Veekay Ramani- Most of us have had the benefit of studying in Christian missionary run schools/ colleges. Do you believe that there was a subtle attempt at conversion ? I guess not, going by my experience . The above statement took me back to 57 years as a student of St. Josephs College , Tiruchchirappali. I used to welcome the moral classes conducted by Father Edward Sequreia. Instinctively I was attracted by his teachings from the bible and he had the knack of drawing parallels from Geetha and Quaran too as he was well read with the teachings of all religions. He used begin with a story and end it in a masterly manner having driven a lesson or two in that process. I never had the opportunity or time to focus on our own religion except joining in chorus the Margazhi month bajans held in my village and also a few stories told by my grand mother from Ramayana and Mahabaratha. Slowly my young age of 19 was slowly attracted to Christianity. There were also very poor brahmin students who made the hard decision of conversion to enjoy free boarding, lodging and also education. But they were always having their original names as their tails and secretly doing sandyavandhanam and there by insincere to both religions. NOW THE REAL STORY One fine morning I went to my village MULLAKKUDI to attend some temple function and also meet old friends. VAIDEHI was my unborn akka with whom I used to play indoor and out door games as a boy of 10! I wanted to meet her after a gap of many years and rushed to her house in our agraharam without any warning. I was shouting Vaidehi! Vaidehi!! where are you? A meek reply came very near Panju! I am hear only, dont shout and talk with me anymore! A figure with bald patch of head covering it hurriedly with a milky white saree rushed inside the room and also shut the door back to me! I WAS SHOCKED! what has happened to her long pig tail that used to run up to her feet almost? I understood every thing and started crying uncontrollably like a baby! Her younger brother came to me and told that his sister was widowed a month back after only 2 months of marriage as his athimber was bitten by a snake in the jungle while collecting coconuts! Again I recollected her unusually long pig tail that was rich in density and also jet black in colour! While playing I had innocently pulled her envoius gift by Almighty many a time! All gone permanently up to the root for no fault of her! I had no mind to meet others and took the first bus to reach Trichy! A revolt started in side me and became furious against my own religion! My parents brothers and also sisters were alarmed by my strange behaviour and also not taking food.Secretely I took my belongings of dress and books and rushed to my college at the early morning hours and wanted to meet my hero reverend Father Edward Sequreia who was in that church! I cried like a child and fell on the feet of him and requested him what I have to do for joining Christianity! He took me in his arms-consoled me and also pleaded his inability to accede to my request with out parents concurrence. Somebody was rushed to my house- my father came to the church- advise was given by both-but not convincing ....and the rest is history!! For the information of all I am still in my religion with the title of IYER that I dont use!! Thank you for sharing my real life experience!
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 06:14:49 +0000
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