5 minute read
Building Committee Report
from Sample
Our new Church at Yapral had almost completed and dedication day on 9th April 2022, was the day we were all eagerly waiting for. When the day of inauguration of our new Church in Yapral was announced to be 9th April 2022, the members of CSI Malayalee congregation living in Hyderabad – Secunderabad were extremely happy. A dream of six decades came true by the Grace of God through hard work, struggles, difficulties and sometimes disappointments. This Church also is a symbol of cooperation, encouragements, and generosity of present and past members of the Church and exceptional leadership amid the scare caused by the pandemic. It is apt to remember some glimpses of the background of evolution of this magnificent Church building.
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I remember, it was a rainy day in the 1994, when we had laid the foundation stone for a Church in a land near Secunderabad court, allotted by the Medak Diocese. Unfortunately, we could not proceed further due to land litigation issues. We made another attempt in a land near All Saints’ Church, Tirumalgerry. There also we couldn’t succeed. During the subsequent years, we continued with our efforts to get a suitable land for a Church in Hyderabad.
Finally it was in the year 2014, when Rev. William Abraham was our Presbyter-in-charge, that a land was allotted by the Medak Diocese in Yapral where this beautiful Church has now been built. The foundation stone was laid at a ceremony held on 20th February 2014 by the former CSI Moderator Most Rev. Dr. G. Dyvasirvadam and the former CSI Deputy Moderator Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen. The function was graced by the presence of many personalities, most notably Rt. Rev. Dr. A.C. Solomon Raj (Vice-Chairman, Medak Diocese in 2014), other officials of Medak Diocese and our Church members. We thankfully remember with gratitude the then Moderator, Deputy Moderator, and officials of Medak Diocese who all favorably supported to get this land allotted for CSI Malayalam Church.
Subsequently, we had applied for the building permission in December 2015. As we are all aware, construction of a religious structure goes through multiple and strict scrutiny more so, being a sensitive issue. Obtaining NOC from the District Collector was a massive challenge. The NOC includes clearance and favorable reports from many Government departments – Electrical, Revenue, Tahsildar, Roads, and Building, Local GHMC, many Police departments, General city police, Traffic police, Special Police etc. It was a trying time for the Committee members. Difficulties were compounded by the spread of the pandemic.
Out of six departmental site reports 4 reports had already been obtained during the previous year. Two departmental reports were yet to be received by the District Collector, the “Police” and “Local GHMC”. Follow up continued on daily basis for many months. We could manage to get the favorable report from “Special Police department” and final reports from Commissioner of Police to the District Collector on 12th February 2020. Thankfully acknowledge the help rendered by Mr. Issac George for getting a favorable report.
We followed up the District Collector office immediately to get the NOC prepared and forwarded to GHMC Head office. We received NOC and submitted to GHMC office on 20th February 2020. It was the time of Covid pandemic at its peak. Restrictions and lockdowns continued during this time, so it was difficult for us to approach the GHMC office to follow up. Still we were in contact with them through phone calls and messages and conveyed our concern. We made relentless pursuit at every stage of clearance which included as many as 22 Government offices and Police stations. The painstaking building permission process dragged on for many years. Finally, we succeeded in getting the building permission on 8th October 2020.
them after fulfilling all tender formalities. The work finally commenced on 16th November 2020 and continued un-interrupted despite of many issues like local issues, pandemic, lockdowns, and shortage of funds, the most common for any Church construction. The Church and building committees under the leadership of our Rev. T.T. Santosh Achen have jointly managed each and every issues successfully without losing a single working day. We could complete the Church construction within a period of 16.5 months surpassing our expectation. Following are the pending works:-
1. Flooring, Electrical, Doors and windows – Parish Hall 2. Electrical, Parking tiles – Cellar
On behalf of the committee, I believe that we have done our job with utmost sense of responsibility in the best possible way with full involvement, focusing on our target and taking the collective decisions at the right time in our joint committee meetings of 37 sittings. The efforts and commitment of Mr. Mino P. Mathew, Mr. Rijith Edwin, Mr. Koshy P. Thomas, Mr. Babu Mathew, and Mr. Ashish P. Joseph are exceptionally praiseworthy. Brig. E.J. George, a civil engineer, has been our Advisor. His expertise on technical and administrative proceedings has helped a lot in the project.
The role of Rev. T. T. Santhosh was inevitable in making the project possible. He is the 19th priest of our Parish. His conviction, hard work, and uncompromising stand had helped to achieve the goal. This Pastorate will always remember Santhosh Achen, Leena Kochamma and young Aaron who made his contribution in his own way.
Again, I would say that this project wouldn’t have been possible without the support and generous contributions of our beloved Church members. Though they are in limited numbers, their contributions are beyond their capacity. We thank our friends and well-wishers from outside who supported us generously in this project.
I would like to acknowledge the commitment of our Contractor Mr. K.C. Saji, and Mr. Manu Mathew, who have done their job sincerely without compromising with the quality of the work. The architect, Mr. Kartik, the structural engineer, Mr. Bharani Kumar, site engineers, notably the supervisor, Mr. Venkateswarlu, and the workers, who all have given their priceless contribution to the building of this edifice.
Foremost, we thank our Lord who gave us spiritual, mental, and physical strength to overcome all obstacles and difficulties at every stage of construction and took care of every individual involved in the construction activities. Our respected Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. A.C. Solomon Raj has been a pillar of strength on many occasions. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge each and every one whose encouragement and blessings made it possible this project and let’s be proud as the members of CSI Malayalam Pastorate to have our own a beautiful Church in Hyderabad city.
Mr. Babu P. John Secretary, Church Building Committee
