#Neetu Joshi
Indore | The unexpected death of Fr Varghese Alengaden, the founder of Universal Solidarity Movement (USM) of Peace and Value Education, is a great loss to all peace-loving people all over India, especially to his friends and admirers in Indore. He was a staunch promoter of Inter-religious harmony, peace and humanitarian values.
The Universal Solidarity Movement (USM) founded by Fr Varghese is based on two main principles. First, promoting India's spirituality of unity in diversity, and second, social transformation through personal transformation. He worked relentlessly for nation-building based on equality of all religions and the Indian constitutional values.
Fr Varghese internalised and put into practice the ideals of Jesus Christ in his life. He had complete faith in the providence of God as mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew 6:26: "Look at the birds of the sky! They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than them?"
That's why neither he nor the movement he founded possessed any land or buildings. He did not want to have the ownership of even six feet of land after death. For this reason, despite being a Christian priest, he expressed his desire in his WILL to have his body cremated at an electric crematorium instead of being buried. Father Varghese also wanted to donate his organs, but unfortunately, it was not possible due to medical reasons.
Fr Varghese believed in harmony between his words and deeds. As a result, he had expressed his desire to have an interfaith prayer during his last rites, where readings from the holy books of all major religions would be read.
We should appreciate the Christian priests and bishops, particularly Bishop Dr. Chacko Thottumarickal of Indore Diocese and Bishop Dr. James Athikalam of Sagar Diocese, who respected Father Varghese's life values and principles by granting permission for a such a cremation service in the church.
The media prominently featured the news of a Christian priest's cremation in a cremation ground instead of a Christian cemetery.
Father Varghese believed that all religions teach humanity, while the rituals and methods of worship are different. Father Varghese lived and taught human values throughout his life.
Father Varghese was a well-known name in the social and the intellectual circles of Indore. He was the former president of the Rotary Club of Indore and the former president and patron of Indian Society of Authors (Indore Chapter).
Upon hearing the news of his demise, many friends posted condolence messages on social media. To conclude, the words of Rotarian friend Tarun Mishra are pertinent. "The departure of Rt. Father Varghese conveys that being in social service for 2 to 4 photos, 5 to10 honours or any position/post is not the purpose of our lives. Taking credit for others' work, fighting and demeaning each other, and engaging in politics are not our goals. We should be very simple, appreciate everyone, encourage everyone, and bring positive and happy changes in others' lives through our actions and behaviour. This should be the purpose of life, and Fr Varghese did it throughout his life. Live a full life, live for the well-being of others, and live for a meaningful purpose. The real tribute to him would be to follow his path sincerely. Salutations, Father Varghese; you will remain immortal in our memories!”
(The author has been the chief trainer and an active partner of USM for the last 17 years)
