the last word
by Susheila Williams Executive Secretary of CSI Bishop Appasamy College of Arts & Science
Rolling The Stone Away
I
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And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away – and it was very large.
Bishop Appasamy College of Arts & Science is situated in
Mark 16:3-4
kids and settle the fees.” It was a gentleman’s agreement.
the prestigious race course area, the center of the city of Coimbatore. Career-oriented and innovative courses offered here attract students from all walks of life. “Well, which are the courses your girls want?” I asked. The students’ service co-coordinator explained to him the features of the undergraduate courses offered in the college. He settled for social work for his eldest daughter and commerce for his second daughter. He also wanted to put both of them in the hostel. The fee structure of the course fees and hostel fees was explained to him. “I cannot pay so much. Every time my goats yean I’ll sell the However, through the state government scholarship scheme part of the course fee could be met. We found sponsors for
want seats for my two daughters in your college,”
the balance amount. That was three years back.
demanded the pathetic figure standing in front of me. It was a very hot summer afternoon. With shrunken
This summer: “I want a seat for my youngest daughter in
eyes, hollow cheeks, two front teeth missing and his
computer science, and for my first daughter in master’s of social
frail body in a thin shirt and dhoti, his age appeared
work.” The familiar voice made me look up. “My second daughter
to be of 70 years. In reality I estimated it to be 50. Poverty in
who finished her bachelor’s degree in commerce in your college
India means getting old at 40 and dying at 60.
has started earning. She will support her sisters in the college. As usual I will settle the balance whenever my goats yean.” I
His narration revealed that he was from a village called
calculated that the whole amount would meet only a fraction of
Devanamputhur, 30 km from Coimbatore. As a goat herd,
the college dues, but this man’s faith has been taken care of by
his meager earning was substantiated by working as a night
the Lord through this Christ-centered college. The cross led him
watchman in nearby shops. Believe me, he was not illiterate.
to the right place and the stone has been rolled away.
He had studied up to the 10th standard but could not pursue higher studies due to his financial inability.
In a country where women are treated as the children of lesser gods, the stone blocking the progress of women has been rolled
“My name is Shanmugam,” he said. “I have three daughters,
away. Christian institutions continue to serve the Savior, who
and two of them have completed +2 (school finals). I have
has redeemed us from our bondage, by serving his children.
been seeking admission for my daughters in undergraduate courses from college to college, walking up and down the road in Coimbatore without success. The cross in your name board attracted me, and I know that I can expect justice in a Christian institution here.” 34 CCCUAdvance FALL2010
Mrs. Susheila Williams is Executive Secretary of CSI Bishop Appasamy College of Arts & Science in Tamil Nadu, India.