About
Rtn. Dr.Abraham Ebenezer !
Though Dr Abraham Ebenezer started his career as the Sub-Registrar in the Revenue Department, he resigned from the position as he was not happy with the systems prevailing there.After passing the Karnataka Public Service Commission exams (KAS) he was appointed as the Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies which post he did not take up.
Later, Dr Abraham Ebenezer chose his vocation as a Lecturer in History at RamnarayanChellaram College of Commerce, Bangalore.
Eventually, he was appointed as the Deputy Director of Collegiate Education in the Directorate of Collegiate Education, Govt. of Karnataka.
While working at Govt. RC College of Commerce and Govt. Arts College, Bangalore, Dr Ebenezer was elected as the Secretary of Govt.College Teachers’ Association (KGCTA) and later as the Secretary, Federation of Universities and College Teachers’ Association with a membership of about twenty thousand Lecturers, Readers and Professors. He had the distinction of serving as Student Welfare Officer and NSS Co-ordinator at Govt. RC College of Commerce.
Though Dr Abraham Ebenezer started his career as the Sub-Registrar in the Revenue Department, he resigned from the position as he was not happy with the systems prevailing there.After passing the Karnataka Public Service Commission exams (KAS) he was appointed as the Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies which post he did not take up.
Later, Dr Abraham Ebenezer chose his vocation as a Lecturer in History at RamnarayanChellaram College of Commerce, Bangalore.
Eventually, he was appointed as the Deputy Director of Collegiate Education in the Directorate of Collegiate Education, Govt. of Karnataka.
While working at Govt. RC College of Commerce and Govt. Arts College, Bangalore, Dr Ebenezer was elected as the Secretary of Govt.College Teachers’ Association (KGCTA) and later as the Secretary, Federation of Universities and College Teachers’ Association with a membership of about twenty thousand Lecturers, Readers and Professors. He had the distinction of serving as Student Welfare Officer and NSS Co-ordinator at Govt. RC College of Commerce.
The Govt. of Karnataka appointed Dr Ebenezer as the Convenor of the Revision Committee to bring in reformative measures in Karnataka Govt. Private Colleges Grant-in-aid code. This committee consisted of eminent educationists such as Prof MPL Sastry, Padma Bhushan Dr H Narasimhaiah, former Vice-Chancellor, Bangalore University, Major SoundarRajan, Chairman, Bangalore Higher Education Society, Bangalore.
The Govt. of Karnataka, in recognition of his exceptional contributions, qualities and administrative skills in handling human issues, appointed him as the Member Secretary of Karnataka Govt. ScheduledClass and Scheduled Tribe Hostel’s Committee.The Committee was headed by the then Member of the Legislative Assembly Mr MC Mahadevappa who is now the Cabinet Minister for Social Welfare.
The committee toured the entire state, inspecting all the Govt. boys and girls hostel buildings and existing facilities. The recommendations of the committee with regard to modernisation of the existing hostels and providing new hostels, modern facilities, welfare measures and increase in the reimbursement were totally accepted and implemented by the Govt. of Karnataka.
As the Deputy Director of Collegiate Education, with his inherent vision, meticulous planning and expertise, he was able to bring in reformative measures in the entire department.
Dr Ebenezer opted to retire from government service in 1993 when he was invited to serve the prestigious and challenging post of the Principal of the Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Bangalore.
His cup was overflowing with burgeoning vision in the opening year of his 13-year stint – a period which was soon to be known as the GOLDEN ERA in the history of Bishop Cottons. Harnessing the golden pauses between the challenges of educational policies in real-time India and the world outside, he imprinted revolutionary landmarks, which today manifest as treasure troves of innovation in the sphere of holistic education. Testimony to his interpretations for an ever-evolving generation of human beings was the way in which Dr Ebenezer transformed the landmark institution of the British era, Bishop Cotton Boys’ School from a heritage centre point to one of the finest three educational institutions in India. Under his leadership the school was adjudged ‘India’s Best School’ by a leading national weekly magazine “Outlook”, for two consecutive years.
Taking into consideration, the need of the hour and in order to provide quality education to the under privileged, for the first time in the Karnataka Central Diocesan’s history, he introduced 15 percent seat reservation for children from the economically weaker sections in our Diocesan run schools.
Again as a first step, Midday Meal facility for 3,000 students was introduced for our rural and under privileged children. Over two decades, Dr Ebenezer has been celebrating Christmas with economically weak and marginalized segments of the society drawn from orphanages, old age homes, institutions for the visually impaired, physically challenged, HIV affected and street children Around 5000 guests were invited every year for a sumptuous lunch and a get together.
At his initiative, outreach programmes were implemented and encouraged. Various projects like tailoring project at Chennapatna, rehabilitation of families for mine workers in Kolar Gold Fields, setting of computer center for the benefit of the children of gold miners who had lost their job.
For the first time in the history of any School in India, he introduced a Staff Pension Scheme for the benefit of the retiring / retired staff members. This scheme has since been mirrored in other schools across the country.
He also reached out and gave a helping hand to the rural poor where financial help was extended towards drinking water supply scheme in Srinivasapuram in Kolar District in the presence of Mr J H Patel, the then Chief Minister of Karnataka in a public function.
The Staff and Students of Bishop Cotton Boys’ School were encouraged by Dr Ebenezer to periodically visit the inmates of the central jail and distribute fruits and sweets. On one occasion, the school provided television sets for the prison inmates.
He also reached out and gave a helping hand along with his staff and students at Karunashraya near Whitefield which provides a health care facility for terminally ill patients. He believed that a holistic and wholesome approach to education was taking them out of the school gates and into the homes of the aged, the underprivileged and those on their death beds.
After his stint at Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, he became the Principal of DPS International School, Singapore for 2 years. This well-established school was growing from strength to strength under his leadership. Impeccable in connectivity and interrelating, he paved the path towards greater parent-school rapport which reinforced the triangular association for overall development of a student.
After serving as the Principal of DPS International School, Singapore, Dr Ebenezer returned to Bangalore, to commence his dream project, The Ebenezer International School Bangalore.
With a vision to provide holistic education to all sections of society, Dr Ebenezer startedhis own Educational Institution: Ebenezer International School Bangalore in the year 2007. The school fulfils his dream to provide world class facilities and quality education to all. Spread over a sprawling 9.5 acre land amidst green environs in Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, the campus contains ergonomically designed buildings, centrally located courtyards, landscaped gardens where students can interact with nature. At present, the school is managed by a different management from Mumbai.
In Dr Ebenezer long career as Student, Teacher, Bureaucrat and as a leader of the Christian community, he has been bestowing all his energy, and attention to the welfare of the general public and in particular, the minority communities.
He was the Vice-Chairman and Executive Committee Member and Convener of Education Committee of Karnataka Central Diocese; and the member of the Synod Executive Committee of the Church of South India for several years. CSI Synod is the highest policy making body for the entire South India and Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
He had the privilege of serving socially and youth oriented YMCA (Young Men Christian Association) as its President – As President of YMCA Bangalore, it was an opportunity to help young people to better themselves, to better their communities and to better their world. He was involved in many social activities and made a positive difference in the lives of the young people.
Red Cross society of India – He had the opportunity to serve Red Cross Society of India as its Executive Committee member.
Bharat Scouts and Guides – He was elected as President of Bangalore North District, Bharat Scouts and Guides.The mission of scouts is to contribute to the education of the young people through a value system based on the scout promises.
Karnataka Amateur Boxing Association – He had the rare opportunity to be elected as its President.
Association of Heads of Anglo Indians Schools – Dr Ebenezer was the first Non-Anglo Indian to be elected as its President. The Association has the memberships around 200 elite and socially oriented schools from all over the country.
He was privileged to serve as an Advisor to the Education Ministry, Government of Maldives.
He was also the Member of the Academic Guidance Council of the Rai Foundation, New Delhi.His participation and advice to the Rai Foundation was highly productive.
It was his privilege and honour to install the statue of Kittle near Mayo Hall. With the permission from the BBNP, he got the statue of Kittel who is the author of Kannada – English Dictionary installed. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka – Sri S.M. Krishna inaugurated the statue.
Apart from my educational qualifications, Dr Abraham Ebenezer had the opportunity and privilege to attend several courses and obtained certificates, such as:
- Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, USA is known for its world class interdisciplinary programs. He enrolled himself as regular student for a special course on educator administrator. This exposure had tremendous impact on his academic career.
- Madras School of Social Service –He had the opportunity to undertake a special course at Madras School of Social Service. It helped him to enhance human well-being and help meet basic and complex needs of the people, with a particular focus on those who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty.
- Manpower planning at Manpower Institute, New Delhi.
Course in Social Service at Madras School of Social Services. - Computers in Education, conducted by NIIT, Bangalore
- Teacher’s Training Programme conducted by Luton University, London, United Kingdom.
BOOKS / ARTICLES WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED
ETON OF THE EAST 1998
Eton of the East is the story of Bishop Cotton Boys’ School since its founding in 1865 by the Rev. Samuel Thomas Pettigrew, Chaplin of St. Mark’s Church. The book notes that the school was founded along the lines of English education, based on the principles of the Church of England and was advocated by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton. With the preface written by Rt. Rev. S. Vasanthakumar, Bishop of Karnataka Central Diocese, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Management and foreword written by the eminent Physicist Dr. Raja Ramanna, an Old Cottonian, the book is considered a great contribution to the study of education. The book is an attempt to string together some beautiful beads, which one may simply consider as glimpses into history. The book is not merely a series of statements concerning special events that must have taken place over a century, but is a well-documented history of the period, written in a style, which is attractive not only to Old Cottonian’s but students of history of the period.
MILLENNIUM MATTERS 2000
Millennium Matter’ published in the year 2000, gives a clarion call to Christian of all denominations to work together for the greater good of the faith. It is written with a purpose of provoking fellow Christians to fresh thinking and motivate them into formulation a common action plan.
THE WALL THAT SPEAKS
Glorious building and architectural style at Bishop Cotton Boys’ School
HISTORY TEXT BOOK FOR STD III TO VIII
Dr. A. Ebenezer was the General Editor for History Text Books for Std. III to VIII.
ARTICLE IN TIMES OF INDIA 2004
Dr Abraham Ebenezer’s opinion was published by the Times of India as an article on the title “An Opportunity Called Olympics.”
OTHER POSITIONS HELD:
1. Member of Board of Management:
- Bishop Cotton Girls’ School, Bangalore
- St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore
- Madras Women’s Christian College, Chennai
- Vijaya College, Bangalore
2. Chief Executive Officer – Nalapad Academy, Bangalore
3. Member, Governing Council – BGS World School
4. Educational Consultant – BDW International School, Shillong
5. Educational Consultant – NSK Foundation International
Residential School, Thumpamon, Kerala.
6. Administrator of CSI Hospital, Bangalore
