The movie “ Gandhi” was part of the Year 11 curriculum at St Kentigern College and I must have watched it more than 40 times. I could never bring myself to stop showing it as I was sure the students would never watch it if I didn’t make them.
To stand in the garden where the massacre of Amritsar took place, with an ex-student as my personal guide, was an experience I never envisaged, even in my wildest dreams. The visit to Amritsar and the Golden Temple, which is the centre of world Sikhism, was a must-see when we travelled to Pathankot for the 13th Synod of the Church of North India.
The other indelible memory of the trip also involves students. But this time I was standing outside Christ Church in Jagadhri as the congregation began to gather for Sunday worship. To watch as past students, their children and even their grandchildren came and with such genuine respect and affection greeted their former teacher, the Rev Doreen Riddell, was a wonderful moment. To be taken on a guided tour of the Christian Hospital and St Thomas School and to hear Doreen marvel at all the expansion and changes made me realise how successful this mission is – because when Doreen’s time at St Thomas School ended, so too did the New Zealand missionary era. Ever since then, the school and hospital have been in the expert hands of Indian Christians.
By Rev Andrew Bell
Following the General Assembly and the centenary celebration of our mission work in the Punjab, my first job as Moderator was to accompany Doreen and Andrew to Jagadhri in North India. Our visit followed the reception of delegates from the Church of North India to our General Assembly and a commerative function attended by the Governor General, the Honourable Anand Satyanand.
Nowadays our involvement in this mission is not to send personnel but rather to offer prayer and financial support for the work of the Christian Hospital and St Thomas School. The Global Mission Office, the Association of Presbyterian Women and the Friends of Jagadhri have played a significant role in this regard over the years.
The Christian Hospital plans to establish a hospice, develop courses in medical laboratory technology and upgrade their nursing course to BSc level, as required by the Government. St Thomas School has plans to extend and upgrade its facilities. I was impressed by the strong Christian ethos of both school and hospital, and by their profile in the community. Kumla Singh and Dr Cecil Harrison provide outstanding leadership. People’s health and educational needs are tended to regardless of their faith or social status.
By Right Rev Dr Graham Redding