A Detailed History of NGM College
Introduction
Nallamuthu Gounder Mahalingam College (NGM College), located in Pollachi, stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of its founders and patrons. This esteemed institution, born out of the need for higher education in the Pollachi and Udumalpet areas, has grown from modest beginnings into a comprehensive educational center. This essay delves into the history of NGM College, highlighting key milestones, pivotal individuals, and the continuous evolution of its academic offerings.
The Genesis: Pollachi Kalvi Kazhagam (1957)
The story of NGM College begins with the formation of the “Pollachi Kalvi Kazhagam” in 1957. This organization was established to fulfill a pressing need: providing higher education facilities for students emerging from high schools in the Pollachi and Udumalpet taluks. The founding members, a group of visionary leaders, laid the groundwork for what would become a premier educational institution. The core members and their roles are summarized in the table below:
Shri S.P. Nallamuthu Gounder, Founder
Padma Bhushan Arutchelvar Dr. N. Mahalingam, Patron
Founding Members of Pollachi Kalvi Kazhagam (1957)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Thiru S.P. Nallamuthu Gounder | President |
| Thiru V.K. Palanisamy Gounder | Vice-President |
| Thiru M.S. Palaniappa Mudaliar | Treasurer |
| Thiru N. Mahalingam | Secretary |
| Thiru S.A. Ramachandran | Asst. Secretary |
The organization was driven by a shared goal of establishing a college in Pollachi. Thiru C. Subramaniam, former Finance Minister, also played a crucial role, lending his support to this ambitious venture.
The Inauguration and Early Years (1957-1960)
The college was officially inaugurated on July 12, 1957, with Thiru S.P. Nallamuthu Gounder serving as the Chief Donor. The institution began operations with 160 students enrolled in the Pre-University Course. This marked a pivotal moment in the educational landscape of the region. The subsequent two years saw the college evolve from an initial pre-university program to a degree-granting institution. The influence of Arutchelvar Dr. N. Mahalingam, D.Sc., F.I.E., cannot be overstated; his guidance enabled the launch of Bachelor’s degree courses in Economics, Mathematics, and Physics in July 1959. Initially, the college focused on foundational subjects.
Expansion and Diversification (1960-1986)
The 1960s and 70s were marked by significant expansion and diversification of academic offerings. In July 1960, the Science Block was opened by the then Governor of Madras, representing a major upgrade in infrastructure. This was followed by the introduction of B.Sc. Chemistry in July 1965 and B.Com. in July 1968. The Humanities saw additional programs introduced, with B.A. English Literature launched in July 1971, followed by B.A. History and B.Sc. Botany in July 1972. The college was renamed to “Nallamuthu Gounder Mahalingam College Kalvi Kazhagam” in September 1972, reflecting a more personal connection with the founders.
The educational infrastructure also saw significant additions during this period. A new building facilitated by a U.G.C. grant was opened by Thiru N.D. Sundaravadivelu, the then Vice-Chancellor of Madras University in March 1974. By 1975, the college embraced co-education, broadening accessibility. The semester system was introduced in 1976, a modern advancement in higher education at the time. The following years witnessed the introduction of Post-Graduate courses, starting with Mathematics in 1979, followed by Physics (1980) and Commerce (1981), demonstrating the college’s commitment to advanced academic study. The pace of expansion continued with the introduction of a BSc. in Zoology in 1982 and BSc. in Computer Science in 1986; these additions reflected the need and importance of emerging areas of knowledge.
The Silver Jubilee celebrations in February 1984 recognized the institution’s achievement in higher education, with the then Governor of Kerala, Hon’ble Sri P. Ramachandran, laying the foundation stone for the Silver Jubilee Block.
Autonomous Status and Vocationalization (1987-1999)
A significant turning point in NGM College’s history was the achievement of autonomous status in the academic year 1987-88. This autonomy granted the college greater flexibility in curriculum design, allowing it to restructure courses and create syllabi that were more relevant and progressive. The drive to make higher education more practical and job-oriented led to the vocationalization of the B.Sc. (Physics), B.A. (Economics), and B.Com. programs in 1994, highlighting a commitment to preparing students for the practical workforce.
Key Academic Milestones and Programs Introduced
| Year(s) | Event/Program |
|---|---|
| 1957 | College Inauguration; Pre-University Course |
| 1959 | B.A. Economics, B.Sc. Mathematics, B.Sc. Physics |
| 1960 | Science Block opened |
| 1965 | B.Sc. Chemistry |
| 1968 | B.Com. |
| 1971 | B.A. English Literature |
| 1972 | B.A. History, B.Sc. Botany |
| 1979 | M.Sc. Mathematics |
| 1980 | M.Sc. Physics |
| 1981 | M.Com |
| 1982 | B.Sc. Zoology |
| 1984 | Silver Jubilee Celebrations |
| 1986 | B.Sc. Computer Science |
| 1987-88 | Autonomous Status Granted |
| 1994 | Vocationalization of B.Sc. Physics, B.A. Economics and B.Com |
Self-Financing Programs and Post-Millennium Expansion (1982-2022)
The college actively expanded its offerings with self-financing programs.
- Early Self-Financing Programs: B.Com. (1982) and M.C.A. (1990) were among the pioneering self-financing initiatives. Further self financing courses were introduced in the following decades , which are detailed in Table 3.
Self-Financing Programs Introduced Over Time
| Program | Year |
|---|---|
| B.Com. | 1982 |
| M.C.A. (Master of Computer Applications) | 1990 |
| B.B.M. | 1996 |
| B.Sc. Computer Science | 1996 |
| B.Sc. Mathematics | 1999 |
| B.C.A. | 2000 |
| B.Com. C.A. | 2000 |
| M.A. English | 2001 |
| M.I.B. | 2002 |
| M.A. Tamil | 2002 |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration | 2003 |
| B.A. Tamil | 2004 |
| Additional Section in B.Com. (CA) | 2008 |
| B.Sc., Information Technology | 2008 |
| B.Com., E-Com. & MS W | 2009 |
| B.A. English Literature | 2010 |
| B.Com Finance | 2010 |
| M.Sc. Computer Science | 2010 |
| B.Sc C.T. | 2011 |
| M.Com CA | 2011 |
| B.Com Professional Accounting and Banking Insurance | 2012 |
| B.Com Business Process Service | 2014 |
| M.Sc. Chemistry | 2015 |
| M.Sc. Botany | 2015 |
| B.Com. International Business | 2017 |
| B.Sc., Computer Science with DA | 2022 |
| B.Sc., Computer Science with Al & ML | 2022 |
| B.S.W | 2022 |
Facilities Development and Spiritual Foundation
The Centenary of the Founder, Thiru S.P. Nallamuthu Gounder, was celebrated in grand style on January 27, 1998. Recognizing the importance of spiritual well-being, a temple was constructed within the college campus dedicated to Sri Maha Vidya Ganapathy and Sri Viyakiana Dhakshinamoorthy, under the guidance of Patron Arutchelvar Dr. N. Mahalingam and Thiru S.K. Kalyanasundaram (then College Secretary). The Mahakumbabhisekam of the temple took place on March 15, 2001. To accommodate the expanding number of courses and students, a new building complex, housing MCA, UG computer centers and class rooms, was inaugurated on November 2, 2001. The same event also saw the inauguration of various sections of the Computer Centers . A Biotechnology Block was also designed and constructed under the guidance of Thiru S.K. Kalyanasundaram.
Institutional Growth and Development
The college has consistently strived for excellence, marked by significant milestones in its journey. This commitment is evident in the continuous infrastructural development, adoption of modern educational practices, and recognition for its contributions to education. This essay will delve into key events and transformations that shaped the institution.
Early Milestones and Infrastructural Advancements
A pivotal moment in the college’s history was the celebration of the Sathabhishekam of Arutchelvar Dr. N. Mahalingam on April 11, 2003. This auspicious occasion was marked by the renaming of the Computer Science Block to Dr. Mahalingam Centre for Research and Development (MCRD) Block. The formal opening of MCRD was officiated by Dr. K. Kulandaivel, the then Chancellor of Avinashilingam Deemed University, in the esteemed presence of Dr. B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, the then Vice-President, and Dr. S. Murugaiyan, the then Treasurer of the college.
Further expanding the academic infrastructure, the Thiru. S.P. Krishnaswamy Gounder Science Block was inaugurated by the Patron, Dr. N. Mahalingam, on September 16, 2005. This block was specifically designed to accommodate science classes and enhance the learning environment.
The same day marked the inauguration of a Local Area Network (LAN) with internet connectivity across all buildings and staff rooms. This significant step forward demonstrated the college’s commitment to harnessing technology for improved communication and research capabilities. Dr. S. Murugaiyan officiated the LAN inauguration.
Accreditation and Expansion of Facilities
The year 2007 proved to be a banner year for the college with a significant achievement of receiving ‘A’ Grade accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in March 2007. This recognition underscored the institution’s adherence to high educational standards. The college further reaffirmed its commitment to quality by securing re-accreditation with a CGPA of 3.33 and an ‘A’ Grade from NAAC in March 2013.
The year 2007 also witnessed substantial infrastructural developments, which are detailed in the table below:
Key Infrastructural Additions in 2007
| Facility | Description |
|---|---|
| Sri M.S. Palaniappa Mudaliar Block | A new building, likely adding to classroom capacity and departmental space. |
| Prof. M. Alkondan A/c Hall | An air-conditioned hall, likely for seminars, workshops, or larger gatherings. |
| Two Internet Centres | Dedicated spaces equipped with computers and internet access for students and faculty. |
| Language Laboratory | A facility designed to enhance language learning through interactive software, audio equipment, and other resources. |
| Virtual Classroom | A technology-enabled teaching space facilitating online or blended learning. |
| Modernised Library with Digital Library | An updated library featuring modern amenities and digital resources providing students with a better educational experience. |
Further Developments and Recognition
In 2008, the Bharathiar Arangam, a modern hall for yoga classes associated with the Human Excellence Course, was opened, signifying the college’s emphasis on holistic education encompassing physical and mental well-being. A year later, in 2009, the Vivekanandar Arangam, an air-conditioned hall with modern facilities, was built to host academic meetings.
A significant tribute to the college’s legacy was the unveiling of the statue of the Founder Amarar S.P. Nallamuthu Gounder on July 20, 2009. The statue was unveiled by the Patron, Arutchelvar Dr. N. Mahalingam, in the presence of the College President, Dr. B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar.
Recognizing the growing need for space, a new wing of 8000 sq. ft. was added to the library. The library was then modernized with various resources and dedicated to the memory of former Finance Minister of India Dr. C. Subramaniam. Re-christened as the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Centenary Library, it was inaugurated on 21.12.2009 by the Patron, Arutchelvar Dr. N. Mahalingam.
The Rotary Club of Pollachi acknowledged the college’s distinguished service in the field of education by bestowing the “Meritorious Service Award” on June 20, 2010. This award recognized the college’s unwavering commitment since its inception in 1957.
Modernization and Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
The college continued to enhance its infrastructure with the opening of a UGC-funded indoor stadium in 2013. It also constructed a floodlit basketball court for sports enthusiasts. In commemoration of its Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the college unveiled a statue of Swami Vivekananda on June 28, 2017, symbolizing the institution’s commitment to holistic development and values-based education. Srimath Swami Yathunathananthar, Ramakrishna Mission, delivered a speech on Swami Vivekananda. The college leadership, Dr. B.K. Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, Thiru M. Balasubramaniam, and Thiru S. Sivakumar, presided over the event.
Adoption of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)
The college introduced the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in the academic year 2004-2005, a significant step towards offering students more flexibility and a customized learning path. The college adopted a new CBCS in line with the guidelines provided by the Tamil Nadu State Government, TANSCHE, and Bharathiar University from the year 2008-2009, and the key objectives of CBCS are listed in the following table.
Objectives of the Choice Based Credit System
| Objective | Description |
|---|---|
| Student Choice in Courses | Enables students to select courses according to their interests and career goals, fostering greater autonomy in their educational path. |
| Credit Point System | Assigns credits to each course based on the weightage of teaching and learning experience, providing a standardized measure of academic workload. |
| Broadened Knowledge Horizon | Exposes students to various disciplines through core courses, interdisciplinary studies, value-based education, foundation courses, and diploma programs, fostering well-rounded individuals. |
| Opportunity for Advanced Learning | Allows high-achieving students to gain extra credits through advanced courses, facilitating accelerated learning and academic enrichment. |
| Alignment with International Standards | Ensures that the total credit points of each program meet international standards, emphasizing quality and global competitiveness. |
The college has demonstrated a clear commitment to growth, modernization, and quality education. Through continuous infrastructural development, the adoption of progressive teaching methodologies like CBCS, and the celebration of key milestones, the institution has solidified its position as a premier educational establishment. The numerous landmarks achieved are a testament to the vision and dedication of the college leadership, faculty, and staff, who have consistently striven to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for students. The journey of the college reflects its unwavering commitment to progress and excellence in education