My St. Albert's College

My St. Albert's College

“Is Chazhi (corn gnat) wealth?” Prof. T.J.Job asked.

Only a few days had passed after the reopening of the college. I was then doing my Ist Year B.A. Economics.
Students one after another stood up without answering the question. It was soon my turn. I make myself bold to answer. I said “yes sir, “Chazhi is wealth”.
Prof. Job was not taken by surprise. “Explain!” he exhorted.

“It is indirect wealth. Chazhi will destroy crops. Supply of agricultural produce will be reduced as a result. The demand for rice or wheat will increase. The producer will be able to fix higher rates and make more profit. He will save considerably from transportation expenses also”, said I.

Quick came Prof.Job’s rejoinder: “You are a capitalist”.

Yes, it was exactly what the capitalists in the U.S. and other places perpetrate. They destroy wheat and potato to control the market and to make more profit.

The students who had attended his class could never forget Prof.T.J.Job. He was so sincere and loving. Every student attended his class in rapt silence.

He had also encouraged students to partake in debates.
Fr.Xavier Kaniampuram was our Principal. He was affable and considerate. But he never allowed the students break discipline. He used to take classes on ‘public finance’.His classes were excellent. He gave his lectures with gestures and gesticulations. He was tall, stout with a big belly. When he referred to “the World around us” we had no choice but to focus on the “World” in front of us!

We had Prof.K.J.Augustine as our lecturer in English. He was indeed a scholarly person. Once he was teaching an essay entitled “Silver Paper”, written by E.V.Lucas. He always referred to other prominent literary men and great authorities during his lecture. What is there to be written about a silver paper used for wrapping cigarettes in boxes? But it was an interesting essay. What is important is the craftsmanship which makes any subject interesting reading. He quoted A.G.Gardiner and said, “Any peg will do to hang the hat on”.

Prof.K.J.Augustine though a lecturer was in fact a teacher in its true sense. According to him, “Professors profess, lecturers lecture and teachers teach.”

A.D.Hari Sharma, the research scholar and author of several literary works, was also a lecturer in Malayalam at St.Albert’s College. He taught us Malayalam poetry. He remarked during the course of his lecture that critics very often attributed strange meanings to the works of men of literature. He was reciting “Kakka” (crow) a famous poem written by the great poet Sri. Vyloppilly Sreedhara Menon. It was a time when symbolism in literature was being discussed widely. Some critics had said that the poem “Kakka” was a unique example of symbolism. The pet was applauded too by many. But Sri. A.D. Hari Sharma took exception. The attribution of ‘symbolism’ to the poem ‘Kakka’ was far from the truth. The poet was inspired by the crow which was seen scavenging from the surroundings of his house. The critics, however, said, the poet had depicted ‘Kakka’ as a symbol of a philanthropist who helps to remove spites and hatred from the society.

Sri. A.D. Hari Sharma asked Sri. Vyloppilly, the poet directly as to whether he had written the poem depicting ‘Kaakka’ as a symbol of Philanthropy. The naïve poet unhesitatingly said that he never had intended so!

Another important person that comes to my mind now is Fr.Konnully. The tall and swarthy Vice Principal. Being a Mathematician he never had occasions to address the Royal Group, students of History and Economics.

During our time there was closed retreat given for Catholic students for a few days in a year. The participants had to observe silence and pray and meditate only on spiritual matters.
There was roll call every day. One day some students had stealthily scrambled and jumped over the compound wall. I and one of my friends decided to skulk. After the roll call was over, we managed to go out. Straight we went to the house of writer Sri. Ponjikkara Raphy and collected some books. We came back and joined the prayers as if nothing had happened. But later on we came to know that there was fresh roll call! Majority of the students had gone out on that day surreptitiously. Fr. Konnully who was in charge of the retreat got the names of those who had jumped out.

Retreat was over. Regular classes resumed. One day Prof.Kithu, our lecturer, read out a chit asking me to meet Fr.Konnully. I was terribly afraid. I did not understand why I was asked to meet him. When the class was over, I went to Vice Principal’s room. Fr. Konnully was waiting for me. With grave seriousness he asked, “Now, Mathew, I have report that you went out without obtaining permission while the retreat was going on. Is it true?” I smelt the rat. Something was going to happen to me!

I mustered courage. Politely I said; “yes father. I had gone out one day to bring some books to read. But no permission was sought. I realized my fault. During confession I had said about it and received my penance.

The reply was unexpected. His helplessness had allowed me to go to the class. He, however, did not forget to warm me about the consequences if I had repeated the same.

Fr. Konnully was always seen to be immersed in studies. He was a world renowned Mathematician and the Inventor of”Konnully Theorems”. There were also several books to his credit on that subject.

Fr.Pandethumparambil was another prominent lecturer of our time. He taught logic. Handsome but emaciated. It was very difficult to follow his classes. His voice was thick and resounding! He was a kindly priest of great affection. I am still reminded of his lectures of inductive and deductive logic and classes on syllogisms. It was all about vertical thinking.

Sri. M.M.Mani was our Professor of Oriental languages. He was clad in Khadi Mundu, Juba and Shawl. Pure White! Dark he was with normal height. He had Post Graduate Degrees in Sanskrit and Malayalam. Spoke always printed Malayalam. Students loved him for his gentlemanliness.
I cannot forget two of our lecturers in English, Prof.E.V.Paul and Pro.Thomas Pulikkan: Prof.Paul was noticed always for his immaculate dressing. He never used complex or compound sentences either in his lecturers or in his notes. His language was simple and sweet. Whether it is prose or poetry, he dealt with the subject exquisitely. He had the habit of repeating lectures several times.
Prof. Paul was tall, a little more than 4 feet in height! He had a Mongolian look, with a skin to match.The fact that he was short of stature was a matter of joke for his colleagues. Prof. Thomas pulikkan like the king pin wove several stories.

One such story goes like this. Prof. Pulikkan was walking one day along the Banerji Road, Ernakulum. He saw a car coming very fast from the opposite direction. No driver. It was a horrendous scene. The car was fast approaching. Scared of being run over, he jumped off. But the car came close. He could see Prof. Paul at the wheel!

We had a wall magazine brought out every month. Students were the contributors. One cartoon that appeared in the magazine created commotion. “Prof.E.V.Paul standing upon a chair attempting to hug a woman”, was the theme; Prof.Paul also shared the fun with others. Being broadminded, he had a sense of humor.

Prof.Pulikkan, the comely figure with an Aryan nose was very popular in the college. He was amiable to both students and his colleagues alike. Being a drop out from the seminary, he retained some of the characteristics of a seminarian. He was reputed for austerity in life. Smattering knowledge of Latin which he acquired from the seminary helped him, it seemed, enrich his command of the English language. As a lecturer, therefore, he was a success. His narration of David Copper Field is still green in my memory.

Yet another stalwart to be remembered is Prof. P.T.Thomas. He was the head of mathematics Department well-versed in humanities.His baldness was unique. His head was shaped like a small brownish pumpkin sans corrugation. Not a single hair could be seen on his head! His eye-lid also did not bear any semblance of a hair. He did not require the help of a razor, a no hair dared to grow on his chin.

He was well dressed wearing always a refulgent smile on his face. An at all important function in the college and outside, his presense was felt conspicuous. Most of his time was spent for the spiritual uplift of the people. He was one of the collaborators who brought out the Malayalam translation of The Bible published by the Pastoral Orientation Centre. In recognition of his service to the Church, the Pope conferred on him the honour of Chevalier. Indeed, he was a many splendored personality.

We had a couple of Mathais as our Professors. One was Prof. A.P.Mathai, the Head of the English Department and the other Sri. P.M.Mathai. Prof. A.P.Mathai had deep knowledge in phonetics. Hence during his class special emphasis was given to pronunciation of words. His Shakespeare classes were absorbing.

Prof. P.M.Mathai taught us Modern History. He appeared with utter seriousness in the class. Combed his hair in good style and kept his thick dark moustache well trimmed. Handsome he was, he always dressed in well tailored suits.

Mr.Joseph Kithu, our lecturer in Agriculture economics was a character akin to the man- in-black of Goldsmith. He was intelligent and well-versed in the subjects that he dealt with. He could not speak but in chaste English. The students admired, loved and respected him.

Like Prof. Tharakan, prof.M.Achuthan is also a renowned writer in Malayalam. He had taught us for a short period only. He is the author of several solid works. Soon he was appointed Prof. in Malayalam at maharaja’s College, Ernakulum. But the traces of his sojourn cannot easily be erased.

Prof. Dayanandan was also a Lecturer in Malayalam. He was placid in nature. Very handsome. He too migrated to the Maharaja’s College.

All the three commanded much respect.

Prof. Stanislaus successfully bridged the gap created by Prof.K.M.Tharakan. His recital of “Elegy written in a country churchyard” still rings in my mind.

St.Albert’s College Library was one of the fine libraries ever attached to a college. It was well maintained. The Librarian Mr. Vincent was always seen absorbed in reading. There were few books whose contents were not known to him. He was strict but considerate. Always there was a serene atmosphere in the Library.Books of eminent authors, both Indian and Foreign were available.Before closing I feel impelled to mention about my alma mater.

St.Albert’s College belongs to Archdiocese of Verapoly. It was founded by the saintly prelate late Dr.Joseph Attipetty, the Archbishop. It is a living example of His Grace’s altruism and foresight. Tens and scores of students who hailed from poor circumstances would not have seen the portals of a college but for His Grace’s benign efforts. Archbishop graciously helped by providing them with funds for fees and books. Rt.Rev.Dr.Cornelious Elanjikkal, Vicar General, as he then was, had rendered efficacious service as His Grace’s right hand, during that time. Later Dr.Cornelious Elanjikkal also became Archbishop of Verapoly. His grace followed the footprints of Archbishop Dr. Joseph Attipetty.

Archbishop Dr.Joseph Kelanthara succeeded Archbishop Dr. Joseph Attipetty. A former lecturer in English of the college, His Grace had also rendered yeoman service for the progress of the college. Auxiliary Bishop late Dr.Antony Thannikkot had also extended able assistance to the cause of education. A very promising Bishop. But the Bishop was called to Heaven in the prime of life.

It is indeed providential that an alumnus became the absolute authority of the college. The unique privilege was bestowed upon Dr.Daniel Acharuparambil, the archbishop. His Grace graduated from this college in 1969. Archbishop Dr.Daniel Acharaparambil possesses vast experiences as an educationist. Urban University of Rome is one of the ancient and very prominent Universities under the Church. Dr. Daniel Acharaparambil was a professor continuously for more than 24 years in that University. The archbishop also had the rarest of rare privileges to become the rector Magnificus (Vice Chancellor) of the University for two terms during this period. The only person from the whole of Asia to hold the covetable post. It is, therefore, legitimate and natural to hold that His Grace will be a perennial source of encouragement and support for the College and all other educational institutions of the Archdiocese.

I become nostalgic. St.Albert’s College  in my mind, heart and soul. I am proud of all Albertan’s-students, teachers and non-teachers. My sincere salutation to my beloved alma mater! 

Article By: M.M.Mathew,St.Albert's College