Saint Chavara Kuriakose Elias: A Beacon of Inspiration for Social Workers and Public Servants - Dr. Shashi Tharoor
New Delhi : The Chavara Cultural Centre organized the Chavara Lecture Series on Wednesday evening at the Sri Sathya Sai Auditorium, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. The event witnessed an august gathering, graced by Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, along with other eminent personalities, including Members of Parliament K. Suresh, N.K. Premachandran, Benny Behanan, Anto Antony, K. Radhakrishnan, Francis George, Jose K. Mani, Dean Kuriakose, and Hibi Eden, as well as Kerala Government’s representative in Delhi, K.V. Thomas, and CBCI Deputy Secretary General Father Mathew Koyickal, among others.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Shashi Tharoor lauded Saint Chavara Kuriakose Elias for his remarkable contributions to social reform and education. He described the saint as a role model for social workers and public servants in India. “Saint Chavara’s unwavering commitment to the upliftment and education of marginalized communities is an exemplary legacy. Despite facing numerous challenges, he initiated groundbreaking social reform programs over a century before India’s independence,” said Dr. Tharoor.
Dr. Tharoor highlighted Saint Chavara’s progressive and inclusive vision, emphasizing its enduring relevance in modern times. He underscored education as the cornerstone of societal upliftment, referencing the saint’s pioneering initiatives, such as establishing "pallikkoodam" (schools) on church premises, introducing salaried teachers for the first time in India, and implementing free midday meals for children. “These transformative measures revolutionized education and social welfare, setting a precedent long before the emergence of leading social reformers in India,” he added.
The event’s theme, "Education as a Catalyst for Social Transformation: Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, a Model of Sustainable Development," resonated with the distinguished attendees, including Father Dr. Robby Kannanjira C.M.I., Director of the Chavara Cultural Centre, Bishop Deepak Valerian Tauro, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Delhi, and George Kallivayalil, Associate Editor of Deepika.
The lecture series celebrated the enduring legacy of Saint Chavara, whose visionary reforms in education and social welfare continue to inspire generations. The event reinforced the importance of sustainable development rooted in human values, a testament to the saint’s life and mission.
