Outstanding Physicist, Educationist, Author, Egalitarian, and former Principal of the American College Dr M.A. Thangaraj, M.A, Ph.D [ Toronto, Canada] .Part Final

Dr. M.A. Thangaraj and his Wife  and Children :  The marriage of Dr. Manuel A .Thangaraj [ S/o Mr Amirhtavasagam and Mrs Navaneetham Amirthavasagam] with  Ms. Mary Monica Coelho [ D/o Mr.Dominic and Mrs Magdalene Coelho Dominic ] was solemnized at the Santhom  Cathedral in Madras on 29th December, 1948. This lovely couple was blessed with two sons namely ;[1] Arun Thangaraj , and [2]Suresh Bernard Thangaraj . But their second son was born as a mentally retarded  child   and his moving and challenging birth ,changed the goal and course of Thnangaraj couple's life.

Dr M.A. Thangaraj  moved to Madurai  from Madras Christian College, Tambaram to take charge as Principal of the American college : Dr. M.A Thangaraj assumed  charge as Principal of the famous American College Madurai in 1967 and served as a  visionary and innovative Principal  till his retirement in 1979. During his officiating period as Principal of American College, he   transformed and changed American College , Maduari, as one of the outstanding  and best colleges in India.
                                             
                                              AMERICAN COLLEGE, MADURAI 
Dr. M.A Thangaraj  was called as one of the Pioneer  Fathers of College Autonomy in  India: Dr Manuel .A. Thangaraj made American College, Madurai, as one of the first seven Autonomous Colleges in India. Dr Manuel Amirthavasagam Thangaraj was generally called  and known  in the college and friends' circle as M.A.T.. Dr. M.A Thangaraj ,was a creative and innovative thinker and educationist.. As Principal of the American College, in tune with his innovative thinking and vision , he took necessary  initiatives through proper channel and upgraded the American College, Madurai as one of the first seven the Autonomous Colleges in the whole India.  So Dr.M.A. Thangaraj  was called as one of the pioneer  Fathers of College Autonomy in India .

Dr.M.A.Thangaraj and his wife Mrs Mary Thangaraj founded Anbagam in Madurai :  The mental and physical condition of Thangraj Couple's  second son Suresh  deeply and adversely affected and impacted  Dr. Thangaraj and his beloved wife Ms Mary Thangaraj to a great  and irrecoverable level  and extent .As good compassionate Parents they empathized with all the mentally retarded Children. They both spontaneously thought to do some  ameliorating good service for the cause of mentally retarded Children, including their own beloved son Suresh. So as soon as they moved  to Madurai from Madras they founded Anbagam[ Home of Love] for the cause of the mentally retarded children in 1970 with 7 retarded children .Since then there was no turning back, Dr Thangaraj assumed charge as the First Director of Anbagam . Thangaraj couple's soul and mind were soulfully involved in the affairs of ANBAGAM.  Dr Thangaraj and his beloved wife Mary, with the support of their  friends and well wishers built their own Building for Anbagam . Every year the number of  children accommodated in Anbagam was increasing .[ A Separate Article will be written about Mrs Mary Tangaraj and Anbagam, later ]. After his retirement  in 1979 from the American College, Madurai , Dr M.A Thangaraj spent more time for the cause of mentally retarded children  and Ambagam 

Suresh Bernard Thangaraj Teachers Training College was started in 1991 by Dr Thangaraj:  Dr MA Thangaraj  as a innovative and creative thinker wanted to  start a Teachers  Training College  to impart special training to teach mentally retarded Children . So in 1991, SBTTC [Suresh Bernard Teachers Training College ], was started by Dr Thangarj in Madurai . And this Special Training College was affiliated with the Madurai Kamaraj University .Now this college offers B.Ed  degree course of special education to the students of this B.Ed college.

Books Written By Dr. Manueel A. Thangaraj : Dr Mauel A Thangaraj was a creative and scientific thinker so had written many valuable books; to cite a few: 
[1] A Text Book on Modern Physics,[1961] 
[2] Life Giving Sun [1963 ],
[3] Rays Visible and Invisible [1965], 
[4] Energy from the Atom [1968], 
[5] Space Travel, [1968],
[6] Conquest of Space[ 1973], 
[7] Electronics[ 1979]
.By his books Dr. M.A. Thangaraj had created  inspiring love for Physics and Space and Atomic  Research in the minds of the reading students and  Indians.

Some Colorful Feathers on His Cap:   Dr M.A. Thangaraj  had the privilege to serve in many prestigious academic bodies. To cite a few:-
[1] He served as Chairman of the Governing Board, [CMC,Vellore[ Christian Medical College,and Hospital,[1971-1978,
[2] He served as a Member of the Board of Governors , St, Stephens' College, New Delhi[1979=1982], [3] He was a Member of the Governing Body, Union Christian College, Batala, Punjab[1979-1982],
[4] He served as Honorary Treasurer , C.S.I Diocese of Madurai and Ramanad[1982-1985 ],
[5] He also had the privilege to serve as Honorary Director , Christian Mission Hospital, Madurai, [1982-1985],
[6] He was a Member of the Governing Board , International School, Kodaikanal [1985-1997],
[7] He also served as a Member of the Governing Board, Lady Doak College, Madurai[1986-1999],
[8] He also decorated the Chair of Christian India Program, United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia[1991-1997],
[9] He was a Member of the Governing Council , the American College, Madurai[1997-2003 ],
[10] He served as Chairman of the Governing Board Lady Doak College, Madurai [1993-2003]
[11] Dr. M.A.Thangaraj also served as Honorary Director , SB Teachers Training College, Madurai [1990-2003] and so on
Dr. Manuel A. Thangaraj  brought new dignity , significance and  decorum to all the Offices and Posts he occupied.

He served as U.P.S.C Examiner: The Union Public Service  Commission recognized his extraordinary knowledge in Physics and accordingly appointed him as  U.P.S.C Examiner.  Dr. Manuel A Thangaraj had the prestigious privilege to work as Examiner, Government of India, Public Service Commission [1958-1961]. Really it was great honor and recognition for Dr. Manuel A Thangarj.

Awards received: No doubt he was taller than all awards  .Yet, with great pleasure Dr. Manuel A Thangaraj received the National Pioneer Award  for Educational Innovation from the All India Association for Christian Higher Education , New Delhi in 2000.

Conclusion : Dr. Manuel Amithavasagam  Thangaraj was really one of the remarkable personalities and educationists  in India. He was born in humble and pious  christian Family and became one of the tallest Physicists  and Educationists of India . He was a great Physics teacher he was  an expert and adept in teaching Modern Physics to the B.Sc Final year students and Atomic Physics to the M.Sc students. He balanced his head and heart. Dr. M.A. Thangaraj played a pivotal role as its Co-Founder along with Fr.T.A. Mathias, Dr. Panavelil Thomas Chandy,  Dr. Chandran Devenesan, Fr. Herbert D'Souza, Archbishop Angelo Fernandes and Bishop Paulos Mar Gregorios, .for the formation of the All India Association for Christian Higher Education[ A.I.A.C.H.E] , in India and he also served as  President of the AIACHE [ 1973- 1975]. He never had any time to rest he used all the available time to the fullest use. He  had many reasons to be proud of himself ,  but the pitiable  and pathetic condition of the mentally retarded children was continuously cankering his inner mind and peace.The pathetic conditions of the mentally retarded children was killing his soul and solace bit by bit.  During the last days of his life, unfortunately Dr. M.A. Thangaraj was affected  with Myeclodyspalstic Syndrome and was slowly dying and he breathed his final breath on 26th December, 2003. He was really a great soul  and unique personality. He was an interesting ,inspiring and active person and  he loved reading and writing. He was a good Tennis Player  like the other members of his family and  he was a good singer and  he loved music very much. Very rarely we can have remarkable persons like  Dr Manuel A Thangaraj , in this world. who are remembered  and loved for their noble thoughts, service and accomplishments.
By. P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, [Rights are reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified and corrected later, if needed].






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Outstanding Physicist, Educationist, Tennis Player, Author, Egalitarian and Former Professor and H.O.D. of Physics and Principal of the American College Dr.M.A. Thangaraj, M.A, Ph.D {Toronto, Canada] . Part .A

Introduction :  Definitely late  Dr Manuel Amirthavasagam Thangaraj, MA, Ph.D,[Canada ] , of Erode , was one of the tallest  ,colorful and  intellectual Indians .He was one of the tallest Physicists and Educationists of India. Erode has produced some iconic and historical personalities like the great rationalist and social Reformer  Periyar E.V.Ramasamy,  world renowned mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujam, FRS and others . It is highly pertinent to state that in Erode only Mr Robert Amritraj, the father  of the outstanding International Tennis Players Amritraj brothers, was born.  Dr.M.A..Thangarj was  also privileged to born in such a historical town  Erode  in Tamil Nadu : Dr. Manuel A Thangaraj bought laurels to his home town by his manifold accomplishments. definitely Erode in Tamil Nadu can also be proud of the great Scientist, Educationist,Sports-lover, Author and Founder of Anbagam in Madurai,   Dr Manuel A Thangaraj.

Ar. M.A Thangaraj's Place of Birth and Parents.   Among the towns in Tamil Nadu and India the fertile and flourishing business town  Erode occupies one of the unique places and  it lies on the beautiful  bank of the historical  River Kaveri . Dr.Mauel A Thangaraj was  born at this historical town Erode to a pious Christian parents namely Mr.Amirthavasagam and Mrs. Navaneetham Amirthavasagam on 11th July , 1918.
Educational track of Mr.M.A Thangaraj: Mr. Manuel A. Thangaraj was a product of the famous Annamalai University.  Mr. Manuel .A .Thangaraj passed his B.Sc,with honors in Physics [ Annamalai University ] and passed his  M.A, in Physics with distinction  [Annamalai  University, Chidambaram ]
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Mr Manuel A. Thangaraj joined as a Physics Lecturer at M.C.C, Tambaram , Chennai : After having passed his MA degree examination in Physics with distinction ,  Mr.M.A. Thangaraj  joined as Physics Lecturer at  the prestigious Madras Christian College, Tambaram , Madras[ Chennai] in 1939.  He taught Physics very convincingly and efficaciously  and won the hearts of his students.

M.A. Thangaraj Won The Prestigious  Scholarships for higher education:  While M.A. Thangaraj [ M.A.T} was working as a Physics Lecturer at the   Madras Christian College , his thirst for Knowledge urged him to pursue  his doctoral  studies in a foreign University and accordingly he applied for the famous Vincent Magassey Scholarship. and  he got the enviable Vincent Massey Scholarship for pursuing  a Doctorate[ Ph.D] degree at the famous Toronto University , Canada. However he could not reach the Toronto University until the end of the Second World war in 1945..  In the meantime he also got the prestigious and coveted Rhodes Scholarship at the famous Oxford  University, UK in 1945.
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M.A .Thangaraj met his future wife Ms Mary Monica Coelho at Toronto University: Mr.M.A Thangaraj was doing his Ph.D in Physics ,at the Toronto University, Canada [1945 - 1948].During the same period Ms Mary Monica  of Madras, as a Rockfeller  Foundation Scholar was doing  her higher studies in Nursing in Toronto University . As a doctoral student Mr. M.A. Thangaraj was required to give some talk to the students of the Toronto University occasionally.. The smart and sweet  Ms Mary  Monica ardently attended the lectures of M..A. Thangaraj and used to ask so many questions to M.A Thangaraj. on his lectures. . Her questions  first disturbed  his head and finally it disturbed his heart  and gave him sleepless nights and this acquaintance ended in their Matrimony   in Madras at Santhome Church,.on 29th , December, 1948. It is appropriate to note here that even though Dr M.A. Thangaraj was a Protestant Christian he willingly married Ms Mary Monica , who was a Catholic christian . This marriage between  Dr M.A Thangaraj [Protestant Christian] and Ms Mary Monica Coelho[ Catholic Christain ]  affected his professional progress in Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Madras, to some extent .


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Dr. M.A. Thangaraj joined at the M.C.C, Tambaram ,Madras [Chennai]as H.O.D and Professor of Physics in 1948:  As a very  brilliant and creative  research student, Mr M.A. Thangaraj successfully completed his Ph.D, research program at the famous Toronto Research University, Canada,  and he was awarded the prestigious and enviable Ph.D degree in 1948. With great gladness, and satisfaction and vision he returned from Canada and reached Madras in 1948 and joined as Head of the Physics Department at the prestigious  Madras Christian College in 1948. Dr. M.A Thangaraj, as the Head of the Physics department , MCC, Tambaram , taught "Quantum Mechanics" to the Students candidly and efficaciously Dr. M.A. Thangaraj also taught Wireless and Electronics candidl. It would be highly interesting to the readers to know a fact here during 1956-1957 , the Physics Syllabus was changed and the Syllabus was very difficult and none of the Physics staff were able to teach the new Physics syllabus in an efficient  way, but during this period Mr. Seshan [ Who later became an IAS Officer and after long service and retired as the Chief Election Commissioner of India] was working as a  Physics Tutor at the M.C.C, Tambaram , as prudent Head of  Physics Department Dr. M.A Thangaraj correctly rcognized the calibre and capability of the the Young Tutor Mr Seshan and asked to him to teach the New Syllabus to the students and accordingly Mr Seshan taught the new Syllabus Lessons to the Students in an excellent and enviable way. Dr. M.a. Thangaraj was a great researcher lso. he had a Research project on Cosmic rays . Prof. Dr. M.A. Thangaraj used to send Nuclear Emulsion Baloons into the sky and received them after a while .  In the year 1958 it was announced that Sir C.V. Raman[  Winner of Nobel Prize for Physics  ] was going to deliver a Lecture at the famous Presidency College, Madras and Dr. M. A. Thangaraj asked all the Physics students  to attend the Lecture of Sir C,V, Raman in 1956. Dr. M.A. Thangaraj's simple and short sentenced Lectures on Physics specially to the Intermediate Physics Class students galvanised the students to understand the Scientific outlook of the events recorded in the Bible especially the morals recorded in the Old and New Testament .

Dr. M.A. Thangaraj Worked as the warden of the  St. Thomas Hall , MCC, Tambaram:  Dr. M.A. Thangaraj took charge as the Warden of the famous St. Thomas Hall , Hostel , MCC, Tambaram  At Madras Christian College Tambaram there were three Hostels namely :-[a] St.Thomas Hall, [b] Bishop Heber Hall, and [c] Selaiyur Hall and among the three St. Thomas Hall Hostel was considered as the best and students loved to stay at the St Thomas Hall Hostel. . Dr. M.A. Thabgaraj served an excellent and caring Warden of the students and won won the love and respect of the inmates of the St Thomas hall Hostel 

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 Dr. M.A. Thangaraj was appointed as the Principal of the American College Madurai  :

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Dr. MA. Thangaraj  worked as the H.O.D of the Physics department with great dedication , devotion and efficacy till he left Madras Christian College  in  1967  to join as Principal of American College, Madurai.

 [Dr.M.A. Thangaraj  and his family, accomplishments challenges etc will be dealt in the succeeding  Article ]
By. P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A,[ Rights reserved. This Article will be enlarged , modified and corrected later, if needed].