CHENNAI: When it was established by Scottish missionaries, it was one of Asia’s first extant college. But a little over a century later, the same college sheltered those expelled from other education institutions for opposing the British rule. By then, the Madras Christian College, Tambaram, had become one of the most vibrant campuses in south India, with its alumni spread all across the Commonwealth. The college traces its origin to the General Assembly School on Armenian Street founded by Rev John Anderson on April, 1837. Exactly 25 years later, the school was upgraded into a college and named Madras Christian College, the next year.
The college was shifted to the present location in East Tambaram in 1937 by the former Principal of the college William Skinner. The Third World Missionary Conference, which resulted in formation of the World Council of Churches, was held on the college premises in 1938.
Joshua Kalapati in his book, The Life and Legacy of Madras Christian College recalls that MCC used to provide admission and shelter to students, who were expelled from other institutions as they took part in the Independence struggle, particularly the Quit India Movement in 1942.
The college management did not allow police to enter the campus and arrest students and stood by their side, even they were jailed for more than six months for fighting against the British.
After Independence, the college, located 40 kilometres away from the city, managed to stay away from political controversies even as other colleges established during the same time period — Pachaiyappa’s and Presidency — engaged in various protests.
A retired college professor, requesting anonymity, said that the students of this college, mostly from the elite section of society hardly raised their voice against political issues and even if they opposed, they did it diplomatically.
The college expanded the academic horizons after Dr. Chandran Devanesen took charge in 1962. He was the first Indian principal of MCC and involved more neighbourhood communities into the college.
Spread over 365 acres, there is a diversity of flora and fauna on the campus.
S Keerthana, a student of the college, said that apart from the college festival, cultural festivals were conducted in each of the five Halls in which musicians, students across the country participate. At present, with more than 7,000 students, 220 faculty members in 33 departments, the college has entered its 178th year.
Notable alumni of the college include former President of India S Radhakrishnan, several political leaders including CPI (M) general secretary, Prakash Karat, Sir R K Shanmukham Chetty, PTR Palanivel Rajan and Nettur P Damodaran, scientists Raja Ramanna and Sir Kariamanickam Srinivasa Krishnan.