The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Dr. Mathan 'a man of the times'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 14, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Dr. Mathan 'a man of the times'

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, OCT. 13. Australian High Commissioner Penny Wensley said today that it was people-to-people links that would strengthen the foundation on which deepening Indo-Australian ties were built.

Individuals would help bring together strands of the relationship that officials try to work on, she said. Students, academics, missionaries, artists, writers, dancers, playwrights and others who keep moving back and forth between the two nations make a unique contribution to the tapestry of people-to-people links.

Ms. Wensley was speaking at a meeting organised by the Members of the Indo-Australian Association to confer the Indo-Australian award for meritorious service on the former director of the Christian Medical College, Vellore, V.I. Mathan.

Presenting the award to Dr. Mathan, Ms. Wensley said it was appropriate that a man who keeps up with the times, responding to challenges, old and new, was being honoured . She also complimented the awardee for his humility, service and commitment to making a difference in the land of his birth.

In the citation, members of the association also touched on Dr. Mathan's "selfless service". "It is dedication to the act of healing that has been the driving force behind your actions and commitment...Your commitment to healing is a continuing source of inspiration to those within the medical profession and those without. Your devoted and self-sacrificial contributions to the art of healing exemplify the idea that integrity, honour and commitment are values that will never go out of style and will remain forever the litmus test of character and of fortitude."

The president of the Association, K.V. Mathew, said the award was in recognition of the service rendered by Dr. Mathan to the community. The other recipients included cardiac surgeon K.M. Cherian and cricketer Dennis Lillee.

Director, CMC, Vellore, George M. Chandy; deputy director, P.J. Kuruvilla and senior consultant, general medicine Apollo Hospitals, Hira Malini Seshadri; were among Dr. Mathan's students and colleagues who felicitated him on the occasion.

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