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It was with great fortune that I found my divine teacher as “ PERI DI ELBARAIL” ( Thelbarail in Thamizh). He belonged to the famous Missionary of Eastern Priests (MEP) and came to serve in the Pondicherry Commune , in India on the 22nd day of May 1935. He was well versed in Thamizh, the local tongue. He hailed from the place called Montaboun in France. He got his Doctorate Degree in Philosophy from the Gregorian University of Rome.
8. MY DIVINE MASTER
MONTABOUN
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In fact he longed to serve in my locality
viz., Kallakurihci in the Pondichery Dioceses. No wonder The Most .Rev.Bishop. Colas preferred to hand over the Kallakurichi Parish to Rev.Elbarail.
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The first time when I went to pay my homages to Rev. Fr. Elbarail; the experience was thrilling and overwhelming . His presence filled my soul with a divinely feeling the kind of which I had never experienced before. The moment he saw me , he uttered “ Come, My son Rathinam! ”. I was wondering how he had come to know of my name and it was equally shocking to hear him speak in chast Thamizh. In fact in order to show off my Mastery in English , I presented him with a Greetings, in the form of an English Poem. Accepting my Greetings; he said, “My son Rathinam, It’s rather you that I am willing to accept than anything else”. I could immediately feel as to how Simon would off felt when Jesus Christ picked him up from among the fisher folk as one of his disciples!
Right from that day, I made it a point to assist and serve Father Elbareil after my teaching hours in the school. My wife Savari Ammal, besides looking after our agricultural lands in and around the “ Rabbit hills” in the village Ulagangathan,
served The Rev. Father who was staying by cooking and house keeping whenever she found time to spare. Ever since my mother passed away, my father was staying with us. As his behavior at times was odd and inconvenient to me and my career, he was sent back to our native village Thirukovilur.
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My Divine Master Rev.Elabareil after learning that my stay in Ulagangathan had separated me from Him, he saw to it, I got transferred to Kallakurichi itself. On arriving at Kallakurichi, we built a house inside the church where we lived for quite some time.
It was middle of a night when suddenly I heard strange sound coming from the Father’s personnel room; as if someone was being whipped non- stop . Out of curiosity and fear I managed to peep through the window and what I saw shattered me to pieces. Oh! my Master was whipping himself with all his force and his body was sweating and bleeding. Before I could do anything, he stopped whipping and kneeled down to pray. I simply kept watching all these without winkling my eyes, totally stunned and shocked as I was !
After a long and intense prayer, he opened the door and called for me. “Come my son, Rathinam. Are you frightened at what you saw? Don’t be scared. This is nothing but a Penance;Prayer and self induced punishments are the only ways to reach God and get his blessings”. So saying he further added “ As I am from a very affluent family , owning a ship and leading a very luxurious and modern life, I had lived a sinful life.
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All the whippings and the pains were the atonement to cleanse me of my sins.” I looked around and scanned his personal room;what a simple and poor life he was living ! He had a very ordinary bed , comprising of wooden frame interwove with rope , this kind usually found in poor farmer’s home. There was no mattress nor a soft pillow to sleep on. My shock intensified further to see his simplicity considering his back drop. I could not comprehend the depth of his love to serve in India, far away from his home town and the loved ones.
We both remained silent for a while and the priest
addressed me as his son and asked if I would help him to spread the Word of Christ in that region. Without a thought I simply uttered that I will be with him to share all his joys and sorrows, victory and defeats as a son would. He embraced me with all love and affection , his eyes swelling with tears of joy, despite my instantaneous acceptance, I confessed to the Reverend about my shot temperedness and provocative nature and pleaded that I might be pardoned if at all my in born nature came to surface.
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“ Never mind my son” said the Priest and from that instant I accepted him as my Divine Master, because he had so much faith in my other positive qualities. I reciprocated his immense faith in me all along. There were occasions when people used to make false allegations against me but the Reverend rather dismissed such persons forthwith. Thus the Reverend Father Elbarail not only became my Divine Guru but also was the ultimate force behind my success in all my personal efforts to serve my Indian brethren, who were poor and socially weaker.
PERI di ELBAREIL
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FATHER’S RELATIVES
MARTHAL
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9. END OF MY TEACHING PROFESSION
The very next day, Soon after the Mass, I joined the Reverend to sort out an agenda to be adhered in our attempt to put our schemes into action. As an highly learned person, he had already evolved some specific schemes. Thus, a Seven Point Program was formulated by us on that eventful day itself.
They were:
1. EDUCATION TO THE POOR
2. LOW CREDIT LOAN SCHEME
3. BUILDING ORPHANAGES
4. AWAKENING THE INNOCENTS
5. REMOVING BONDED LABOUR
5. EMPLOYMENT TO THE NEEDY
6.INVESTING MONEY IN THE LAND FOR FUTURE
CONSTRUCTIONS.
7.LAND TO THE LANDLESS and finally
8. BAPTISM TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED.
which was aptly termed as “ELBAREIL” named after himself. We jointly decided to carry out these schemes one after the other.
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It was around these time that some of those good Souls were jealous of and could not stand my progress had sent a petition against me to the Inspection section of the Education Department; seeking action against me indulging is extra curricular activities while on duty as a school teacher.
The fact was that I took leave whenever I had to assist the Reverend which was within the school norms. But the Inspector who is a religious fanatic joined hands with some of my envious colleagues and did whatever they could to see that, I got suspended . As I was an angry man by nature; provoked by such stealthy act, but at the same time trusting in God, I tore off my service register myself and asked them who were they to suspend or terminate me . This was how I put an end to my teaching career, which I never regretted at any point of time during my life span
12. REDEMPTION OF BONDED LABOURS
We began to execute Rev.Father. Elbarail’s schemes one after the other. We chose the scheme, depending on the localities and circumstances.
To start with , it was the “ Redemption of Bonded Labors Scheme” that we under took to execute.
There is hardly any difference between the Ruler and the Ruled ( Master and Slave ) and that of the Bonded Labor system.
The Master - Slave systems comes under the purview of the caste system. The lower caste men are slaves to those of the upper castes; the former is forced to address the latter as “ Swamy...! Swamy” ( Oh God, Oh God ..).By doing so the so called upper caste men consider themselves as saviors (Gods) of the so called lower caste men. Such is the stinky gutter like and heartless caste system; the fangs that mercilessly marauds the less fortunate once.
On one occasion , Rev.Elbarail and me had to visit a village for a survey. we witnessed a scene that was shocking and so inhuman. Yes! A seventy year old haggard man was grazing the cattle in the fields. A boy of about seven years ran to him shouting ,“ Hey you, Karuppa (Black man) !
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My mom has given some gruel. You better bring your mud pot, common hurry up”.
The old man brought and kept is mud pot on the floor and stood away from the boy as the custom was. The boy poured the gruel without touching the mud pot. The old man drank the watery gruel and asked for some water to drink as he felt very thirsty. The boy brought water in a brass vessel and began to pour it into the outstretched palms of the old man which the held together forming a
hemispherical bowel. At this, the boy shouted again, “Hey ! You fool ! Hold the hands tighter, the water is leaking through your loosely held palms and splattering on my feet, spoiling the sanctity of our caste”. “ Yes. Little Master ! Please some more” said the old man adjusting his palms and greedily drinking the water without spilling any.
My Divine Master could not make out anything
out of the above episode. “ Why is the little brat
shouting at the weak old man ? Is the old man his grandpa, by any chance ? But then, why is he pouring water into his palms instead of handing over the vessel itself ?” The Reverend father asked totally perplexed.
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I explained “ Father ! What you saw is the evil out come of the caste - system. The old man belongs to a lower caste whereas the boy is of upper caste. The old man is just a farm hand in the farm land belonging to boy’s father. So the little boy is the Master and the old man is his slave.
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I further said that only time will eliminate this Master - Slave system, born of casteism. I went on to explain the other slavery systems affecting the human values and the Double-glass- system practiced in hotels and tea shops whereby there were separate costly vessels for the upper caste and very cheaper ones ( like Coco nut shell ) for the lower castes. Moreover, the lower castes had to carry their foot wear in their hands properly hidden, once they reach the place occupied by the upper caste people. They had separate grave yards for upper and lower castes; the former in a reasonably good locality and the latter in a remote area filled with bushes or slushy pits.
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Though the Rev. Father had read about such evil practices , his heart became heavy on seeing such things happening right in front of his eyes.
The Reverend exclaimed “ our Heavenly father ! Please forgive them, for they are not aware of what they are doing” It was more than a prayer seeking forgiveness for the wrong doers.
What’s all about Bonded labor system:
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The bonded labor system is a horrible social setup whereby the descendants of Great grand fathers were in fields , Quarries or homes of a money lender from whom they had borrowed some money, seed or grains, on compound interest that keep accumulating in geometric progression. It’s the most wretched system of exploiting the gullible and the illiterates by getting their thumb impressions on bond papers , the contents of which will be irrelevant and least fair to the actual write ups, which will keep
generations, after generations as bonded laborers to such Masters; maybe worse than Shylock of ‘The Merchant of Venice’.Such money lending Masters will keep counterfeit and falsified loan papers signing which one becomes a bonded labor to them till he settles the loan in full with interest !
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If at all any family is able to repay the principle along with the accrued interests, they would be freed from the bondage. Such laborers who had redeemed themselves will be very, very few and negligible.
Since we decided that we would be able to help such bonded labors, we gave top priority to that scheme, so as to redeem them from eternal bondage.
To begin with , we started the “ LOW CREDIT LOAN SCHEME”.
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We started the scheme, in areas like Ulagan gathan, Kottalam, Siruvathur, Kaaranoor, Vallimathuram, Sirupakkam, Kallakurichi... etc. We gave interest free small loans to coolies and petty traders. We also took an account of those who were subjects
of the Bonded- labor- system.
Many were the bonded laborers who were totally ignorant of the fact that they were eternal slaves to their greedy masters. They would not realize nor understand the wretched condition they were in . They underwent such ordeals thinking that all was due to their fates and the ill omen of their past life ! They hardly knew that it was all due to the ill effects of the caste- system.
Some of the redeemed laborers could not help working again under their ‘cruel masters’ due to their poverty. In order to prevent such re-employments , we bought some land.
After redemption, we distributed two acres each to the ex-bonded laborers out of the land purchased by Rev.Elbarail. Since the reverend had some influence with the Government, the caste fanatics could not do anything to us. Nevertheless, the money lending masters and many of the land lords were looking out for a suitable moment
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to do away with me as they were antagonized;for they took all our sincere efforts as a great challenge to their caste oriented fanaticism.
Out of the redeemed bonded laborers , many had realized the truth and expressed their willingness to join the Christian-Folds which honored them as humans and gave fresh lease of life from eternal bondage.
It has to be noted that we never compelled nor preached Christianity to any one. It is very much natural for some of those who became Christians for materiel considerations , to drift away and join their past religious sect.
The Third day of December 1944, was a
memorable day, not only because it was the Feast of St.Xavier, but also because some sixty families became Christians after getting duly baptized enmas.
Similarly , many families become Christians, one after the other. At this stage, some alleged that people were getting bribed to join Christianity after abandoning their old religion.
some of the priests also questioned the logic behind mass conversions to Christianity; but my
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Divine Master Rev. Elbareil simply had to say “ Jesus said that he came in search of the meek, so also I go after the ignorant and the underprivileged”.
Even now, some people reticule the converted Christians as “ WHEAT- CHRISTIANS” or “ MILK- POWDER- CHRISTIANS”.
All such comments are meaningless and malicious, uttered by those who would not and could not hep their own fellow men and brethren who suffer for want of one square meal and proper shelter to live in. After all, they are sadists who derive pleasure out of others’ sufferings. Moreover , they are all venomous scandal mongers who wish to forcibly retain others as slaves and untouchables in the name of castes , with no heart or soul.
The Thamizh sage and poet Thiruvalluvar in one of his couplets has to tell this about people who prefer evil for good.
“ Where one has access to ripened sweet fruits
Why steal the unripened bitter ones”
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“After all, one should do what one wishes the others do unto him. So naturally, its human to seek good things. The day is not far off for all the people to get the change of heart and seek the Right Path.”
This is what my Divine Master Rev. Elbareil told me after watching the dark and eerie atmosphere around him.
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14.
BUILDING CONVENTS AND CHURCHES
Around March 9th of 1939, We began to build nunneries and abbeys in places like Ulagangathan, Kaaranoor, Siruvathur, Melnariyapanur and Agarakottalam...etc.
The sisters belonging to the Gonseka Convent willingly agreed to establish their convent in the above places. Some good people voluntarily sold their places at a cheaper price, considering our need for the construction of their nunneries. In some places, people were against our project. But we succeeded in convincing and negotiating with some people, avoiding those who were highly problematic.
In Ulagangathan apart from the school, we planned to build an orphanage for the parentless and deserted kids.
In order to extend the schools, we purchased sufficient lands. To begin with, we built huts with roofs covered by native items like palmyra and coconut leaves.
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Rev. Elbaraiel had a horse called Robert which he had brought down from France. Robert had won many prizes for his intelligence , speed and courage while in France. It was more than a companion to the Reverend.
As per our scheme , we were going a final touch to the traditional roofing to our school in Ulagangathan in order to extent the same . so as to accommodate an abbey also . As work was in progress simultaneously at various places , we had decided to spend the night in Ulgangathan itself.
15. FIRE ON THE COTTAGE ROOF
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As mentioned earlier, there were many who would not tolerate our act of redeeming the bonded laborers, were on the look out for the right time to settle the issue with us.
After the hard days labor in fixing the roof, we were too exhausted and went to sleep earlier than usual. It was a very deep sleep that night.
Those who would not digest our schemes of helping the poor by freeing them from bonded labor and gifting them land to make their own
living had made many cunning attempts to frighten and disturb us but all in vain.
We were oblivious of their plan to burn us along with the roof as we were fast asleep for which they had collected and stored dry shrubs and thorns. As out ill luck would have it was moonless night and they could shut all the doors and windows with bundles of thorns and shrubs and fire the whole structure without any difficulty.
Seeing all these stealthy acts, Robert had neighed which we could not hear as we were in dead sleep. Hearing the horse’s frantic noise our tormentors fled the scene half way.
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As the complete roof was under fire, Robert freed himself by snapping the rope he was tied with, rushed to our cabin and knocked down the door. We literally jumped out of our beds in fright. The Reverend lost no time in gauging the danger. He jumped on to the back of Robert and almost carried me along with him. “ Go” was all that Rev. Elbarail shouted. Robert fled like a wind jumping over the burning roof and bundles of thorns with both of us holding on to each other safe on his back. No wonder, Robert was a prize winning horse!
The men who had by then gathered and began to put out the fire, were amazed at the sight of the flying horse carrying two passengers through the fire unharmed. Many of the villagers still recollect and wonder at whatever happened at the eventful night in Ulagangathan school.
After the roof burning incidence , our Rev. Father converted the shed like structure into a concrete building.
Those who attempted to disturb our plans by killing us were put to shame!
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In the 1940 s. we staged many plays written jointly by the Reverend and myself in many of our school.
It was in the year 1947, the Primary school built by us , became a Middle school catering to the students to study up to Eighth Grade.
17. AN HOUR IN CAPPER QUARI
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After all, Sir. Isac Newton’s Third law always holds good!
We used to undertake long journeys either by car or horse. To cover short distances , we used bicycles. Strange it might sound that I had hired a driver to carry me on the bicycle! His name was “CHINNA PAIYAN”, meaning “ Little Boy” in Thamizh and he was an associate of my son , R.Theraisanathan.
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He had high regards for me and was treated as an adopted son by my wife Savariammal (a) Siva pakiam.
Due to my deep association with Rev. Elbarail, I used to maintain appointments to the minute. We jotted down our programs accurately and adhered to the same without any delay or break. Watching the direction of my journey , one can make out my assignment for that day. That’s exactly what the Reverend expected of us.
In those days, traveling doubles ( two persons)
on the bicycle was an offence as per Police Law. But I had obtained special permission to travel as a pillion rider, with Chinna Paiyan as the driver. Unaware of this, some people had set a team of Police to arrest me and tarnish my image as a law breaker.
That day we set out to go to the convent in Karanoor. They had spied on me as I was traveling through Kallakurichi, past the Siva temple and arranged the Police team to humiliate
me.
As we passed by that temple side , a police man stopped us.
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After saluting me, he approached Chinna Paiyan and asked him to get aside enabling him to check as an higher official was visiting that area. He further warned him not to go on doubles on the cycle. I intervened and explained that I had got the necessary permission to go doubles on the cycle. But to the police man’s only intention was to harass me on some ground or the other.
He began to enquire my boy about the condition of the dynamo and the brake etc.. In all innocence and fairness my boy replied that everything in the cycle was in order. The police man reacted sharply and asked who the hell he thought he was and how dare he confront the Police without due respect. So, saying , he slapped Chinna Paiyan heavily on his cheeks.
As anybody’s guess, I got wild as I never could stand an innocent fellow getting punished unwarrantedly. I retorted back and asked the Police fellow “ How and why did you hit my boy?” As the police man with preconceived notion grabbed and pulled the long white shawl ( Anga vastaram) wrapped around my neck, an accessory signifying maturity and dignity in the society. Short tempered as already I was, I drew out the pair of scissors and stabbed the Police man in a fit of anger, all in self defense.
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He shuddered with pain and fell flat on the ground. Leaving that spot I rushed to the nearest police station and confessed the whole incidence from start to finish.
As I was an influential person among the people, I was not arrested immediately. As the victim was a Government servant,an order was issued by the higher authorities for my arrest and necessary investigation. Accordingly , they arrested me and I on my part felt guilty of killing a police in fit of anger. My distant relative and D.S.P. Rathnam felt very sorry for me, when he learnt of my impulsive act and subsequent arrest.
My cycle driver Chinna Paiyan soon after my arrest ran to the Reverend and appraised him of the unfortunate incidence. The Reverend after thorough scrutiny and analysis contacted the then Viceroy Lord Mount Pattern over the phone (through Trunk call) and explained the whole affair in detail. By that time, I was remanded to the Cuddalore Capper Quarry, an open - air - jail.
The Reverend once again got in touch with the Viceroy and told that Rathinam was as good as his own son and a good person but with short temper.
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He further explained how Rathinam was goaded
as to resort to violent reaction by stabbing the police who was very much alive after some first aids. He also cited the open confession of the Police man that he wantonly demeaned Rathinam by abusing him for nothing, an act of total vindictiveness.
The Viceroy after studying the facts, asked his secretary to order for my immediate release and arrange for the other formalities and investigations at Kallakurichi, i.e. my native residence itself.
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Thus, my remand at the Cuddalore Capper Quarry
lasted hardly for an hour !
After the release, the Jail warden arranged for my food and with due regard sent me back to Kallakurichi in a police van. It stopped in front of my house and I silently stepped inside. It was around 3 a.m. when I reached my home. After resting for a while, I woke up and walked up to the Bhat’s Coffee Shop to have a cup of coffee. As usual, I ordered for the morning news paper and began to read the latest news. Sipping my coffee, I entered into a conversation with the coffee shop owner. Some of the local men who were not aware that I was released and back home, began to pass derogatory comments saying that Rathinam was doomed for ever, as had been taken to the Capper Quarry for the murder of a Police man. Without caring for their comments, I finished my coffee and left the coffee shop carrying the news paper duly folded. Some of the villagers who saw me leaving the shop in a very casual manner, began to shout “ It’s Rathinam’s Ghost haunting the coffee shop at this early hour ”. They were frightened at my sight and ran helter-skelter in panic.
When the villages learnt that was realised without any blemish, they were all scared of me.
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They were all shocked to their roots and surprised beyond belief. From that day onwards my, image and popularity began its rise to and around my village.
On my part, I began to regret my short tempered nature and decided not to be impulsive at any cost. More than that , I approached my Divine Teacher the Rev. Elbarail and made a heartfelt confession seeking for his forgiveness and blessings. Further, I sought his guidance to do away with my anger. After blessing me , the Reverend advised me to keep my mind calm and balanced. He further suggested that whenever I was haunted by the evil force of anger, I should repeat the Rosary as many times as I could, contemplating in the name of the Divine and Holy Mother Mary.
After things became normal, I went up to the police Quarters to meet the Police man injured by me. I explained how bad , I felt for all that happened and repented for the same. But he was more apologetic and explained how he got into the trap of some bad elements, which prompted him to act against his conscience, as he was not aware of me and my reputation, being new to that area.
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He went on adding that his brother- in- law had got a Government job through my reference. He once again felt sorry for having abused someone who was a benefactor and a good hearted individual. After calmly listening to the Police man, I replied that I was also equally to be blamed for my short temper and angry nature.
Generally, I follow the Biblical verse according to which one should be as calm as a pigeon and as sharp as a striking snake which it comes to self defense. Till day, I am not able to understand as to how and why I got so violent on that eventful day!
Maybe because my self respect was at state and injustice was meted out to me and my cycle driver, that I lost my self control and became wild, an expression of my self defensive nature coiled in me.
There after, I controlled my anger to a very great extent , as a result of which I never resorted to any impulsive act of violence in my life.
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Once, my Divine Teacher Rev.Elbarail and myself were traveling in the Veppur jungle area. It was a dark night and some robbers who were hiding on the tree tops pounced upon and way laid us.
The Reverend was an army trained person with wrestling skills. And I was an exponent in the Silambam techniques ( A local combat with a long pole). My response was very impulsive and I was about to defend ourselves with the Silambam. But surprisingly , Father Elbarail did not attempt anything, but asked the robbers to come to him.
“ How much money do you want? ” That was all the Reverend asked of them as they approached us. Along with the robbers , I was equally shocked at His comments. As they realized that they had way laid an European Father, the Veppur Robbers exclaimed , “ Father, Whatever we did was out of total ignorance and poverty. Please forgive us and proceed with your journey ”.
My Divine master asked the intruders, if they would rob other passers by once we left the area. They simply stared at each other without any word.
19. THE CREATION OF AZIZ TOWN.
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“ What will be your price, if you should stop robbing for ever ?” asked the Reverend. “ Father ! we don’t have homes to live in nor any land or job to lead a normal life”, was the spontaneous response from the robbers.
Satisfied with their confession, the Father said that he will provide them with homes to live in and lands for cultivation; besides, sufficient money to do some trade provided they did not resort back to robbing.
The head of the robbers swivelled around in shock and disbelief and bursted out “ Father ! Whatever you say , we will accept and obey your orders”.Soon we purchased a large piece of land and built homes for the reformed thieves. The Reverend named the newly formed tenement as ‘ Asisi Town’.
They kept their words and abandoned their old profession and engaged themselves in other trades. Many of them born and brought up in the Asisi Town, grew up to become teachers and lead a decent life.
The Reverend’s true Christian sprit forgave the trespassers and blessed them with good life. In short, he walked his talks.
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20.THE PRIZE OF SERVICE - A TARNISHED IMAGE
Of all the persons, I was very closely associated with the Reverend Elbarail and this induced envy among those who hated our association. Such envious people began to make false allegations against me among the locals and the Reverend as well. To me, this was an act of the most mean and evil entities, who were insolent and intolerant to see their fellow mens’ overall growth.
But the Reverend never ever believed such allegations against me nor he considered such liars in the least. That was the kind of impeccable faith he had in me and the limit of my real
reverence towards my Divine Master.
Eventually, many such scandal mongers, who in my opinion were nothing but filthy assess, began to make allegations against the Reverend himself.
Their main charge against the Reverend was that he bribed the locals and converted them as Christians and many such Christians went back to their Hindu religion. On this basis, they even wrote petition to the diocese alleging that the non-christians people were dissatisfied with the Father leading to aversion for the Christians and Christianity.
They cited my name also as party to all that the Reverend was up to as per their allegations.
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The Reverend on his part very clearly and emphatically denied all the allegations saying that “We never paid money nor tempted or coerced the locals in order to make them Christians. Those who came to Christian folds did so on their won will and wish; and those who left Christianity did so on their own volition”.
He was of the strong view that it was the duty of all the Christians to honor and retain those who became Christians. He further confirmed that Rathinam ( my self ) was honest and as good as his own son.
It was a mystery and a harsh fact that the authorities of Diocese would not bother about the facts behind the Reverend’s detailed and categorical explanations. However, the Reverend
who felt isolated and humiliated decided to leave India for good. Accordingly , He requested his authorities to relieve him from India. Soon he began to prepare for his journey to Paris.
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My Divine Master Rev. Father Elbarail left India to his native country of France on the 17th. of January 1947.
21. the reverend’S JOURNEY - BACK HOME
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Just before bidding goodbye, he called me up and hugged me with great affection. He stumbled for words and hardly uttered a word. I was equally saddened and emotionally disturbed to see his watery eyes. He was a Great Soul who got thousands of people to get into the Christian folds whose descendants still remain pious Christians.
It was my destiny to join Him in all his endeavors and A Great Blessing which I shall cherish all through my life!
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The Rev. Father Elbarail soon after boarding the ship sailing for France, wrote a letter to me.
22.THE REV. FATHER’S LETTER
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It was more of a document to certify my integrity and at the same time a great blow to those who spoke ill of me and leveled utterly false allegations against me.
Some may think it an act of boasting on my part, to publish the copy of ths letter in his own hand writing and in my mother tongue. i.e. Thamizh. But can’t help doing so just in order to remind my
tormenters about what exactly my Divine Master had to tell about me.
As the saying goes ‘ I was born with the silver spoon.’ Yes ! We were comparatively richer than many in our town, owning many acres of land just adjacent to the sluice of a large lake, facilitating priority for irrigation and fertility which in turn meant regular harvests. The fact is that those lands and my ancestral house were duly endorsed to my relatives and associates by me.
Literally joining hands with my Divine Master Rev. Fr. Elbarail, We established about seven abbeys and nunneries, built six churches in and around Kallakurichi. Hundreds of acres land were purchased and distributed to the poor and downtrodden.
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Besides spreading Christianity to more than twenty towns and villages , We bought sufficient lands to eradicate bonded labors and construct schools, convents and churches in all those areas. Had I purchased just five acres in a village, I would have added about hundred acres of land to my already inherited properties. But I never did such a thing or expected my legal heirs to indulge in such avaricious act of amassing wealth beyond necessity.
The Rev. Father had unshakable faith in my integrity and sincerity. Obviously, I strived hard to maintain my image untarnished though there was plenty of scope for corruption and temptations.
Even if thousands of allegations were to be made against me, the above letter written by my Divine master was sufficient enough to forget them and proceed with my service to the people without retreading my steps.
After the Rev. Father left for France, I involved deeply in my party activities, as I already was a member of the National congress. My political involvement gave me great opportunity to get personally associated with eminent leaders and statesmen like Mr.Kamaraj, M.Kakkan and Mr.Ponnusany .. etc which widened my horizon and scope to pursue my service to the public.
