RAMAYANA REVISITED

*

Dear Dharumi:
I hope you will include this in our save American College blog.

Thanks

V. Srinivasan


*



Ramayana revisited

A Ravana was attracted by the beauty (the real estate value) of Sita (The American College) and wanted to have her as one more woman (educational instruction) under his control. He used Maricha and kidnapped her and took her to Asokavana (different courts). While she was there Trijadai (daughter of Vibishanan - the Joint Director of Collegiate Education) was asked to take care of her and she did it as best as she could. Rama (Chinnaraj Joseph) had determined to get Sita back. A war was declared and fought in Srilanka (the benches of Madras High Court in Madurai) and finally Sita is back.

The two Ramas had their armies that stood firm with them throughout the war. Unlike the army of the legendry Rama the army of our Rama had a good number of women (to establish gender equality) and their achievement is unique and deserves a special mention. The power of prayer is well brought out in both the wars. Rama was advised to worship the Sun on the last day of the war before he went to defeat Ravana. He recited a prayer now known as Aditya Hridhayam that several people now recite for their success in their different ventures. The prayer meetings and individual prayers of our Rama and his army have no doubt contributed to the present victory. To lead them in their prayers, in the absence of any ordained priest of the CSI who were on the other camp, the army of our Rama had to seek the help of pastors of other Christian denominations just as Agastiar (and not Viswamintra his teacher nor Vashista his family guru) who lead Rama in worshiping the Sun.

The role of IPAC (Initiative for Protection of American College) in this battle is well known. It is no wonder the residence of the President of IPAC (Prof. Solomon Pappia) is also the office of Kamban Kazaham of Madurai (Rama as seen by Kamban resides there these days).

The story doesn't end here. In Ramayana, in the peak of the war Vibishanan, the brother of Ravana, joined Rama's camp after he failed to convince Ravana about the wrong actions. The saranagathi (total surrender) of Vibishanan is well known. He was well received well and taken by Rama into his fold gracefully. Now it is time for our Vibishanans to see the truth and join Rama to glorify Sita.

The next step should be to rebuild the lost reputation of the College during the last several months. Just as we were among the first few Autonomous Colleges in the country when the concept of autonomy was introduced we should be one of the first few colleges when the the new plan of Government of India to identify a few Colleges to be Universities is implemented.

Dear readers of this blog: Thank you for bearing with my writings. Thanks for some of your comments. I could not keep quite when Sita was in trouble.




*