Groundnuts (Part 2)

  Two stories related to groundnuts are famous in the Province. The second story, sometime in the 2000s, at Karunapuram. 

This incident was during the time of Fr Gopu Marreddy as administrator at Karunapuram.  This is narrated and verified by him in person! 

It was his first year as administrator at Karunapuram and there was the place around the football court that was cultivated once or twice before him.  The farmhand reminded Fr Marreddy that it was time to plant something in the garden and when asked what was planted the previous year, the farmhand replied that they had planted groundnuts.  So they decided to cultivate the same.  Fortunately there were some leftover seeds of the previous year and they decided to use them instead of purchasing again.  

The seeds were planted, they sprouted, the community was involved in taking care, additional people were employed to weed and spread manure and fertilizers and finally the crop was ready for harvest. The Brothers did the harvesting and the yield was good and plentiful.  

As a goodwill gesture, the same evening Fr Marreddy sent small portions of the harvest to the neighbouring religious of Karunapuram.  The next day morning when he went to the JMJ convent for Mass, he noticed the Sisters quite amused and jittery! He somehow celebrated the Mass without being able to shake off this feeling.  After Mass when he entered their dining hall for breakfast, the Sisters, in chorus, congratulated him:  "Congratulations dear Fr. We never ever heard or saw this before, but you successfully managed to grow seedless groundnuts!!"  

It turned out that although the harvest appeared good and was plentiful, it was empty inside for most of it!!! Thus began the saga of Fr Marreddy growing 'seedless groundnuts'!  

Groundnuts (Part 1)

 Two stories related to groundnuts are famous in the Province. The older story first. 

In the early years of St Antony's, Kadapa when the Salesians were entrusted with the house and much before the Hyderabad Province was carved out, Fr M. A. Jacob was the Rector and Fr EJ Mathew was the administrator.  So on the particular occasion of the commemoration of the multiplication of the walnuts by Don Bosco at the Oratory during his time, the Salesian houses then distributed groundnuts in India (for walnuts were not available). When it was the day, Fr Jacob reminded Fr EJ to get groundnuts for the Technical school boys. Fr EJ's Telugu was not that good, but somehow communicated to the staff to get the groundnuts. 

When asked how to distribute it, Fr EJ told the staff to fry them.  "But how?" asked the staff. "Mix them up in sand and roast them in a pan," was the instruction given out.  The staff looked puzzled and not sure if that was right.  After much insistence he did it. Before the distribution could begin, he brough out the bowl. Inside it was groundnut powder mixed with sand!!! The staff had understood groundnuts as groundnuts powder!!!  

Unworthy renewals

 Rubbing salt on the wound, as if summer heat perspiration is not enough, is the laid back attitude of some who take life for granted.  Who have everything they need and still make no effort at contributing their little to the common pool of resources.  That was my thought as I sat at the back of the Church this morning, attending the Mass for the renewal of vows.  How I wished I could toss some of those sitting before me, not just out of the Chapel, but out into a furnace! At the same time, my mind was also telling me, that it is God who calls and perhaps he has a plan for these young Salesians - something of which I am not aware or, in my present state of mind, am unwilling to see! 

After three weeks of spaced out programmes and inputs, we found a couple of guys smoking in the rooms last night - just before the night of their renewal of vows! Last year, on this very day a few others were found with alcohol bottles in their rooms!  In the latter event, I wouldn't open my mouth to protest, because drinks are often served at table in practically all our houses.  So when the seniors drink, that too openly and sometimes, excessively, by what authority can I tell the younger generation that they ought not to.  But smoking??? When on earth do these guys pick that up?  

Sitting in the Chapel, it occurred to me, right now, we have within the Province, a long list of confreres, breaking every rule not just in the Constitutions but of the Gospel as well!  Confreres involved in financial mismanagement, unhealthy relationships, addictions, brazen disobedience, abuse of power, blinded by caste affiliations... and I don't mean, these are rare occurrences; these are habitual, brazen and seen as normal. 

Anyway, I have to remind myself, that it is ultimately God who is the master of vocations and it is His work that we are engaged in.  So if he feels a drunkard or a womaniser or a chain smoker is who he needs for his ministry, who am I to object?  Nonetheless, my conscience tells me that I cannot leave it all to God, for I am convinced he has put me here and now, with this role and that responsibility, for a particular purpose.  That does not let me see, without putting up a fight, my home, my family, my province go up in smoke! However I need to constantly remind myself that it is not God who needs protection or defense; it is the individual who needs accompaniment. 

History of Surakshitha building

In 1993 Fr Sebastian M was the rector of Ravulapalem. By this time PARA was already established and registered as a society (1988). Fr Sebastian bought a plot of land behind the Salesian residence at Ravulapalem (a paddy field then) measuring 14 cents. This was bought in two bits of 7 cents each. His plan was to provide a boarding facility for students after their class 10 exams. The idea was to have the school teaching staff living on the ground floor and the students on the top floor. One for boys and gents, the other portion for girls and ladies. That was the intention and plan with which Fr Sebastian bought the two bits. 

Fr Pallithanam was under the impression that one plot was bought in the name of Ravulapalem and the other in the name of PARA. But when Prabhakar and I checked the land documents yesterday we realised both the plots were bought in the name of Ravulapalem society. 

Perhaps when it was decided to shift Surakshitha home out of the PARA premises, one of the portions of the land was "gifted" to PARA. Because Palli is sure that the building was built by PARA. 

Fr Thathi, the Fifth Provincial of Hyderabad!

On December 16, 2015 Fr Angel Fernandez, our Rector Major, announced Fr Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar as the Provincial elect of the Salesian Province of Hyderabad (INH). He succeeds Fr Raminedi Balaraju as the fifth Provincial of Hyderabad. As we rejoice at this announcement we gladly welcome him back to the Province (from the Generalate) and sincerely thank Fr Balaraju for his yeomen services to the Province.

Fr Thathi as he is fondly called in the Province, will certainly draw heavily from his experience as the Vice Provincial of Hyderabad for the past 5 years till he was called to the Generalate. He is all of 41 years (being born on October 10, 1974) but much loved and admired by the confreres and all those who have been in touch with him, ever since his initial formation.

The Province stands to gain from his multi-talented personality who is able to put his hand to anything and produce quality results. Besides being a qualified formator (skilled and trained in Philosophy) he also has completed his Ph.D. from UPS, Rome. Passionate about social communication, he recently directed a movie on Don Bosco titled 'The Journey'. He has also been the editor of the Province newsletter 'Kaburlu', and the delegate for Social communication for two terms . His love for the poor has found concrete expression in his dedicated work with and for the street children of Visakhapatnam, while being fully involved in the Philosophate at St John's Regional Seminary, Kondadaba.

His organisational and relational skills were made visible especially during his stint as the vice-provincial. After animating the 8th Provincial Chapter he was also elected as the Province Delegate to the 27th General Chapter. Besides being blessed with qualities of the head, he also has a large heart and a sane balancing ability of both. These externally visible features rest strong and rise deep from his inner convictions and principles of Salesian Religious life. Counting on all these rich qualities he was called to the Generalate in August 2015 to be part of the Youth Pastoral Team. The Province is indeed blessed to have him back as its chief animator.

Fr Thathi hails from Reddypalem, in Mahboobnagar district of Telangana and is the eldest in the family of three children. He lost his father a year ago and is much doted on by his beloved mother, Mrs Maria Rani. He joined the Salesian aspirantate at Gunadala, Vijayawada as an eighth standard boy and went on to make his first profession in the freshly bifurcated Province of Hyderabad (from Bangalore) on May 24, 1993. After his theological studies at Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore he was ordained a Priest on January 3, 2003.

Success indicators

Our success indicators are all along the lines of finance and status. But none of us would state – leave alone acknowledge – this truth. We would die and kill to retain the tag of 'poor and abandoned'. The tag is merely to milk donors and benefactors... not for our own living style nor as a yardstick for policy-making.

Why always tie-up ministry with finance? I understand that finance is required for ministry, but not compulsory. We have somehow grown with the idea that if we do not have money, that if we do not have benefactors, that if there are no projects, nothing worthwhile can be done. I wonder how much money Jesus had when he went about doing good? I wonder when, where and how Jesus would have carried out his ministry if he too were to have been dependent on finances as we are.

Sick of the ongoing discussions, I started preparing a 'word cloud' of the morning discussions - that's when I was not reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer:
property, new capital, cbse, expand, big campus, land, sustainability, use, money, earning, change according to the times, professional centres, facilities, finance, strength, funds, model,

Don Bosco Provincial House, Hyderabad (2)

Still speaking about our Don Bosco Provincial House, Hyderabad, I was amused to see once again, a couple of photos of the ground breaking ceremony of the same house... must be about the year 1994, or even the previous year.

(L to R - only those I know): PK Jose, --, --, Charles, Fr Balaswamy, --, Fr Benji, Mr Anwar's father, Fr EJ Mathew, --, Fr Chackochan, Mr Thomas, --)

This one has Fr TV Antony too (third from the left). Then there is Mr Anwar (third from the right).

Don Bosco Provincial House, Hyderabad

Only today did I learn something more interesting about the architecture of our Don Bosco Provincial House, Hyderabad. The chief planner and builder was none other than Benji.  That everyone knows. That he was a good and great friend of the then Rector Major, Fr Egidio Vigano , too is known to everyone.  So much so, Benji could demand things from him - who else was spared?! Therefore Fr Vigano did help the Province much, especially in erecting the Provincial house.  Fr Benji was keen that he be present in person for the inauguration of the new building.  In his honour, the portico was supposed to be a drive in and Benji was determined that Fr Vigano would be the first one to drive in.  However, due to some reasons (unknown to me, as of now), Fr Vigano sent word that he would not make it to Hyderabad.  Benji immediately scrapped the whole drive-in plan! "If Vigano cannot drive in, then no one else needs to drive in either!" That's how we now have the drive, and the portico separate...

This offers a clearer view
(the occasion was the blessing of the new chevorlet vehicle purchased for Gagilapuram/BSK)

Thank God, we're different

Listening to different confreres about their experiences with other confreres in their respective communities and other interactions in the Province at different levels and for different reasons, it is clear that not all of us are the same. Each of us thinks differently, perceives differently and certainly behaves differently. That does not necessarily make us better or worse than the others.  However it does show that though we are Salesians, trained almost in the same charism and for the same mission, yet differences remain.  That's a rather good thing. Imagine if all were to think and be the same!!

One confrere in his excited mood while sharing of his experiences in the Province shared this:

Instincts are magnificent as a driving force, but dangerous as guide. 

Mission Work or Escapism?

Only this evening I came to know that a confrere whom I know well has been transferred to another Province, an European one at that.  In plain political vocabulary it would certainly be nothing less than 'defected'.  Really surprising - actually, 'embarrassing' - was the reason cited for this 'defection'.  I know that things in the Province have not been very rosy or inspirational, if one may say so.  However that does not mean, that one just takes off - that too when one has been given the opportunity to better equip oneself and return to the Province!  Another trend in the Province has been that people opt for the 'missions' when they no longer feel comfortable here at home!  I have no doubts they'd be no better than what they are here; leave alone do any 'mission work'.

Anyway, I know not all and every reason behind this rather sad news. So I'd better not jump to conclusions. Whatever it be, I hope we continue to give our best to the world of youth, wherever it may be, while being true to our commitment and vocation.  I suppose, God knows best. 

Formation in the wider - or real - context

During the meeting in Goa one of the points that emerged and I'm glad was seriously taken note of, was the following:  that formation takes place more outside the formation houses than within.  Most often people think that the initial formation houses of aspirantate, pre-novitiate and philosophate are the ones that 'form' the young salesian religious... now no more!  They - and others too - are more 'formed' by what goes on outside the so-called formation houses... the Province at large.  They are smart and see that what is presented in the formation settings is the ideal but no one really is expected to live the ideal... that's what the message the whole Province, individually and collectively lives it without saying it. So a young Salesian or formee, knows that time in the formation house is only a matter of time!  Real life has nothing to do with what is said and done in the formation house.

I'm glad Fr Doss Kennedy raised this issue and questioned the gathering as to what are the success indicators, as Provincial and leaders of communities and as a Province we uphold.  It is by these standards and indicators that young Salesians tend to mould themselves.  Another way of looking at the same issue: what is the culture of the Province?  What are we looking for? Is qualification (be it ecclesial or secular) the apostolate or one of the means of effective ministry?

Lots to think and reflect about! 

Reluctance or resistance or lethargy?

The meeting of the news correspondents (who go under the title BIS - Bosco Information Services),  was good.  I got to share my views and my knowledge with the group of 22 of them.  However, I realised quite early itself that they were not in sync with me... neither were they interested in being so.  A few however were very much involved and enthusiastic about the whole thing of reporting news and peeping into the possibilities the internet has to offer for us Salesians.  The rest were there because they had to be there!

My immediate observance: there is a general reluctance to read, reflect and write.  Somehow that whole process has not entered our system, neither individually nor collectively.  Thathi tried to get the participants to commit themselves to something concrete (like writing a news article once a week or so) but the response was not forthcoming... neither to his request for creative ideas and proposals for the upcoming jubilee of Salesian presence in Andhra Pradesh.  And who were the participants? The youngest of the confreres, all within the 25 to 35 age group.

Certainly all of us can do better! 

M. Thomas & Co. and the SDBs

The half an hour that I spent with Mr Kamalesh waiting for our turn with the Income Tax officer in Vizag today, was quite enriching.  This is the first time I'm directly dealing with Mr Kamalesh and I found him very sociable and pleasant person.  My previous encounters with him were quite 'hi-bye' sort of, since I was not directly involved in this whole crazy thing of administration and accounting.

However, before I deviate let me put down what Mr Kamalesh narrated to me... as to how M.Thomas & Co. and the Salesians got linked up.  In the year 1972, the Salesians of the south Indian Province (of Madras) were on the lookout for an accountant who would see to their accounting.  The Provincial, Fr Thomas Myladoor in one of his conversations with a Salesian cleric (Amala Joseph), came to know that his father was a _________ (a reputed post, somewhere) and therefore approached him to help out with the Salesian accounting system.  That gentleman turned out to be Mr M. Thomas who had a couple of months ago started his own firm, M. Thomas & Co.  Initially Mr Thomas was reluctant to take up the offer.  However, by 1973 the collaboration had already begun. Sooner than later, a sort of special accounting strategy was drawn up for the Salesians specifically.

During one of the initial audits or evaluations, an Income Tax officer (or was it commissioner?) was highly impressed by the work and strategy of M. Thomas & Co.  That appreciation and word of mouth advertising - if one might call so - saw the fledgling firm of M. Thomas & Co.  grow into a reputed auditor's firm.

Mr Thomas headed the firm till 1986 and upon his demise, Mr Rosario took up the baton. Mr Kamalesh also stated that he joined the firm as a student in 1983 and since then stayed on. Mr Thomas, due to his ill-health, especially rather bad eye-sight (he had high diabetes), was close to death already in 1985.  By then Mr Rosario was overseeing the auditor's firm.

Thanks to Mr Kamalesh for this fine piece of information and also for being the defence person for our income tax hearing today.  

History of Chandur

The land at Chandur was given to the Salesians by Bp Mathew Cheriankunnel who continued to support the Salesian mission with great zeal even later. The idea of a college in that remote part of Nalgonda was inspired by the model of Tirupattur college. Fr T.J. and the pioneers (Frs M.A. Jacob and K.T.Jose) envisioned the place to be transformed just as the Salesian college in Tirupattur did to that place.

Don Bosco Junior College, Chandur began to be operational by 1985, of course in two shed constructed temporarily for the first batch of students. The Salesians had arrived a year before. The attempt to obtain a government grant for the college never succeeded due to a clause which left us behind by two years. The recognition and grant was issued for colleges which commenced by 1883.

Beginnings in Nalgonda

The Salesian mission in Nalgonda District of Andhra Pradesh commenced in a minor way in a village called Kottayagudem. It was spearheaded by the so-called 'grass-rooters' from KJC, Bangalore. I'm told Fr Sebastian John was one among them. However this enterprise was not looked upon kindly from the higher ups and was slowly 'dissolved'. Soon Fr Koshy Thomas and Fr Sebastian M. began to assist in the Parish of Bheemanapalli. It was with the diocese (most probably with Fr Casiagi as the Parish Priest - the same one who took nearly 42 years to build the Parish!). Having worked there the Salesians slowly began to stabilise (read that as 'institutionalise') in Chandur (the present location).

While the establishment of Chandur was overseen by the pioneers Fr M. A. Jacob and Fr K.T. Jose (then a newly ordained Priest), the Bheemanapalli Parish was managed by Fr Devasi (twin brother of Fr Phyllo). However after a span of two years it was handed over back to the Salesians and Chandur continued to flourish.

Fr Chinnappa Thomas in AP

Fr Chinnappa Thomas to-date (March 26, 2012) has spent 43 years in Andhra Pradesh and that too in just five houses: Brahmanakoduru (5 years), Mangalagiri, Punganur, Sodum and presently in his first year at Kondadaba. He was the pioneer of Don Bosco Premnivas, Mangalagiri, the only house in the whole of the Salesian congregation catering to physically challenged children. At Brahmanakoduru, from where the Salesians later shifted to Ponnur, Fr Thomas was sent as a helper to Fr V.T. John, in the place of Fr Chacko Thattil.

Provincial Community Day

Yesterday was the Provincial Community day at Ongole and Fr Wilson and I represented the community for the same. It was a nice break and we enjoyed the trip and the stay there. There was the prayer and sharing in the morning, a good lunch, then the fun trip to the beach and later in the evening there was the Holy Mass. We did not stay for the Mass as we had booked our return journey by the only available train that would get us back to Vizag in time for the classes of today.

Very many confreres, beginning with Thathi were surprised to see me there. They were sure that I would never attend such gatherings! Anyway, it went on well. Got to meet confreres and have some fun too. The journey that way too was very adventurous.

Besides the many things that caught my attention, the most glaring one was the way some of our confreres had 'bloated' - literally. There was hardly anyone who had grown lean. On the contrary very many had put on several kilos, especially their bellies!

Recollecting days with Fr Varricatt John

I was privileged to live with Fr John Varricatt during my practical training in Karunapuram. He passed away too in the same time. I, along with Prathap (then, a deacon) was honoured to attend his final Eucharistic celebration. However, that's another story.

Here I would like to record what I heard this morning during Mass from Fr C. Thomas and Fr Chacko about Fr VT John's earlier days. Fr John was already a Brother when Fr Chinnappa Thomas joined Sacred Heart, Tirupattur. He was a well known chemistry professor and was in charge of the lab. Later he was sent as the Parish Priest of the first Parish we Salesians took up in Andhra Pradesh. That was at Brahmanakoduru (the closest Salesian presence to that now is Chandur). Fr Chinnappa Thomas recollects Fr VT for his punctuality and passion to visit interior villages than merely concentrate on the main parish locality. His logic was that those near the parish can always come to the Church but those far off, need to be guided and met. Thus villages like Jupidi (from where Fr Remalla Thomas – then still a baby – hails) and Ethera were frequently visited for the one or two Christian families that were there.

Fr VT reached the place to take charge on May 31, 1972 – that was his b'day too. But he never told Fr C. Thomas who was already there. After four years, the need was felt to shift the differently-abled children whom they were already looking after in Brahmanakoduru to Mangalgiri – the chief reason cited was the non-availability of good drinking water. Fr P.C. Thomas asked Fr Chacko (who was free because the Kotagiri Parish was returned to the diocese), to assist Fr VT John. That marked the beginning of the historic Mangalagiri house under the guidance of Fr C. Thomas.

Remembering Cl. James Thuruthel

During Mass today, which was offered for the deceased members of the Province, four of the Priests shared their experiences with those no more. It was very moving. I share here something of what I learnt about Cl. James Thuruthel who died on May 20, 1989. It was a surprise for me to hear that Fr Palli was his close friend. Secondly that he was a very active social worker and would have been a great asset in that line for the congregation.

As a student Brother he was studying at Loyola College, Vijayawada (I know not what stream or course) while staying at Mangalagiri. The next year he was shifted to Pezzonipet while still pursuing his studies. That year there were four confreres at Peta: Frs Johnson Moyalan, Pallithanam Thomas, Kottekarotte Joseph and Cl. James. Both in Mangalagiri and Peta he was fond of children and was very actively involved in their activities in spite of his studies. It was during his stay at Peta that he in a way pioneered or initiated the street presence and meeting the children in the railway station. That was way before the Street Childrens' apostolate came in vogue.

The following year he opted to be a missionary and was sent to the novitiate in Arunachal Pradesh. However, prior to commencing his theological studies he returned to the undivided Bangalore Province. It was during his theological studies that he was sent to Ravulapalem for his summer ministry.

Fr Palli recalled with great nostalgia that it was he who led the first cycle yatra of a group of 20 men, in support of the dalit cause organised by PARA on May 1, 1989. They started at Bobbarlanka and reached the mandal headquarters the next day where they held their first awareness programme. After this, and before they took up the second phase of the same programme, they decided to take a week off and relax. That was when tragedy struck: May 20, 1989. Cl. James and Sr Ignasam drowning in the Krishna river at 5 pm. It was hard for everyone especially his parents because this was the second case of death by drowning in the family. His younger brother too died in the water.

Thanks to Fr Palli was this informative and personal sharing.

Networking and envisioning

One strong point emerging from the various interventions made by the confreres of different Provinces stemming from their practical and long-standing experience working in the Communication sector - besides the ruing that there ought to be a full-timer as the delegate for the Social Communication Commission) - is that there is hardly any real networking between the various commissions/departments/sectors (call it whatever one might). Each department does lot of work (if at all is functional). But in a direction it considers best. Another department too which does well, achieves lot but not necessarily in the same direction. Now, each department doing well in its own field is a great achievement, but what if all of these departments were to be coordinated so as to collectively, as a Province, move towards a common goal. That would be a real miracle, given our present working style (perhaps, Bl. John Paul II could help us with this in exchange for his canonisation!).

As far as my understanding goes, this is the task of the Youth Pastoral Team... coordinate the various commissions and departments to ensure that the common mission is worked out in each specific field, so that we grow as a Province. Perhaps if it does a little more than cut-and-paste the commission plans into one file, some good is bound to be done! Furthermore, a clear vision as to what is it that we are working towards will help a long way in fructifying our efforts.