Kottayam: ‘Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe’. This famous quote of Abraham Lincoln literally turns true in the case of students joining the carpentry course at the CMS Industrial School, Kottayam.
The very first thing they will learn as part of the programme is to sharpen chisels and smothers. Even the institution, established in 1894 at Chalakunnu, has honed its tools and replaced old machines with brand new sets for the course to change in tune with the times and stay competitive.
The CMS Industrial School, the only one in the state offering free and specialised carpentry courses approved by the Kerala Government Technical Examinations (KGTE), is all set to welcome students for the next academic year.
At one time, it was very difficult to get admission here, and often needed a recommendation from top officials. However, only a handful are studying at the institution presently.
Earlier, at least one handmade coffin used to be rolled out from here in a month, besides producing and selling fine-quality furniture, especially custom-made for Churches.
Currently, the institute offers a three-year-long carpentry course in addition to an unofficial one-year programme. Students are taught the principles and essence of carpentry, besides mathematics.
“There are people from the Gulf who join the unofficial one-year course and return with a certificate after completing the programme,” said Principal Sabu Bhai. He was earlier a student here and his father, Samuel Bhai, the Principal.
“We expect more students this time over for the KGTE-approved course run by the institute under the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocesan and have made all the arrangements, including free boarding facility,” said Rev Tibu Oommen George, Manager.
Those who prefer traditional designs and imposing wooden products still depend on the institution.
“It was my passion to learn carpentry. That’s why I joined the course. Only a handful of women are engaged in this sector. I wished to learn the essence of carpentry before going for my higher studies,” said S Gayathri, a BArch graduate from the TKM Engineering College, Kollam.
It was Missionary Rev Jacob Thomson who set up the institution with the objective to provide jobs along with studies to those who join the Anglican Church then. The course was started with 15 students and two teachers. The students comprise those who indulge in carpentry for a living, and others. Then Chief Minister C Achutha Menon laid the foundation stone for a new building in 1973. The then representative of the German Mission in India, Gant Deal, inaugurated the building in 1976. Along with providing financial assistance, a German expert Hanse Kline was deployed at the institute for teaching.
The unique work benches he made were slowly used all over Kerala. Unlike those which were constructed by sitting on the floor, this was one which facilitated easy smoothening and boring of holes.