LANDMARK – 6

 

‘YOUR LIFE SHOULD BE YOUR MESSAGE” – BRO AUGUSTINE NOVELLO’S DIAMOND JUBILEE THOUGHT

 

By P S SUNDAR  

 

To some, he ‘was’ their English Teacher..  To some, he ‘is’ their English Teacher.. To some, he is a priest... To some, he is a Spiritual Leader..

 

But, to all, he is a role-model gentleman Reverend Brother belonging to the Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel, a Society that lives to educate all, especially the marginalised segments in India and elsewhere. 

 

 

He is the 81-year-old Brother Augustine Novello, now Bursar, Spiritual Animator and Assistant Director of the Juniorate at the 157-year-old St Antony’s Higher Secondary School in Coonoor in The Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu state in South India.

 

Born on January 9, 1941, in Kerala, he came to St Antony’s way back in 1956 and studied from Class VII to X as a Junior but moved out to Yercaud for Novitiate formation and obtained higher education in various places.

 

Overall, he acquired M.A. in English Literature and B.Ed. Degree to become a qualified Teacher of English which made him a typical professional in English teaching having been groomed for his six years of childhood in British India!

 

In particular, he was hailed as a ‘Singing Brother’ by the students of RSK Higher Secondary School, Trichy as he endeared students through his appealing singing.    He had taught English in different schools including St Antony’s where he was Correspondent and Superior of the Community from 1980 to 1985.  

 

As student, teacher, Principal, Correspondent, Bursar, Spiritual Animator and Superior, he has lived in Kerala, Coonoor, Yercaud, Chengalpattu, Trichy, Bengaluru, Bihar and Tripura which fetched for him a rich experience of understanding of the culture, traditions and heritage of the various places.  “I give importance to the traditions of the place I happen to live and respect the language, religion and beliefs of the people in that area”, he told me.

 

“More importantly, I never refused to obey orders of transfer.  ‘I will go wherever you ask me to go’ was my answer to my superiors.   And, I used to develop a sense of belonging to the places posted without much delay.  I don’t complain about weather, infrastructure or people.  I don’t develop undue attachment to any place and so, transfers don’t upset me”, he detailed.

 

“I used to be in the Yeracud Province where I was even Regional Superior but when Bengaluru province was created, I opted to move to this with the hope of contributing my share for the effective growth of this new baby.   That’s when I was asked to move to St Antony’s in Coonoor and was also told that the Headmaster and Correspondent Bro Dr Thomas Selvam also wanted me here”, he disclosed.

 

For this new Bengaluru Province, he is editing its News Bulletin.

 

“But, I have not stopped teaching English.   Even to the 20 Juniors who pursue religious studies along with their regular course at St Antony’s now, I do my best to improve their proficiency in English”, Bro Augustine told me.  

 

His spiritual pursuit started as a Junior at St Antony’s when he was 15 years old in 1956.  He had his First Profession at Echinkadu in 1962.  He was Ordained for Priestly ministry in 2011.   Now, he enjoys, celebrating Holy Eucharist.   He is invited to celebrate Holy Eucharist and Sacrament of Reconciliation by various groups. 

 

On June 25, 2022, St Antony’s Higher Secondary School and Montfort Nursery and Primary School led by the Correspondent Bro Dr Thomas Selvam befittingly celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of the Religious Profession of Bro Augustine Novello at Marian Hall in the campus.

 

It had two sessions – Thanksgiving Holy Eucharist celebrated by the Most Rev Dr A Amalraj, Bishop of Ootacamund and a Felicitation session for which the Guest of Honour was Bro George Padikara, Provincial Superior of the Bengaluru Province.  Both took the event to a great height.

 

Brothers and Sisters from various congregations as also the relatives of Bro Augustine attended the unique event.

 

An audio-visual presentation on the life of Bro Augustine was screened.

 

Students enriched the event with their captivating dances.  

A clip of my video on their Baduga dance can be seen in YouTube by clicking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ13S8fGLcs

 

The Bishop and Provincial Superior honoured Bro Augustine.   His relatives felicitated him.

 

Bro Dr Thomas Selvam hosted lunch in honour of them all.  

 

More importantly, Malayalam took the centre stage as most relatives were from Kerala who felt comfortable in their mother tongue.   They described the function as  “Adipolli” !

 

Bro Augustine used the occasion as also his discussions with me to highlight the values of life.

 

He is time-conscious.  “I wake up daily at 4 am wherever I am and irrespective of the weather”, he said.   When the Bishop asked him at what time, he went to bed, he said, “10.15 pm”!

 

Punctuality is a great virtue he adopts.  “To be on time, you have to there before time”, he told me.

 

“Don’t judge people.  You live your life and let others life their life.  Don’t be inquisitive into their life”, he said.

 

“When you feel like applauding anyone, please do that then and there – why wait for funeral oration for this?”, he questioned.

 

“I look at the positive side of the people.  I believe in co-existence and reciprocity.  I listen to employees on their problems – personal or professional.  Sometimes, children ask me to bless them – I do that but ask children also to bless me!”, he said.

 

On English, he has this to say, “I speak English all the time.  I read newspapers and use Dictionary to improve my vocabulary and gain fluency in speaking.   I ask students to speak in English and correct them whenever they make mistake so that they gain proficiency.   These traits may be necessary for them to get jobs”.

 

His take-home message for all is, “Your life should be your message.  Talk less, do more.  Lead a life that others would emulate”. 

(Response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)         

 HAPPENING -- 29:

INVESTITURE CEREMONY AT ST JOSEPH’S

 

By P S SUNDAR

 

St Joseph’s institution in Coonoor running St Joseph’s Boys’ Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School and St Joseph’s Academy (ICSE, ISC) has entered its 134^th academic year with a shot in the arm with the District Educational Officer (DEO) Punitha Anthoniammal urging the students to acquire leadership traits utilising the infrastructure facilities available in the campus.

 

She exhorted them to grow up into responsible citizens to create a stronger India.

 

She installed the office-bearers for the academic year 2022-23:

  Abinesh – Head Boy,  Dharshan – Assistant Head Boy, M Sanjay – Sports Captain and S Garv – Cultural captain.

 

The office-bearers of the different Houses were also installed.

 

The new office-bearers took oath showing their allegiance to their respective houses as also the school.  

 

Community Leader Bro Bosco and Principal Bro Jacob Joseph felicitated the office-bearers.

(Response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)     

LANDMARK -- 5:

CRESCENT SCHOOL ENTERS SILVER JUBILEE YEAR:

JUDGE ADVISES STUDENTS TO USE MOBILE PHONE JUDICIOUSLY

 

By P S SUNDAR

Madras High Court Judge N Sathish Kumar has advised students to use internet and gadgets like mobile phone judiciously.

 

Inaugurating the Silver Jubilee of Crescent Castle Public School in Ooty, he referred to then advent of mobile culture among students due to the lockdown arising from corona.

 

“The lock down taught us the importance of time. Some of you have really made use of this period to enhance your knowledge by surfing internet and participating in online extra classes.    But now much have these gadgets helped you develop your personality or deteriorate the same is the question of the hour.  What has been taught in the campus can never be equal to any amount of browsing. What you learn in school is not just subject matter... something that is beyond textbooks”, he said.

 

Observing that developing soft skills is important, he said, “The worst culprit in the present day is the mobile that has become a part and parcel of your existence.  Unfortunately, we fail to use it as per the need. The gadget has made us understand the world in all its ugliness as well. The online classes have so many benefits, but it has this one main negative element...the usage of mobiles in a very wrong manner. The young mind is not able to segregate the good from bad and so the disaster. No one can help us. We have to know what is good and what should not be pursued".

 

He advised students to have goal and show interest in some hobby.

 

Advising students not to waste their previous time with gadgets, he said, “We get sucked up with by the films and serials.  There is no competition between you and another person.   The comparison should be with your Own self then and now.   To succeed, you need four traits – Respect, Belle if, Love and Hoard work”, he noted.

 

School Correspondent Umar Farouk said that various events would be held throughout the year to mark Silver Jubilee.

 

“We also used the occasion to pin badges of responsibility on the student office-bearers”, he said.

 

Pranav Aniruth     -   Head Boy

Manisha                -    Head Girl

Ifthikar                  -   Sports Captain

Janani                   -   Cultural Captain

And 8 others as captains of the 4 houses.

To mark, the 200^th year of the existence of Ooty, Our Chief Guest initiated a tree planting programme.   We planted a dozen saplings now.. The rest will be planted at the Fernhill campus”, he said.  

Students staged dance performance.

(Response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com) 

 LANDMARK -- 4:

ST JOSEPH’S CALENDAR IS A VISUAL TREAT AND KNOWLEDGE BOOSTER

 

By P S SUNDAR

 

The annual wall calendars of St Joseph’s institutions, Coonoor – St Joseph’s Boys’ Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School and St Joseph’s Academy (ICSE and ISC – Co-ed) – have been very famous not only for their visual appeal but the information they convey.   These information are extremely useful to upgrade the knowledge of not only the students but parents and anyone who takes a look at the calendar.

 

In keeping with this tradition, the school’s Principal Bro Solomon Alexander has come out with a new theme for 2022 wall calendar.   The theme is “Beautiful Palaces in The World”.

 

On the cover page, an aerial view of the school campus appears and brief history of the birth and growth of the school since 1888 run by the Brothers of St Patrick has been covered along with a couple of relevant photos.

 

Thereafter, each page is devoted to a month with dates as what every calendar means but the value-addition comes as each page carries a beautiful photo of a palace chosen from one country.  Interestingly, details about the birth, structural significance and historical importance of that palace are given below the photo.   Thus, while the photo gives a visual treat, the details help viewers understand, appreciate and remain awestruck.   In reality, they are not just ‘beautiful’ palaces but ‘historically significant’ palaces as the details explain.

 

The palaces covered in this calendar are: Mysore Palace (India), Forbidden City (China), Winter Palace (Russia), Alhambra (Spain), Palace of Versailles (France), Topkapi Palace (Turkey), Chateau de Chambord (France), Potala Palace (Tibet), Schonbrunn Palace (Austria), Buckingham Palace (UK), Palais des Papes (France) and Grand Palace (Bangkok, Thailand). 

 

Of course, these are just samples of the many historic palaces in different parts of the world.  Certainly, the presentation in this calendar kindles interest to see these and other palaces.

 

Another value-addition the calendar has is that on each page, it speaks about an aspect of transformation.  Thus, Self, Family, Social, Cultural, Economic, Ecological, Educational, Digital, Health & Fitness, Global, Energy and Spiritual Transformation are covered one on each page.  A brief description is given as to what that transformation is.  In effect, it educates readers and motivates them to go for the relevant transformation.

 

Each page also has a photo of a happening picked up from the school’s activities.

(Response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

 

    

 

 HAPPENING -- 28:

MOUNTAIN GAUR’S RUNNING CLUB  ACHIEVERS HONOURED

 

By P S SUNDAR

 

Last Saturday of November 2021 was a memorable day for the 18 achievers attached to The Mountain Gaur’s Running Club (TMGRC)  in Coonoor as they were honoured by the Bangalore-based ‘Life is Calling’ organisation which specialises in endurance activities including running and cycling.

 

TMGRC’s founder Pamela Benny Alves told me, “These persons have been honoured for their running fete for 100 days with a minimum of two kilometres daily but we had participants doing marathon and semi-marathon running each day”.

 

Pamela, who is The Ambassador for The Nilgiris for ‘Life is Calling’ organisation said, “In view of the Covid restrictions, the event was organised virtually and our members who had stuck in various places participated in their respective places including Dubai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Chidambaram and Kotagiri besides Coonoor”.

 

Cyril

Pamela

“Most participants were non-runners or seldom walkers.  The event was organised to motivate people to go for fit lifestyle and our fitness trainer Cyril Gonsalves provided the necessary fitness training in Coonoor”, said Pamela who bagged India’s Rank No: 1.

TMGRC’s organiser Pooja Singh Yohan said, “Our member Maria Benny bagged India’s Rank No: 3.  Interestingly, most runners were 40 to 60 years age.  This event has motivated more women in the age bracket to take up to running activities to stay fit”.   

While Cyril presented mementoes to Pamela and Maria, Pooja honoured each with flowers.

According to Pamela the following were the participants:

 

1.Sunitha Varghese  (43)                            

2.Victoria  Savarimuthu (51)

3.Maria Benny (41)

4.Pamela Benny Alves (50)

5.Andrew Joseph Alves (20)

6. Sheila Hillary (60)

7. Cyril Gonsalves (35)

8.Deirdre Fernandez (42)

9.Sivalinga Babu (39)

10.Deepa Babu (37)

11.Samyuktha Ganesan (12)

12. Shital Maloo (41)

13. Sathya (50)

14.  Ramesh N Swamy (51)

15.Smitha Joseph (53)

16.Sudha Babu (44)                  

17.Manoj Varghese (51)

18.Faye W (40)

 

On their request, I was the Chief Guest and adorned each with the Medal.  

 

In my Chief Guest address, I motivated them all by highlighting the significant contribution of: (a) Pamela (b) family members especially of Pamela (c) fitness trainer Cyril Gonsalves and (d) all those who ran for their level of achievement.

I threw out a formula for success in running irrespective of age, gender or family circumstances.   I called this formula “PAMELA” as an abbreviation to expand into Perseverance, Attitude, Managing time, Exercise to stay fit, Longing for long distance and long hours of running and Aiming higher by Achievers.

The impact was instantaneous and impressive so much so that Pamela recorded: “Fitting end to the 100 days of running!  Team Mountain Gaur's, an amazing appreciation by the esteemed P S Sundar Sir at the medal Ceremony! That speech is a "must hear" for every runner!    We were immensely inspired by this Chief Guest's speech!”

 

She can be reached on phone: 9626343774.

(Response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

 

 ACHIEVEMENT -- 15:

SISTER-BROTHER DUO SELECTED FOR NATIONAL CUE CHAMPIONSHIP

 By P S SUNDAR 

 

Coonoor-based college student and her school going brother have brought laurels to The Nilgiris district by getting selected to represent Tamil Nadu in the National Billiards and Snooker championship to be held in Bhopal.   If selected at the Nationals, they stand a chance to represent India in international tourneys.

 

This follows their winning Medals and places at the 37^th TN State Championship 2021 held in Chennai.

 

Mariam Agnish (20) studying in BCom (final year) in Providence College for Women in Coonoor made a clean sweep by annexing Medals in both Snooker and Billiards in all the four categories she contested.

 

She told me, “In Snooker state championship, I won two Silver Medals each in Ladies and under-21 categories.   In Billiards, I won Silver in Ladies category and Bronze in under-21 category”.

 

Mariam had represented India in World Snooker championship twice in Russia and once in Belgium.

 

She holds the credit of being the only female from The Nilgiris district to have represented India in official international cue game tourneys abroad.

 

Her brother Sham Alwin (13), studying in VIII standard in Stanes Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Coonoor, has bagged two ranks.

 

He said, “In the state championship of under-18 category, I bagged Fourth Place in Billiards and Fifth in Snooker and have been selected for the Nationals in both”.

 

Earlier at the selections held in Tirupur, he bagged Gold in both Billiards and Snooker.

(Response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com) 

 

 ACHIEVEMENT -- 14:

AGE IS NOT A DETERRENT:

AT 50, SHE RANKS No: 1 IN 100 DAYS RUNNING

 

By P S SUNDAR 

 

That age is not a deterrent to achieve in life has once again been proved right with 50-year-old mother of two adult sons living in Mount Pleasant in Coonoor emerging as Rank No: 1 in all-India level in 100 days of running each day.

 

Pamela Benny Alves, Ambassador for Nilgiris of the Bangalore-based ‘Life is Calling’ organisation, which specialises in endurance activities including running and cycling, undertook 100 days of daily running to cover 2050.32 kilometres and bag Rank No: 1 among the over 500 participants in the whole of India.

 

“On an average, I ran 20.50 kilometres daily totalling 268:13:23 hours of running for 100 days.  This marked an achievement of 7 minutes to cover a kilometre”, she told me.

 

“I also ran another event organised by the world famous HDOR for 100 days to cover 2,590 kilometres.   For this, for three days, I did full marathon of 42 kilometres, one day 60 kilometres and many days of half marathon of 21 kilometres.   The running was each day without break – the first in the Nilgiris to achieve this”, she disclosed.

 

“In this event, I bagged sixth rank in India among 5,998 participants and first in the Nilgiris.  Among the 307 participants in the 50+ age group, I bagged rank No: 1”, she noted.

 

Pamela said that she beat hostile terrain and high elevation of The Nilgiris to reach these national-level positions.   “My fitness trainer Cyril Gonsalves contributed significantly to keep me fit”, she noted.

 

She attributed the co-operation from her husband Sebastiao Alves in all aspects as a principal cause for her achievement.   Both of them run a NGO called ‘The Transcultural Mission’ as a charity trust in Coonoor.  As part of it, this summer, ‘The Mountain Gaur’s Club’ was formed.   “The aim is to enhance fitness, make non-walkers into walkers and walkers into runners”, Pamela said.

 

She added, “Anyone needing help to take up running as an endurance and fitness endeavour, irrespective of age or gender can reach me on 9626343774”.

(Response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)