Dear Tharumi:
In the languages of the Christian tradition, including Hebrew, Greek, and English, the roots for the words "save" and "salvation" denote health, healing, wholeness. (I'm not knowledgeable enough to make a linguistic comment about the Tamil equivalents.) Along these lines "Save the College" can mean "Keep the College healthy / whole / well," even "in the fullness of its truth."
So, with V. Srinivasan, I encourage you to pursue the thought conveyed by the language you chose initially for the blog.
I add my thanks for your fine efforts, and am pleased that the College has been renewed for its mission.
William Kelly,
Former American College Chaplain.
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Former American College Chaplain.
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1 comment:
Prof. V.S. says ...
Dear Bill Kelly:
Thank you for keeping me informed of your new mail id. Thank you for the reference you have made about me in your mail to Dharumi (Tharumi, the spelling you have used is also correct as Dh and Th have the same letter in Tamil)
Recently I did a small 'research' on the beautiful belfry of our college that appears in the Save American College web site to get the answer to the question I had raised some time back on the time of its construction. It appears that it was built when the College Chapel was built around the year 1931. I think it will be appropriate for me to share my findings with the former Chaplain of the College before it gets shared with other friends of the College through the web site.
The similarities between the stone pillars, steps and the arches of the belfry and the corresponding pillars, steps and arches in the college Chapel suggest that the two should have built at the time. Bells being associated with worship in temples and churches also supports this. What about the location? The library building that is between the belfry and the Chapel is to act as a sound barrier so that sound is not too loud for those sitting in the chapel. In its present location it is closer to Washburn Hall and the Wallace Hall the two early residences of students.
I hope you like this 'discovery' I have made. I have been pleading for an authentic history of the College. I hope some one takes it up.
With kind regards, VS
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