PROF. JOHN KURAKAR- SOCIAL CRITIC AND
EDUCATIONALIST
Prof. John Kurakar a renowned
Educationalist is born and brought up at Kottarakkara, in Kollam district of
Kerala state. He is an eminent personality who is actively participating in
different walks of life. In educational, Social, Cultural, religious and
interfaith fields he proved his calibre. He has rendered his service as a
Lecturer in the beginning and later he became the Professor in St. Gregorious
College, Kottarakkara, for 30 years. He has not only imparted education to the
youth but also tuned their life to become a real human being.
In the world of Kaliyuga people are
impious, jealous and selfish, they are anxious to become rich all on a sudden.
But prof. John Kurakar is an exception. He rendered his service as the
Programme Coordinator of the National Service Scheme of the college. He spared
his time for Adult and Continuing Education Programme, Population Education
Programme of Kerala University and he served as the Secretary of FANSA. For the
dedicated service in the field of adult education he has bestowed with cash
awards, merit certificates continually for five years from 1982 to 1987.
He is remembering the memorable days he
spent with Kerala Sashtra Sahithya Parishad as the State Level Education
Programme Convener. He became a Member of the Editorial Board of Sashtra
Kerala, Grama Sashtram and Sastragathi.He is a famous writer and published more
than 17,000 articles related with Literature, Culture, Science, Finance, Social
Problems etc. On all the crucial problems he posted his views through the
“Window of Knowledge” ie his website. Upanyasa Manjari, Bhasha Bhushanam,
Bhasha Sodhini, Kerala History, Window of Knowledge, Quiz-Quiz etc. were some
of the books published by him.
After his retirement Prof. John Kurakar
was elected to the post of Global Council Trustee of United Religious
Initiative. It is an International Interfaith Organisation constituted for the
maintenance of peace and harmony in the world. He is an active Global Member and
attended many International Conferences and meetings of URI, in its Head
Quarters at Sansfransisco in USA and in different parts of the world. He also
participated 6th ‘ World Parliament of Religions at Salt lake City. He attended
many Holy book Conferences, National and Zonal Assemblies and expressed his
views on various issues and working very hard for the improvement of URI in the
world.
For the dedicated and sincere service
rendered in different fields various organisations offered many awards and
merit certificates to him. He received Bharathiya Guru Sreshta from Pravasi
Bharathi, awards and certificates from Kerala University, Gandhiya Nava Sakthi
Sangam, United Religions Initiative, National Service Scheme, Adult and
Continuing Education and Extension Department etc, for the fruitful service
rendered in social service and interfaith activities.
He is the State President of Kerala Kavya
Kala Sahithy, a literary and educational organisation rendering its service in
more than one hundred schools and colleges. Various training programmes,
training for competitive exams, conduct seminars, exhibitions and study tours
for the school and college students and youths.
Another social work done by him is in the
field of Palliative care. He is now the President of Kerala Palliative Care
Initiative. 152 chronic disease and bedridden patients were identified through
a field survey and palliative care was offered to them. A special ward was
formed in Taluk Hospital Kottarakkara under the supervision of a famous
physician Dr. Jayasankar M.B.B.S, M.D; Allopathic and Ayurvedic medical camps,
counselling classes and financial assistance to the needy patients and other
benevolent services were organised under his leadership.
He is the President of Edan Nagar
Residents Association, President of Kurakaran Valiya Veettil Kudumbayogam and
President of Global Thinkers Forum and the Gerneral Secretary of Alumni
Association of St. Gregorios College, Alumni Trivandrum Chapter and Alumni
Baharain Chapter.Under his leadership rain harvesting, bio gas production from
cow dung and garbage, planting of saplings and seedlings, protection of stream
and river campaigns and different eco-friendly programmes were promoted. He
played a pivotal role in the Meenpidippara Tourism Project and in the
protection of Pulamon stream campaign also.
His strength is mainly vested in the firm
support of his family. His wife is Smt. Molly Jacob a retired Professor of
St.Gregorious college, Kottarakkara. God blessed them with two children,
daughter named Dr. Manju Kurakar who is an Assistant Professor in Pune Medical
College and son Manu Kurakar who is an Assistant Manager at Systems, SBI in
Bombay. He also has a 3 year old grand daughter named Jess Mary Kurian.
(Ref: URI- UN Interfaith Text)
Ramachandran Nair
