The Golden Age of SDA at CMC Vellore

Bobby Thomas, Felix Prakasam and Ronnie Gyi in front of the Blue Max college bus

The Blue Max stopped in front of the gate leading to the Sunken Garden. (We were taken out for a retreat to ease our minds from thinking about the CMC selection process in 1965)

 Philip jumped out of the bus and disappeared into the corridor leading to the Registrar office. There was silence in the bus as all waited eagerly for Philip to return.

Scenes flashed in my mind in a hazy kaleidoscopic vision.

Our unreserved train ride to Bombay (Mumbai) was like living sardines packed to standing places only. We could hardly breath. There was sweet relief when someone found a foot hold to change his standing position and the rest whirled like a merry go round.

Without any coaching:Bobby Thomas, Rohini Shah, Felix Prakasam, Zokhumi Pachuau and myself wrote the entrance exam.

After a wait of about a month we all were called to CMC Vellore to attend the interview.

I remember leaving all my belongings at Spicer hostel and came with one shirt and a few trousers, thinking I would have to return soon.

“You are Ronnie”, said the Registrar, Dr K G Koshy, as I entered his office to present myself documents.I wondered how he knew my name.

Then came the interviews, watched by the stern G.O. (Group Observer) Group task and individual ones. I finished so quickly I started to count the beans in a bottle-an impossible task.

The bombshell question asked by Dr Job (G.O.) was,” What will you do if you are not selected”. Oh, I thought surely, I will not be selected. I replied,” I will apply for a Lab Tech course and try again next year”.

Then Philip came running; spreading his five fingers, waving and shouting,” All got through, all got through”.

Our group equalled the number of SDA admission set by our super seniors; Drs Fernando, Moser, Philip Nathaniel, Borge and Susan. (hope my list is correct).

Dr Borge and Dr (Late) Sada Ananda Rao

Then I was stuck with one shirt, which I dutifully washed every evening to drip dry and waited until the Division sent us the sponsorship money for me to buy some adequate clothes.

Our seniors took us to the Men’s hostel (Mansion of the Gods) and we settled down. We endured the “Orientation”. Pillow talk. Baby elephant walk, Fashion parade and answering “Congenital Hydrocephalus Orangutans as our newfound name, not knowing the meaning. Finally ending the process will all lustily singing “Meet Me Tonight In The Moonlight”. All’s well that ends well.

Our batch during the Orientation

Pray for rain 

“Why are you 21 years old?”, Principal Jacob Chandy asked me in his slow low deep voice. I was about to answer, “Sir I was born in so and so year”. Then suddenly realised that most candidates were about less than 17 years. “Sir, we, Seventh-Day Adventists have to study at Spicer Memorial College after high school to obtain sponsorship from our denomination.” I thoughtfully replied. And that was good enough.

Life and study went on well in the days and years to follow. Sports, games, study, friends and worship became part of our life.

We climbed the barren College and Toad hills Kailash was a day’s picnic journey and Moses Beard was too steep to climb. Only the “Spider Club”, members would dare to do so using their climbing gear.

last grip to reach the summit of Toad hill. Keith Ingty while Ronnie Gyi looks on 

Atop Toad Hill
Standing L-R Biak Mawia, (forgot his name) Ronnie Gyi
Sitting Late Baktaraj Chelliah & Lambha Kharkonga


Sports life

Tennis: I had excelled in this sport. Had even won the championship tournament at Spicer. Then in Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) Kerala, I represented the College in the Inter-Collegiate Tournaments. However, at CMC Vellore I did not do well against other well coached opponents. Playing usually for fun and exercise.

 Tennis players at CMC Hospital court
Alexander K, Paul Challapa, Stoke, and Ronnie Gyi standing middle

The CMC Hospital Chaplain 

Volleyball: Being short, I used to be an excellent lifter for the spikers. Played a few inter-house games. Simple serve, but have to know where the “Post Box” (Weak player) was.

Cricket: I was fascinated by this game but played a few matches.  Played as the wicketkeeper. However, most matches are on Saturdays so I stopped playing. But it was fun watching the games played on the hostel terrace with the tennis ball.

Football: This is where the SDAs excelled. We were nicked named the lime juice players as we do not drink coffee or tea in the hostel mess but stick on to the lime juice alternative. The Pandit brothers, Sudhir and Subodh (forwards),  (Late)Jonathan Raju Full back and myself (Centre Half)

Even though I was small, my forte was agility, endurance and sound mind game to outwit the opponents. 

Football Match at Madurai Medical College 

XI Intermedical Sports Meet 16-21 Feb 1971

Ronnie Gyi in action

We were regulars for the college football team in the Madras State (Tamil Nadu) Inter-Medical Sports and games. However, in most of our matches, we never won the tournament. This gives us more time to cheer the girls play netball and other games. “Match is Over” is our constant theme song.

The CMC Team at Madurai Medical College, 16-21 Feb 1971

Pondicherry (Puducherry), Madurai, Madras Christian College were a few places where the Inter-Medical Sports were organised. Remembered climbing the Meenakshi temple (those days it was allowed). Also recalled for the first time a person in an inebriated state where contrary to the Prohibition law in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry had no such law.

To be continued