Prof. Raju Varghese - the bridge builder for Rajagiri

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Prof. Raju Varghese was a person of good heart, after the Sacred Heart, where, I believe, he began his career as an academic. He was spotted and brought to the Sacred Heart campus, by its visionary founder Rev Fr Francis Sales, who had the knack of identifying individuals of academic excellence and bringing them into the Sacred Heart fold.  When the MSW programme began in the department of Social Work in 1962, he was inducted, and not long after the the programme was shifted to the campus at Rajagiri (1966?), Kalamassery, he had left the campus and had gone to the US - sometime around 1966. 

Prof. Raju had his MSW from Madras School of Social Work and another MSW from the University of Pennisylvania. He got his Ph D in Education (EdD) from the Temple University and MPH from John Hopkins University. 

Though he had a very short stint with the Department of Social Work, Sacred Heart College, he felt that he owed it to Rajagiri, which had assumed the Social Work heritage of Sacred Heart, and the Rajagiri leaders adopted him as their foster father in building a Social Work bridge across the cultures. When Rajagiri was struggling to establish some such tie-ups in management under the initiative of Prof. Athappally of Western Michigan University, embraced gladly by the Principal Rev. Fr Alex, it was Prof. Raju Varghese, who said that why we didn't have a tie up with Maryland University where he was a Professor, and he guided both the sides through the formalities in a matter of a couple of months, and what had been lagging over almost 2 years, happened in the span of a year, with students and faculty starting to move in both the directions - opening a very novel dimension in higher education in India, very specially in Kerala. 

He counselled, guided and brought several batches of faculty and students, and even interested individuals, under that banner. And thanks to the hint from Fr. Alex, perhaps, I was given an opportunity to be a visiting faculty member at the School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, in 2001.  The rest of the vibrant partnerships Rajagiri possesses now were more or less a repetition of the model, with some improvisations here and there, except that with Rev. Fr. Saju bringing in a vital dimension of research into it. 

He had been a shelter to the students and teachers visiting from Rajagiri and SH, and his home was a home for them all in the United States.  

I could see the grip slipping away from him, and hence I made it a point that in spite of my lack of time, I would visit him this time I was in the US. I am glad that I did, that in spite of the late hour, we did spend some happy time, reminiscing about the good things of the old. 

He was a conventional believer - a church follower, and tried to support his church to the best of his ability - perhaps, building more than one church in Maryland under his patronage and leadership.  Aunt Molly  (Dr Sarah Korah), took care of him so that he was put to the least trouble; and in the easy passing out of Prof. Raju, at least she is blessed to see that he did not have the pain of languishing in bed in prolonged suffering.  At 88, Raju sir seems to have lived his life full, with a very long academic career in professional social work, having been a support and mentor to many, with his three children (Sanjeev, Suja and Saji) doing well in their own fields and being around when needed, and his beloved wife and all the children being around in prayer to pass him over to the life beyond the curtain!! 

If I read him well, he was all set to establish endowments for academic programmes both at Rajagiri and, thanks to my prompting, at Sacred Heart as well. I hope these will happen and perpetuate his memory for posterity. 

Fr Mathew Vattathara (1950-2025)

I am not spontaneously led to writing this blog, though I did think I would jot down my memories and reflections on Fr Mathew Vattathara CMI. I can't explain this dwand, in spite of his being rather close to me. We lived under the same roof in a peaceful fellowship. My first appointment after completing post-graduation in 1997 was to Yesu Bhavan, where he was a member, as head master of the school, with Mr Vadakkel assisting him. Most of us in the house got along very well - Fr Kariyil, the principal of Rajagiri College, Fr John Pynadath, the Rector and house superior, Fr Vattathara and myself. Fr John was soon gone - transferred to Angamaly.  I observed that the teachers and the students loved Fr Mathew; however, it appeared that he was not happy to continue with that job.  His doctoral studies had been, to my understanding, to his taste - it was on something related to liberation Theology, with justice as its foundation. "

I recall him asking me earlier as a freshly ordained priest or as a student of Social Work, whether it was enough to study thus - though he did not specifically mention anything, I sensed that it was a call to a life of integral liberation, beyond the confines of the institutions - however, I sensed in him, also a kind of helplessness as to what could be done about it, or how to go about it. This is only my guess - which I had sensed those 30 odd years ago; and have tried to articulate right now at his passing. Had he been around now, I could have vetted the hunch by clarifying with himself. That great dream of being an apostolate of liberation could not be given any concrete shape by either of us.  Nor did we ever have a serious discussion thereafter. I had borrowed from his collection couple of books of Paulo Freire to use for my sessions on Social Action. They are still with me as part of the very small collection of books I possess. 

Soon, that is in about a year, he left that community of teachers, students and the Rajagiri campus priests, where he was appreciated and where he belonged. He went to the major seminary of Dharmaram, perhaps teaching Theology of justice, if there was any such thing.  We decided to drive him to Bangalore. In the Maruti Zen of Vishwajyothi, Varghese Puthussery, Joy Kilikunnel and I accompanied him. Joy and me taking turns at the wheel of that cute little car, carrying the luggage of Fr Mathew.  We placed him at his new home, the faculty residence of Chavara Bhavan in a matter-of-fact manner - devoid of the kind of solemn send offs and farewell of the present times.  Having a Maruti Zen itself was deemed a great privilege in those times.   The completion of that term saw him being elected as Provincial and I being elected as a member of his council, in charge of social apostolate.  With my professional training, and with the inspiration received from the initiatives of my predecessor Rev. Kariyil (who had then been elected the General), I went about with some passion - planning, animating, trying to raise corpus for our trusts through pooling resources from the houses, adding an environmental dimension to the social apostolate, and in all the efforts I had his blessings, never any clash. Even my ambitious proposal for a rural coastal campus at the land pruhcased at Vypin was easily okayed by him (as he was looking after that piece of land). However, neither me nor the college could initiate foundational activities that would take the campus off in that direction - though I did initiate some rural outreach programmes and mangrove conservation efforts, with the next ministry, it was all cleared and before long another school project was initiated there. 

The next Ordinary Provincial Synaxis elected Fr Augustine Thottakkara as the provincial, and he would have been happy to have me as his councillor for social apostolate. However, I said I would rather focus on the Ph D, and suggested the previous Provincial himself be in-charge of that so that what was being built up, could be consolidated.  And Fr Vattathara had no issue being a councillor after stepping down as the Provincial.  He was made Vicar Provincial. 

When I learnt about his death soon after the note from Fr Provincial that he was critically ill, it didn't come as a shock, as he had been combating a deadly illness for the past several years.  I checked with the Provincial regarding the funeral plans.  Had it been the usual way, it would have been on October 1st (the very next day), and there was no question of my participation in that.  However, by 7 pm, I got the news that it was to be on Oct. 2nd. Then came a call from Qatar if I was intending to take part, and if yes, to offer a floral tribute on behalf of Doha school. That almost made up my mind, and I looked for a ticket. I got a late night arriving flight for Oct. 1st.  Soon after that I got a call from Fr Provincial (almost in the presence of his council) that it was proposed that I do the memorial reflections during the funeral service.  I had a sort of inkling that this might happen, though I did feel that the provincial himslef, or the batchmate and vicar provincial Fr Mathew Koikara, or the regular preacher Fr Poulose, or his constant companion and assistant Fr Ajeesh, or his long time coworker Fr Varghese Puthussery could do a better job than me.  However, the provincial was almost insistent, and I gave my fiat! 

I did spend time collecting data, reflecting and jotting down the points - almost 3 times; almost 8 pages of notes of the 'Gospel of Fr Mathew Vattathara' integrating the theme of Season of Creation, and making passing references to the three readings and focussing on how Fr Mathew's life was a gospel for all. I did struggle with the language for finding apt words in Malayalam for several terms - e.g., empathy, usage like boldness bordering recklessness, rancour etc.  However, on the whole, I felt rather prepared for a delivery, though as usual with this time too, I think I skipped certain linkages making some of points remaining suspended in the air. But overall, people appeared glad to have listened to good things about Fr Mathew presented without much ornamentation. 

A TRIBUTE TO A 'GOOD MAN' where A Good Man is Hard to Find (Flannery O'Coonnor)

Introduction

The gospel according to St. Mathew 25:21 says: O good and faithful servant... enter into the happiness of your Master.  Amen!! May the word be true for Fr Mathew - let us hope, let us pray. 

Dear members of Vattathara family, CMI family, students of Fr Mathew, friends and people of good will, we listened to Gospel according to St Matthew, now I would like read with you, the gospel written by Fr Mathew through his life. For it teaches us that Straightforwardness and Goodness are synonyms of Sanctity; and that  to be transformed or transfigured into that status is a possibility for anyone, any time; and we can be Pilgrims of that Hope (especially in this jubilee year 2025). 

As Catholic church and other churches celebrate the season of creation (September 1 to October 4), let us celebrate the uniquely stupendous creature (srushti) of Mathew of Vattathara family as the gospel for the day. He is called 'Mattachan' by his freinds and near ones. 

For those happened to be in his company or approach him, he went about doing the good (Acts 10:39) he could (Chavara: Kannu Kattappetta Nanma), as an empathic presence. 

AN OUTSPOKEN REBEL 

During his formative years for priesthood in places like Vazhakulam, Kalamassery, Karukutty, Dharmaram, Christ college - Bangalore, Chethipuzha novitiate, Rajagiri School and Prior General's house - the CMI circles saw him as a gifted candidate - intellectually strong, though not really applying that in his studies, strong communication skills, a natural in the field of sports - football, volleyball and basket ball (later on, badminton, table tennis and cricket as well), a leader for the team and a mentor for juniors - at times the leadership taking the form of a bully as well. 

To the authorities he came out to be daring, outspoken, questioning with a boldness bordering recklessness, finally landing him on an extraordinary training platform termed 'compulsory regency' (CR), with an exceptional second time.  In the later years, when he rose to esteemed offices of the congregation, perhaps, being punished with a CR came to be looked upon as the recognition of a genius!! (At least, having experienced that once, I consider that to be the case😁. 

Some of the senior students found him a 'dashing young priest' when he was at Rajagiri school as a regent, with his flare for games. 

However, CMI training process, with all its limitations, deserves some praise, as it appears that the 3 years of experiential learning including the two years of CR, did do him good, perhaps tempered him.  There were a few god-fathers for him during that time - perhaps, Fr Alex Oruthayappilly, Fr Thomas More, but above all, Fr Theobald, the then general, who is said to have told him: I have brought you here, not to punish you, but to save you (shikshikkaanalla, rakshikkaan).  Perhaps, he found that spark in the rebel, and sent him to Pune for the last phase of priestly formation. 

A TRANSFORMED ANNOINTED

And in 1980, we find Fr Mathew duly ordained and presenting a submissive and transformed frame - willing to go to work among the unorganised headload workers.  But it was not to be. He was appointed at Rajagiri, and with Fr John Pynadath, well known for his fierce tempers, it was expected that there would soon be calamitous clashes - but there was none. The change was for good. It was this mild-mannered Mathew whom the members of our generation have experienced - a transformed person. 

He was there with Rajagiri school during a critical phase it had to face.  

He took his colleagues along, as I could witness being on the campus. 

He used the conventional saama-daama-danda-bheda (more of danda - corporal punishment) niti to make them walk a straight path. Helped his students to think critically on issues, and also Math. As the famous Tata Steel ad goes: He also taught Mathematics (and very well).  He was well known for his caning methods which over the years got transformed into a shoulder punch with his fist - and I found his students narrating that without any rancour. 

He knew most (all?) of them by name. He knew their families - the problems they had, as being recalled by him in later year casual conversations. Thus, his ministry of education was extended to a family ministry, and ideal for a Christian educator (or for anyone) in turn, making it a ministry of utmost happiness to hundreds of his students.  I am not sure whether he made family visits for this - I think not.  It is really heartening to see the efforts people like Fr Poulose make to deliberately reach out to the families of the students so that all concerned are involved in the learning process, and the learning includes the whole person, not merely the intellect of the student. 

To my understanding, Fr Mathew's approach was devoid of any populism, endearments or any extra-fitting - and nor was he found to be a man of many words.  But his genuineness communicated and it was experienced as care, concern, love or empathy by the students. 

But his liberal thinking and the desire for freedom led him to leave the school ministry and seek higher learning. He obtained admission for a research programme at the prestigious Catholic University of Leuven, where, under the guidance of the famous liberation theologian, Prof. Georges De Schrjver SJ, he completed a Ph. D in (Liberation) Theology, a rare feat among the CMIs. His time at Leuven appears to have been a cherished period for him, as I surmised from the very many references he used to make regarding life there. There, he was actively involved in organising the discussions on the Leuven India Theological Forum.  He was a friend in need for the CMIs who arrived there for learning, usually penniless - cooking food for them, typing the thesis for seniors like Fr Antony Vallavanthara, even monetarily being of support for the freshers like the now well-established Fr Kurian Kachappilly.  His thesis was titled: The Methodology of Latin American Liberation Theology: Towards an Understanding and a Critical Evaluation of Its Relation to Marxism (May 1992).

But arriving back as a Theologian, he was asked to serve Rajagiri school, which required some experienced hand, and that tryst lasted a long time, from which he got release only by 1999, when he was invited to be on the faculty of Theology of Dharmaram College. I am given to understand that he employed interactive learning rather than finishing off his task with the stereotypical lectures when dealing with topics like 'Trinity'. Again, that too did not last long as he was elected Provincial in 2002, and thereafter as Vicar Provincial in 2005, making him once and for all time a Rajagiri man through and through. 

Thereafter he was part of the team with Fr Varghese Puthussery in Dubai, and later on, with Fr Isaac Tharayil in Doha, to set up, what I deem as the Gulf Mission - with many of our fraternity wincing the term 'mission'  (for most of them, it is just a contract and a means for earning some money, rather than a mission).  That stint was followed by the closure of the Dubai chapter in 2017, and he came back to take charge of the Rajagiri Colleges, one after the other, which lasted till the very last. 

A CHEQUERED CAREER: From a 'worldly point of view', he had a chequered career spanning some 45 years. 

- I would count starting with his 3 outings as a regent, providing him ample learning opportunities

- then, at Rajagiri school and boarding, as teacher, rector, headmaster and campus coordinator

- then, as a faculty of Theology at Dharmaram,

- establishing schools at Dubai and Doha 

- director of Rajagiri colleges 

- Provincial, Vicar Provincial and Provincial Councillor. 

He never sought any position, but as they came, he accepted them gracefully, trying to do justice to those offices, though in the last years, his ailments and continuous treatment might have impeded his effectiveness in those roles. However, he strove to be there, active and alive and letting not the illness and the painful treatment overpower him.  In each of these, the biblical dictum of 'the stone rejected becoming the cornerstone' was getting fulfilled. 

And that is also the miracle of the transformation of a rebel into a considerate leader in authority. Some would put it as a total paradigm shift, a 180 degree turn-around, and some would say that, from a critic, he got coopted by the system. 

I have sensed a kind of disappointment in him for not having been able to be the radical he wanted to be.  Perhaps, because of that, he was never found to be a pushy task-master, and for some of his friendly colleagues, he was a 'slowcoach'.

A RELIGIOUS WITH A DIFFERENCE: From a religious point of view, I find him

a person unattached - while he had good relations with his family members, even in that we could find a kind of detachment.  The healthy bond he had is vouched by the fact that even we who had lived with him, know most of them, though it was not that we visited his house or they made frequent visit this side - but they were all part of that healthy network of relationships. 

an empathic person - though he did not really employ any specific technology people felt understood, and accepted by him. And in his role as the provincial superior, he could intervene effectively to help some younger members in their crisis situation, that they could attain priesthood, and could grow to give effective leadership in the province in various leader roles. 

a friend - the warmth of friendship he extended was experienced by his peers - they recall that he would leave an impact on them, that once having met him, it was not easy to forget him - his warm welcome, solicitude and smile.

He never seemed to hold any rancour for anyone, including those who had made decisions not in his favour - nor with people who held other views than his. 

a gentle-meek person - Everyone uses the term  'gentleman' (മാന്യൻ) for him.  He was indeed a gentleman, but more than  that - He was a gentle and meek person (സൗമ്യൻ), after the heart of Jesus (Mtt 11:25). Though he wouldn't preach about that, he was that. 

a man who believed in living life full - He believed in life and loved life, fulfilling the famous saying 'to be fully human and fully alive'. He enjoyed the good things of life - games and sports, good food, good movies, good books, good company. 

an example of fortitude - The last years showed the cardinal virtue of 'fortitude' shining in him - he faced the sufferings in life, as they came, in a matter-of-fact manner - never getting dejected, nor losing hope.  Trying to make the best of the situations. 

Over 30 years he was deprived of his favourite pastime of sports and games 

Over 20 years he had to struggle with the malfunctioning of kidneys and the high creatin level. 

Over 4 years he had to undergo dialysis, twice or thrice a week, and he bore with the pain and suffering involved calmly. 

In all these, there was hardly an instance of complaint, cribbing or self-pity!

In those last four years, he reminded me of the 'man' of Kipling's 'If':

'If you can force your heart, nerve and sinews

To serve your turn, long after they are gone

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the will that says to them: hold on!'

 

a 21st century educator - Nowadays, we speak about the 4Cs of 21st century as educational outcomes - Critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration - perhaps, a fifth could be added - compassion. I would say, that as an educator, he proved himself to be a model for most of them and tried to transfer most of them to his students. 

I find him a stalwart critical thinker, perhaps, questioning many things his avocation takes for granted - especially those ritualistic adherence. He felt they were enslaving rather than liberating, and like Galileo, who was asked to recant, but still soliloquised, 'it still moves around the sun', I think he found the religiosity entrapped in ritualism as unchristian, though he no longer said so, aloud. Perhaps, with 'office for the dead' pouring in incessantly in his honour or for the repose of his soul, bona fides notwithstanding, might be making him turn in his coffin!! 

Indeed, he proved himself to be an effective communicator, with a facility to collaborate with all sorts of people and above all communicating compassion through his straightforward and artless presence, disposition and company. 

a rare fusion - As we bid him farewell on October 2nd, I feel the 3 people we celebrated in the days of Oct 1 and 2, fused in him. On Oct 1st, the church celebrated a young nun confined to the carmel cloisters and doing nothing so very extraordinary, being elevated to public veneration as an extraordinary person. I feel within the circle of CMI-Rajagiri, Fr Mathew reamined in a way, very ordinary - with hardly any new institution or initiative by him, hardly any organisation which he led (though not forgetting his active role in the formation of Leuven India Alumni Forum, his active presence on ROSA platforms, and his blessings for the local youth initiative I took - FYRE), hardly ever being a renowned preacher, hardly ever being a great author publishing books or articles, nor as a social media person... but he achieved a place in the hearts of people he came across - peers, colleagues, students, parents.  He has established his own 'little way' by his simple and straigthforward presence. When St. Paul grapples with the nature of 'afterlife' in the reading from the letter to the Corinthians (I Cor 15:), this is already begun for Fr Mathew, as his 'yassha shareeram' (the body of fame). 

As we celebrate Gandhi Jayanti today, I find  him as someone who had absorbed the principles of non-violence, rather, non-agression in his uttaraashram, if not in the poorvashram. So too, as we celebrate the guardian angel (whatever that may mean), I find him a guardian angel for the many who were entrusted to his care, or to the many whom he engaged with in several ways. 

a befitting reason to celebrate the Season of Creation - As we are concluding the season of Creation, let us raise our hearts in praise for the unique miracle of the creation that Fr Mathew was, for his presence of forthrightness, for the package of gifts he brought with him, for the great example of fortitude and perseverance, for the assurance that transformation is possible for individuals, and the rejected stone can be the corner stone, and today, above all, for the gentle and prepared passage into eternity like Aaron who solemnly departs from this life (Numbers 21:)

A Personal Note of Gratitude - I am personally grateful to the Provincial council to have identified and entrusted me to pay tribute to him and proclaim the gospel that he was, though I am not sure if I could do justice to that. 

I feel grateful to God that I had the privilege of his company for over two years under the same roof, as his next door neighbour, the privilege to see him off on his venture into Theological pasture riding with him all the way up to Bangalore; and also for having given me the opportunity to be on his team of Provincial council, and in the last four years on my visits to the Provincial house, to share table fellowship with him, and to get to know his struggles without complaints. 

TRIBUTES 

I would stop with 3 excerpts from the several messages I received, unsolicited,  in the last two days:

1. By Dr M.P. Antoni, veteran social worker who had seen him for several decades on the Rajagiri campus:

പ്രണാമം 

കഴിഞ്ഞ പതിനാറാം തീയതി അച്ചൻ സാരഥ്യം വഹിച്ചിരുന്ന കോളേജിൽ ചെന്നു ഉച്ചസമയത്ത് നേരിൽ കണ്ടുമുട്ടിയ ഓർമ്മകൾ ഇന്നും ഹൃദയത്തിൽ തെളിഞ്ഞുനിൽക്കുന്നു.

അന്നു പങ്കുവെച്ച സംഭാഷണങ്ങൾ, ഓർമ്മകളുടെ ഒഴുക്കിൽ നിന്നും പൊങ്ങിയ ഹൃദയസ്പർശിയായ വാക്കുകൾ—എല്ലാം ഇന്നും മനസിൽ.

ഒരു ജീവിതകാലം മുഴുവൻ അച്ചൻ  ഊട്ടിയുറപ്പിച്ച സൗഹൃദങ്ങളും വിതച്ച സ്നേഹവും ചെയ്തുതീർത്ത നന്മകളും സമൂഹത്തിനായി നൽകിയ മഹത്തായ സംഭാവനകളും കാലത്തിനപ്പുറം എന്നും നിലനിൽക്കും.

നന്മയുടെ പാതയിൽ  സഞ്ചരിക്കാൻ അച്ചൻ്റെ ജീവിതം എല്ലാവർക്കും എന്നും പ്രചോദനമായിരിക്കും.

2. By Dr Renju Tharian, his student at Rajagiri school, now serving as a senior surgeon in Chicago. 

Sitting in the beautiful island of Santorini, looking over the blue waters of the Aegean sea, I feel so empty and sad to hear about Vattathara Achan’s passing. 

I have had the privilege of being taught and trained by some remarkably accomplished people, but Vattathara achan was by far the teacher who inspired and influenced me the most. I am not sure if my life’s trajectory would be what it is, if not for having a teacher like him during one of the most impressionable years of my life. It would probably be the same for most of us. 

He taught us more about life than just mathematics. His most important lessons for me were his lessons on critical thinking. I remember him often diverging from matrix and geometry and talking to us about philosophy, theology, current affairs and his views on almost all aspects of life. More importantly he always made sure he explained why he held those views, never expecting his students to blindly agree to his opinions and view points. It’s his lessons in class X, that changed my outlook on life in general. He gave me the confidence to realize that even an average student like me can do something worthwhile with perseverance, resilience and willingness to step out of the “ comfort zone”. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for having had a teacher who inspired me to be the best I can be and for that I can’t thank Vattathara achan enough. 

Rest in Peace, Vattathara Achan. Thanks for everything, so long and see you on the other side.

3. Rev. Fr. Jose Kariamadam CMI - his coworker and friend.

We lost one of my best friends in the CMI, a free thinker, humble, simple and a  down-to-earth guy. He was basically an agnostic.

There were times we talked about the afterlife, the existence of God, heaven, hell, purgatory etc. He was a seeker of truth and died as a seeker.  He wanted social change and had a different perspective on spirituality as a whole.  There was a little of Tony DeMello in him. 

" I don't know anything about tomorrow, but I know who holds tomorrow, and He will hold my hand!" 

My own tribute on the FB - https://www.facebook.com/1251360683/posts/pfbid0kUD7uuSsJ7xzMh49H1C1tUDCvCL3qcjXixdT4oHMdmjqYLQir9K85N64X7JHSm2pl/

PRANAMAM: Let me conclude by offering the lines of Madhusoodhanan Nair (written on Mahatma Gandhi) as  my tribute to Fr. Mathew Vattathara

തനിയേ നടന്നു നീ പോവുക 

തളർന്നാലും അരുതേ പരാശ്രയവും ഇളവും 

അനുഗാമിയില്ലാത്ത പഥികാ, 

തുടർന്നാലും ഇടറാതെ നിൻ ധീര ഗാനം (2)

Importance of being Baby at Rajagiri

രാജഗിരിയുടെ ബേബി(ചേട്ടൻ)മാർ  

ബേബി ചേട്ടനെ കൊച്ചിക്കാർ CMIക്കാർ  ആരാണ് അറിയാത്തത് ? എല്ലാരും തന്നെ അറിയും. വിശാലമായ 26 ഏക്കറിൽ ഒരു നിഴലായി നീങ്ങുന്ന - ഏറെ ജീവികൾക്ക് താങ്ങും, മറ്റേതാനും ജീവികൾക്ക് തേങ്ങലും ഏകി - വലിയ ബഹളമില്ലാതെ നിറഞ്ഞാടുന്ന നിഴൽ.  

രണ്ടു നൂറ്റാണ്ടുകളിലെ അനേക ദശാബ്ദങ്ങൾ നീണ്ട നിശ്ശബ്ദ സേവനത്തിന്റെ കണ്ണികളിൽ അവസാനത്തതായിരിക്കും ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ -  അപ്രകാരമുള്ള മറ്റു രാജഗിരി മനുഷ്യർ (Rajagiri Men) എൻറെ പരിമിതമായ ഗണനയിൽ, വടക്കു ഭാഗത്തായി driver ജോസ് ചേട്ടനും,  മർമ്മാണി മൂത്ത്  സർവാണിയായ മരക്കാറും, തെക്കു വശത്ത് സ്വല്പം കൂടെ ഒച്ചയോടു കൂടി സേവിയർ സാറും, പൗലോസ് ചേട്ടനും.  ജോസ് ചേട്ടനും, മരക്കാറും കാലയവനികക്കുള്ളിൽ മറഞ്ഞു കഴിഞ്ഞു. 

അപൂർവ്വമായിത്തീർന്ന കളമശ്ശേരി സന്ദര്ശനങ്ങളിൽ ഒന്ന് കയറി ഇറങ്ങുന്ന വീടായിരുന്നു ജോസ് ചേട്ടൻറ്റേത് - അവിടെ നിന്ന് തന്നെ അന്വേഷിക്കാമായിരുന്ന ബേബി ചേട്ടൻറെ  വീടും. ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ കാമ്പസിൽ തുടർന്നിരുന്നതു കൊണ്ട് അവിടെ അന്വേഷിക്കേണ്ട കാര്യം ഇല്ലായിരുന്നു.  ഈ 75 വയസ്സിലെ 65 വർഷവും ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ കളമശ്ശേരി രാജഗിരി ആശ്രമത്തിൻറെ സേവനത്തിൽ ആയിരുന്നു. ഒരു അത്യപൂർവ്വമായ സേവനചരിത്രം.  ആശ്രമത്തിൻറെ ആശ്രിതൻ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടനോ, അതോ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻറെ ആശ്രിതർ ആശ്രമവും അതിനോട് ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട എല്ലാവരുമോ എന്ന് സംശയം.  നിഴലത്തുള്ള മറ്റൊരു മുഖമായിരുന്നു മരക്കാർ. ആശ്രമം തന്നെ തുടങ്ങുന്നതിന് മുൻപ് ആ വളപ്പിൽ വന്നു ചേർന്നവരാണവർ ഇരുവരും. 

ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻറെ  വിരുത് ഇത്ര പ്രായമായിട്ടും ബേബിയായി ഇരിക്കുന്നു എന്നത് തന്നെ.  ഒരു ബേബിയായി ഇവിടെയെത്തി - 57 വർഷങ്ങൾക്ക് ശേഷവും പേരിൽ മാത്രമല്ല, പെരുമാറ്റത്തിലും -  ഒരു ശിശുസഹജമായ നിഷ്കപടമായ - പടം ആവശ്യമില്ലാത്ത ഇടപെടലുകൾ. 

ഈ 57ൻറെ കണക്ക് എങ്ങിനെയാണ് എന്നറിയില്ല. ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻറെ ഭാഷ്യം അനുസരിച്ച് 10 വയസ്സിൽ അപ്പൻറെ കൂടെ എത്തിയതാണ്.  അപ്പൻ ഉതുപ്പ് ചേട്ടൻ ചുണങ്ങുവേലിയിലെ തേവര ആശ്രമം വക റബ്ബർ തോട്ടത്തിൻറെ നടത്തിപ്പുകാരൻ ആയിരുന്നു. അരീക്കുഴ പാലക്കീഴിൽ വീട്ടിൽ നിന്ന്  അപ്പൻറെ കൂടെ ഇറങ്ങുമ്പോൾ അക്ഷരജ്ഞാനം പോലുമില്ല.  സ്‌കൂളിൽ പോയിട്ടില്ല.  അക്ഷര കാര്യം അവ്വിധം തന്നെയെങ്കിലും, മറ്റ് നിരവധി കാര്യങ്ങൾ കണ്ടും കേട്ടും നേടിയിരിക്കുന്നു. 4 മാസക്കാലം തേവരയിൽ സഹായിയായിക്കഴിഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ, സാലസ് അച്ചൻ പറഞ്ഞു: കളമശ്ശേരിയിൽ സ്ഥലം വാങ്ങിയിട്ടുണ്ട്.  നീ അങ്ങോട്ട് വാ. അച്ചൻറെ പ്രസിദ്ധമായ അമേരിക്കൻ (?) ഫിയറ്റ് കാറിൽ തന്നെ കളമശ്ശേരിയിൽ എത്തി.  ഇന്നത്തെ രാജഗിരിക്കാർക്ക് ചിന്തിക്കാൻ ആവാത്ത സ്ഥലം. കാട് തന്നെ.  S.P. ലൂയിസിൻറെ (ലൂയിസ് സായ്‌വ്) കയ്യിൽനിന്നും ഏകദേശം 60 ക. ഒരു സെന്റിന് കൊടുത്താണ് ഈ ഭൂമി കൈവശമാക്കിയത് അത്രേ!   ഈ ഇരുപതോളം ഏക്കറിൽ 22 കുടികിടപ്പുകാർ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു.  പറമ്പു തരാം -  കുടി ഒഴിപ്പിക്കൽ അച്ചന്മാരുടെ കാര്യം എന്നായിരുന്നത്രെ സായ്‌വിൻറെ വയ്പ്പ്. പല മാർഗ്ഗങ്ങൾ അവലംബിച്ച്, വിവിധ ജാതി മതസ്ഥരായ എല്ലാവരെയും പറമ്പിൽ നിന്നും ഒഴിപ്പിച്ചു. ഏകദേശം അഞ്ച് ഏക്കർ കൈവശം വച്ചിരുന്ന ഒരു ക്രൈസ്‌തവ കുടുംബത്തെ ഒഴിപ്പിക്കൽ ആയിരുന്നു ഏറ്റം ശ്രമകരം. പലവിധ സഹായങ്ങൾ ചെയ്തും മറ്റുമാണ് അവരെയൊക്കെ ഒഴിപ്പിച്ചത്. 

പിന്നെ തെളിക്കലായിരുന്നു അടുത്ത ഘട്ടം - കയറിച്ചെല്ലാൻ ഒരു വഴിപോലും  ഇല്ല. കാട്ടിനുള്ളിലെ ഒരു ഒറ്റയടി പാത മാത്രം. കുറുക്കൻ, പാമ്പുകൾ - യഥേഷ്ടം. ഒറ്റപ്പെട്ട ചില പ്രതിഷ്ഠകളും ഉണ്ട്.  വന്മരങ്ങളും, പ്ലാവും ഒക്കെയുണ്ട്.  അവയൊക്കെ തെളിക്കണം. 

വന്ന് അധിക നാൾ കഴിയുന്നതിനു മുൻപേ തന്നെ തുടങ്ങിയതാണ് പന്നി വളർത്തൽ - തേവര നിന്നും അഞ്ചെട്ട് കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങളെ കൊണ്ടുവന്ന് തുടങ്ങിയ ഭക്ഷ്യോത്പാദന യജ്ഞം ഇടക്കൊരു ഘട്ടം ഒഴിച്ച് ഇന്ന് വരെ തുടരുന്നു.  ആശ്രമം വളപ്പിലെ മൃഗങ്ങൾ, മരങ്ങൾ - അവയായിരുന്നു ബേബി ചേട്ടൻറെ മുഖ്യ പ്രവർത്തന മേഖല. നടാനും, നന്നാക്കാനും, പോറ്റാനും, പൊതിക്കാനും, അറക്കാനും, മുറിക്കാനും, കയറാനും, ഇറങ്ങാനും, വെട്ടാനും, കെട്ടാനും എല്ലാം ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ - കയ്യും, കാലും ആയുധമാക്കിയും, ആധുനികവും പാരമ്പരാഗതവുമായ ആയുധങ്ങൾ - യന്ത്രങ്ങൾ ഉപയോഗിച്ചും തന്ത്രങ്ങൾ പയറ്റിയും  - 6 ദശകങ്ങളുടെ സേവനം. 

ഞാൻ തേവര ആശ്രമവാസിയായതിൽ പിന്നെ, മാവേലിയുടെ വരവു പോലെ വർഷത്തിൽ ഒന്നോ രണ്ടോ പ്രാവശ്യം ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ തേവരയിൽ വരുന്നത് ശ്രദ്ധിച്ചു - മാനുഷർക്ക് മനോദരാദി രഞ്ജനവും, മൃഗവൃന്ദങ്ങൾക്ക് മരണഭയവും നൽകികൊണ്ടാവും ആ വരവ്. പക്ഷെ, അവിടെയും വലിയ ഒച്ചപ്പാടില്ല. 

ഇതിനിടെ 25 വയസ്സിൽ ആരക്കുഴ നിന്ന് ഒരു മിടുക്കിയെ ജീവിത പങ്കാളിയാക്കി - അന്നംക്കുട്ടി. അന്നംക്കുട്ടി ചേച്ചിക്ക് SSLC പൂർത്തിയാക്കിയതിന്റെ അഭിമാനം ഇന്നും ഉണ്ട്. മക്കൾ മഞ്ജുവും സഞ്ജുവും - നന്നേ ചെറുപ്പത്തിൽ തന്നെ അവർക്ക് ആശ്രമം, രാജഗിരി സ്‌കൂളിൽ അവരുടെ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ യോഗ്യതക്ക് ഉതകിയ ജോലി നൽകി.  മൂത്ത ആൾ, ഇന്നും തുടരുന്നു. ഇളയ ആൾ, ഭർതൃഗ്രഹമായ കരിമണ്ണൂരിൽ സ്ഥിരതാമസമാക്കിയതോടെ, രാജഗിരി വിട്ടു. അവരെല്ലാം നന്നായിക്കഴിയുന്നു.  50 വർഷം ഒരുമിച്ച് ജീവിച്ചത് പൂർത്തിയാക്കുന്ന ചാരിതാർത്ഥ്യം ചേച്ചിയുടെ മുഖത്ത് വായിക്കാം - ജനവരി 6, 1975.  ആ വിവാഹം ബേബി ചേട്ടനെ ക്നാനായ സമുദായത്തിൽനിന്ന് പുറത്തക്കി. Good luck or bad luck?  പ്രഭാതം മുതൽ പ്രദോഷം വരെ, തിങ്കൾ മുതൽ ഞായർ വരെ നീളുന്ന ആശ്രമത്തിൻറെ ശതം കാര്യ വ്യഗ്രതയിൽ ബേബി ചേട്ടന്  അതൊന്നും അളക്കാൻ നേരം കിട്ടിയിട്ടില്ല. 

എൻറെ അപൂർവ്വ സന്ദർശനങ്ങളിലെ ചവിട്ടു സൈക്കിൾ ചുറ്റലിൽ ആണ്  ഞാൻ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻറെ വീടിന് മുൻപിൽ നിർത്തിയത്.  വഴിയോട് ചേർന്ന് നിൽക്കുന്ന വീട്.  ഏകദേശം 10 വർഷം മുൻപ് (2014?) ഒന്ന് മെച്ചപ്പെടുത്തി.  ആശ്രമം സഹായിച്ചു എന്ന് വേണം നിനക്കാൻ.  പക്ഷെ, പണ്ട് കൊവേന്ത കൊടുത്ത ഈ സ്ഥലം ഇന്ന് PWD റോഡ് പുറമ്പോക്ക് ആയി തിട്ടപ്പെടുത്തിയിരിക്കുന്നത് ഒരു ആകുലത തന്നെ. കലക്ടറേറ്റ് വരെയൊക്കെ പിടിച്ച് നോക്കിയെങ്കിലും വഴങ്ങുന്നില്ല - ഒരു ഒഴിപ്പിക്കൽ ഭീഷണി നിലനിൽക്കുന്നു. 

ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻ എത്തിയിട്ടില്ല. അഞ്ച് മണിയായി. ഒരു 15 മിനിറ്റിൽ എത്തും എന്ന് ചേച്ചി. കയറി ഇരിക്കാൻ എന്നെ നിർബന്ധിക്കുന്നു. ഒട്ടൊന്നാലോചിച്ചിട്ട്, ഞാൻ കയറി ഇരുന്നു. ചേച്ചി അകത്തുപോയി gas അണച്ചു.  പയർ വേകിക്കയാണ്. നോട്ടം വേണം. പിന്നെയാകാം. ചെറിയ പരാതി - അച്ചൻ  ഒരിക്കലും അകത്ത് കയറിയിട്ടില്ല - 2003ൽ ഇത് പോലോരിക്കൽ വന്നു.  ഞാൻ ജനലക്കൽ നിന്ന് കയറി വന്നിരിക്കാൻ പറഞ്ഞു. അച്ചൻ  ഇരുന്നില്ല. അന്ന് ആലുവയിൽ വച്ച് വണ്ടി മുട്ടി വലതുകാൽ മൊത്തവും, വലതു കയ്യും ഒടിഞ്ഞ് ഇരിപ്പാണ്. ബേബി ചേട്ടനും അപകടം പറ്റി - മുഖം ഇടിച്ച് - എന്നാൽ കാര്യമായ പരിക്കുകൾ ഒന്നും ഉണ്ടായില്ല.  എനിക്ക് ജാള്യത - നമ്മുടെ കൂടെ നമുക്ക് വേണ്ടി, പണിയെടുക്കുന്ന ഒരാൾക്ക് ഇത്ര വലിയ ആപത്ത് പറ്റിയിട്ട് പരിസരത്ത് താമസിച്ചിട്ടും നമ്മൾ അറിയുന്നു പോലുമില്ല.  ഇത്രയും ഭീകരമായ അപകടത്തിൻറെ  കാര്യമായ വാങ്ങൽ സംസാരത്തിലോ  ചലനത്തിലോ കാണുന്നില്ല. ദൈവത്തിന് സ്തുതി! 

സഹോദരങ്ങൾ: ബേബിച്ചേട്ടന്റെ നേരെ ഇളയ സഹോദരിയുണ്ട്.  വിവാഹിതയായി കുടുംബ ജീവിതം നയിക്കുന്നു. ഒരു മകൾ സന്യാസിനിയാണ്. നേരെ ഇളയ സഹോദരൻ മാത്യു കളമശ്ശേരിയിൽ ഏതാനും വര്ഷം ബോർഡിങ്ങിൽ സേവനം ചെയ്തിട്ട്, തേവര സേക്രഡ് ഹാർട്ട് കോളേജിൽ ജോലി ലഭിച്ച്, അവിടെ നിന്നും വിരമിച്ച് സ്വസ്ഥജീവിതം നയിക്കുന്നു.  ഞങ്ങൾ സഹപ്രവർത്തകരായിരുന്നു ഏകദേശം ഒരു ദശാബ്ദക്കാലം. മാത്യുവിന്റെ മകൻ മികച്ച നർത്തകൻ കൂടെയായ ബോണി തന്റെ പൂർവ്വകലാലയത്തിൽ  കൊമേഴ്‌സ് അദ്ധ്യാപകനാണ്.  ഏറ്റവും ഇളയ മറ്റൊരു അനുജൻ അരിക്കുഴയിൽ തന്നെ. അയാളുടെ ഒരു മകൻ വൈദിക വിദ്യാർത്ഥിയാണ്. മറ്റൊരു മകൾ സന്ന്യാ സിനിയും. 

1989 മുതൽ മുറിഞ്ഞും കൂടിയും
കഴിഞ്ഞ എൻറെ കളമശ്ശേരി ജീവിതത്തിൽ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻ മിക്കവാറും ഒരു കുശലം, ഒരു ചിരിയിൽ ഒതുങ്ങിയ സമ്പർക്കമാണെങ്കിലും - അതിലും വലിയൊരു ആത്മ ബന്ധം ഉള്ളതായി തോന്നുന്നു.  പരാതികൾ   കേട്ടിട്ടില്ല - ബേബിച്ചേട്ടനിൽനിന്നും, ബേബി ചേട്ടനെക്കുറിച്ചും.  കളമശ്ശേരിയുടെ ഈ കുന്നിനെ രാജഗിരിയാക്കി മാറ്റുന്നതിൽ നിശ്ശബ്ദ സേവനം കാഴ്ചവച്ച ബേബി ചേട്ടനെയും, അത്ര തന്നെ വർഷങ്ങളുടെ റെക്കോർഡ് ഒഴിച്ച് മറ്റെല്ലാ രീതിയിലും സേവനം ചെയ്ത് കടന്നു പോയ മരക്കാറിനെയും സ്നേഹത്തോടെ ഓർക്കുന്നു.  75 വയസ്സിൽ ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ പഴയതിലും മിടുക്കനായി കാണപ്പെടുന്നു. പ്രായാധിക്യമൊന്നും മനസ്സിലോ, മുഖത്തോ, എടുപ്പിലോ ഇല്ല. ഔദ്യോഗികമായി സേവന നിവൃത്തിയായി - പക്ഷെ സേവന കഥ തുടരുകയാണ്  - ad multos annos! പശ്യേമ ശരദശതം!!

*Picture of Baby chettan climbing the Bell Tower to install the Christmas star (Dec. 6, 2024)

P.S. ഞാൻ ഈ കുറിപ്പ് രാജഗിരിയുടെ ബേബി ചേട്ടന്മാരെക്കുറിച്ച്  

പറയാമെന്നോർത്താണ്‌  .തുടങ്ങിയത്. അതിൽ, ഇന്നുള്ളവർക്ക് സുപരിചിതനായ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടനെക്കുറിച്ച് ഞാൻ  പരാമർശിച്ചു. മറ്റൊരു ബേബിച്ചേട്ടനെ നമ്മിൽ വളരെക്കുറിച്ചു പേർക്കേ അറിയൂ.  പടിക്കപ്പറമ്പിൽ ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ (P.D. ISAAC), സെപ്റ്റംബർ 11ന് നിര്യാതനായി.  89 വയസ്സായിരുന്നു.  ബേബി ചേട്ടൻെറ അപ്പൻ കുട്ടൻ ചേട്ടൻ, തേവര  കൊവേന്തയുടെ നോട്ടക്കാരനായിരുന്നു എന്നാണ് ഞാൻ മനസ്സിലാക്കിയിട്ടുള്ളത്. ചെറുപ്പം മുതൽ കണ്ടിട്ടുണ്ടെങ്കിലും  വെള്ള മുണ്ടും ഷർട്ടും രണ്ടാം മുണ്ടും ധരിച്ചു കണ്ടിരുന്ന ആ സൗമ്യനായ മനുഷ്യനുമായി ഒരിക്കലും സംസാരിക്കാൻ എനിക്ക് ഇട വന്നിട്ടില്ല. 

സാലസ് അച്ചന്റെ ശിക്ഷണത്തിൽ അദ്ദേഹത്തിൻറെ വിശ്വസ്തനായ പേർസണൽ അസിസ്റ്റൻറ് അല്ലെങ്കിൽ സെക്രെട്ടറിയായി തേവര കോളേജിൻറെ പ്രാരംഭകാലത്തും പിന്നീട് രാജഗിരിയിൽ ആശ്രമം തുടങ്ങിയ ഘട്ടത്തിലും കൂടെ നടന്ന, സാലസച്ചന്റെ ഒരു മനസാക്ഷി സൂക്ഷിപ്പുകാരനായി മാറിയ ബേബിച്ചേട്ടൻ - പിന്നീട് ഒരു അവസരം വന്നപ്പോൾ ഒരു കമ്പനി ഉദ്യോഗം തരപ്പെട്ടത് നിരസിക്കാതെ അത് കൈവശമാക്കാൻ അച്ചൻ അനുവദിച്ചു. കമ്പനിയിൽനിന്നും വിരമിച്ചശേഷം, ഒരു ദശാബ്ദത്തിലേറെ തേവര അച്ചടി ശാലയുടെ കണക്കുകൾ ക്രമീകരിക്കുന്ന ജോലി നിർവ്വഹിച്ചു. കോളേജിൻറെ വളർച്ച വളരെ ആഗ്രഹിച്ച ഒരു വ്യക്തിയായിരുന്നു. ആരംഭകാലത്തെ സാലസ് സ്വപ്‌നങ്ങൾ എല്ലാം അറിഞ്ഞിരുന്ന ഒരാൾ. അദ്ദേഹത്തിൽനിന്നും അറിയാൻ ഒരുപിടി ചോദ്യങ്ങൾ ഞാൻ തയ്യാറാക്കി വച്ചിരുന്നു. ജൂണിൽ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ, അടുത്ത കാഴ്ചയിൽ കുറെ സംസാരിക്കാനുണ്ട് എന്നൊക്കെ ഉറപ്പിച്ചാണ് പോയത്. ആഗസ്റ്റ് മാസം വീണ്ടും കടന്നു പോയപ്പോൾ, വിശ്വസിക്കാനാവാത്തവിധം അവശനായി മാറിയിരുന്നു ബേബി ചേട്ടൻ. ഏതാനും ആഴ്ചകൾ കൂടി കഴിഞ്ഞ് ആ അറിവുകൾ എല്ലാം കൂടെ കൊണ്ട് കൂട് വിട്ട്  പോയി.  Man proposes, God disposes! 

ഇപ്പോഴത്തെ പ്രതിഭ ഹോസ്റ്റലിന് നേരെ മുൻപിലുള്ള വീടാണ് ബേബി ചേട്ടൻറെത്. ഭാര്യ അതിനും ഒരു മാസം മുൻപ്  വിട പറഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. ഇപ്പോൾ മകൻ ഡേവിസും കുടുംബവും അവിടെ താമസിക്കുന്നു. 

ബേബി ചേട്ടൻറെ രണ്ടാമത്തെ മകൾ നിർമ്മല രാജഗിരി അയൽവാസിയാണ്. രണ്ട് മക്കളും രാജഗിരിയിൽ പഠിച്ച് എൻജിനീയറും ഡോക്റ്ററും ആയി സേവനം ചെയ്യുന്നു. ഭർത്താവ് തോമസ്, എന്നും ആശ്രമദേവാലയത്തോട് ഒട്ടി നിന്ന വ്യക്തി - അർബുദത്തെ വിശ്വാസ സ്ഥൈര്യത്തോടെ നേരിട്ട് അതിന് കീഴടങ്ങി.  നിർമ്മല public sector കമ്പനിയിലെ എൻജിനീയർ ഉദ്യോഗത്തിൽ നിന്നും വിരമിച്ച് മക്കളോടൊത്ത് താമസിക്കുന്നു. 

Education as Transformation - Some Bennian insights

Being the provincial of a religious community having education as a key ministry or apostolate, one is bound to say something or other related to education on various occasions - some may get tired of the numerous occasions and may get into parroting cliched statements on education - transformation - being one among them. 

Our young provincial (young, compared to people like me!!), Rev Fr Benny CMI, himself an educator of religion (scriptural theology), is shaping his vision on the basis of the already articulated CMI vision of holistic education or integral formation. He claims it as a Chavara legacy, which being a theologian he is able to substantiate -usually established theologians have the uncanny knack of arguing out any proposition the way they want it to be, and substantiate it on the basis of scripture. 

Being a diligent observer and a perceptive poet, he is able to split and join words and to expand and extrapolate acronyms and abbreviations with new meanings. I would call them Bennian Educational Treatise (BET).  While he compares Shashi Tharoor as a wordsmith in the pattern of describing the various trades like ironsmiths, goldsmiths and blacksmiths, he himself has proven to be one, and more than that, a Wordsworth! 

The occasion is the decennial valedictory of Rajagiri Doha - the completion of 10 years of glorious partnership between Rajagiri Kochi and Al Kaabi Doha for an education that is value-based, global citizenship-oriented, stressing excellence - intellectual, aesthetic, humanitarian, and planet-friendly. September 21, the international day of peace is the Foundation Day of Rajagiri-Doha. We celebrate the 10 years with a new campus launched in the busy residential area of Mater Qadeem, and shifting grades 1 to IV with a state-of-the-art infrastructure, a swimming pool for training the kids, a full-fledged multi-purpose hall, a huge cafeteria and a semblance of greenery around. 

Our quest for excellence is concretized in the new campus and building implying the importance of adequate planned space for all-round formation. It is one of the few Indian schools in Qatar that has been able to comply with the Qatar state stipulations regarding the space requirements of a school.  We are grateful to God Almighty, the compassionate, and extremely merciful, and the source of all wisdom and truth, for guiding our paths in the past 10 years. We are also extremely grateful to Mr Mohammed Nazar Al Kaabi our Chairman, our Managing Director Mr George Jacob FCA and the management team, our former principals Mr Isaac Tharayil and Mr Sanjeev Kumar, our present Principal Mr Joshy Abraham and the VP Mr R.K. Radhakrishnan and teaching and admin staff, and our parents and the students. 

According to him, the Chavara legacy of education is about triple I to replace the I-problem (note: not eye-problem), that is disseminated through modern social media. I-problem is typically represented by iPad, iPhone, I-pod and is usually expressed through a 'selfie' with SELF projected disproportionately. Very often it also leads to the eye problem of perception, where only I is seen and the other is not seen, or even when seen, is easily disregarded. It may also lead to the status of an 'eye-for-an-eye', instead of peace and harmony, oftening a fruit of letting go of the I (the ego). 

Though, in our Malayalam I-O (spelt ayyo is an exclamation of fear, displeasure or shock), in Bennian terms, it is, in fact, the transformative education process of moving from I (self) to O (other), so that all be well (sarvesham swasthir bhavatu). And in management terms, it is very much the 'good business' where the 'I' is skipped, and the 'U' is projected as 'i', and in democratic terms, it becomes very 'parliamentary' (though rarely to be found) with 'i' remaining silent and what is voiced is always the concerns for Others. 

The first I in the Chavara Legacy of education is - Inclusion - amply shown by the humble but daringly humongous initiative to include Dalits in Sanskrit education by a Christian in the first half of the 19th century! Other initiatives include boarding for women, a religious order for women etc. 

The second I is Integration - which had been the CMI hallmark - of going beyond the intellectual domain to include the physical, the social, the emotional-relational, the physical and the spiritual - leading to the development of a WHOLE person (Holistic Development) or what NEP speaks about as 'well-rounded formation'.  While the CMIs make a claim to this, and maybe our system has made provisions for this to happen to some extent, I have felt that we are yet to make a conscientious, committed, and concerted effort in this direction - and often we have been obsessed by the so-called intellectual (to the neglect of the fascinating idea of multiple intelligence - Howard Gardner 1983) and the rest being more of a white or colour wash! 

The third I is Integral Liberation - as proclaimed by Jesus Christ in what is termed as his Nazareth Manifesto (Lk 4:16-21), with the claim of fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1-2 of making people free.  Jesus claimed that 'truth will make you free' (Jn 8:32).  Making truth available on the one hand and setting the learners on the path of searching for truth are the tasks of education which has been demonstrated by the ancient dictum 'vidya sa vimuktaye' - education is that which liberates. It should free the learner from the shackles of ignorance and slavery of untruths of divisive castes, creeds and isms, helping one to recognize oneself as a member of the earth family - vasudhaiva kutumbakam. 

In today's academic world of I to Z-quotients, these put together would form the R-Quotient or the Rajagiri Quotient.  Rajagiri, the Kochi unit of the world wide web of the CMIs comprising among many other things a network of almost 800 schools, 50 plus colleges (arts & science and professional), has under its own direct responsibility 16 schools, 1 special school and 5 colleges under its guidance and a legacy in the field dating from 1883.  In this AI era, its reach out to Doha truly implies AI - from Actually Indians to Arabic Indic interface to truly promoting Altruistic Internationalism based on our core value of promoting global citizens. 

Energy rediscovered as Character: Here Bennian redefinition of the Energy formula (E=MC²) becomes handy - He argues that the present formula of Efficiency = Manipulation x Chair.Career (C²) is to be replaced by Mindfulness x Commitment.Creativity (C²) leading to the new energy form of Character. 

With this heady mix, together with 45 minutes of non-stop Dance by the X graders and 30 minutes of non-stop music by the XII graders, I felt they ought to go MAD after this with adequate Academic stress to be sandwiched into their apparent natural passion for Music and Dance. I was comforted to see the X graders making a conscious effort to force in some of the core values that constitute the RQ - global outlook and peace as they danced madly. 

Adieu Dearly Beloved Fr Joseph Pulloppilly CMI

Oh my God! Dearly beloved Fr Pulloppilly is no more! It was on  June 20th that I met him last. Offered him a Dasheri mango - daal ka pakka - from our garden in Sitapur, UP, which he refused saying that his sugar levels would not permit him to use that.  He had been my confessor for the past 28 years, and for the many hundreds, who approached him, and to whom, in spite of his ill health, he willingly ministered.  

Fr Pulloppilly was already a familiar figure for me while I was still in primary school with my elder brother, a Rajagiri student, sharing the school news at home or with me.  I knew most of the teachers through him - the headmaster Mr Manjooran, the Malayalam teacher Mr John, the Hindi teacher Mr Krishnan, the Catechism/moral science teacher Fr Jesudas, the Physical Education teacher Mr Xavier,  the biology teachers Fr Silas and Fr Pulloppilly and the headmaster(s) Fr Gregory and Fr Aaron.  

But I directly came into contact with him as a member of the Catholic organisation, KCSL - during its camps and student meets, where invariably Fr Pulloppilly accompanied the Rajagiri team. I could sense his enthusiasm and zeal. Some of my contemporaries from Rajagiri school still recall the lines of KCSL anthem - KCSL jayikka KCSL ... which he taught all of them, whether they belonged to the Catholic fold or otherwise. When we were in VIII or IX grade, he was invited to preach the annual retreat for the Catholic students of Sacred Heart High School. Perhaps, that was the first healthy introduction to human sexuality for any of us. (I am afraid, even now, this education is missing).  

Once I joined the CMIs as an aspirant and stayed on the same campus as he was for a few days, I tried to tap on my familiarity with him, and get a cross or some other charismatic pendant for pinning up on my shirt. But it was not as easy as I thought that he would be able to provide for me.  However, he did find something - perhaps, a 'PRAISE THE LORD' brooch or so, and I sensed that he had to really take some pains to get that for me.  Perhaps, that was the last time, I had a desire to have any such exhibits on me and asked for something of that sort from someone.  I did make use of it for some time.  Then, perhaps, I lost it. 

My next encounter with him was after my being assigned to the Provincial house, either for a period of one year regency, or as a deacon or a freshly ordained priest. Anyhow, I sensed that while he was his old zealous self, he was not generally very much accepted by the rest of the community members.  Perhaps, he was too zealous that the rest who could not match up to his mould of idealism could not gel with him. Or he could not be in tune with the rest of the Rajagiri campus company. At the school, he taught Biology and guided the KCSL unit. He tried to circulate the pictorial Christian education magazine by the Jesuits from Kottayam - Snehasena (later, Soldiers of Love in English) - among the students. He deployed 'slogans of Christian values' for value education and motivating the students - the students still remember his slogans. I think 'kodukku ninakku nalkappedum' (Give and it will be given to you) - a gospel song in that mould was either his creation or he helped it to gain currency. 

I think the students called him endearingly as Fr Pullo. He knew most of his students personally. Last year, while riding to Aluva to meet him, a car stopped by my bike and Anil, Rajagirian of my age, stopped by to say hello. When I said that I was going to meet Fr Pulloppilly, he asked me to convey his regards. And when I did that Fr Pulloppilly could recall him and his brother, who were his students in the 1970s.  As a good Zoology teacher, he tried to familiarise the students with life. Some of the boarders recall him giving them 'guppy' fish to grow. 

While remaining a full-time teacher at Rajagiri, he went about reaching out to the poor, trying to spread the good news in his own way - especially by printing leaflets with useful Christian doctrine and prayers, and distributing the same among those who came in touch with him.  While normally the religious men engaged themselves in some workout or manual labour, and found some half to one hour in a day in some recreational activities, games etc. for Fr Pulloppilly, it was always about reaching out to people in conventional pastoral ministry, home visits, helping the poor or spreading the good news through his leaflets.  I think, for that,  either he spent the meagre amount he received in pastoral ministry or some people of goodwill did help him with the printing charges, which he could not otherwise have managed. 

I am afraid that the CMI congregation which is usually generous with promoting individuals and their talents and qualifications, could not do justice to Fr Pulloppillil. He had joined the order after completing intermediate, and after completing philosophy training at Bangalore, he joined for B Sc Zoology at Sacred Heart College.  In spite of having scored well, and winning the gold medal (1963), he was not permitted to go for higher studies. He got himself qualified as a teacher with a B. Ed degree from St. Joseph's College, Mannanam. Despite his several years of experience as a teacher, he was not found to be a headmaster/principal material for the prestigious Rajagiri school; and by the time the CMIs of Kochi province launched other schools, he was already relieved of duties related to a typical education ministry. Perhaps he was a loner and was travelling the less-travelled path, and while all the required health support was given to him by the congregation, and while all appreciated the great ministry he was doing, I sensed that there was a general apathy prevailing against him. 

I think when he attained the age of 60  or the Kerala government-prescribed age for retirement - I am not sure, he was relieved of his service at Rajagiri School.  Though I did not understand the entire dynamics of the decision, I sensed that the provision was aptly utilised to remove an inconvenience from the scene.  I felt that he could not accept that decision happily, though apparently he did not revolt. I am afraid that decision did affect him adversely and led him, perhaps gradually, into a state of depression.  However, that did not deter him from carrying on the ministry he was at home with - that of ministering to the Catholic faithful - especially, hearing confession. 

As his depression-related status aggravated, his mobility became restricted and so too his ministry.  Yet that did not prevent him from being available at Aluva monastery for the great ministry of the sacrament of reconciliation. 

He lived a spartan life - his dress was always simple, and generally, only the prescribed religious habit - the traditional one and the modern one. I think he has never travelled abroad.  Perhaps, he has never had an occasion to fly. He is hardly found in any photograph*. I tried to find a picture of his younger days, hardly anyone has any such pictures.  Perhaps, he did have a collection. He never tried to migrate to the WhatsApp Facebook age. Yes, he did use a mobile phone.  I have never seen him using any vehicle other than public transport  - no bicycle, no motorbike, scooter or car.  Yes, when someone sent a car for his transport he would not refuse, and as he grew older and his health conditions deteriorated, he had to rely on the house vehicle for his very limited mobility.  It is my impression that  if he ever gathered anything it was meant to be for his ministry of the gospel or to support some poor person, 

I recall a year when, while still young,  he lost both his parents in quick succession - they had lived long. He took that in the right spirit.  Not long afterwards, he lost his elder brother, who was still a young person with a family to take care of. I came to know that it was a major blow for him. 

His prolonged priestly ministry of over 50 years, I think, was based in two centres - Kalamassery and Aluva. When the former undivided Sacred Heart province was divided into four provinces, and when the members were given the option to make their choices, most of them chose the province where their native place was.  Fr Pulloppilly, though from the Muvattupuzha region, chose the Kochi region, with which he had been associating for more than three decades of his ministry. I gather from my confreres that he also served as the vocation promoter for the province and there are several CMIs who chose to be CMIs thanks to his efforts. 

I thank God for his long life and untiring ministry in spite of his adverse physical and mental conditions. I am glad that Fr Pulloppilly was an illustrious student of his batch at Sacred Heart.  I admire his simplicity and unwavering faith in the face of great despair and depression.  I feel blessed to have had him as a confessor for the 3 decades of my life as an ordained minister in the Catholic church. While in faith, we submit our sins to God through an ordained minister - young or old.  However, having a senior priest for this ministry, I deem a great blessing - but while I myself grow to be a senior, and those senior to me disappear from the scene, there is emptiness! May the Lord who had compassion on the crowd form us into shepherds after his heart! 

I look forward to seeing Fr Joseph Pulloppilly with the honours of the altar - for trying to live his faith, in spite of the odds in his life - with great simplicity and fidelity - not having led or built big institutions or parishes, never having had an opportunity to exercise leadership ministry in the congregation, not having been a popular speaker, but always and consistently being available as a shepherd, and enduring dark nights of physical and mental agonies! 

May the good Shepherd lead him to his evergreen pastures, spread his feast before him, and anoint him with his oil of sanctity. May the beloved Fr Pulloppilly dwell in the Lord's house and may his cup overflow with joy that shall not be taken away! 

*Rajagiri PTA 1981. From Fr Kariamadam's collection. 

Post Script

Shared by one of his colleagues: 

Fr. Pullo was simple and naive thru and thru. A few of my memories may be interesting.

Besides selling religious articles in class rooms he used to take up collections to help the poor! 

He was not happy when the Headmaster insisted on maintaining discipline in the class: One day half in jest and half in earnest, he knelt down before the HM and said, " You treat me like a fly/ഈച്ച!"  

Looking at the beautiful lawn in front of the Provincial house he said once, "I wish I was treated like a blade of grass in Rajagiri."  Rajagiriയിലെ ഒരു പുല്ലായി ജനിച്ചിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ!  

By one of his students: 

He taught us biology from higher standards and always had a very very soft corner for me and my twin brother. Never used to cane us. All students in school knew that we both were his pets. We used to butter him and everyone knew that too.

Very sad that we lost such a cherubic person that he was, then. 

He zealously promoted and sold Soldiers of God, Sneha Sena and Kuttikaluday Deepika DAILY before EVERY class of his, and myself and my brother used to buy one of them every time he started the class to avoid being asked questions and getting caned by him with a small cane. He never used to punish me and my brother and was always partial and favourite of me and my twin... He always had a small cane and gave us only small small cuts to others.