AUTONOMOUS - Madras Christian College

Dr. A.BESANT C. RAJ, DBA(Havard)Chairman18, Second Cross StreetRamakrishna NagarChennai - 600 028Phone : 24938830Fax : 044 – 24936389Email : brilindya@gmail.comMessageI am happy to send this message for the special souvenir being released as a part of the QuartoseptcentennialCelebrations. During the past 175 years, the college and its associate units, have stood testimony to the greatand dedicated services of the Scottish Missionaries to Higher Education in India. While recently some reputedinstitutions of education have emerged in various parts of the country, for almost 150 years the Madras ChristianCollege has served the country as a beacon in the field of Higher Education. Even when the country faced theturmoil of the freedom struggle against the British, this great institution set up by the British Missionaries stoodits ground, serving the vast number of students, who came to it from all over India and several other nations ofthe world.A unique feature of this great institution is the respect and equality with which it treats all students irrespectiveof their religious affiliations. Infact, in a country where Christians form hardly 2% of the population, MCC andits associates command greater support from their vast alumni comprising Hindus, Muslims and of courseChristians. It is amazing that these foreign missionaries who had dedicated their lives to spread the message ofChrist, while successfully spreading the love of Christ, treated all the students with equal affection and respect.It is no wonder that even persons of such eminence like Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan closely identify themselveswith this great institution.Another unique characteristic of this institution is the trust it places in its students. The institution givestotal freedom and encourages its students to excel in studies, sports, games, spiritual and cultural activities,but without any coercion. This has helped students of MCC develop wholesome, self confident personalities,eventually making them highly successful in their chosen fields.While in the past, the Madras Christian College brought to India Western Education through the English Medium,currently MCC faces several new challenges like developing higher education suitable to the needs of a verylarge developing, democratic economy with several complex problems. The emergence of e- education poses yetanother challenge. I am sure the Madras Christian College and its affiliates will rise to the occasion to serve ourgreat country.As we celebrate the 175 years of service of the college and its affiliates to the nation, I write to wish them manymore centuries of useful service to our beloved country.ChennaiA.BESANT C RAJ30.11.12