Role of civil society in reshaping democratic India

Justice N. Santosh Hegde, the former chairperson of the Lokayukta in Karnataka, delivered a talk on the ‘Role of  civil society in reshaping democratic India’ in the UTC during the pre council of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on August 10, 2011. He brought forward years of experience of meeting ordinary people in India and how they felt the system was not helping them.

The former judge took the listeners back to the independence period when parliamentarians were dignified people from different backgrounds, who had the welfare of the people in their minds. Thus was formed the constitution of the Indian republic where the stress was on the rights of the common person in India.

This has changed drastically now. Parliamentarians are more bothered about themselves and open their mouth in the parliament mainly to yawn! Important issues are not debated enough in parliament and bills are passed through without anyone even asking what it is about. He referred to Dec 23, 2008 when 17 bills were passed in 13 minutes in parliament. The politicians are supposed to be public servants and therefore supposed to serve the people of this country. Now it is vice versa and money meant for the poor is siphoned off by the leaders.

Public money is wasted on self portraits and self benefit while there is no money for the poor. Justice Hegde said that this it is time for this culture to change in India. Leaders have to be accountable to the public and they should do what they are paid to do. While poor women walk kilometers for a pot of water, politicians like Madhu Khoda made 4,000 crores of rupees in just two years. While we have several dollar billionaires, the the benefit of democracy does not reach the ordinary person in India. This is what has to change and it is possible if people in India get together.

Workshop on acting skills

                         ( Preetam Koipillai, Photo courtesy: The Hindu, Sat, Nov 15, 2008)

The Communications department of the United Theological College will be conducting a workshop on acting skills on October 7 (4:00 P.M- 7:00 P.M.) and October 8 (9:00 A.M. – 12 P.M.), 2011 in the college campus. The workshop will be led by noted and creative musician and theatre personality, Mr. Preetam Koilpillai. The aim of the workshop is to teach students the art of acting and how learning theatre can help in instilling confidence and better communication skills. The workshop is open to all interested community members.

Mr Preetam Koilpillai is known to many Bangloreans as an excellent pianist and contemporary drama personality. His strengths include allowing actors to express themselves in the language comfortable to them and exploring the art of communicating non-verbally. Drama for Preetam is a collaborative and political process as well. He initiated the Black Coffee Productions and is involved with various drama projects in the city. His latest interest also includes short films and his fourteen minute film “Passport Photos” has been screened in as many as seven international film festivals.

Quiet day, UTC

August 2 and 3, 2011

The quiet day in the UTC was led by the principal of the Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Dr. M. Gnanavaram. He spoke on various Pauline themes. He challenged the students to think about the themes, life in spirit, life of unity, life of service, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

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.

Release of the United Theological College (UTC) Commemorative Postage stamp

July 8, 2011

A function was held at the United Theological College, Bangalore to release a postage stamp as part of the centenary celebrations of the UTC. The college, started in 1910 is a Christian institution and has a rich history of fostering theological education for students of different churches all over India. The college as part of its motto “Not to be served but to serve” has been an integral part of helping society to develop a deeper understanding of learning to live together amidst the rich diversity that Karnataka and India offers. Students here come from different states of South India, North India and North East India. The college has always strived for communicating peace and religious harmony drawing insights from Christianity and other religions.

Rt. Rev. Dr. P. Surya Prakash, the president of the UTC society welcomed the dignitaries and the Chief Post Master General of Karnataka India Postal Service, Ms. Yesodhara Menon gave an introduction to the release of the stamp and then officially released it by giving a copy to the college council president. Honourable MLA Shri Roshan Baig unveiled a blow up of the stamp in the presence of Mr. Gunasekharan, the Jayamahal ward councillor, and executive members of the UTC. The principal of the college Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj introduced the college to those gathered and the UTC choir rendered a song followed by the vote of thanks by Dr. Nalini Arles. The meeting was brought to a close with the singing of the national anthem. Prof. Dr. Sarasu Thomas and Mr. R.D. John represented the executive of the college council.

Rt. Rev. Dr. P. Surya Prakash remembered the services offered by the MLA and others to the college and the CPMG Ms. Yesodhara Menon talked of her memories of UTC and the specific role it had played in society. The principal of UTC talked about the right approach of being a Christian. He said that UTC has a commitment to justice and nation building. Its library and archives have been a meeting place for religious and secular scholars. Dr. Nalini Arles during her vote of thanks stressed that the college should also remember the sacrifices and the committed work of those who have passed by.

Many officials and staff members of the India Postal service, Bangalore were present and a stall was put together for the exhibition and sale of stamps. Well wishers of UTC came in large numbers to witness and be part of this historic occasion.

UTC annual finance campaign 2011-2012 inaugurated.

4-7-2011- College reporter

The annual finance campaign 2011-2012 of the United Theological College, Bangalore was inaugurated by Mr. Alexis Samuel in the presence of the principal Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj, faculty members, non-teaching staff, students and guests of the college. The programme which started at 5:00 P.M. lasted for an hour and was also attended by Mrs. Hannah Samuel, wife of Mr. Alexis Samuel.

Talking on the occasion Mr. Alexis Samuel, the chief risk officer of a soft ware company in Bangalore shared his experience of working in numerous companies in Bangalore and also as a church worker. His work experience spanning 22 years made him a natural choice for inspiring the finance campaign in UTC. He divided his talk into four questions and they were 1. What the sheep expects from the shepherds? 2. What can UTC do as an institution? 3. Ideas for fund raising? 4. How should targets be set?

Mr. Alexis Samuel reminded the gathering that theological educators and theological students should have integrity, courage and conviction, they should help the lay people in understanding science and faith and to take educated, but right decisions and work towards being good leaders with excellent management and financial training. He believed that UTC could develop courses that would help the lay leadership in the churches and bring them closer to the institution. It would also help UTC to network with professionals and be more visible in churches.

The chief guest then went on to push the college to build a good alumni network, locate at least 100 professionals who would commit to the institution every year, look at offering greater facilities in UTC and paying the staff more so that they would work sincerely for the institution. He then said that UTC has to raise the bar with the target it wants to achieve for the finance campaign and this should increase every year.

The principal of UTC, Rev. Dr. John Samuel Raj in his address said human life was all about giving and taking. He said that giving plays a huge part of our existence and talked of the essence of the finance campaign in UTC and what new needs the institution had this year including the renovation of the New Hostel student quarters. 

The various college teams of Devanandan, Herrick, Thorp and Larsen were represented by their captains who spoke on how they would go about collecting money for the finance campaign this year. Dr. Dexter Maben, Rev. Jeyakumar, Ms. Imotila Longkumer, Dr. Joseph George, Dr. Jesuratnam, Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar, Mr. Vasikaran Williams, Dr. Nalini Arles, Dr. Jones Muthunayagom and Dr. George Oommen performed the official tasks during the programme.