Pastor Lenssen Polytechnic College
Why the Name Pastor Lenssen Polytechnic College?
When Rev.Msgr.Dr.V.X.Siluvai Ignaci, the Founder trustee, was secretary to Bishop of Tuticorin, had the contact with Rev.Fr.Ferdinand LENSSEN in view of Partnership between Aachen and Tuticorin Diocese. Fr. Lenssen was then parish priest of St.Elisabeth Church in Aachen city. In Aachen diocese the parish priest is called Pastor. Our Founder maintained personal contact with him till his death in 1996. Since our Founder shared his dreams of establishing a Polytechnic College, Pastor Lenssen was interested in this project. At his death bed he expressed his wish that the offerings that are made on his funeral should be handed over to Rev.Msgr.Dr.V.X.Siluvai Ignaci, to start his pet project of technical college. The Founder of this college thought: one who thinks of my project at his death bed, must be perpetuated. Hence the Founder named this Polytechnic College by the name of its first donor: Pastor Lenssen Polytechnic College (PLPC).
Development of the PLPC
Kuthenkuly is a coastal village in Radhapuram Taluk of Tirunelveli District in the Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin. The nearest town situated on the National highways is Valliyur, which is about 35 Kms from Kuthenkuly and is midway between Tiruchendur and Kanyakumari. Koodankulam, another neighbouring village about 9 kms from Kuthenkuly is a fast developing area due to the Nuclear Power Plant. Other prominent neighbouring villages are Idinthakarai and Uvari.
It was a long-time dream of Rev.Msgr.V.X.Siluvai Ignaci, a diocesan priest from the diocese of Tuticorin who hails from Kuthenkuly, to offer a better future to the youth of this rural area through technical formation. The words spoken to Moses by Yahweh, “I have seen the misery of my people” had inspired him. Hence, he wished to start a polytechnic college in this area for the benefit of the youth of this area. To actualize this dream, he formed first “Father Sebastian Educational and Charitable Trust” registered on 29/ 01/1997 which had nine members as governing body and then the Polytechnic College run by this Trust.
The first building that was put up in the campus was the Guest House (Residence) which was blessed and inaugurated on 20/01/1997. The foundation stone for Pastor Lenssen Polytechnic College was laid on 31/01/1997. The foundation stone for the Fatima Chapel was laid on 3/05/1997. A hostel for boys was blessed and inaugurated on 22/01/2000 to accommodate the students of the college. The foundation for the girl’s hostel was laid in February 2001 and inaugurated on 22/07/2001.
The Community College was the first venture of the Trust. It was inaugurated on 02/08/1999. In the beginning there were six courses. They were Marine Engine Mechanism, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Two and Four Wheeler Mechanism, Computer Application Course, Nursing Assistant Course and Office Assistant Course. In the following year the courses offered were limited to only three: Office Assistant Course, Nursing Assistant Course and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Course. From 2002 onwards only the Nursing Assistant Course was conducted. Later the nursing course was closed due to the lack of admission.
The Pastor Lenssen Polytechnic College was inaugurated on 29/08/2001. Pastor Lenssen was a German benefactor of Rev.Msgr.V.X.Siluvai Ignaci who supported initially to establish the Technical Institution. Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electronics and Communication Engineering are the three branches that were approved by the All India Council for Technical Education. Mr. Anthony Kitherian, who is from the local village and a member of the Trust, was looking after the administration of the College.
The Trust members and the founder felt that the College could be handed over to the Salesians of Don Bosco for a better management and development and so, on 31 January, 2002, on the feast of Don Bosco, Salesian Provincial of Tiruchy took up the management & administration of the institution. And up to this day it has been under the able management & administration of the Salesians of Don Bosco. After the Salesian took up the administration and management lot of improvement has taken place in the way of functioning. The centenary and Don Bosco blocks were built newly and opened. And up to this day it has been under the able administration of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
Board of Trustees
1.Rev. Msgr.Dr.V.X.Siluvai Ignaci – Founder
2.The Provincial, Salesian Province of Tiruchy – President
3.The Vice Provincial, Salesian Province of Tiruchy – Vice President
4.The Rector, Don Bosco, Kuthenkuly – Secretary
5.The Economer, Salesian Province of Tiruchy – Trustee
6.The Administrator, Don Bosco, Kuthenkuly – Treasurer
7.Rev.Fr.A.Joseph Leopold Andrew – Trustee