India: Universal Solidarity Movement founder and peace activist Father Alengadan passes away

Father Varghese Alangaden known for peace, value education and the founder of Universal Solidarity Movement (USM) died at the age of 70 on 26 March, at Nobert Nursing home, Indore, in Central India.

Father Alengaden was an active, creative, innovative, respective, inspiring leader, value educator, trendsetter and the dreamer of new India based on the Gandhian principles. Thousands of youngsters, educators, and leaders expressed their sorrow at the great loss of a great educator.  

Father Alangaden was at Rorbert Nursing Home in Indore, after an open-heart surgery on March 4 at Medanta Hospital in Indore, when suddenly cardiac arrest occurred and died at the hospital where he was admitted in the intensive care unit.

The last rites of Father Alangadan will be held on 28 March, after the mortal remain will be brought to St. Francis Cathedral, Indore for the Public Homage, followed by Holy Eucharistic celebration at 3pm. His mortal will be cremated after the Inter-Faith Prayer service, as per his desire.

Father Varghese Alangaden had long years of experience of working with the youth and he visualized a country which could be rebuilt by the youth. He had trust and faith in the youth and applied the ‘possibility thinking’ of ‘why don’t we train the youth to take charge of the nation with an inclusive, broad and lasting vision?’ 

Realizing the value of holistic education with a secular, non-violent, value based nature, he involved himself in the activities of Dharma Bharati, Bangalore and started Universal solidarity movement in Indore in the year 1993.

The birth of Universal Solidarity Movement (USM) for Value Education and Peace was the result of a proactive response to the huge challenges faced by India due to communal politics, religious fundamentalism, ethnic conflicts, discrimination, and rampant corruption, which were destroying the country.

Late Bishop George M. Anathil SVD of Indore wrote in the book A Life more Radiant, “Father Varghese had come across to me as a dedicated priest, a committed missionary, a dynamic leader, and trendsetter. He is the man of convictions and is prepared to face any challenges and undergo any hardships to stand for his convictions”.

Father Anthony Swamy SVD, the Coordinator of Radio Veritas Asia Hindi Service, used to help Father Alengaden to get connected with the audience online across the world during the COVID lockdown. “I also had couple of opportunities to share the dais with him. It was always a wonderful experience to be with him. During the sessions, he will make sure that everyone is very active, interactive, and contributing. At the end of every program, he used to tell me with a loud voice “Thambi it is excellent and wonderful,” Father Anthony Swamy said.

Fr. Varghese Alangaden was born in the year 1953 in Kerala, the southern state of India. Fr. Alangadan in his book ‘Struggle, Smile and Stay” writes about his life that he was deeply impressed by Msgr. Clemens Thottungal the Apostolic Exarch of the Sagar Mission who became the First Bishop of Sagar in 1969. He decided to join the Sagar Mission against the will of the family members.

He joined Mission diocese of Sagar in the year 1971 and did his initial formation at St. Joseph’s Mission Home, Palai under the guidance of Msgr. Jacob Velleringatt. He was sent to Lucknow for the further formation and then to Nagpur. During the formation he realized that language is the power. So, he opted to for Hindi literature and learnt to speak Hindi very fluently.

After completing his formation, he was ordained on March 21, 1981. Soon after the ordination he was appointed as Parish Priest of Cathedral Parish of Sagar Diocese which was unusual as he himself expresses. He learnt well to interact with the families and collaborators. He had first-hand experience of everything as a parish priest.

After three years in the Cathedral, he was sent to a mission at Vidisha in 1984 where he closely worked with the FCC sisters. Meanwhile he also worked at Shamshabad, Seehod, and Sanchi. For this frequent transfers, Fr. Alangaden Expresses in his autobiography, “It was a selfless passion for building up the mission, a tireless enthusiasm to realize my childhood dream of adventurous and passionate mission work”.

Fr. Alangaden was appointed as M.P regional Youth Director in 1986 and this appointment exposed him to the larger reality. Interacting with the youth of the different dioceses made him to change his attitudes, spiritualty, and authenticity. After his term as youth director Bishop requested him to continue but he refused. He was appointed to Jaisingh Nagar as chaplain on 1st January 1990. After six months as a chaplain he was asked to go Pratapgarh as Director of Rural Development Social Service Society (RDSSS) and the Chaplain of Pratapgarh mission. Since there was no residence in Prtapgarh proper, he stayed in Silwani. Here he realized the important of public relationship. He related with everyone without prejudice and fear. From here he drove the triple “I” Formula that is Initiative, Involvement and Interest.

He abandoned the security of the church campus and moved into a small apartment in Indore city in MP. With the dream of building a civilization of love with people of all castes, creed, and culture, he made a life-long commitment to launch a holistic spiritual movement for transforming the country with the Gandhian principle of self-transformation – ‘You Be the Change’.

He used to involve himself in any action against injustice to the poor. He used to travel to the place where the Churches come under attack, violence against the nuns etc. He understood the value of holistic education with a secular, non-violent, value based in nature. So, he involved himself in the activities of Dharma Bharati, Bangalore and started Universal solidarity movement in Indore in the year 1993.

The birth of Universal Solidarity Movement (USM) for Value Education and Peace was the result of a proactive response to the huge challenges faced by India due to communal politics, religious fundamentalism, ethnic conflicts, discrimination, and rampant corruption, which were destroying the country.

Indeed Fr. Alangaden is wedded to secularism and value education for peace that enshrined in the hearts of thousands. He is a role model for genuine friendship, a charismatic and winning Leader, a man who identifies oneself with poor and oppressed, a motivating communicator for the change, a source of inspiration, a man of creativity and influence. A man who walked ahead of life has finished his journey. - Anthony Swamy SVD