10. KUTHENKULY

St. John Bosco; (2002) 2003: Tuticorin

VISION

Don Bosco, Kuthenkuly aims at imparting sound technical education to the coastal and rural poor youth,

Offering them Diploma courses in the Polytechnic College as per the norms of the All India Council for Technical Education. We teach them skills for a sustainable livelihood and empower them with life coping skills. So that as they develop themselves, they will also work for the development of the society.

MISSION

• To build self-confidence and self-discipline among the students
• To instill reading habits among the students.
• To encourage students to take initiatives.
• To give effective skill training.
• To give awareness of various project resources in the college
• To give holistic human development training
• To promote livelihood through job opportunities.

HISTORY

Kuthenkuly is a coastal village in Radhapuram Taluk of Nellai District in the Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin. The nearest town situated on the National highways is Valliyoor, which is about 35 Kms from Kuthenkuly and is midway between Tirunelveli and Nagercoil. Kudenkulam, another neighbouring village about 9 kms from Kuthenkuly is a fast developing area due to the Nuclear Power Plant that is coming up. Other prominent neighbouring villages are Idinthakarai and Uvari.

Fr. Siluvai Ignaci, the National director of the Pontifical Mission Societies hails from Kuthenkuly. It was a long time dream of his to start some institution to benefit the youth of the neighbourhood. To actualize this dream, he formed “Father Sebastian Educational and Charitable Trust” registered on 29 – 01 – 1997. There were nine members in the Trust.

The first building that was put up in the campus was the Guest House which was blessed and naugurated on 20 – 01 – 1997. The foundation stone for Pastor Lenssen Polytechnic was laid on 31 – 01 – 1997. The foundation stone for the Fatima Chapel was laid on 3 May 1997. A Gents hostel complex was blessed and inaugurated on 22-01-2000 to accommodate the students. The foundation for the ladies hostel was laid in February 2001 and inaugurated on 22 – 07 – 2001.

The Community College was the first venture of the Trust. It was inaugurated on 02-08-1999. In the beginning there were six courses. They were Marine Engine Mechanism, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Two & Four Wheeler Mechanism, Computer Application Course, Nursing Assistant Course and Office Assistant Course. In the following year only three courses, Office Assistant Course, Nursing Assistant Course and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Course were conducted. From 2002, only the Nursing Assistant Course is conducted.

The Pastor Lenssen Polytechnic was inaugurated on 29-08-2001. Pastor Lenssen was a German benefactor of Fr. Siluvai Ignaci and supported initially to establish the Technical Institution. Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electronics & Communication Engineering are the three branches that were approved by the All India Council for Technical Education. Mr. Anthony Kitherian, a member of the trust and from the local village was looking after the administration of the College.

The Trust members and the founder felt that the College could be handed over to a Congregation for better and smooth running. Together with the Bishop of Tuticorin, Rt. Rev. Peter Fernando, they negotiated with the Salesian Provincial of Tiruchy Province. After much discussion, Fr. James Theophillus, the Provincial of Tiruchy sent Fr. Joseph Raj to see about the possibilities of running the institution. Fr. Joseph Raj arrived on the scene on 19-09-2001. Since a contract is always made with the Diocese, Fr. Siluvai Ignaci handed over the institution to the Diocese who in turn agreed to hand it over to the Salesians of Don Bosco.

After further study and analysis, the institution was finally handed over to the Salesians on 31 January, 2002.on the feast of Don Bosco. The contract was signed between the Bishop of Tuticorin and the Salesian Provincial of Tiruchy Province for a period of 25 years after which the Salesians have to manage the institution without seeking financial assistance from the Bishop.

In the month of June 2002, Fr. Packiaraj Rayan was appointed the Administrator. Bro. James William and Cl. John Kennedy Irudayam joined the Community to do their studies in the polytechnic College. On 16-06-2002, the foundation stone was laid for the workshop Block. In February 2003, Fr. Packiaraj Rayen fell sick and was transferred. Fr. Daniel Sebastian immediately after his Ordination joined the Community.

From 24-05-2003, Kuthenkuly house was canonically erected with Don Bosco as its Patron Saint. Fr. Albert Johnson took charge as the first Rector, Correspondent and Principal. Fr. Daniel Sebastian was appointed as the Administrator and Bro. Sahayaraj Madalaimuthu was appointed as Warden and Teacher. Bro. Xavier John Philip and Cl. Peter Singarayer came to do their practical training.

From May 2004, Cl. Benard Moses and Bro. Stephen Kulandaisamy came for practical training. In May 2005, Bro. James and Cl. Kennedy completed their studies and were the first Salesians to get a Diploma here. Bro. Sahayaraj Madalaimuthu was sent for studies. Cl. Jude Muthuselvan and Cl. Arockia Xavier Vincent came for the practical training. Bro. Bernard, Bro, John Xavier Philip and Cl. Dominic Savio began their studies here. In May 2006 Fr. Francis Xavier came as the Warden and Teacher. Cl. Bernatsha and Cl. Jeffery came to do practical training. Cl. Paulraj and Cl. Prince Raja also came over for their studies. In May 2007, Cl. Bernard Moses and Bro. John Philip Xavier completed their studies. Cl. Bernatsha went for his theology. Cl. Mohan Christuraj was sent as a teacher. Cl. Rajesh Xalxo from Delhi Province came over to do his studies.

From 24^th May 2008 Fr. Thomas Louis took charge as the Second Rector and Correspondent. Fr. Robert Simon – as the Vice Rector, Fr. Felix Arulnathan – as the Dean, Fr. Esaya Britto Raphael – as the Administrator and Cl. John Britto and Cl. Albert Raja Aruldoss came for the practical training and Cl. Arvind Bipin (ING), Cl. Justin Prabhakar Selvaraj, Cl. Paulraj Chittilapilly, Cl. Sushil Kujur (INN) came to do their studies. In May 2008 Fr. Albert Johnson has been transferred as the Rector and Vice Provincial to the Provincial house in Manikandam, Fr. Francis Xavier, Fr. Lazar Michael, Cl. Mohan Christuraj, Cl. Canisius Jeffery, Cl. Dominic Savio, Cl. Paulraj Sundaram were transferred to various places.

From 24 May 2009, Fr. Robert Simon and Fr. Felix Arulnathan were transferred to Madurai and Nettur respectively. Together with the above confreres, Cl. Albert Raja Aruldoss and Cl. Prince Raja were also transferred to Kazhiappanallur and Madurai. Cl. John Titus Kulandaisamy came to do the Practical Training and Cl. Ramesh Kalakoti and Cl. Francis Xavier came over for their studies.

In July 2005, the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering was started and in July 2007, the department of Civil Engineering was started. The intake for Mechanical Engineering was raised from 60 to 90 in July 2007.

Infrastructural Development

Guest House                                                   – Blessed on 20 – 01 – 1997  

Pastor Lenssen Polytechnic College          – Foundation laid on 31 – 01 – 1997

Fatima chapel                                                  – Foundation stone 03 – 05 – 1997

Gents Hostel                                                   – Blessed on 22 – 01 – 2000

Ladies Hostel                                                  – Foundation stone in February 2001

Ladies Hostel                                                  – Blessed on 22 – 07 – 2001

Pastor Lenssen Polytechnic College               – Blessed on 29 – 08 – 2001

Don Bosco Block                                            – Blessed on 11 – 02 – 2004

Centenary Block                                             – Foundation on 29 – 09 – 2005

PLP Main Block                                             – Renovation in May 2006

Centenary Block                                             – Blessed on 02 – 08 – 2006

Don Bosco Monument                                    – Blessed on 02 – 08 – 2006

New Ladies Hostel (Margaret Home)            – Foundation on 16 – 04 – 2007

Gents Hostel                                                   – Renovation in May 2007

Margaret Home                                               – Blessed in October 2007

Don Bosco Block (Second Floor)                   – Blessed on 22-01-2009

Development in the College

                        1999    –           Non Formal courses in Office Assistant,

Nursing assistant, Computer Operator, R&AC         

• – DME – 45, DECE – 60, DCSE – 45

2003    –           DME – 60

2005    –           DEEE – 60

2007    –           DME – 90, DCE – 45

2009    –           DCSE – 15 (Extra) and DCE – 15 (Extra)

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

Pastor Lenssen Poly Technic College – PLP College has got 4 courses (DCE, DME, DEEE and DECE) with 539 students. There are 269 Christians and 270 non-Christians studying in our institution. The college has got a team of staff with 50 members inclusive of teaching and non-teaching. There are various groups and movements with their regular meetings and activities. Industrial visits and job interviews are held regularly.

Various initiatives are taken to standardise the college, improve its facilities and increase admissions. It is encouraging to see a dedicated team of staff who are very cooperative with the management and extend their collaboration to the Salesians. The staff and the management take special efforts to train the slow learners. Most of the students are average in their studies and yet the staff members take all efforts to give good percentage of result.

Bosco and Margaret Hostel – There are 93 boys residing at the Bosco Hostel and 4 girls at the Margaret Hostel. All the Catholic Students join for the daily Mass. Hostel students are happy and they are cordial with the Salesians. They are provided good care, healthy food and basic needs. Special coaching is offered to improve their studies and various animations and programmes are conducted to develop their skills. Salesians are always present with the boys and Salesian presence is very much felt among the young.

Hostel building needs basic repair works and painting to be done. Community can try to mobilize financial support from local benefactors and past pupils for this work. Community can send a project through Cauveri, the province Developmental office to Turin Mission office, for the repair and maintenance of the Hostel toilets.

CONTACT DETAILS