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Deccan Herald
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
Capturing the life and legacy of Ferdinand Kittel
Picture this: Looking out at the snowy winters of Germany from his window, a man in the final chapter of his life begins to revisit his journey. Although he remains invisible, the narration speaks volumes about his grit, diligence, and scholarly mission. He began as a young Protestant Christian missionary from Germany who came to India to spread the word of God. Over time, he mastered Kannada and went on to create a groundbreaking 70,000-word Kannada-English dictionary. His journey is one that deserves to be remembered and fascinating and often forgotten tale of Reverend Ferdinand Kittel (1832–1903) — missionary, linguist, lexicographer, and author — comes alive through The Word and the Teacher, a non-fiction film directed by Mysuru-based techie-turned-filmmaker Prashant Pandit. .With a runtime of 80 minutes, the film explores Kittel's tireless contributions to the Kannada language, a journey spanning nearly five decades of personal and professional dedication. The film was produced in English, Kannada (Arivu Matthu Guruvu), and German (Das Wort und der Lehrer) and uncovers little-known facts about Kittel's life. It highlights Kittel's passion for language beyond lexicography; he was also the first person to receive a PhD in Kannada from a German university..A soldier's journey beyond the played a pivotal role in preserving and translating several ancient Kannada texts, many originally written on palm leaves. He also translated key Biblical texts from English to Kannada, contributing significantly to the religious and cultural fabric of India during the British era. .'Kittel was a man of many firsts,' says Pandit. 'He not only created the Kannada dictionary, but his academic legacy also includes pioneering translations and publications.' Kittel authored Kathamale, a Kannada poem, narrating the life of Jesus Christ in Bhamini Shatpadi, a specific form of Kannada poetry, characterised by a six-line structure and specific metrical patterns. He edited and published Shabdamanidarpana, an edition of Kesiraja's work on Kannada grammar, with his own commentary, and Chandombudhi, Nagavarma's work on Kannada prosody. .The project involved over three years of meticulous research, including visits to Kittel's birthplace in Germany and the university he was associated with. Unearthing details about his life in Karnataka proved particularly challenging due to the scarcity of records..'Our research uncovered that he had originally been scheduled to travel with other missionaries to Mangaluru. However, due to illness, he was left atHonnavar port and later travelled to Dharwad as per missionary orders,' Pandit explains. .Authentic written by Kittel to his children in Germany, professional reports, and his literary works, many written in archaic German provided vital insights. Assistance from German scholars helped decode these documents and piece together a coherent narrative of his remarkable commitment to authenticity extended to the visual storytelling. Rather than using actors to portray Kittel, the film allows him to 'narrate his own story' through his writings and a carefully crafted took place in both Germany and various parts of Karnataka, including Dharwad, Mangaluru, and Madikeri, where Kittel spent much of his life. The production aimed to maintain historical accuracy. 'Every element, from textiles and attire to materials like pens, tables, windmills, and candles, reflects the era with striking accuracy,' says Bennet Amanna, a retired archivist from Mangaluru. 'It truly feels like being transported back in time.'.The Word and the Teacher is screened by invitation. The team collaborates with film clubs and cultural organisations to ensure the story reaches viewers who will value Chandrashekharaiah, a scientist and film enthusiast from Bengaluru, commends the project for its thorough research and sensitivity. 'Kittel worked beyond boundaries — language, culture, and religion — and that story is incredibly important. The film does an excellent job of showing the evolution of language through his legacy,' he the end, The Word and the Teacher is not just a tribute to a missionary who contributed to building modern Kannada, it is a powerful reminder of how language can bridge cultures and break down barriers.
Miami Herald
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
‘Provocative' sign at Oregon church opposes Alligator Alcatraz. It goes viral
A Protestant church in a suburban part of Oregon has gone viral for a sign promoting the church's views about a new migrant detention facility located more than 3,000 miles away. 'It shouldn't need to be said, but Alligator Alcatraz is in opposition to the teachings of Christ,' the Clackamas United Church of Christ in Milwaukie said in a July 18 Facebook post citing the sign. Since opening earlier this month in the marshy Florida Everglades region, Alligator Alcatraz — named after a notorious federal prison off the coast of San Francisco — has drawn mixed reviews. Democrats and immigrant-rights activists have criticized it, calling it inhumane, while Republicans view it as safe and necessary for national security. McClatchy News reached out to the Rev. Adam Ericksen, pastor of CUCC on July 23 but did not receive an immediate response. Church goes viral with latest sign The church led by Ericksen — part of a socially liberal Protestant Christian denomination that emphasizes unity — is known in the community for its signs, even featuring a calendar with photos of previous signs for sale on its website. 'We put up provocative messages up on the sign because I think that the gospel is provocative,' Ericksen told KATU. But the latest sign mentioning Alligator Alcatraz is their 'most viral to date,' according to a July 22 Facebook post by the church. The sign garnered attention from Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, who shared a photo of it and asked 'What's your reaction to this sign?' in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Ericksen said the sign was 'meant to challenge,' KATU reported. 'If the United States actually wanted to be a Christian nation, we would be loving our neighbors, including our undocumented neighbors, our queer neighbors, as we love ourselves,' he told the outlet. Milwaukie is about a five-mile drive southeast from Portland, Oregon. More to know about Alligator Alcatraz The migrant detention center, which opened July 1, was transformed from an abandoned Florida airport in eight days, the Miami Herald reported. It is expected to hold up to 5,000 people awaiting deportation, authorities told CNN. During a tour of the facility in July, President Donald Trump — who's posted on social media about a desire to reopen Alcatraz in San Francisco — said it was an 'amazing job.' But some, including lawmakers, medical officials and activists, have spoken out and even filed lawsuits against the facility. 'They are essentially packed into cages, wall-to-wall humans, 32 detainees per cage,' Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat for Florida's 25th Congressional District, said after touring it, CNN reported. Families of the detainees have also spoken out against the conditions in the facility, according to the outlet.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
The humble beginnings of Salvation Army from Tamil Nadu's Putheri near Nagercoil
The Salvation Army, a prominent Protestant Christian church and an international charitable organisation headquartered in London, operates 24 hospitals, 132 medical facilities, and numerous services worldwide. Interestingly, the first Salvation Army hospital was established at Putheri near Nagercoil. In 1893, Major William Stevens arranged a dispensary at the modest bathroom on the veranda for Captain Henry John Andrews, a missionary officer, to treat the poor. Captain Andrews treated his first patient there, laying the foundation for what would become the Salvation Army Catherine Booth Hospital (CBH) at Putheri. Patients walked miles to that amateur dispensary so as to seek help from Captain Andrews, who demonstrated remarkable practical ability to render medical assistance to them with limited means. His services catered to their immediate health needs and also led to the establishment of a healthcare model for all. The late Pope Francis, while meeting a Salvation Army delegation in 2019, expressed his appreciation for the organisation's service to the poor. Cholera outbreak A severe cholera outbreak in the Travancore Kingdom prompted Captain Andrews to gather simple remedies and walk from village to village, treating the sick and the dying. Thus started his mission of healing. The headquarters of the organisation recognised Captain Andrew's efforts, and Bramwell Booth, a key figure in the organisation, deemed it worthwhile to take Andrews to England to take a medical dresser's course. On his return to India in 1896 with 50 British pounds, Captain Andrews bought a piece of land for establishing a dispensary, marking the beginning of the CBH at Putheri. Locals started calling it 'Putheri Aaspathiri', one of the most sought-after hospitals in the region. Captain Andrews named the dispensary after the co-founder of Salvation Army and wife of William Booth. It embodied her passion for service to the poor, addressing not only their health needs but also working towards their uplift. A significant development came when Percy Turner began working at Catherine Booth Dispensary in 1900. Turner, the first qualified medical doctor of the organisation, transformed every section of the dispensary into a central health resource of the region. In 1901, the foundation was laid for the CBH, and the dispensary was made into a full-fledged hospital. Turner also introduced a four-year medical course at the hospital with laboratory work and dissection, and the qualified students were awarded the Diploma Licentiate in Medicine, Surgery, Midwifery and Gynaecology (LMSMG). Those trained under Turner were recognised as registered medical practitioners. This helped to contain the cholera outbreak in Nagercoil and surrounding areas. School of nursing comes up William Alexander Noble, an American officer who succeeded Turner in 1921, developed the hospital further. In 1937, a school of nursing was established on the hospital premises with eight students. By 1948, 67 youngsters had been registered as nurses, with 20 of them qualified as midwives. The establishment of the nursing school was considered revolutionary, especially for the Scheduled Castes. Many young men and women from these communities received education on payment of a minimum fee or even on full scholarship, significantly improving their societal status. At the same time, the hospital, which consists of multiple buildings, was constructed by members of the Travancore royal family over different periods. Notable contributions include a building constructed by Vadasseri Lakshmi Pillai Karthiayani Pillaiamma, in 1913, and another in 1920 by Vadasseri K. Bhagavathi Pillai Kochamma, who were the wife and daughter respectively of King Visakam Thirunal Rama Varma V. Rexi Gnanabhai, 55, from Kadetti, a hamlet near Thengamputhoor, a place where the Scheduled Castes predominate, expresses her gratitude for the opportunity she had at the nursing school. She pursued nursing after completing B. Com at a college in Nagercoil, where she had faced caste discrimination. 'My days as a nursing student at the CBH was the golden period of my life as there were no caste barriers there,' she says. After working at the CBH and B.D. Petit Parsee General Hospital in Mumbai, Ms. Rexi moved to West Asia where she worked for almost 20 years. Many of her friends from the Scheduled Castes, Ms. Rexi says, are working at prestigious government and private hospitals, a mark of the lasting impact of the CBH on the historically disadvantaged communities. Treating AIDS patients Benjamin Dhaya, director of business administration, CBH, says the nursing school has had a profound impact on the lives of the Scheduled Castes. Many families, once peasants and daily wage workers, could afford the education of their children who became successful professionals, thanks to the nursing school. Mr. Dhaya also points to the hospital's contribution to the care of HIV/AIDS patients. The first AIDS patient identified at the hospital was referred to Christian Medical College in Vellore. But subsequent cases were treated at the hospital by counselling those living with HIV and their families. In the 2000s, it began conducting deliveries for HIV-positive women. It undertook 85 such deliveries in a short period of time, he says. To this day, the hospital treats numerous patients daily.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Salvation Army's dispensary that became a well-known hospital near Nagercoil
The Salvation Army, a prominent Protestant Christian church and an international charitable organisation headquartered in London, operates 24 hospitals, 132 medical facilities, and numerous services worldwide. Interestingly, the first Salvation Army hospital was established at Putheri near Nagercoil. In 1893, Major William Stevens arranged a dispensary at the modest bathroom on the veranda for Captain Henry John Andrews, a missionary officer, to treat the poor. Captain Andrews treated his first patient there, laying the foundation for what would become the Salvation Army Catherine Booth Hospital (CBH) at Putheri. Patients walked miles to that amateur dispensary so as to seek help from Captain Andrews, who demonstrated remarkable practical ability to render medical assistance to them with limited means. His services catered to their immediate health needs and also led to the establishment of a healthcare model for all. The late Pope Francis, while meeting a Salvation Army delegation in 2019, expressed his appreciation for the organisation's service to the poor. Cholera outbreak A severe cholera outbreak in the Travancore Kingdom prompted Captain Andrews to gather simple remedies and walk from village to village, treating the sick and the dying. Thus started his mission of healing. The headquarters of the organisation recognised Captain Andrew's efforts, and Bramwell Booth, a key figure in the organisation, deemed it worthwhile to take Andrews to England to take a medical dresser's course. On his return to India in 1896 with 50 British pounds, Captain Andrews bought a piece of land for establishing a dispensary, marking the beginning of the CBH at Putheri. Locals started calling it 'Putheri Aaspathiri', one of the most sought-after hospitals in the region. Captain Andrews named the dispensary after the co-founder of Salvation Army and wife of William Booth. It embodied her passion for service to the poor, addressing not only their health needs but also working towards their uplift. A significant development came when Percy Turner began working at Catherine Booth Dispensary in 1900. Turner, the first qualified medical doctor of the organisation, transformed every section of the dispensary into a central health resource of the region. In 1901, the foundation was laid for the CBH, and the dispensary was made into a full-fledged hospital. Turner also introduced a four-year medical course at the hospital with laboratory work and dissection, and the qualified students were awarded the Diploma Licentiate in Medicine, Surgery, Midwifery and Gynaecology (LMSMG). Those trained under Turner were recognised as registered medical practitioners. This helped to contain the cholera outbreak in Nagercoil and surrounding areas. School of nursing comes up William Alexander Noble, an American officer who succeeded Turner in 1921, developed the hospital further. In 1937, a school of nursing was established on the hospital premises with eight students. By 1948, 67 youngsters had been registered as nurses, with 20 of them qualified as midwives. The establishment of the nursing school was considered revolutionary, especially for the Scheduled Castes. Many young men and women from these communities received education on payment of a minimum fee or even on full scholarship, significantly improving their societal status. At the same time, the hospital, which consists of multiple buildings, was constructed by members of the Travancore royal family over different periods. Notable contributions include a building constructed by Vadasseri Lakshmi Pillai Karthiayani Pillaiamma, in 1913, and another in 1920 by Vadasseri K. Bhagavathi Pillai Kochamma, who were the wife and daughter respectively of King Visakam Thirunal Rama Varma V. Rexi Gnanabhai, 55, from Kadetti, a hamlet near Thengamputhoor, a place where the Scheduled Castes predominate, expresses her gratitude for the opportunity she had at the nursing school. She pursued nursing after completing B. Com at a college in Nagercoil, where she had faced caste discrimination. 'My days as a nursing student at the CBH was the golden period of my life as there were no caste barriers there,' she says. After working at the CBH and B.D. Petit Parsee General Hospital in Mumbai, Ms. Rexi moved to West Asia where she worked for almost 20 years. Many of her friends from the Scheduled Castes, Ms. Rexi says, are working at prestigious government and private hospitals, a mark of the lasting impact of the CBH on the historically disadvantaged communities. Treating AIDS patients Benjamin Dhaya, director of business administration, CBH, says the nursing school has had a profound impact on the lives of the Scheduled Castes. Many families, once peasants and daily wage workers, could afford the education of their children who became successful professionals, thanks to the nursing school. Mr. Dhaya also points to the hospital's contribution to the care of HIV/AIDS patients. The first AIDS patient identified at the hospital was referred to Christian Medical College in Vellore. But subsequent cases were treated at the hospital by counselling those living with HIV and their families. In the 2000s, it began conducting deliveries for HIV-positive women. It undertook 85 such deliveries in a short period of time, he says. To this day, the hospital treats numerous patients daily.
