18th Founder’s Memorial Day

The Hindustan Group of Institutions commemorated the 18th Founder’s Memorial Day on 14 February 2024 at the Bay Range Campus. The event was presided by Hon’ble Chancellor Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese. The event was graced by Madam Founder Chancellor Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Verghese; Dr. Ashok G. Verghese, Pro Chancellor; Dr. S. N. Sridhara, Vice Chancellor; Dr. R. W. Jesudasan, Pro Vice Chancellor; Dr. Muthukumar Subramanian, Registrar, Heads of the Institutions, academic and admin heads, staff, and students of HGI. The Chief Guest for the day was Dr. P. Wilson, Principal and Secretary, Madras Christian College. 
In his presidential address, the Chancellor informed that every year HGI remembers the Founder Chairman who was a change maker and whose pioneering achievement and visionary philanthropy shaped Hindustan’s spirit of excellence and innovation. He then added that the Hindustan Group of Institutions, that was founded as a single Institution in the year 1966, now consists of prestigious higher education institutions recognized by the leading rankings. The Chancellor exclaimed that the tremendous growth is a testament to the vision, tenacity, and hard work of the Founder Chairman. The Chancellor then spoke of the philanthropic nature of the Founder who liberally contributed to worthy social causes. He informed that the family has established the Dr. K. C. G. Verghese Charitable Foundation, a noble initiative to take forward the vision of the Founder. The Foundation along with Hindustan College of Arts and Science sponsored Rs. 10 lakhs and set up smart classrooms at the Government Higher Secondary School, Kelambakkam. As a mark of continuation of the Founder’s noble work, the foundation sponsored wheel chairs to the physically challenged and sewing machines to self-help groups of the villages adopted by HITS on the 18th Memorial Day. The Chancellor urged the student community to have a plan, to focus on the destination and to persevere their dreams so as to emulate the Founder’s vison. He concluded his speech by quoting Dr. A. P. J Abdul Kalam who once said, “Look at the sky we are not alone; the whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only if we give the best to those who dream and work.”
Dr. P. Wilson, in his Memorial Day address dealt on defining success with reference to the vision of the Founder: “To Make Every Man a Success and No Man a Failure.” He said that money and fame are just the consequences of Success and not the cause. The Chief Guest then questioned if success can be measured based on one’s intelligence, wealth, or the level of IQ possessed. He said that there are three types of success viz. academic, professional, and personal. Dr. Wilson then said that it is important to strike a balance between providence and inquisitiveness and knowledge and strategy to attain success. He then listed the three aspects of success: 1) executing one’s conviction; 2) leveraging the provision and 3) redeeming the occasion and compared this with the characters of Pilate, Herod, and the men of the Jerusalem Council as mentioned in the bible and who failed to execute their responsibility even when they had the opportunity to do so. He pointed out that the wisdom of God works to redeem one’s conviction through the opportunity and occasion provided by Him. Also, one should possess integrity to be successful. He concluded saying that students should recognize the call in their life, rather than being hijacked by their parents and peers, in order to achieve success in life. 
As part of the Memorial Day commemoration, the NSS and Unnat Bharat Abhiyan cell of HITS, through the Dr. K. C. G. Verghese Charitable Foundation donated 10 tricycles to the beneficiaries of the Uthavum Karam – Trust for the Physically Challenged. In addition to this, ten sewing machines were donated to the women self-help groups of Padur, Kelambakkam, Kayar, Pudupakkam and Thandalam – the villages adopted by HITS.
The evening commenced with the opening hymn and prayer rendered and offered by HITS choir and Dr. R. W. Alexander Jesudasan, Pro Vice Chancellor respectively. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. S. N. Sridhara, Vice Chancellor. Ms. Bharathi Lakshmi, Principal, HIS, Karapakkam read an excerpt from the autobiography of the Founder. A eulogy for Dr. K. C. G. Verghese was delivered by Dr. S. Thirumagan, Principal, HCAS and Mr. Chandra Saravanamuthu as staff and alumnus tribute respectively. The students of HIS, Guindy staged a skit on the life of the Founder based on a true incident as narrated in the autobiography of Founder titled “Wheels and Wings.” Ms. Susan George, Principal, HIS, Padur, read the bible portion 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24. As Dr. Jacob George, Choir Master, HITS recited the piano, the dignitaries paid floral tribute to the Founder. A video on the cyclone relief activities of HGI was presented. The audience also witnessed a video of the Sand Art on Founder Chairman (Late) Dr. K.C.G. Verghese accompanied by a narration of his life history. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. M. Muthukannan, Principal, KCG College of Technology. The event concluded with closing prayer and benediction rendered by Rev. Justin Jose, Student Chaplain. 
Prior to the event, the NSS Cell of HITS in association with Rotary club of Chennai Capital organized a Blood Donation Camp on the day. The Camp was inaugurated by Rtn. Prasanth Gireesh, Community Service Director, RCCC along with Dr. S. N. Sridhara, Vice Chancellor, HITS. A total of 787 units of blood were collected from the 1237 registered donors. The collected units were donated to the various government blood banks in Chennai. Also, a special Founder’s Memorial prayer was held at 10 a.m. at the Founder’s Block. Rev. Justin Jose, Student Chaplain led the gathering in prayer. This was followed by the floral tribute paid to the statue of Founder Chairman, Dr. K. C. G. Verghese by Dr. S. N. Sridhara, Vice Chancelor; Dr. R. W. Alexander, Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Muthukumar Subramanian, Registrar, Deans, Heads of the Departments, staff, and students