The academic year 2021-2022 started with a grand celebration of the installation of 10th principal of Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute on 13th June 2021. It was a time for the whole Gurukul community with the members of the Governing Board and supporters and well-wishers from all over the world to express our thanksgiving towards God for the wonderful leadership provided by Rev. Dr. John Samuel Ponnusamy as a principal during the period 2018-2021 and to witness the installation of Rev. Dr. Songram Basumatary as a newly appointed principal.The service began with the handing over of a lighted candle to Rev. Dr. Songram Basumatary by Rev. Dr. John Samuel in the presence of Rev. A. Joshuva Peter, the Executive Secretary of UELCI as a symbol of transition of the office of principal.
On behalf of Gurukul College Council, the Executive Secretary of UELCI made the announcement of the appointment of new principal and administered the installation service. Rev. Dr. Songram Basumatary took the solemn pledge to serve as the principal of GLTCRI and faithfully discharge his responsibilities for the glory of God and the service of the Body of Christ. There was a commitment made by the Gurukul community to support Rev. Dr. Songram and to share in the mutual ministry that God has given to all of us. Holding the right hand of Rev. Dr. Songram, the Executive Secretary installed him as the principal of GLTCRI and prayed for God’s grace and infilling of the Holy Spirit in the life of Rev. Dr. Songram and his family.As a Gurukul tradition, the homily was brought to us by the newly appointed principal Rev. Dr. Songram Basumatary from Isaiah 11:1-9 and 1 Cor. 4:1-9. The leaders and Bishops of the Church in India and Abroad, Christian Organizations/Institutions and theological fraternity of Senate of Serampore College/University gave their greetings and best wishes to Rev. Dr. Songram Basumatary.
Another very important part of the service was the release of Gurukul Jyothi 2021 (Annual Magazine of GLTC&RI) and a book written by Dr. Aravind Jeyakumar Moniraj, Associate Professor and HOD of Old Testament Department at Gurukul College. His book Yahweh at Work: The Significance and Function of the Theme Creation in Isaiah 40-48 published by Missionshilfe Verlag, Hamburg was released in the presence of his family members and the community. While introducing his book Dr. Aravind thanked the Missionsakademie for offering him scholarship to pursue his doctoral studies at the University of Hamburg, Germany. He also placed his sincere gratitude to his family members and friends who supported and encouraged him during the course of doctoral studies.The Gurukul Jyothi was released by Rev. A. Joshuva Peter, Executive Secretary of UELCI,and the book of Dr. Aravind by Rev. Dr. Songram Basumatary, Principal of Gurukul College,in the presence of Rev. Dr. John Samuel Ponnusamy, Doctoral Dean and Professor of Old Testament at Gurukul College.
The service was brought to an end with the intercessory prayer for the principal, faculty members, staff, students and their families seeking God’s guidance as we step into an academic year 2021-2022. Due to the Covid protocol a small number of participants attended the service physically, and the other community members, well-wishers and prayer partners joined online. We are thankful to the organizing committee and the technical team under the leadership of Rev. Jeevaraj Anthony, Dr. Aravind Jeyakumar and Rev. Cand. Isaac H. that made this program a blessing to all those who participated in it from all over the world.
