Statement from the college to the press and public

Bengaluru

August 14, 2016

 

This refers to the publication in the press and media with regard to a programme on broken families of Kashmir organized by Amnesty International in the premises of the United Theological College in the evening of 13th August 2016.

The administration of the United Theological College, hereby wish to clarify that the UTC is not at all responsible and in no way connected with either the issue or the sponsors of the programme; except for renting out the premises for rent. There was no participation on the part of the students or the teaching fraternity of the UTC in this private programme.

We hereby also affirm that the 106 year old UTC had never been and shall never be a party to issues that would go against the interests and the integrity of the nation and the sentiments of the people. The UTC always stood for secular values of our nation in true letter and spirit. The UTC is cooperating with the police officers of the JC Nagar Police Station and deeply appreciates their presence in maintaining law and order around the vicinity.

The UTC hereby requests you to kindly make known our stand to the public and oblige in the best interest of all concerned.

J.R. John Samuel Raj
Principal
United Theological College, Bengaluru.

UTC Library

The UTC library from outside

The UTC Library is one of the biggest theological libraries in Asia and the biggest in India. The well furnished library building has a built-in area of over 43,000 sq. ft with bright, spacious and airy reading rooms on one side and stacks on the other. 

Entrance

Book cards and stairs leading to two floors

Book check out section at the entrance

 

The library has reference sections, reading rooms, stacks with books for reference, new books arrival section, shelves containing dictionaries, encyclopedias, journals and magazines, a photocopying room, a computer room for students offering internet and online access to resources and archives containing documented materials, theses and rare manuscripts. 

Book stacks

Archives

Reference section including dictionaries and encyclopedias

The library not only offers substantial resources primarily for theological study and research at all levels, but also serves other disciplines such as literature, history, anthropology, sociology, etc. Research scholars from various universities in India and abroad continue to make use of the invaluable resources of the library. Books and journals can be searched manually and through the computers on offer for that purpose.

Computer room

New arrivals

Reading hall

The library has more than 75,000 books, 672 periodical titles, 420 microfilms of historical record and 23,023 microfiches which includes the Indian census from 1872. The archives which preserves the original records and periodicals on the history of missions, churches, microfilm / microfiche etc. is an invaluable source of information about the life and conditions during the last two centuries. Efforts are also being made to collect books published by the Indian Language Theological Literature Committees. Some of the treasures in the Archives are Martin Luther's Commentary on the Galatians in Latin, printed in Basel in 1523; Bartholomew Ziegenbalg's Grammatica Damulica, Hale, 1716 and the Biblia Damulica by Zie genbalg and Benjamin Schultze, Tranquebar, 1725-28. The Palm Leaf Collection dating back to about 600 years are in Kannada, Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu and Malayalam on subjects such as history, poetry, stotras, puranas, astrology etc.

Mrs. Tabitha Shamsunder, Librarian

People in Bangalore with proper recommendation can avail membership facilities for reading and checking out books from the library. The librarian can be contacted through phone or e mail or can be contacted in person during office hours. The library is open on Monday to Friday 9 AM- 1 PM and 2 PM- 7 PM and 8 PM to 11 PM. Books can be checked out from 9-4. On Saturdays the library is open 9 AM - 12 noon and 2 PM- 5 PM. Sunday is a holiday.

Contact address:

The Librarian
United Theological College
P.O.Box 4613,
63, Millers Road,
Benson Town
Bangalore - 560046. India.
Telephone : 0091-80-23333438/23330502 Fax: 0091-80-23330015
E-mail: librarian@utcbangalore.org

House of Soul performs in UTC

House of Soul, a contemporary Christian Jazz music band that visited India performed at the UTC on November 12, 2011. They enthralled the audience with numbers like ‘Swing low sweet chariot’ and ‘Oh, happy day’. The band is based in Colorado, USA and they are touring India and Nepal. Their aim is to create good music that transcends various genres and ethnic barriers. (Reported by Vincilo G. Shaaber, JK)

Tribal and Adivasi Sunday held in UTC

The Tribal and Adivasi Sunday initiated by the Commission on Tribals and Adivasis, National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) was held in the Tagore Hall of the UTC on Sunday, August 7, 2011. The theme was “Life with Dignity and Together with Nature.”  The biblical texts used were Psalm 72: 1-20 and Luke 4:18-19. Mr. Edwin Daniel, a human rights activist from Kerala preached on the occasion. The worship made use of various tribal and adivasi elements. Students of the UTC actively took part in the worship. The Kannada fellowship sang for the worship as well.

 

The Rev. Dr. Israel Selvanayagam, the former principal of the UTC was present for the worship and was honoured with a bouquet by Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, the principal of the UTC. Dr. Selvanayagam talked of his present involvements and work.

Lecture by Prof. Dr. Hans Schwarz

August 1, 2011.

Prof. Dr. Hans Schwarz, Systematic Theology, University of Regensburg, Germany delivered a lecture on the “Relationship between Science and Theology” in the Tagore Hall of the United Theological College, Bangalore on August 1, 2011.

Dr. Schwarz an eminent theologian with a proven track record of teaching and guiding students, several of them from Asian countries, enumerated the structure of scientific knowledge and Christian knowledge. He challenged those present to seek parallels from both. A few of his students, some of them alumni of the UTC, were also present along with the faculty and students of the UTC.

Centenary celebration of YMCA Training School, UTC

               H. E. Dr. Hans Raj Bharadwaj, Governor of Karnataka lighting the lamp
    Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj (extreme left) and Mr. George Varghese (extreme right)

The Centenary celebration of the YMCA Training School in the United Theological College was held on July 22, 2011. The Honourable governor of Karnataka, H.E. Dr. Hans Raj Bharadwaj was the chief guest. The principal of the UTC, Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, Mr. John Varghese, the National General Secretary of the YMCA, Mr. K. John  Cherian, the president of the National Council of YMCA s in India, Mr. Rolland Williams, the chairperson of the Training and Leadership Committee and Mr. George Varghese, the director of the Training and Leadership Department of the YMCA in UTC spoke during the occasion.

The celebration started with a thanks giving service in the Tagore Hall of the UTC. The public programme which was inaugurated by the honourable governor was colourful and well attended. Students from the UTC and the trainees of the YMCA joined together in welcoming the guests with drum beating, and students from the North East India welcomed the governor in traditional costumes.

H.E. Dr. Hans Raj Bharadwaj talked of his association with the YMCA during his younger days and how he is still in touch with various YMCA s. He shared his appreciation with the work done by YMCA in India and how it provides a place for the youth of this country. He talked with passion on how different communities should learn from each other and be in the forefront of offering social service to the people of India.