PROF. JOHN KURAKAR- SOCIAL CRITIC AND EDUCATIONALIST

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