FROM AN ALUMNUS & FORMER FACULTY

Dear Prof Sam George:

I think you knew me as C. Hari Narayanan when I was at the American College (1978-83 as a student, 1983-85 as asst professor of English).

To say that I am appalled at what's going down on campus would be the proverbial understatement. If it matters to the Bishop, let him know that one of the prizes I was proudest of receiving as a student at American College was the Biblical studies/scripture prize (I'm not sure what it was called then). I remember writing an essay answering the question whether the kingdom of God was possible on earth as it is in heaven. It should matter to the Bishop that someone who was raised Hindu dared answer that question, thanks to fabulous teachers in the English department who nurtured my intellectual growth. Granted, I call myself a lapsed Hindu and a staunch secularist now, but that's my American incarnation and is in response to a whole another political situation. However, the fact remains that the American College was a truly secular institution devoted to educating young people; heck, the only time religion was forced on me was when I was forced to attend lectures at Vivekananda College in Madras where I went for my PUC!

Mouli Marur, who used to be known as M.G. Chandramouli when he was earning an undergraduate degree in physics at the American College, has now moved to Bangalore. He and I and a couple of other friends have talked about collaborating on projects to spotlight injustice anywhere. We plan on covering this matter and I hope you can help us do so.

I think this coup d'etat by the Bishop must not stand and I salute you and everyone else who's fighting to keep the American College what it always was: a home for young people to find themselves and contribute to their communities wherever they live.

Thank you for your efforts at the blog! Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help in your endeavors. Cheers!

-- Hari