A better engineer and the best engineer will be somebody who can pick up the spanner, pick up the nut and bolt and fix things, make things with their own hands while thinking about it; Tushar Gandhi
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
Peermade, Kuttikkanam; The prestigious His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II Memorial Lecture Series was held at MBCCET Peermade, commemorating the profound legacy of the late His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan. Fondly remembered as the Angel Baba for his saintly character and selfless service, the event paid tribute to his visionary leadership and compassionate ministry among the poor and needy.
Memorial Lecture Honors Visionary Founder, Celebrates Legacy of Compassion and Innovation
The keynote lecture, delivered by Mr. Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi, was the highlight of the event.
Addressing an audience comprising dignitaries, faculty, students, and alumni, Mr. Gandhi shared an inspiring and thought-provoking address focusing on the values upheld by both Mahatma Gandhi and His Holiness. Emphasizing the need for compassion-driven technology and skill-based education, Mr. Gandhi repeated the importance of combining intellectual growth with practical abilities to empower communities, particularly in rural areas.
“Technology should empower people rather than exploit or eliminate them. A manufacturing revolution can happen in India only when we integrate technology to empower village industries, enabling them to distribute and consume products at fair prices.”
He also stressed the importance of restoring hands-on learning in education, suggesting that engineering students spend significant time in workshops to develop essential hand-eye coordination, physical skills, and critical problem-solving abilities. He fondly recalled his schooling years, where technical education included practical workshops that equipped students with skills to create and innovate. He underscored that such practices are vital for fostering self-reliance and reducing dependency.
The event was presided over by M.S. Yohanan Ramban, whose words of wisdom enriched the gathering and reflected on the spiritual and missionary leadership of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II. The college director, Dr. Oommen Mammen, delivered an inspiring welcome address, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and holistic student development.
The program also featured contributions from Dr. V.I. George, Principal of MBCCET, whose missionary leadership has played a major role in advancing the college’s academic standards, and other dignitaries, including Rev. Fr. Philip Matthew, Administrator of the college, and Rev. Fr. John Samuel, Office Manager. Special thanks were extended to the Alumni Association for their unwavering support in organizing the event and to media partners for their extensive coverage and technical support.
The memorial lecture honoured the enduring legacy of His Holiness and highlighted the need to align education with Gandhian principles of self-reliance, compassion, and social responsibility. It spoke about the power of combining hand, heart, and head in shaping a future rooted in ethical innovation and sustainable development.
