FAREWELL SPEECH-
(27 July 2014, Kottayam)
Joseph K Alexander
I came into the MGOCSM as
a school student, through the advice of my father and teachers of the
Thiruvalla MGM High School, Mr. C O Oommen and Mr. C M John. Both were General
Secretaries of MGOCSM. After attending the 1942 Annual Conference at Thiruvalla
Balikamadom GHS and the 1944 Conference as a religious retreat-ant at the M D
Seminary Elias Chapel my further education and employment lead me out of
Travancore. The return in 1966 to the University College Trivandrum as HOD of
Economics and principal of Government College, Kottayam in 1972, prompted H G
Philipos Mar Theophilos, President, to reinvent and induct me back into the
MGOCSM. Since then, I am in the Movement in one or another official capacity
and a resource person.
Knowing the Movement and
the nature of its work from the days Rev. Dn. K. Philipos (later H G Philipos
Mar Theophilos) was its General Secretary in 1942. and through the period of
its Presidents; H.G. Philipose Mar Theophilos, H G Philipos Mar Eusebius, and H
G Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, present President who joined the Movement as a young
Deacon and General Secretaries; Mr. Philipos Thomas, Rev Fathers P C Cherian,
George Kurien, John Thomas, Dr M C Cherian, .Dr. V.M Abraham and now Rev Fr. Dr.Varghese
Varghese. I felt it my duty right and honour as a senior member, to be an active volunteer in the
Movement.
As Senior Vice
President of the MGOCSM for 11 years (1978-“89), its director of the Trivandrum
Complex and hostel 19 years (1983-2002), Chairman of the constructions at
Trivandrum center second phase 1983-1985 and member of the CHAIROS Committee 2004- 2012, I
did what I could for the Movement. The prestigious Education Orientation Course
of the MGOCSM, 1981, its journal 2004-2006, and Website 2004-2007 were started
by me with support of its President Thirumenis. Currently I am the Treasurer of
MGOCSM from 2002.
I,
Retd. Director, Collegiate Education, Kerala Govt. Service is an economist. Was
President of the Kerala Dhana Sasthra Academy 1970-1972, Head of the Department
of Economics of the Victoria College, Palghat 1962-1966, HOD of the University
College Trivandrum 1966-1972, Founder-principal of Govt. College, Kottayam, 1972-1980,
member of the Kerala University Senate 1961-1964 and Academic Bodies1965-1983;
Hon-Director of the prestigious Christian Study Center of Kerala University1994-1996
and research fellow of University Grants Commission1983-1987. I have published
ten books and 20 research papers. Was emeritus professor of economics in the
Marthoma St. Thomas College, Kozenchery1985-1987; was examiner and expert member
in the PSC of Kerala and Karnataka States, Southern Railway Board, New India Assurance
Company, and Staff selection of PSC and Private Colleges in Kerala. After
retirement; was a Faculty Member of the Civil Service Academy, Trivandrum for
over a decade, was a member of the MOC official bodies including the Church
Planning Committee, member of the Corporate Colleges and later of the Schools
Governing Bodies of the Church and three
times Chief Election Officer of the Malankara Association of MOC, I am now active
as chairman of Kerala Regional Branch of Indian Institute of Public
Administration from 2004 and member of its Executive council at Delhi. Being a
founder member of the Mar Gregorios Rehabilitation Center Munnammoodu
Trivandrum in 1981, is its Vice President for the last couple of decades. I
have been a resource person for most of the projects started by the then new
Bishop H G Geevarghese Mar Dioscorus of the new Trivandrum Diocese of the MOC in
the last quarter of last Century from 1980. His Graces” English Medium School,
Disabled children’s home at Alathra,
Marion Play Home originally at kanaka Nagar, Bishop’s house and Chapel at Ullur, sfferts to start a Junior
College at Alathra hills which later blossomed into the Pharmacy college are
all examples.
A galaxy of
eminent leaders nurtured the MGOCSM in its hundred years from 1908. Despite, it
has an irregular history. In some of the years it blossomed like a fresh flower
in youth, well watered, weeded and nourished by the mentors; and in others, it
looked as if, about to wither for want of their involvement. In the days of H G
Philipos Mar Theophilos the Movement developed many wings and branches and Rev
Fr P C Cherian took it to outside Kerala to cities of India. He made it a National
Movement. In the days of H G Philipos Mar Eusebius the Movement became
international especially through the efforts of the President, General
Secretary Rev. Fr. M C Cherian and the Education Orientation Fraternity who
started units of MGOCSM in churches in every part of the World where they
worked. The present President H G Geevarghese Mar Coorilos is spreading the
Movement to more Indian areas outside Kerala to take its message to all the
diaspora by organizing its Annual conferences in different parts of India
.During my
heavy duty as founder principal of the Kottayam Govt. College, I contributed
all my spare moments for the growth of the Movement. I thank all the
Presidents, General Secretaries, Executive Committee members and the General
Assemblies of the Movement, its Officers and managers of its various wings for
the hearty co-operation they rendered to my role in the MGOCSM and giving me
all help in writing its history of 100 years. I will be ninety on 25th November
2014. Recently I had difficulty in travelling from TVM to Kottayam to attend
the meetings of the Movement or take active role in its work more because of
the illness of my wife. She and my children were a great support for enabling
me to work in all social services I ventured. Besides you all, I thank them
also for their cooperation in making my work easy. May I now appeal to all of
you to work hard and contribute your might to make MGOCSM an effective arm of
MOC all over the World? I Pray to God to shower blessings on all of you.
My mentors:
1.
K A Mathew , Principal
& Head Master , St. John’s shool. Mepral
2.
C. M John
3.
C O Oommen
4.
Vennikulam Gopala
Kurup
5.
Unnonny Tharakan
6.
K A Mathew , Teachers of M G M High School Thiruvalla,
7.
Rev. Dn. And later H G Philipos Mar Theophilos
8.
Rev. Fr. M C Cherian
& later H G Sachaias Mar Theophilos
9.
Rev Fr. John Thomas
Secretary MGOCSM
10.
H G Baselios Marthoma Mathews
Catholicos
11.
H G Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews Catholicos
12.
Re. Dn George Kurien & later Secretary and then H G
Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, President of MGOCSM
13.
Rev Ft. P M Eapen Vicar Se. George’s Church Trivandrum
14.
Rev. Fr. Alexander Vaidyan
Do
And many like these gurus who
implanted in me their behavior patterns which made me what I am. Some of them
were far younger than me but with
emulatable characters. I thank all of them nd place them before God for
heavenly rewards.
Prof. Joseph K Alexander; DOB-25-11-1924;
TC 14/2144,
Kanianthra, PRA. B.20- Medes Lane. Palayam TVM-695034.
Spouse : Annamma Joseph; House Wife;
DOB-29-01-1927
Phone 0471-2321955; Mobile--9447811811
Children 1. Alex Jose F C A; Retired from Bahrain
2
Stephen Jose Bsc Agr.; MEP-IIM-Ahmedabad; Retd
3.
Alexy Jose F C A (daughter); Director General Finance, Keltron TVM.
