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WARDENS OF SELAIYUR HALL  Dr.Boyd 1937 |  Rev. G.C.Martin 1937-40, 41-43, 47-49 |  Rev. Dr. J.R. Macphail 1940-41 |  Rev. Machnicol 1943-47,49-51,55-57 |  Prof. Bennet Albert 1958-1969 |  Dr. G.J.Phanuel 1969-1976 |
 Prof.B.M.Arthur 1976-85 |  Prof.G.K.Mathew 1985-1989 |  Prof DEP.Jeyasingh 1989-1991 |  Dr.T.Ambrose Jeyasekaran 1991-1996 |  Dr.V.J.Philip 1996-2002 |  Dr.P.Kingsley 2002- 2007 |
............a brief History.......... In 1930, the Madras Government alienated 390 acres of former Selaiyur reserve forest to the college, with the consent of the Government of India. As per the recommendations of the Lindsay Commission on Christian Higher Education, the Missionaries decided to establish Halls rather than hostels, which would function as semi-autonomous units. The Hall system, which was an innovation in India and which is modeled on the hoary institutions of Oxford and Cambridge, has been exceptionally valuable in promoting personal contacts. The ‘first sod' of Tambaram was cut on 5th January 1932, commencing the construction of the new campus. Incidentally, among the Halls, Selaiyur Hall buildings were the first completed in 1937. Friday 29th January, 1937 heralded the beginning of the great journey at this good old Selaiyur Hall when a group of students, faculty and old students slept overnight in Selaiyur Hall. From very early days the attempt has been made to foster corporate life. Selaiyur Hall being the chief forerunner among the Halls, has always occupied pivotal position in the annals of the MCC corporate life. Selaiyur Hall is one of its kinds. It was founded in the year 1937, and was named after the old Selaiyur forest which one campus formed apart. There is an essential difference between the common hostel system and the hall, because one has a personal relationship with all others. Everyone is expected to participate in all the Hall activities and follow it traditions too. The teaching and the non resident students are attached to the Halls and will take part in its life. Every student will be attached to a ‘tutor' who will exercise general supervision of the residents work and provide necessary help whenever needed. The Intellectual activities of the Hall include organizing literary and debating societies, paper presentation and discussions, organizing informal lectures outside the curriculum etc. The Halls will have a separate library of books for general reading, various news papers and magazines. Games will be organized inside and outside the Hall. Thus the entire Hall system was focused for wholesome personality development, fostering health, intellect and character building of it s residents. The organization of the students' life within the Halls will require some sort of Democratic machinery, and in the election of the various committees and office bearers for this purpose a valuable training will be obtained in the duties and responsibilities of a citizen in a democratic state. In fact, in all its activities, the miniature fellowship of the Hall should prepare the student to take his place in the greater fellowship of the nation. The seed of the mighty tree of democracy was planted way back in the year 1937 itself at Selaiyur Hall, which has spread its props and branches so mightily and vastly today, giving a broader perspective for appreciating the true spirit of Democracy. EMBLEM OF THE HALL: Selaiyur Hall reminds us of the Selaiyur reserve Forest, on which the College stands. The emblem shows the Lotus of India, a wreath of victory and the torch of learning above the anchor of the college arms.. The motto "esse quam videri" means "to be, rather than to seem" or "Sincerity not Shame" ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE OF THE HALL The Selaiyur Hall follows the British parliamentary system. PRESIDENT CHAIRMAN GENERAL SECRETARY CABINET MINISTERS.
PRESIDENT: The Warden of the Hall shall be the President of the Hall. He shall be the nominal executive. He appoints the conveners of Finance Committee and Appraisal Committee. He determines the detailed rules of the procedure, for the maintenance of discipline, decorum and efficient conduct of the Hall system in general and for the benefits of the Hall residents in particular. He shall conduct the Hall election through the Election Commissioner. The first session of the General Body meeting will be addressed by the President. CHAIRMAN: The Chairman presides over General Body and his other responsibilities include conducting traditional events such as oath taking, ceremony for the fresher and uphold the traditions of the hall. GENERAL SECRETARY: The Cabinet is being headed by the General Secretary. The Hall cabinet with its General Secretary shall be the real executive. The Selaiyur Hall cabinet is composed of the student secretaries relating to Literary and Debate, Library and Reading, Entertainment, Mess, Indoor and Outdoor games. The General Secretary is an elected student representative. He is accountable for the rest of the cabinet. He deals with Hall affairs, Finance and Health. LITERARY AND DEBATE SECRETARY: The L&D section handles the area of all literary and debating activities. The L&D secretary has a major function of seeing over and organizing the literary activities during "Moonshadow". In reference to the general body, it is the L&D section who takes down the proceedings of the minutes. LIBRARY AND READING ROOM SECRETARY; The L&R section is in charge of taking care of Hall library and of the reading room. It is the L&R section who handles the subscription in the Hall to various magazines and newspapers. ENTERTAINMEN SECRETARY: Entertainment section is in charge of various entertainment activities such as music, fashion show and dance. The entertainment secretary also plays an important role in the cultural events "Moonshadow" which is hosted by Selaiyur Hall. MESS SECRETARY: The mess secretary is in charge of functioning of the mess and he takes up the responsibility of conducting special dinners, the moonlight dinners very importantly the Hall Day dinner. OUTDOOR SECRETARY: The importance of outdoor game secretary is highlighted during the Inter Hall sports and Annual athletic meet, where he has to be with sports persons who are competing for the Hall, and to see their needs. Another such event is during "Galarompics" conducted by Martin Hall.. INDOOR GAME SECRETARY; He has to take care of all the indoor games activities such as chess, carom, table tennis etc. The indoor secretary also has to maintain and upgrade the gym time to time. SELAIYUR HALL SONG If you come to Tambaram and if you want to stay, sir (twice) Come to good old Selaiyur Hall (thrice) And be a gentleman, sir. Chorus: For we are the boys of Selaiyur Hall (twice) And if you want the best of all Come to Selaiyur, sir, Selaiyur has a remedy for every kind of evil (twice) Food, fun and friendship (thrice) But study is the devil, sir. If you are looking everywhere for someone to injure, sir (twice) Try a game of basketball (thrice) Where broken bones are sure, sir. If you meet a frightful bore whose talk you cannot endure, sir (twice) Send him off to Heber Hall Send him off to Thomas' hall Send him anywhere at all But not to Selaiyur sir. The person who lives in Tambaram from youth till he is mellow (twice) Lives as he ought to live (thrice) And leaves a jolly good fellow. HALL CHANT Go Selaiyur go Selaiyur go Selaiyur go Selaiyur hall is on the move Heber, Thomas in the loo If you want to have a hall Come to good old Selaiyur hall Whisky Ginger Soda pop Selaiyur hall is on the top Ye-ho, Selaiyur Ye-ho Selaiyur------ Our Hall chant resembles the Selaiyur pride. It enhances the hall spirit among the residents, each time it is recited. It is always recited at the highest pitch of the tone. It simultaneously expresses ones spirit, fun and dominance over the other Halls. HALL ACTIVITIES Selaiyur calendar will be always filled with lot of activities in which each and every resident is expected to participate. There is lot of Hall activities which is exclusively meant for fresher. So this will promote their full involvement in the Hall activities and to work for the betterment of the Hall. Some of the events which is meant for the fresher are; cross country race, cycle race, literary and debating events etc. All these events will develop their personal relationship with other fresher and seniors. As far as Selaiyur is concerned, it has three main events in year. The first event is Moonshadow. It is a cultural festival and it's a three days event, in which all the four Halls will be taking part. The festival culminates with a musical finale presented by one of the leading bands of India. The second event is the inter Hall sports meet which is considered to be the prestigious issue of three Halls. Inter hall sports meet is a three days event. It is a very sensitive event. All the three halls sportsmen will be fighting for their hall's name and fame. The third event will be the Hall day. Actually for the Hall day you can see each and every resident of the Hall will be working with the full spirit and will be trying to give their best. Since it is the last major events of all the Halls, everybody will be expecting it to be a memorable one. Apart from there are lot of other inter- block events. MEETINGS OF THE HALL: Selaiyur hall is following the British Parliamentary system of General Body meeting. It has been conducted by the students in different periods to discuss on various issues to improve the quality of the Hall in all sided developments. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE HALL In the year 1980, ‘Moon Shadow' cultural event was introduced. Still now this programme is conducted by Selaiyurians. "Hall day" is celebrated by Selaiyurians every year. On that day various cultural programmes such as dance, songs, and skits will be played by them. It is also an another enjoyable golden opportunity for students to perform their talents, and skills Selaiyur Hall pays more attention in maintaining buildings, beautiful gardens and pond. SCHOLARSHIPS The following scholarships are available for the deserving residents of Selaiyur Hall. Rev.Gavin Martin Memorial Scholarship (2 Scholarships) Criteria: 1. Economically weaker Residents. 2. Good Academic Records. Instituted by the Four children of Rev.Gavin Martin (former Warden, Selaiyur Hall) Dr.G.J.Phanuel Memorial Scholarship (2 Scholarships) Criteria: 1. Economically weaker Christian Residents. 2. Good Academic Records. Instituted by Mrs. Phanuel. Prof. Bennett Albert Scholarship Endowment (2 Scholarships) Criteria: 1. Economically weaker Residents. 2. Good Academic Records Kuriyan Abraham Memorial Scholarship (2 Scholarships) Criteria: Good Academic Records Instituted by his daughter Ms.Leela A.Ittycheria. The residents who are applying for the above mentioned scholarships should not have been involved in any disciplinary actions either in the college or in the Hall. PROMINENT ALUMNI (Selectively mentioned) G.C.Somaiah. Former.Comptroller and Audit General of India Mr.K.N.Raj (1940-1942) Economist Mr.K.J.Kurian 1942 - IAS Officer. Mr.Balu Azaganan - State Cricket Captain. Mr.T.N.Seshan.- Former Chief Election Commissioner of India Mr.K.Ranganathan - Former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador to Moscow. Mr.Albert Bell Jesudas, IFS.- Foreign Secretary. Mr.Suresh Krishna - Industrialist -TVS Mr. P. Victor Christopher, Chief Operating Officer, Mittal Steel, Bostnia Honorable Justice P. D. Dhinakaran, High Court, Madras.. Muthu Karuppan.IPS Dr. Prathap Reddy, Founder and Director, Appollo Hospitals. Dr.Abel, Former Vice Chancellor of Krishna Devarayar University, Andhra. K.M.Mathew, Managing Director, Malayala Manorama Dr. Ramanathan, Principal of Presidency College. Bipin K. Rudhee, the first secretary of Mauritius to the UN S.S.P. Darwesh. Vice Chancellor of TamilNadu Law University D. Dhavakumar , General Manager, Indian Airlines (Operations) P.V. Gopal Rao, Flight Operation Officer, Air India N.V.K. Murthy, General Manager, SPIC Nirmal Shekar, Sports Columnist, The Hindu. S. Rajendran, IPS. DIG (CBCID) SIT, Chennai.
Trivia Naming of Selaiyur Hall. There is an interesting story behind the naming of ‘Selaiyur Hall. The first hall to be named was Bishop Heber Hall, as it was already functioning with that name in a hostel in Royapettah. Therefore, Dr.A.G.Hogg, the Principal of the College invited suggestions from students and faculty for naming the other two halls. Some of the names suggested were; Vandalur Hall, Coromandel Hall, St.Anderson's Hall, Theagaroya Hall, Gurukkul Hall, Santiniketan Hall, New Town Hall, Cosmopolitan Hall, Centenary Hall, St.Thomas's Hall, Selaiyur Hall etc. Of course the last names were chosen. Thus, SELAIYUR HALL reminds us all of the old Selaiyur reserve forest, which gave way for the entire college. How was the Hall life in 1937? Well! Professor George Abraham who did his B.A and M.A in Mathematics (1937-41) belonged to the first batch of Selaiyurians, offers some wonderful insights: "There were no big trees around. From Hall entrance one could see the Main Block as well as Thomas". Dr.Boyd was the warden in the first year (1937) and was succeeded by Prof.Gavin Martin, after he became the Principal in 1938. Both the Principal and the warden used to come for roll call. There were a few resident staff as well. Food was very simple, until the European Mess came after a few years, which mainly catered to the Europeans and Anglo-Indians. The mess bill used to be 10 to 12 rupees per month and around 30 for European mess. Prayers and evening music were daily routines. The Annex was not there initially, but built after few years".
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