

Affectionately

Chettiar

Mr.T.V.S.Manian
Alagappa College, P.O

 

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Alagappa Corporation Ltd.,
Oppanakara Street,
Colmbatore.

       2nd May ' 54.

My Dear Mani,

Your children are ever in my thoughts. I love them so much - they deserve it. How I wish I could keep Suloch and Sudha for a few days with me.

Photos for Seshadri - Times of India, Bombay - Do the needful soon.

The Chief Minister's talk was most encouraging. I expect very fine developments. Time will show. Medical College - It is thrilling even to think of it. You have a fine part to play in the building up of the institutions at Karaikudi. Understand my ideals aright, work with single minded devotion. I assure you your personal problems I will solve. Don't lose courage, be cheerful ever, live for the institutions.

Yours affectionately
Chettiar

Mr.T.V.S.Manian, Alagappa College P.O

 

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Dr. RM. ALAGAPPA CHETTIAR

Grant Hotel
Switzerland

       30-7-54.

My dear Mani,

As I sit in the hall while Mr. Naidu and Nachiappan are still in their rooms I naturally look a bit inward and my first thought is college. I do pray that I will so conduct myself and be blessed by God that my last thoughts will also be of the college. Great has" been success but greater has been my failure. I am fortunate and indeed singularly so in my association with the educational institutions. What was perhaps once a hobby has now become and happily (Prof. Volkart Bros. Winter fur) told me in the presence of Mr. Naidu the other day. "Your business is your College and your hobby is the mill". I am grateful to Providence that it should be so.

I have a long way to go. I seek satisfaction in the philosophy that 'he who bears His mild yoke serves Him best In that work of, mine which I consider have co-workers as Mr. Tampi our Correspondent and yourself. May our associationship continue ever and my enthusiasm and devotion grow more and more is my sincere prayer. I will be untrue to myself if I don't think of your bright and dear children. May God bless them and may I be given an occasion or so to participate in their growth and build up is my real desire and request.

As I pass though life and come into contact with other lives with greater experience and as I read History i am convinced of the belief that virtue is its own reward. And here I am and there at Karaikudi I shall be in another ten days. God is in Heaven and all is right with the world. Let not trials make us falter in our faith.

Yours affectionately
Chettiar

Mr.T.V.S.Manian, Alagappa College P.O