On his 97th birthday 27th June, Father Kunnunkal was wheeled to India International Centre, New Delhi for the celebration of his birthday by over a hundred of his former students of St. Xavier’s School, Delhi, where he was the principal for years. There was also a release of his memoirs. The memoirs are put together after a series of interviews. The introduction to this book is given by the former Vice Chancellor of Delhi University, Shri Dinesh Singh.
The book has nine chapters. The first deals with the family background; second, on Jesuit formation in general; third, trajectory of Tom’s Jesuit formation; fourth, mentoring St. Xavier’s school; fifth, a new era at CBSE; sixth, birth of EPG; seventh, Open School project; eight, contribution to Indian Social Institute; and ninth, on awards and associations of Tom. At the end, Tom shares some mantras that enabled him to achieve what he achieved.
This book is a testimony of an exceptional Jesuit in the realm of education and research. Needless to say, this would inspire contemporary Jesuits, especially the young, to find their way to creative and pioneering ways. Ours is numerically the biggest conference of Jesuits in the world but this biography makes us proud to have among us one of the few quality Jesuits who shows how to be a shining Christian and a Jesuit in the contemporary plural Indian society.
Title: Biography of a Life Extraordinaire: Remembrances and Reminiscences: Life and Works of Padma Shri Rev. Fr. Thoma V. Kunnunkal
Author: Simmi Sarma.
Publisher: Star Publications, New Delhi
Price: Rs. 500/-
Pages: 168
