All Round Applause for Rev.Fr.H.S.David

The photographic portrait of Rev. Fr. David was kept on a small table, which adorned the auditorium. Fr. David's image that was captured in a glass and wooden frame was even visible from the top row of seats. His penetrating eyes were looked as if they were gazing at each and everyone present there.

The commemoration day of Rev.Fr. David was celebrated at the Lakshman Kadirgamer Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS) on 28th June 2013 in full attendance to mark respect for the eminent scholarly father. Elite people from all walks of life attended.

The front row of seats were seen with eminent special guests which included the distinguished Patrician and chairman of Union Bank Mr. Alex Lovell ,the senior partner Julius and Creasy and a walking dictionary ,Mr. J.M.Swaminathan, The president UNASL and Emeritus professor of law University of Windsor Canada,Mr. Lakshman Marasinghe,Former senior partner S.J.M.S. Associates Mr T.Someswaran ,Jaffna High court judge Mr. Visvanathan,The D.G.M. Bartlett Finance and President A.A.S.P.C. ,Mr. Anton Gerard, and immediate past president A.A.S.P.C. Mr. Mahen. Ponrajah, The retired Assistant General Manager and former president A.A.S.P.C. Mr.B.J.Vincent , Rev. Fr.A.M.Jeyaseelan representing the Bishop of Mannar , were few names to mention.

Father David's eyes were still gazing through the glass frame. His beloved brothers three sons Lakshman, Thushy,and Jeevan were in full swing .They had taken the initiative pains to form the Father David's Foundation which has taken a great leap forward, and in the forefront to celebrate their beloved Rev.Fr. David's birthday anniversary.

Amidst the invitees, many Patricians, Trustees, Mr.S.Anthonimuttu, professor J.C.N.Rajendra
Mr. T.Mukunthan, and members of the 'David's Family' were seen mingling with the crowd.

When the chief guest Mr. Vasudeva Nanayakara ,Hon .Minister for national languages and social integration ,and the Guest of honor Rev .Fr.Noel Dias ,vicar general at the Arch Bishop's house Colombo arrived they were received at the entrance by the chair man Brig.Lakshman David and accompanied by the trustees of the foundation Mr.S.Anthonimuttu Dr.Mrs Amirthanjali ,treasurer Mr. Gerard ,Mr.Mukunthan Professor Rajendra and the secretary Mr.MuttuGunaratnam to the head table in the auditorium. Thereafter ,along with the chief guest ,guest of honour ,Chairman , ,Mrs.Amirthanjali ,secretary, and the special guests Mr.Alex Lovell ,Mr.J.M.Swaminathan, the traditional lighting of oil lamp took place as a blessing and symbol of inauguration for growth of the Fr.David 's Foundation .

Father David's eyes were still gazing through the glass frame. His beloved brothers three sons Lakshman, Thushy,and Jeevan were in full swing .They had taken the initiative pains to form the Father David's Foundation which has taken a great leap forward, and in the forefront to celebrate their beloved Rev.Fr. David's birthday anniversary.

The compeers for the entire proceeding were Master Ajay David and Ms.Mithila Rajendra who beautifully narrated the events for the benefit of the invitees.

Then, as a mark of honoring, the gorgeous portrait of Fr.David was garlanded by Mr.Thushy David, the director of Deutsche bank Colombo and the eldest son of Mr. A. M.David the only surviving brother. It was followed by wrapping in ponnadi to the chief guest and guest of honor by the chairman and secretary respectively

It reminded the tradition prevailed in the ancient Tamil kings court to honor the poets for their act of exemplary genius in composing kavi or poem by wrapping in' ponaddi' and rewarding them with 'pot kili '.

The chairman Brig.Lakshman David, in his tri-lingual welcome address outlined the enormous work done by Fr.David on etymological studies and his unfinished research on ELU language, which according to him if Fr.David had succeeded; the possibility of unity among the two races will not be out of reach.

The key note address was delivered by Dr. Mrs. ,Amirthanjali sivapalan of Jaffna university ,Who rather presented a very impressive and in depth study of Fr.David's linguistic ability in 33 languages ,his achievements ,the research papers submitted to the Asiatic society and Tamil culture journals .she also went on elaborating the academic link Fr.David had with professor Fr. Xavier Thaninayagam and the admiration Fr.Thaninayagam had on Fr. David's Etymological research .

The Guest of honour Rev.Fr.Noel Dias in his speech touched his close association With Fr.David and praised his unique characters; he has observed in him .He also appreciated and compared Rev.Fr.David's wisdom by reciting a kavi in Sinhala.

There after launching of the website for the Rev Fr.H.S.David Foundation was inaugurated by the chief guest Mr.Vasudeva Nanayakara and the mode of operation of the web site was explained in detail by the web master Mr.R.B.Prashanthan.

Immediately after that the souvenir book "Life sketch of Rev.Fr.(Dr)H.S.David "was released as the first publication of Rev Fr.David Foundation to the special guests. Then Mr.Anthony muttu pioneer and pillar of forming Fr.David memorial committee at his birth place Thumpalai reviewed the book "life sketch of Fr. (Dr) H. S.David "released on that inaugural day .He reviewed the academic value of the five chapters in the book, excluding the chapter 1 which was written by him.

The star speaker and the chief guest of the day, Mr. Vasudeva Nanayakara in his speech praised
Fr. David's scholarly work on languages, and went on posing thought provoking questions for the failure in social integrations. He emphasized that the suspicions hidden in the minds of the communities to be eliminated to bring the social integrations. Impressed by the keynote address presented by Dr.Amirthanjali he suggested to translate her speech to Sinhala news media to bring awareness of Fr. David's service to humanity. He also assured to provide any assistance for the Foundation to promote its goals, as the scope of the Foundation is somewhat similar to his ministry.

The secretary, in his vote of thanks said that 'we have bounden duties to pay tribute to Fr. David for his services to Tamil language and humanity". He thanked the chief guest, guest of honor, special guests and the invitees for gracing the occasion in spite of tight programs in their agenda. He thanked the chief guest for his inspiring and thought provoking speech and also thanked other speakers for bringing to lime light the humble services of Fr.David to the humanity and bringing the richness of the Tamil language by his research studies. A Special reference was made by the secretary to Mr .Antonymuttu for his invaluable services in promoting Fr.David's visions at Thumpalai continuously for the past 30 years. He also delivered the vote of thanks in Tamil language, highlighting the importance of honoring the Tamil language as it was dear to the heart of the eminent scholar Fr.David.

He thanked the media personnel and the printers for their support and cooperation.

The session came to the end with the fellowship participation of the invitees, guests and the trustees of the Rev.Fr.David Foundation.

The Fragrance of jasmine flowers that was spreading from the garlanded portrait of the beloved Fr.David remained in the auditorium for quite long time. The Penetrating eyes of Rev .Fr.David will also remain in the hearts of those who looked at his portrait which was pondering a question.

"WILL THERE BE ANYBODY TO TAKE OVER MY UNFINISHED, RELENTLESS SEARCH OF TAMIL LANGUAGE AND TO GLORIFY ITS RICHNESS TO THE ENTIRE WORLD?"

Secretary
Rev.Fr.(Dr).H.S.David Foundation