The Hindu : Age won't deter QMC alumni

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 08, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Age won't deter QMC alumni

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI April 7. Old Queen Mar-ians had a college song ``Queen Marians never die... they just fade''. True, it seemed this afternoon when a 102-year-old alumnus walked 20-steps, sat amid a crowd and said cryptically ``... Foolish idea! Definitely a foolish idea. It should remain as it is and go on... ''

These words from Olive Paul of the 1921-23 batch drew a spontaneous applause from the alumni, who reassembled after years to affirm their bond with the alma mater and support the students fighting to save the heritage building from being razed to make way for a new Secretariat complex. The fourth day of the on-going agitation to save the campus - was more relaxed than the first three days after Sunday's three-day injunction granted by the Madras High Court against demolition.

But the day was not without drama. An 80-year-old alumnus and former principal, Shanmugasundaram, called upon old students to assemble on the campus for a ``protest meeting''. The oldest in the gathering, Ms. Paul, was treated like royalty. Students, teachers, old-timers and mediapersons fawned on her. For an elderly person, she definitely looked charged. Remembering the days 80 years ago, recalling names of teachers and colleagues. Someone interrupted her and asked what she felt about the demolition plan. She called it foolish. And that paved the way for an emotional evening.

Mrs. Shanmugasundaram wanted suggestions from the old students on what could be done immediately to stop the demolition, a long-term plan to ensure that such a threat did not come in future also and whether money could be collected to redeem the college. She said if the Government could afford to build a new campus, it could certainly part with Rs.1 crore for reviving the campus in the same place.

The alumni decided to form a ``Save the QMC committee'' and build a ``Save QMC fund''. Instantly donations were announced. Old timers Nirmala Thyagarajan, Malathi Rangasamy, Meera Naik and Sarah Chandra, pledged their support to the movement of the students, teachers and alumni to save the campus. They would spread the word and get the support from all sections. ``It was like a mother to us. We owe everything to the college. Let's save it,'' Ms. Malathi said, as several persons clapped.

Indira Ramamurthi (82) wanted everyone to contribute by way of suggestions to prevent the demolition, now or in the future. She also announced a cash contribution to the fund.

A QMC teacher, Safra Begum, said the staff members had given a letter to the principal in-charge seeking reopening of the college, so that classes could go on and the students could be given their internal assessment marks, as the court had granted a stay against the demolition.

Today a few classes were held under trees on the campus.

The alumni dispersed after deciding to reassemble on Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, students of the New College and the Presidency College, here held meetings in their institutions, pledging support for the agitation against. They said if the QMC students were denied justice, they would boycott examinations.

The QMC students and staff sent out an appeal to the public, calling for support for the cause.

Related Stories:
High Court stays QMC demolition

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