C THOMAS VARGHESE

 

C  THOMAS VARGHESE

Effective management of finance is paramount in all institutions and organizations.  It is a tough call.  It requires total commitment, dedication and self-sacrifice.  Late C. Thomas Varghese, former Honorary Treasurer of K.U.T. Seminary, Kannammoola, Trivandrum was all that and much, much more.  In fact he had excelled in the exercise all through his life. Hailing from Panikaredathu family, Kodukulanji and born in June 1926, Thomas Varghese (Baby – Babychayan) was a contemporary of late Rev.Dr.Jacob Verghis at S.B. College, Changanassery.  He joined the State Government Service after finishing his education.  He retired as Senior Joint Director, Department of Statistics, Government of Kerala in the year 1985.  Soon after retirement, he was appointed Honorary Treasurer, K.U.T.Seminary,  Kannammoola where he continued till 2005.  It had been 20 years of unblemished service.  The beauty is, he had never sought a position at K.U.T. Seminary.  But Rev.Dr.JacobVerghis, fully aware of the potential of Thomas Varghese, visited him with the appointment letter inviting him to be an integral part of K.U.T. Seminary.  True to Rev. Dr. Jacob Verghis’ vision, Thomas Varghese endeared himself to the K.U.T. Seminary in the role he was assigned.   The Principal, faculty and students respected him for his altruism.  None of them could ever forget him. To him, his tenure in K.U.T.S. was just an extension of what he had been earlier as a Government servant that was highlighted by intensive perseverance and loyalty.

Thomas Varghese was an astute judge of people.  He never deviated from the mandate he was assigned.  He never raised his voice.  But he was courageous to adhere to the rules and regulations.  It meant, during his long tenure, K.U.T.S. never encountered any financial upheaval. He ensured that stability prevailed at the institution on the fiscal front.

When I had been invited to take up the onerous responsibility as the Hon. Treasurer, KUTS, and even before I had committed myself, I had a phone call from Thomas Varghese Sir.  He said he knew I had been offered the post he had earlier held and he added I was the right choice and that he knew I could manage the challenges the job entailed very well.  He further told me, when he was working at K.U.T.S. he reached the office in the morning and had stayed on till evening, taking lunch from a hotel at the Kannammoola junction.  Well, that was true commitment. He had no complaints at all. He was happy he could serve KUTS.  He assured God would be with me during my tenure at K.U.T.S.

 Thomas Varghese Sir, lost his wife in the year 2011. It was hard. Together they had raised their children inculcating in them precious values of life and breathing God’s love and affection into their souls.  Though life alone was difficult from that point he had managed himself well with the support of his loving sons and their families till he was called back by God on 11^th October 2023.

 It was indeed a life of fulfilment. It is said, “When you touch the lives of others and lead them to a better life, you would be identified by what you have brought around.” It defines him.

We praise the Lord for his blessed life of 97 years that had been an inspiration to all those who knew him and to all those who had come into contact with him.