John
Manuel was born to Dr.G.M.Samuel and Mrs.Annammal Samuel, grand daughter
of Rev.J.Joshua the second native Pastor of NAGERCOIL Home Church, as the
fourth child in the family.
Dr. Samuel was a talented and eminent doctor who served the medical
mission with distinction in a number of hospitals in South
Travancore. His
selfless service to all sections of the society especially the weaker
sections, was proverbial in places like Attingal. He was a man of wide interests and
few words and strong convictions.
Annammal Samuel was a fine example of the traditional Indian wife
and mother whose whole life revolved around her husband and children and
their well being. Always in
the background she provided the unseen strength and comfort to the
family. Young John Manuel
inherited and cultivated the many good qualities of both parents which
became the hall-mark of his own life and career.
He
was the only son among five sisters and grew under their protective care
in the rural setting. He was
affectionately known to his sisters as Thamby and Thamby Annan for whom he
in turn had the greatest attachment and love. In latter life he took the place
of the father in the family and a relentless strength and support to his
sisters and their families.
For the many nephews and nieces Thamby Mama was the greatest hero
and example, and they admired and respected him all through life.
John
Manuel had his schooling in Attingal and NAGERCOIL and he did his
Intermediate in St.John’s College, Palayamcottai. He secured his Licentiate in
Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic in Madras and started his professional career in the Kerala
State Transport. He became
the first technical instructor of the Engineering Section of the
Scott Christian High
School, NAGERCOIL.
After retirement he spent time to develop a rubber plantation which
became a rewarding initiative in later years. He was the Correspondent for a
term of the Gnanadason Polytechnic at NAGERCOIL when he improved its
functioning by his knowledge and experience of engineering and student
needs.
He married his cousin Jebamathy, eldest daughter of
Mr.J.B.Thankaraj, a dedicated and long term teacher in the Scott Christian High School, NAGERCOIL, and a deacon in the
Home Church, NAGERCOIL, for a long time. She was a most affectionate and
understanding wife who effectively looked after his needs and comforts
with devotion till his death on 5th February,
1997. She is a graduate from the
Scott Christian College, NAGERCOIL, and is now a Deacon in the
Home Church, NAGERCOIL.
She is also a member of the Diocesan Council and a member of the
Synod. She had been the
Correspondent of the Duthie Girls Higher Secondary
School,
NAGERCOIL for five years and the Correspondent of the Moderator
Gnanadhason Polytechnic for a term and a member of the Diocesan Executive
Council for twelve years. She
is very active in the Women’s Fellowship, YWCA, Home Missionary Society
and many other religious institutions. She had been the co-ordinator for
the CSI day care centres, K.K.Diocese for more than ten years. John Manuel on his part fully
supported and facilitated her participation in the
Home Church activities and in the Kanyakumari CSI Diocese
work. She could always count
on his encouragement in all her interests and initiatives.
Tall and well built in physical stature John Manuel distinguished
himself as a top volley ball player of South India. In
later life he took special interest to promote sports and games in
Kanyakumari District something always close to his heart. Yet another area in which he had
an abiding interest was hunting.
On hunting trips to the hill area in Kanyakumari District he was
accompanied by his nephews for whom Thamby mama was the greatest. The stories that abound such trips
and the adventurous spirit associated with them provide a never ending
series of episodes often exaggerated to his friends and
nephews.
He was a staunch Christian to the core with a lasting concern for
the Church and its missionary work.
Among many things for which he was responsible, he provided land,
money and encouragement to build a Church in memory of his father in his
rubber estate. He was deeply
involved in the setting up of the Rev.J.Joshua Family Association and a
dedicated supporter in formulating and implementing its various activities
including the support for missionary work. He was the President of the
Association at the time of his death.
John Manuel was a man of inner quality often hidden behind an
imposing exterior. A man of
few words but known for his deeds.
At heart a philanthropist and those who received his liberal help
are many. He had a subtle and
bantering sense of humour and wit which endeared him to many. As he drove his trekker round the
roads of the town and the suburbs day in and day out, the frequency with
which he raised his hand in salutation to the rich and poor on the road
testified to his popularity with one and all. In short he was a man of humility
and integrity who did not spare himself till the very end to the people
and causes which he held so dear.
John Manuel and Jebamathy are blessed with three daughters -
Rooshitha, Ashitha and Vashitha and two sons - Sushith and Jaishith. Rooshitha is an Eye Specialist
married to Dr.S.M.Bejan Singh and together they established the
Bejan Singh Eye Hospital.
Ashitha is a lecturer in the Marthandam Christian College. She
is married to Dr.Brayan Chakravarthy who established the
Daniel Hospital at Thickanamcode. Vashitha is a medical doctor
married to Mr.S.M.Vijayanand an I.A.S. Officer in the Kerala
Government. The eldest son
Sushith is an engineer who married Mishmala Kumari the daughter of
Mr.P.Dharmaraj a leading advocate in NAGERCOIL. Jaishith the youngest son is also
a doctor and he married Pon Manju Usha daughter of Mr.& Mrs.Henry Paul
Samuel of Palayamcottai; All
the children are well settled in life.
By
- Prof.R.R.Daniel
