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THE EDUCATION MISSION OF THE ARCHBISHOP FOR THE PAST 50 MONTHS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PONDICHERRY AND CUDDALORE FROM JULY 2004 TO AUGUST 2008
In the opening speech of the 1844 synod of Pondicherry Msgr. Clement Bonnand put forth to the missionaries present, the agenda to start new schools and educate both the rural and the urban children of the region. Providentially, the Archdiocese has always felt the importance of education and hosted numerous plans to realize it. Following the legacy of his predecessors our Archbishop Antony Anandarayar from his very day of his consecration was doing all that he can to empower the children and the youth by assisting them monetarily to have a dignified future through education. He has sensed and thoroughly analysed the literacy pulse of the Archdiocese and concluded that education is empowerment. We have heard him saying,
"These people are poor, because they are not employed; They are not employed because they are not educated; They are not educated, because they are poor. Education is power; Education is empowerment; Education is liberation. The best way to empower the poor people, the Schedule Caste people, and the marginalised people is to give them the benefits of education at various levels."
The Archbishop's preferential option for the liberation and development of the schedule castes, poor and the marginalized can be very well sensed by his education mission to the faithful of the Archdiocese. The education mission of the Archbishop would have been an unrealized dream if the Priests of the Archdiocese, our faithful from different parishes, well wishers, and his personal benefactors shrunk their generous hands. Our deep sense of gratitude flows to each and every one of them.
The Archbishop's Education Fund
Free education seems to be existing only in the land of Utopia. This Utopian reality has to be fuelled to become a tangible reality. The economic situation of our Country push many of the families to say "no" to the education of their children even if there exists a deep thirst for knowledge. As we live in this land the situation of our Archdiocese is no better than the situation of our Country. They are not educated because they are poor. The Archbishop was firm in disproving this proposition, for him poverty should not be a defeating cause to deny education to those who really have a deep desire to learn. This strong resolve of the Archbishop made him to establish the Archbishop's education fund.
THE ARCHBISHOP'S EDUCATION FUNDS HAS TWO SOURCES :
  • LOCAL CONTRIBUTION: This includes the amount contributed by the Parishes, Institutions, individuals, well wishers and benefactors within the country instead of bestowing gifts and shawls on the Archbishop during his visits.
  • OTHER SOURCES: This includes the money procured from
    • LWA- Little Way Association, London.
    • Kindermission, Germany and from
    • Archbishop's Personal Friends and Benefactors living abroad.
The List Of The Amount Spent For Each Parish Towards Education In The Past 50 Months From Archbishop's Education Fund And Other Sources  Top  
(This list is arranged according to the maximum amount spent on a Parish towards Education.)
SL.NO. PARISH AMOUNT
01 Eraiyur 1160605
02 Cathedral 626873
03 Melvazhi 523568
04 Vadalur 377901
05 Alagappa Samutiram 346255
06 Mel-Sithamur 324550
07 Sacred Heart 311089
08 Krishnankuppam 302650
09 Vikravandi 287375
10 Irudayampattu 263073
11 Iruppukurichy 252704
12 Anilady 251500
13 Velanthangal 244474
14 Ariancoupam 235000
15 Kommedu 232700
16 Cuddalore-1 230298
17 Sathipattu 228800
18 Irundai 223216
19 Tindivanam 221500
20 Uppalam 218971
21 Konankuppam 214538
22 Sathiamangalam 209150
23 Thurinjicollai 203300
24 Mugaiyur 202256
25 Gingee 196100
26 Kakkanur 188700
27 Nellitope 184700
28 Anaiyeri 176100
29 Neyveli -1 169250
30 Fathimapalayam 147300
31 Chinnasalem 138640
32 Thely 131900
33 Cuddalore - 2 127714
34 Vinoba Nagar 121500
35 Viriyur 120000
36 Reddiarpalayam 116575
37 Akkarapalayam 112300
38 Michaelpuram 111800
39 Panikankuppam 111300
40 Vellaikulam 110700
41 Maiyanur 108400
42 St.Francis Xavier, VPM 108000
43 Muthialpet 107900
44 Ayandur 104500
45 Veerareddikuppam 102850
46 Odiathur 98410
47 Periapet 97900
48 Kanangadu 93100
49 Nangathur 88950
SL.NO. PARISH AMOUNT
50 Sengadu 88329
51 Kovilanur 88000
52 Munnur 86760
53 Kallery 83200
54 Neyveli - 2 78500
55 Karaikal 77850
56 Kanakankuppam 73700
57 Arasakuzhy 73200
58 Athipakkam 65200
59 Kunankurichy 61700
60 Kurusukuppam 60350
61 Mel-Nariappanur 55400
62 Marakanam 55000
63 Kallakurichy 54356
64 Thirukoilur 51200
65 Christ the King, VPM 46000
66 Thurinjipoondy 45850
67 Therkunam 44073
68 Narasinganur 44000
69 Agrakottalam 38500
70 T.R.Pattinam 37625
71 Adanur 37500
72 Kalpet 37300
73 Keezhputhupattu 37250
74 Vridhachalam 35800
75 Tagore Nagar 30000
76 Memalur 28600
77 Nedungampet 26200
78 Villianur 22900
79 Kodungal 21800
80 Gedilam Maranodai 21000
81 Nellikuppam 21000
82 Cuddalore- 2 (Tirupapuliyur) 20500
83 Arcadu 20200
84 Mel-Pazhangur 17500
85 Arulambadi 13700
86 Ulundurpet 12800
87 Kurumbagaram 12000
88 Bahour 10000
89 Samupillai Nagar,Cuddalore 9000
90 Thattanchavady 8700
91 Perianolambai 8000
92 Pennadam 7500
93 Uluthur 6000
94 Rainbow Nagar 5000
95 Neelaveli Estate 5000
96 Manalurpet 4000
97 Notre Dame 500
Total 12655478
FINANCIAL HELP TO THE POOR STUDENTS  Top  
(05-07-2004 to 31-08-2008)
Rs. 40,000 AND ABOVE
The table below enlists the details of the educational help offered by the Archbishop for the really deserving cases in the past years. By scanning through the list given below one can very well access that the Archbishop has kept his saying by allocating a lion's share of the education fund towards the poor, marginalized and the SC candidates. The list is given in the order of the highest to the lowest amount spent on the candidates.
(This list is arranged according to the amount spent from highest to the lowest)
SL. NO. NAME COURSE PARISH RUPEES SC / NON SC
01 Jyothi Mary B.Com. B.Ed. Melvazhi - Kunniyur 144110 SC
02 A. Flora Mary Nursing Konankuppam - Kanyankuppam 130750 SC
03 A. Portia Mary B.A. B.Ed. Mel-Sithamur 127050 SC
04 B. Priyadharshini SGT Dubrayapet - Sacred Heart, Pondy 113500 SC
05 I. Natchatra Mary SGT Melvazhi - Rishivandiyam 107100 SC
06 M. Vimali SGT Gingee 99500 SC
07 Vasantha Mary SGT Alagappasamutiram 96800 SC
08 M.Arokia Mary B.Ed. Chinnasalem - Koogaiyur 94750 SC
09 S.Ananda Selvi SGT Kommedu 92300 SC
10 L.Amalorpava Mary SGT Anaiyeri - Kizmalai 87800 SC
11 A.Rose Mary B.Ed. Krishnankuppam 79200 SC
12 S.Prem Kumar SGT Fathimapalayam 76600 SC
13 V.Regina Mary Nursing Melvazhi - Rishivandiyam 75100 SC
14 Arputha Selvi SGT Vinoba Nagar 75000 SC
15 I.Vinnarasan SGT Melvazhi - Rishivandiyam 73730 SC
16 S.Maria Jose B.A. B.Ed. Cathedral - Puducherry 73000 Non-s.c
17 Agnes Isabella B.A. B.Ed. Irudayampattu 72200 Non-SC
18 Britto SGT Melvazhi 65025 SC
19 L. Philomina Mary SGT Vadalur - Kolakudi 63500 Non-SC
20 A. Jackuline Mary B.Ed. Irudayampattu 62500 Non-SC
21 I. Arockia Mary SGT Anilady 60600 Non-SC
22 S.Sesu Mary SGT Thely- Kanai 60400 SC
23 P.Fathima B.Ed. St.Francis Xavier, Villupuram 54000 SC
24 Maria Natchathiram B.Ed. Cuddlore-1 50000 Non-SC
25 Amala Nayagi B.Ed. Mugaiyur 49000 SC
26 Emmanuel Mugundan B.Ed. Ariyankuppam 47600 SC
27 Julie Michael Rani B.A. B.Ed. Sacred Heart, Pondicherry 47050 Non-SC
28 Josephine Jeyarani MSW Maiyanur 47000 Non-SC
29 Sampath Kumar SGT Venganthur-Melsithamur 46600 SC
30 A.Nancy . B.Ed Melsithamur 45000 SC
31 Lilly Flora SGT Akkarapalayam 42500 Non-SC
32 C.John Peter SGT Chitheripattu - Ayandur 42200 SC
33 Jesi Prakasi Nursing Krishnankuppam 41000 SC
34 Jhansy Asha Nursing P.N Kuppam - Vadalur 40000 SC
35 Bruno MBBS Nellithope 40000 Non-SC
N.B: 25 SC students have enjoyed the maximum benefits followed by the other 10 Non-SC candidates.
THE 50 MONTHS FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE ARCHBISHOP'S EDUCATIONAL FUND AND OTHER SOURCES  Top  
(A GLIMPSE OF THE REALIZED VISION)
TOTAL NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES :
3,563
TOTAL AMOUNT DISBURSED FROM THE ARCHBISHOP'S EDUCATION FUND AND THE OTHER SOURCES :
1,33,36,902
(One Crore thirty three Lakhs thirty Six thousand nine hundred and two Rupees)
N.B: Rs. 6,81,424 has been utilised for charity, medical help, housing etc.,
ARCHBISHOP'S VISIT TO THE INSTITUTIONS  Top  
YEAR 2005
  • St. Michael's Higher Secondary School, Gingee.
  • St. Antony's Higher Secondary School, Melnarriappanur.
  • Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Irrupukurichy.
  • Adaikala Annai Higher Secondary School, Viriyur.
  • Blessed Mother Teresa Model Higher Secondary School, Nainarmandapam, Puducherry.
  • Pope John Paul II College of Education, Reddiyarpalayam, Puducherry.
  • Petit Seminaire Higher Secondary School, Puducherry.
  • R.C Teacher Training Institute, Tindivanam.
  • St. Ann's Higher Secondary School, Tindivanam.
  • St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, Karaikal.
  • St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Manjakuppam, Cuddalore-1.
  • St. Joseph's College of Arts and Science, Cuddalore-1.
  • St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Thirupapuliyur, Cuddalore-2.
  • St. Joseph's ITI, Cuddalore-1.
  • St. Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Pagandai Kootu Road.
  • St. Paul's Higher Secondary School, Neyveli-1
YEAR 2006
  • St. Xavier's Higher Secondary School, Mugaiyur.
  • St. Michael's Higher Secondary School, Gingee.
  • Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Anilady.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE ARCHBISHOP  Top  
The Archbishop surveyed well all the parishes of the Archdiocese and found out that there are schools without proper infrastructure facilities. Having realized that they are absolutely necessary for acquiring knowledge he sketched out a blueprint and systematically tapped and pooled in the required resources from all over the world. The faithful and his personal benefactors helped him a lot to realize his vision in the education of the poor, the scheduled castes and the marginalized. By glancing through the list furnished here below one can witness the planning, the labour, the time, and the huge sum went into the infrastructure alone.
NEW BUILDINGS
  • 11.09.2004, construction of a new block, MRICRC High school, Villupuram.
  • 30.10.2004, construction of new primary school block, Konankuppam.
  • 15.03.2005, construction of a new school, Kakkanur. (PMD)*
  • 29.05.2005, construction of a new school building, Seedevi.
  • 02.06.2005, construction of a new block, Kovilanur.
  • 05.10.2005, construction of a new block, Petit Seminaire, Uppalam, Puducherry.
  • 18.11.2005, construction of a new block, RCTTI, Tindivanam.
  • 09.01.2006, construction of a new block, St. Michael's, Gingee.
  • 09.01.2006, construction of a new block, Sacred Heart, Anilady.
  • 23.01.2006, construction of a new block, Kolping Matriculation, Kalapet.
  • 27.02.2006, construction of a new block, St.Peter's, Sathipattu.
  • 20.02.2006, construction of a new block, St. Francis Xavier, Mugaiyur.
  • 15.02.2006, construction of a new block, R.C Middle School, Akkarakotalam.
  • 20.02.2006, construction of a new block, R.C Primary School, Sengamedu. (P.M.D)*
  • 27.03. 2006, construction of a new block, R.C Primary School, Anilady. (P.M.D)*
  • 17.04.2006, construction of a new block, R.C. Primary School, Gingee.
  • 25.05.2006, construction of a new High School Building, Krishnankuppam.
  • July 2006, construction of a new block, St. Xaviers Middle School, Cuddalore O.T.
  • 02.12.2006, construction of a new block, St. Antony's, Melnarriappanur.
  • 27.12.2006, construction of new Research centre, Kanagachettikulam.
  • 19.03.2007, construction of the new Library Block, St. Joseph's College, Cuddalore-1.
  • 31.03.2007, construction of a new block, Primary School, Nangathur (PMD)*
  • 10.10.2007, construction of a new block, Middle School, Sengadu.
  • 12.12.2007, construction of a new building, Primary School, Thely. (PMD)*
  • 18.12.2007, construction of a new block, Primary School, Kallery (PMD)*
  • 25.03.2008, construction of a new building, MVTC, Ranganadhapuram.#
  • 26.03.2008, construction of a new block, Sacred Heart, Thurinjipoondi.
  • 29.03.2008, construction of a new block, St.Anne's, Tindivanam.
  • 06.06.2008, construction of a new school building, R.C Primary School, Thurinjipoondi.
  • 11.07.2008, construction of a new school building, Athippakkam.
  • 15.07.2008, construction of a new school building, Middle School, Sathiyamangalam.
  • 04.07.2008, construction of a new block, Petit Seminaire, Puducherry.
  • 21.08.2008, construction of a new school building, Melpazhangur.
N.B: * We acknowledge with gratitude the monetary assistance and the construction works undertaken by PMD towards the infrastructural developments.
# Marine Vocation Training Centre, functions at Ranganadhapuram on the East Coast Road. This project is fully funded and maintained by Deutsch-Indische Kinderhilfe. Our heartfelt gratitude flows to the Agency and to its President Mr. Dorasamy Sridharan a good friend and a well wisher of our Archbishop A. Antony Anandarayar for the purchase of 5 acres of land, for buildings and equipments and for the annual maintenance of MVTC. We also thank Henkel Düsseldorf for their generous contribution which we received through the arduous efforts of Mr. Dorasamy Sridharan. So far he has spent Rs. 90,96,824 for MVTC alone.
NEW CLASS ROOMS
  • 18.09.2004, construction of two new class rooms, Kanakankuppam.
  • 04.10.2004, construction of four new class rooms, Michaelpuram.
  • 24.11.2004, construction of two new class rooms, Kodungal.
RENOVATION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS
  • 06.04.2005, eight renovated class rooms, Gingee.
  • 05.06.2006, renovated middle school, Melakondai.
  • 15.06.2006, renovated school building, Mugaiyur.
  • July 2006, renovated Primary School, Irundai
  • 06.07.2006, renovated Middle School building, Nellikuppam.
  • 18.07.2006, renovated Middle School building, Cuddalore-1.
  • 26.04.2008, renovated School building, Kovilankuppam.
  • 26.04.2008, renovated School building, Veerareddikuppam.
CONSTRUCTION OF HOSTELS AND BOARDINGS
  • 22.08.2005, construction of St. Michael's Boy's Home, Gingee.
  • 25.09.2005, construction of a Tuition centre, Keezputthupattu.
  • 01.12.2005, construction of a new Hostel, Irrupukurichi.
  • 02.12.2005, construction of St.Antony's Boy's Home, Melnarriappanur.
  • 28.11.2006, construction of new Boy's Home, Vikravandy.
  • 18.11.2007, construction of new Hostel, Viriyur.
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HALLS
  • 25.02.2006, construction of a new hall, St.Anne's, Tindivanam.
  • 28.08.2006, construction of a new hall, Pope John Paul College, Reddiyarpalayam.
A HEARTWARMING GESTURE
The most consoling part of the Education mission of the Archbishop is that some of the beneficiaries after finishing their studies with the help of the Archbishop's education fund have got their jobs. Few, though very poor were very magnanimous to offer their first month's salary to the Archbishop's education fund. They wish that like them, more number of poor students who want to study but cannot study should become beneficiaries of the Archbishop's education mission. These are authentic cases to show that their lives would have been different if they were not educated and the sole credit goes to our Archbishop.
A STASTICAL GLANCE  Top  
TOTAL NUMBER OF PARISHES BENEFITED BY THE ARCHBISHOP'S EDUCATION FUND: 97
TOTAL AMOUNT DISBURSED FROM THE ARCHBISHOP'S EDUCATION FUND:
Rs. 1,33,36,902 (One Crore thirty three Lakhs thirty Six thousand nine hundred and two Rupees)
TOTAL NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES: 3,563
TOTAL NUMBER OF VISITS TO THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: 19
NEW BUILDINGS: 33
NEW CLASS ROOMS CONSTRUCTED: 3
SCHOOLS RENOVATED: 8
TOTAL NO OF BOARDINGS AND HOSTELS CONSTRUCTED: 6
HALLS CONSTRUCTED: 2
Rev. Fr. S. Sandou Cyril
Secretary to the Curia
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