THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mathew Pereira turns 100 on Saturday. He is the only surviving member of the team that was tasked with setting up the Travancore University - the predecessor of the University of Kerala. Decades have passed, but the centenarian still vividly recalls every important milestone in the University’s journey right from its inception.
“C P Ramaswamy Iyer or ‘Sir C P’ was the first Vice-Chancellor of Travancore University. A man of few words, Iyer used to visit the institution only on important occasions such as convocations as he was busy with his duties as Diwan. Official meetings used to be held at the Huzur Kacheri, which is now the state Secretariat,” recalls Pereira, from his home near the Government Law College.
“It was during Sir CP’s time that renowned scientist Albert Einstein was invited to serve as the Vice-Chancellor of the University. I remember many letters doing the rounds from the Diwan’s office but the attempt was unsuccessful,” he says.
Pereira began his career in 1935 as a ministerial staff in the Education Director’s office in the capital, a year after passing the English School Leaving Certificate (ESLC) examination, In 1937, he was one of the four members of the Special University Office constituted for setting up the Travancore University.
“As part of establishing a research institute, I had the opportunity to travel with the University’s top minds to many parts of British India, including places which are now in Pakistan,” recalls Pereira, who was the private secretary to the first eight Vice-Chancellors of the University.
“In those days, the University headquarters was situated in a modest building which is now located behind the main building. It was on the sprawling lawns that convocation ceremonies were held with full pomp and gaiety,” recalls Pereira with a sparkle in his eyes.
“When India became independent in 1947, it was an Englishman, Sir Harold Papworth, who was the Vice-Chancellor. He served for two more years after Independence. It was during the Vice Chancellorship of A Ramaswami Mudaliar that the construction of the new building of the university headquarters began,” Pereira recalls. However, it was completed during the tenure of Dr John Mathai, he said.
“It was during the late 1950s that employees of the University first formed a union. There weren’t many members, I recall. But there were no violent agitations in those days as we see now. Most of the strikes used to be for better pay and service conditions and there wasn’t much political interference,” he says. Pereira retired in 1970 as the private secretary to the then Vice-Chancellor Dr A Aiyappan.
So how does the centenarian keep himself fit both mentally and physically, one may wonder. “I follow a strict diet and exercise regimen. Moderate eating and regular exercise,” he says.
An avid tennis fan, Pereira does not miss a single international match on television. “He reads three newspapers a day, besides plenty of books, most of which are science fiction,” says David, his relative, as Pereira gets ready for his regular evening stroll.
