Mysore University celebrates silver jubilee of India’s first chair in Christianity

Mysore – Mysore University recently celebrated the silver jubilee of its Chair in Christianity, at the Humanities Block Auditorium on February 14.

Mysore University is the first secular institution in the country to establish a chair in Christianity. The Madras University and the Mangalore University followed suit.

During the function that took place on February 14 at the Humanities Block Auditorium, Salesian Fr. Paul Puthanangady, director of Vishva Deep, Bangalore, paid rich tributes to the first professor of the chair in Christianity, the late Dr. D.S. Amalorpavadass, also known as Swami Amalorananda, by calling him a prophet, disciple of Christ and a visionary. “As the professor of the chair in Christianity from 1979, Fr. Amalorpavadass promoted dialogue between religions and cultures,” he said.

Bishop Thomas Vazhapilly of Mysore in his speech paid glowing tributes to his predecessor, late Bishop Mathias Fernandez, who founded the chair in Christianity in the Mysore University. “This institution should go forward for centuries to inculcate the values of the seeds of harmony and unity,” the bishop said.

Swami Jnanjyothi of Anjali Ashram also spoke on the occasion. Fr. Dr. A. Maria Selvam, Director of Biblical and Dravidian Cultural Research Centre, Pondicherry, delivered a memorial lecture on Inter–religious dialogue.