Rev. Fr. Felix CMI
My next-door neighbour and
cousin, Cherian was more a subject of shallow innocent fun for us kids, based
on his status as a harmless individual facing mental challenges. In the
late 70s, his family found a great relief, perhaps, he himself did, thanks to the
newly founded centre at not-so-distant Karikkamuri. I observed his
attending some school by name Ashakendram, but never realised it as a CMI
venture initiated by Rev. Fr. Felix CMI, till after completion of my training
as a Social Worker, and in the course of organising training for social work
students, when I came to interact with Fr. Felix.
Recall clearly the basics of
3Cs as expounded by him, in his own office as he explained his vision to the
budding social workers. I remember vaguely his reference to his source of
inspiration as the compassionate disposition of his mother.
I receive the news of the
departure of Fr. Felix with some amount of trepidation - as I fear what would
happen to the inspirational initiative he had launched. The education of
children affected with mental retardation. Though institution in place,
would the inspiration remain? At 87, his departure cannot be said to be
premature, untimely. Still, it occurs to me thus.
The good thing about us CMIs is
that though we may not be always very original or radical (our originality has
been often in perpetrating mediocrity in such a way that others feel good about
it, and forget about any need to be original), if we find someone in that
category, the minimum that we usually do is to 'let him be' (exceptions
to this 'norm' notwithstanding); usually we support him to do what he wants to do in
this 'original' fashion (provided there is no clash with 'faith and morals'),
sometimes, we also own it up and train him further to sharpen his wits for such
ventures. I think, in Fr. Felix's case, his charismatic initiative was
endorsed and supported fully by the CMIs, but ownership of the mission, I am
afraid, is still to be actualised (I would avoid using 'a far cry'). He was
given the freedom to travel around and undergo training for making himself
better equipped; which he did so very well, drawing inspirations and inputs
from the best practices across the globe.
I am convinced that his vision
of 3Cs - Comprehension, Competence and Creativity, starting with the experience
of the everyday reality of shapes, leading to literacy, numeracy and other
skills, and also unleashing the hidden potential in each child creatively, thus
venturing into the rarely-touched upon pockets of fine-arts, dance and music, is
something adaptable for any situation of education. I hope CMI mission of
education will further explore these possibilities through research.
I regret - 1) as a formee we
were never told about Fr. Felix or his venture, and I am afraid that continues
to be so. 2) even as a social work professional and educator, I did not tap
this rich resource adequately, neither for general well-being, nor for my
students. and 3) that we did not really make an effort to bring his very unique
contribution to the nation-building by his being duly recognized by the
nation. He should definitely have been a 'padma' of the top order, for
the path-breaking initiatives, especially, his plan of 'educating the
educators' in this domain.
He has fulfilled the Lord's
directive: 'Let children come to me, for theirs is the kingdom of God' by
letting children who required special attention and assistance to come to him,
and enjoy the privileges of the kingdom. I am sure that he has already
listened to the Lord of life endorsing his life and efforts: 'You have been
faithful in small things...Enter into the gladness of your Lord'
(Mtt.25:21).
I took it for granted that
people like Fr. Felix will remain.....but he too, like every one of us, has to
go. Still, the comfort is there when I recall the saying attributed to
great poets:
Jayanti te sukritino,
rasasiddhaah kaveeshwaraah
Naasti tesham yasha kaaye
jara maranajam bhayam. (Subhaashitaratnani: Bhartruhari Shatakam)
...in their 'fame-body' there
is no fear of aging or death - through their actions they have attained
immortality!
My doorasth pranaam to
the great soul! A rare specimen of CMI, a blend of research and action, originality
and compassion, farewell dear Fr. Felix; as your name implies, may you be
in 'bliss' unending!
No comments:
Post a Comment