என் பழைய சுரங்கங்களைத் தோண்டிய போது ...
s_RUQ
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Saturday, August 9, 2025
MY APPRECIATION TO JAYAKAR, OUR COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
After my retirement
from service in our college in 2003 I started an endowment – S.O.S. OLD STUDENTS
FUND – to help some needy students financially.
I did not
get any further info about it. During the previous regime I tried to contact
the bursar to get any info about the endowment. There was no response. Now after
the change in principalship, I contacted the present principal, Paul Jayakar. He and
bursar tried with the old accounts and could not find anything about it.
However Principal
assured me and within a week started a new endowment and sent me the receipt.
I am really appreciative of this nice gesture.
Immensely thank the Principal and Bursar for their immediate action.
Want to make
this endowment still more larger soon – with all your help.
S.O.S. FUND - DETAILS OF (Y)OUR CONTRIBUTION
ENDOWMENT
PAYMENT DETAILS TO BURSAR
On 25.1.2004 IB cheque number: 785781 for Rs.
1,35,000
On 11.8.2005 IB cheque number: 785782 for
Rs. 18,000 (TOTAL Rs. 1,53,000)
(Partial) list of donors in 2004,05
Sam George 60k
Dr. Nagashanmugam, (78ZOO) 10k
Dr. Vai. Ramanathan (84 ZOO14) 10k
Vaitheeswaran (78ZOO) 10k
Sriram (? ZOO) 10k
Dr.senthilkumar& Vanitha (85 PGZ) 10k
For your contribution:
UPI payment: sam george, whatsapp & GPAY NUMBER: 8610964451
sam george. Indian Bank , Saligramam, chennai
Account no: 496024980,
IFC code: IDIB000S082
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS>
10.8.2025
Mr. JAFFER SAIT (78 ZOO 37) 50,000
,, X (84 ZOO 14) 50,000
Ms. SHAJEEVANA (91 PGZ 16) 10,000
Mr. GANESAN (81 ZOO 41) 5,000
11.8.2025
Mr. BARANEETHARAN (99 ZOO 06) 25,000
Willy Issac 5,000 . pl send your college number and your moble number,pl
S.A. BALASUBRAMANIAN (78 ZOO 04) 5,000
TOTAL: 1,50,000
When i sent this appeal, immediately got great responses... but it almost suddenly stopped to my surprise. Well, now my pride as a teacher is in shambles. never thought or expected that it would dry up like this, ok! thank you all donors. love to all.
OLD STUDENTS' CONTRIBUTION - 1.50,000
MY CONTRIBUTION - - 1,00,000
TOTAL - 2.5 lakhs ................ sent today a cheque to Bursar.
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A CALL TO THE ALUMNI
A CALL
TO THE ALUMNI
Hi,
When I retired I started an endowment
in YOUR name! It was S.O.S. fund – Sam’s Old Students Fund.
I contributed 60 k and collected money from some old students. (full list is
missing. Remember some names: Vai. Ramanathan(84 ZOO 14), Nagashanmugam(ZOO 78),
senthilkumar(PGZ85), Mrs. Vanitha(PGZ 85), Vaitheeswaran (ZOO78), Sriram(ZOO?).
Each contributed 10k). This fund – 1.53 lakhs - was to help some
financially needy students – preferably
first generation students. But during the last regiment in our college, nothing
happened to this endowment.
After the change in the principalship, I
approached Principal JPaul Jayakar and Bursar Beulah. They could not find the fate
of that endowment. But they started the endowment properly as a new account.(Receipt
of it is attached.)
In 2003 1.5 lakhs looked grand to me then.
But now it is almost a pittance. I would
like to restart the endowment with more funds and wish to add one lakh from
my side and get something more from you all.
I know how every alumnus loves our
college. Your contribution may help you keep an umbilical relationship with the
college. I wish and expect many of you join in this venture.
I WANT CONTRIBUTION FROM YOU. Shall we
have 5k as the minimum contribution?
All details of money you contribute will
be recorded in a post (https://americancoll.blogspot.com/2025/08/sos-fund-details-of-your-contribution.html) in this blog. After a month the money would be given to
the bursar to be credited in the endowment. Further info would be regularly added
to that post.
For your contribution:
UPI payment: sam george, whatsapp & GPAY NUMBER: 8610964451
sam george. Indian Bank , Saligramam, chennai
Account no: 496024980,
IFC code: IDIB0008082
Monday, August 4, 2025
GLIMPSES FROM THE PAST ....
At last …
The college has been freed from the clutches of christober.
Wonder whether the college would get back
its great glory? I was so fortunate that I was there before all these
struggles. It was a divine place to work with. Heavenly life I had.
All these struggles would not have happened, if it was in
the period of seventies or eighties. Students would have come together and
should have stood very strongly against those who wanted to capture the college.
That was the spirit the students of those days. Or,had it been the faculty a
little more loyal, sensitive and convicted they should have stood together to
tide over the incursions. Sadly they never showed any sense of conviction.
Either being in power or being with the power was the policy of many. When the then bishop tried with force to get
into the Main Hall, had the students or the faculty stood together as a whole what a great escape that would have been to
our college. It did not happen.
Well … it is all old
stories.
When I rummaged through my old writings and photos, I had
some video clips taken during the fight. They are – to me – a great treasure,
showing how at least some stood against the evil. I thankfully remember how the
non-teaching staff were mostly involved in the fight. Many in self-financing sections lost salaries too. But they were so strong.
Hope and wish college reblooms soon.
SOME VIDEO CLIPPINGS OF THOSE BITTER DAYS ….
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Prof. V.SRINIVASAN
Another senior colleague has passed away, Prof.V.Srinivasan, HOD of physics dept, The American college, Madurai. He was 89. People used to say such demises after a successful life should be celebrated. VS, as we used to call him, had such a lively life in the campus. He had an astonishing memory for events and occasions. He could pick out an incident which could have disappeared from all our minds; he would remember any reputable academician visiting our campus and would reel out all related matters of that visit. A very systematic person and a perfectionist.
Personally I learnt a lot from him and even told him I may
not follow his foot steps, since it used to be so perfect. Till this day when I
search for any of my personal things, I just remember him. He exactly knows where
his personal things would be, unlike me always scrambling for them! He started
a photography elective course from his department and gave me a vital role in that
course, from making a syllabus and preparing a handout. I made a blow up
photograph of South Tower of Meenakshi Temple. He made it hang on the walls of
Principal’s office for some time and took a copy of it for his personal use.
Even after moving to Thane, Mumbai we had been communicating
and used to listen sadly to the happenings in the campus.
My sincere condolences.
Friday, May 30, 2025
PRINCIPAL SUSPENDED ON THE EVE OF HIS RETIREMENT ..... A SIGH OF RELIEF...
American College in Madura Dr.M.Davamani Christober, suspended from service as Principal from May 30th 2025.
MADURAI.
May.31
The Principal of the prestigious American College in Madurai Dr.M.Davamani Christober has been suspended from service with immediate effect from today- May 30th 2025- by the Tamil Nadu State Government’s Directorate of Collegiate Education.
He was suspended last night just one day before his retirement from service tomorrow due to the corruption charges he is facing right now, sources in Directorate of Collegiate Education in Chennai, have confirmed today. An official mail about his suspension was sent to the college by the government last night and the order was physically given today morning.
“The Directorate of Collegiate Education has accorded permission to conduct a preliminary enquiry against the Principal and Secretary of American College in Madurai Dr.Davamani Christober…for the allegations of possession of disproportionate assets to his known sources of income.
Since the enquiry into the corruption allegations is under investigation by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) of Tamil Nadu Government, Dr.Davamani Christober is placed under suspension as instructed under the letters received from government agencies as per the provisions made under Sec 19-3 of private colleges.The Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education had served the suspension letter last night- on May 29th 2025, and the suspension order was handed over formally to the college authorities today morning,” the government sources in Chennai have confirmed.
Following the suspension of present Principal Dr.M.Davamani Christober from service due to DVAC investigation into his assets, the authorities took steps for appointing a new Principal, and senior faculty Prof.Dr.Kannabiran has been made Principal in-charge of The American College in Madurai from today- May 30th 2025.
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
LOTUS NEWS. "SAVE THE AMERICAN COLLEGE
‘Save American College Team’ to meet Madurai Bishop tomorrow after High Court direction on American College Principal in corruption cases complaints; All eyes are on now to protect the college’s satellite campus land at Chatrapatti-Natham Road (Part-1)
Based on the petition filed by a retired faculty of American College R.Prabahar Vedamanickam, the Madurai Bench of Bench of Madras High Court had given an order on April 7th 2025 to the DVAC to do the enquiry fast against the present Principal based on the writ petition filed in the court about misuse of office, misappropriation of funds, disproportionate assets and money involved in appointments by taking into account the Principal Dr.Davamani Christober’s total assets.
“We are also now concerned about the American College satellite campus at Chathrapatti near Madurai. The CSI Bishop in Madurai has to intervene because Principal Dr.Davamani Christober is doing a strategy to move to satellite campus after his retirement on May 31st 2025. So, we are still concerned. A team of American College well-wishers in Madurai have sought an appointment with the Bishop tomorrow because the DVAC probe and High Court directive is a lesson for us to get involved and save the reputation of American College. Four or five members will meet the Bishop of Madurai-Ramnad Diocese tomorrow in Madurai because the Bishop is the appointing authority as president of Governing Council and so he has the moral responsibility to remove him from the Principal post immediately before more damage is done for our great American College in Madurai. The Bishop must ask the Principal to step down from the post and we also want the Bishop to save the American College satellite campus near Madurai which is in huge acres and documents are in doubt,” sources connected to American College in Madurai told ‘Lotus Times’ media here today-April 8th 2025 and added that action must be taken against him soon before FIR and police chargesheet are done.
Sunday, December 29, 2024
MONEY FOR MARKS - ACCUSATION ON A.C. PRINCIPAL - GOVT'S ACTION
5. Further it is learnt that Dr. M. Dhavamani Christober, Principal, American College who is also a Convener Committee member of the Madurai Kamaraj University is misusing his official position by conniving with “Research Section” Superintendent Kuppusamy In allotting more marks through “Normalization Formula method” to the applicants who have chosen American College.
OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION
Sunday, December 8, 2024
MRJ - LOSS OF A FRIEND
YEARS are slipping off under our feet. We are aging. We keep
losing friends one after another. Some of
such moments pain us so much. One is the recent demise of Prof.Dr. M.R. James,
known to all of us as MRJ, the ever smiling and smooth youthful man.
MRJ started his carrier as head of Botany department in our
college. I have seen most of the heads of departments, when elevated as head,
adorn themselves with a glittering crown over their heads, sit in a high-backed chair and invariably put a fence
around them. All the philosophy of “all
are equal” would be simply thrown off into dust. They usually take a new
“avatar”. But this gentle man was entirely a different kind. Headship never
made him big or different. Never he showed any ‘big bossism’! I very strongly
feel he should be considered as a great ‘model professor’. Not only colleagues,
his students too can feel the closeness with him. His lab assistants will vouch
for his care and concern. It is very tough to be a good person for all around
but MRJ proved it so easily and casually.
A trimmed beard, white shirt and black pants, and always a burning
cigarette were his trade marks. Wonder whether he became a non-smoker lately! He
never showed any barriers. Always cool and friendly. But when needed he would
become serious too, since he is a man of convictions.
Personally, I am a gifted guy. He was always close to me. Our
common interest in photography made us share a close relationship. Though there
was a dark room in my department, he very happily shared the dark room of his
department. For long, the key of that
room was with me. His association helped me develop some talent in macrophotography.
His department purchased a costly microscope with attachments for macrophotography.
I was freely allowed to use that. During that time many research scholars came
to him for taking macrophotographs. He sent them to me and many a time he would
give his room keys – the symbol of authority for many HODs – even for overnight
use which I would never imagine from any other HODs I have known all through.
He was special to me.
Sad we could not maintain our relationship after he moved to
Coimbatore. He was busy there being the
secretary or something in his apartment and told me that he was very much
involved in the activities of the association. This reminded me that decades
earlier, nearly fifty years back, his living area in Madurai had the ground
water polluted by a nearby soft drink company. He almost did an one-man-fight
and took it to the level of collector. He successfully won his fight. A
relentless fighter.
My very sincere condolences to his family.
Monday, November 25, 2024
A.C. PRINCIPAL EXPELLED
https://www.lotustimes.org/2024/11/25/american-college-principal-removed-from-mku-conveners-committee-due-to-dvac-complaints-syndicate-meeting-takes-decision-in-the-presence-of-higher-education-secy-and-commissioner/
MADURAI: The Principal of American College Dr.M.Davamani Christober has been removed from the Convener’s Committee of Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) as its member here today at the important Syndicate meeting held in the university campus on November 25th 2024.
Additional Chief Secretary and senior IAS officer Mr.K.Gopal (Higher Education Secretary) had attended the Syndicate meeting in Madurai today along with Commissioner of Collegiate Education Mrs.E.Sundaravalli (she is Syndicate Chairperson/convener) and senior Government officials and Syndicate members of the varsity.
“Syndicate member Dr.M.Davamani Christober who is now the Principal and Secretary of American College here has been today removed as Convener’s Committee member because of DVAC complaints, investigation, complaints and enquiry that is going on against him in his college due to allegations of corruption, misappropriation of wealth etc. In today’s Syndicate meeting, a decision was taken to keep him out of the all important convener’s committee that has been running the day-to-day routine administration of MKU in the absence of Vice-Chancellor for the past five or six months. DVAC complaint and enquiry is the reason for keeping him out of the Convener’s Committee,” reliable MKU sources told ‘Lotus Times’ media today evening November 25th 2024.
The Syndicate meeting took place from 11 am to 2 pm in the university campus here and all the members attended this important meeting today while a few members came online.
“Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) issues came up for discussion in today’s Syndicate meeting but the all important decision taken is to ask Dr.Davamani Christober to step down as Convener’s Committee member by the IAS officers and Government,” sources added.
A Syndicate member had confirmed to ‘Lotus Times’ today evening that when this issue came up for discussion in the agenda, the Syndicate committee convener Mrs.Sundaravalli IAS had asked Dr.M.Davamani Christober to go out of the meeting hall so that an objective discussion can take place about him.
“She told us finally that he will not be a member of the university CC…and the reason is allegations against him in various government investigation agencies,” the Syndicate member who attended today’s meeting has said.
Thursday, November 14, 2024
SAVE THE AMERICAN COLLEGE MOVEMENT ...
A college Principal in Madurai has
Audi, BMW, Benz car, bungalows, farmhouses, 200-acres land, business etc?
Corruption complaint to DVAC against American College Principal may gain
momentum now before his retirement in May 2025?
(A file picture sent to Lotus
Times website from American College on Nov 14th 2024).
By Shastry V Mallady
Nov 14, 2024,
MADURAI: A complaint made against the Principal and
Secretary of The American College in Madurai Dr.M.Davamani Christober in the
year 2022 to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) of
Government of Tamil Nadu alleging and complaining about his alleged corruption
and amassing of huge wealth and properties is now coming into focus.
The complaint to DVAC by the American College staff is
drawing attention as the complainants had cited and listed out several
particulars to the Tamil Nadu Government demanding action against the
complaints of alleged corruption.
“Dr.M.Davamani Christober became the Principal of American
College in October 2011. What was his salary per month? But, he had amassed
wealth to the tune of several crores of rupees during the period from 2011 to
2021. He has appointed 65 faculty members (list attached) in the aided stream,
he also appointed non-teaching staff and positions filled…For the college
hostels, private contractor was outsourced…For student admissions under the
management quota like B.Com, BBA and BA English, there is money involved taking
money…like that there are buildings renovation etc….The UGC funds too were
swindled and the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court had admitted the case…He
has amassed a huge moveable and immovable assets in the last over 10 years..He
owns luxury car brands of Audi, BMW, Benz etc which are beyond the reach of a
college teacher. He has a luxury Audi Q8 Rs.1.5 crores with fancy numbers….He
has a bungalow in Aiyer Bungalow area in Madurai 50 cents, and at Kodaikanal
‘Eden Park’ in 80 cents with cottages for rent….In Ramnad, there is a hundred
acre project and many more. So, our complaint is to request the DVAC, the Government
of Tamil Nadu and other agencies to take our complaint,” the DVAC complaint
against Dr.M.Davamani Christober has said and a copy of that copy to the Tamil
Nadu Government is available with ‘Lotus Times’ media in Madurai.
The complainants to DVAC are S.Stephen, R.Prabahar
Vedamanickam, S.Premsingh and D.Stephen who are all from Madurai and they are
waiting for DVAC’s further action. Dr.M.Davamani Christober, Principal and
Secretary of American College, is retiring from service in May 2025 and the
complainants are pursuing their case now appealing to the DCE authorities to
take a firm action soon.
A few staff
members of The American College in Madurai told ‘Lotus Times’ website on November 14th 2024 that the present Principal cannot
get away by saying that his wife also works as college Principal and that his
sons are working or doing business, because “his IT returns of the past 15
years is what we are demanding and we suspect that the properties are held in
benami.. in whose name?….who are they?….we want DVAC to do a full complete
probe in the interest of our American College because it is a great institution
in Tamil Nadu with top NIRF ranking.”
The ‘Lotus Times’
media has been covering the college events, but will now wait for the DVAC and
DCE to give their full report on the allegations which are in public domain
after a formal complaint of alleged corruption was given to the State
government authorities.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
SAVE THE AMERICAN COLLEGE MOVEMENT
https://www.lotustimes.org/2024/11/13/save-american-college-movement-to-start-again-in-december-from-madurai-next-month-governing-council-meeting-becomes-crucial-to-stop-family-rule-and-all-eyes-on-csi-bishop-dvac-part-1/
‘Save American College’ movement
to start in December from Madurai;
Next month Governing Council
meeting becomes crucial to stop
‘family rule’ and all eyes
on CSI Bishop & DVAC (Part-1)
239
MADURAI: The ‘Save American College Movement’ appears to be taking off from Madurai once again from December 2024, on the lines of what had happened more than 15 years ago in this reputed higher education campus when there was a crisis that went to the courts.
Sources told ‘Lotus Times’ media here today that some volunteers are working now in this direction and it is for the present CSI Bishop, the Governing Council members, the alumni, the present teaching and non-teaching staff, the retired employees and to the Christian fraternity to take a call and come forward to join the ‘Save American College’ movement once again from December 2024.
“The General Council meeting of American College is going to take place in December 2024 and that date is being kept confidential. There are 14 members in the GC. What will they do now and we pray that our CSI Bishop who is the governing council president will take the right decision at that meeting GC next month.
There should not be any extension given to the present Principal and Secretary Dr.M.Davamani Christober because there are corruption complaints and court cases going on against him now starting from teachers’ appointments to student admissions. The DVAC had already taken cognizance of the issues and the Directorate of Collegiate Education is in the process of getting full facts. So, now is the opportunity for our CSI Bishop to save the glory of American College and quickly start the process of appointing the new Principal and Secretary for our college. The Secretaryship of Dr.M.Davamani Christober comes to end on January 27th 2025 and he should not be given extension by the Governing Council in the coming December meeting. He is retiring in May 2025… We are waiting for the DVAC, the DCE, the Higher Education Department and the Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education to be vigilant and save our college in the December meeting,” a large group of American College well-wishers told this journalist yesterday by giving all related documents submitted to the government agencies and added that they are sure that justice will prevail even through the present American College Governing Council of 14 members is maximum filled with wives, family, relatives and friends.
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING AT UNITED STATES ... (யார் வீட்டுப் பணம்?)
**
PART II
MADURAI: Institutions supported by the Christian mission always stood for liberal higher education and the objective was to separate religion and education, and to provide good education to the deserving students, and of course Christian students get an opportunity for their studies.
To substantiate this noble goal, there is an example of American College in
Madurai established in the year 1881 and was developed as an example taking a
cue from its second Principal William Jumbroe who is cited as an example
because he said more than 100 years back and much before India’s Independence
that sermons are not important for students and that our students only need
moral lessons and human values across religions.
“But, after the
Independence of our country in 1947, the Church leadership became important and
powerful because we have many institutions got minority status. But at the cost
of that democracy. there is a calamity now in a few higher education
institutions in India including our American College in Madurai. Our great
colleges went away from the hands of educationists to the Churches. Our
Christian colleges lost their freedom and one classic example is The American
College in Madurai. Yes, I say today that my great American College where I
worked as Principal and Secretary is an example of corruption and there are
DVAC etc complaints against the present Principal. There is a commercial
exploitation going on right now through its present Principal Dr.M.Davamani
Christober, the SF departments and the high fees being collected from students
by this great college. It is a moral corruption and I will tell all details,”
Dr.T.Chinnaraj Joseph Jaikumar, former Principal and Secretary of The American
College in Madurai has said while speaking to ‘Lotus Times’ media website on
November 9th 2024 and he asked the Church of South India (CSI) Madurai-Ramnad
Diocese and Bishop to step in quickly and save the students from high fees in
the name of SF courses, buildings etc and save the American College in Madurai.
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