Chellie Sundram
Chellie Sundram | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 11, 1920 Singapore |
| Died | February 22, 1993 |
| NSA member | Malaysia 1965 - 1968 |
| Counsellor | Southeast Asia 1968 - 1980 Asia 1980 - 1988 |
Dr. Chellie John Sundram (December 11, 1920 - February 22, 1993) was a Singaporean Bahá’í who served as a Continental Counselor for Asia. In his professional career he was a dentist and worked for the World Health Organization.
Biography[edit]
Sundram was born in Singapore in 1920 into a Methodist family. His father, S. Meenakshi Sundram, was the first Asian headmaster of the Anglo-Chinese Primary School in Singapore which was a Christian mission school. His mother, Jessie Govindan, died in childbirth giving birth to Sundram's younger brother when he was two and he was and his brothers were raised by their father. He was a successful student and attended the King Edward VII Medical College majoring in dentistry. He was active in the Methodist Church in his youth and met Shantha Davies at Sunday classes who he later married.[1]
The Second World War interrupted Sundram's studies however he was able to begin working as a dentist at local government and he completed his degree after the end of the war. In 1950 the British authorities of Singapore selected him as Director of Dental Services and he was sent to New Zealand to undertake further studies and after returning to Asia he founded a Dental School in Penang to train dental auxiliaries and promoted the concept of dental nurses throughout Singapore and Malaysia.[2]
In 1958 Sundram's wife, Shantha, became a Bahá’í and he accepted the Faith shortly afterwards and was elected chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Penang Island a few days after becoming a Bahá’í.[2] He had been appointed to the Expert Committee of the World Health Organization and shortly after becoming a Bahá’í he was selected to go to Geneva to attend a World Health Organization Dental Conference. He went on a world tour after attending the Conference and was able to meet Mildred Mottahedeh, Ugo Giachery, and Abu’l-Qásim Faizí and also went on pilgrimage.[3]
In 1961 Sundram was awarded the royal Ahli Mangku Negara award by the Malaysian Government and the Jasa Mangku Negara award from the King of Malaysia for services to the country. In 1965 he was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia as chairman and shortly afterwards he assisted in having a bill proposed to ban the Bahá’í Faith in the state of Selangor dismissed by gathering documents on the independent nature of the Faith and appointing a lawyer to argue the case. In 1968 he was appointed as an inaugural Continental Counselor for Southeast Asia.[4]
In January 1971 Sundram attended attended the Bahá’í Intercontinental Oceanic Conference in Singapore and he had an exhibition of his photographs and paintings related to the Faith displayed in Victoria Memorial Hall during the event. In the 1970's he retired from government service in Malaysia and joined the World Health Organization as a dental consultant responsible for thirty-two Asian countries fulltime which allowed him to travel extensively.[4]
In 1980 the Universal House of Justice merged the Continental Boards in Asia into a single body and introduced five year terms and Sundram was appointed to the new body.[5] In 1985 he was appointed for a second five year term however he retired as Counselor in 1988 due to ill health with his wife, Shantha, being appointed to serve in his place.[6] In April 1989 he suffered a stroke which rendered him unable to speak however he was slowly able to recover and was able to begin speaking and painting again.[7]
Sundram passed away in February 1993 after suffering pneumonia. The Universal House of Justice conveyed the following after his passing:
"Saddened learn passing Dr. Chellie Sundram, stalwart servant Baha’u’llah, whose loving nature, academic achievements and sincerity won for him recognition and opportunities render distinguished services through World Health Organization.
His indefatigable services Cause God, including two decades as member Continental Board of Counsellors in Asia, until ill health forced his retirement, lent lustre to the Faith and are lovingly remembered.
Convey his clear wife, members his family and friends, particularly the beloved Malaysian community, deepest love and sympathy, assurance prayers Holy Shrines progress his soul all worlds of God."[7]
References[edit]
- ↑ Baha'i World: In Memoriam 1992-1997, p 42
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Baha'i World: In Memoriam 1992-1997, p 43
- ↑ Baha'i World: In Memoriam 1992-1997, p 43
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Baha'i World: In Memoriam 1992-1997, p 44
- ↑ 3 November 1980 message from the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the World
- ↑ 16 June 1988 message from the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the World
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Baha'i World: In Memoriam 1992-1997, p 45
