DR M.D. THOMAS


PROFILE (IN BRIEF) || PROFILE (IN DETAIL)

Well-reputed as a versatile thinker, speaker, writer, teacher, professor, composer, spiritual leader and social reformer, Dr M.D. Thomas is deeply oriented to inclusive thinking and harmonious living. Ordained as a catholic guru (committed to the service of the society on a life time basis) in 1979, his frame of mind is truly universal and is in complete tune with the word ‘catholic’.

The areas of his life-mission include fostering unity among Christian traditions, promoting interaction, fellowship and harmony among diverse faith-based affiliations, fostering inter-community relations and advancing universal values, peace processes, social harmony and human wellbeing.

Born in 1953, at Moolamattam, Idikki, Kerala, and specialized in Hindi, the national language, literature and culture, to Bachelor's (B.A.) and Master's (M.A.) levels, from Vikram University, Ujjain, and to Doctor’s (Ph.D.) level, from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, the horizons of his knowledge, experience and expertise have been regularly broadening towards national and global proportions, along with his journey of life as well as research, exposure and active engagement with the society.

He holds also Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) in Christianity and Comparative Philosophy of Religions from Urban University, Rome, and Pradhama, Madhyama and Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwa Vidyaalay, Khairagarh, Chhatisgarh.

Through his research on 'the social implications of the understanding of God in Kabeer and Christian Thought', Dr Thomas developed a comparative perspective in either tradition of thought. Remaining firmly grounded in the genius of either context, he highlighted the direct bearing of one's engagement with the divine and applied the same to the diverse areas of human life. Obviously, this is the brilliant outcome of his thesis. This has been a creditable contribution of its own right and, surely, it could go a long way in boosting up communal harmony, social cohesion and global welfare.

The book ‘Kabeer aur Eesaayee Chintan’ has been the fruit of his multi-disciplinary research between Kabeer and Christian Philosophy and the same won for him ‘Saahityik Kriti Sammaan--2003-2004’ from Hindi Academy, Delhi. He is the only person from the Christian and Kerala roots who holds the credit of being recognized by the above Academy for contribution to Hindi Literature.

Today, Dr Thomas is a strong advocate of national integration and social harmony as well as an analyst and commentator of diverse social concerns that guide the destinies of human life, especially in India. Sharpening the ethical fibre of social life, in view of making a more qualitative and harmonious society, is the preferred focus of his engagements.

His contribution by now includes guest lectures at nearly 100 universities and colleges, and at some 50 Christian institutes, over 30 resource lectures for school teachers, above 1500 lectures, speeches and views at multi-faith conferences, civil platforms and public gatherings and messages at places of worship of all faiths as well as nearly 50 occasions of delivering comments at TV channels and radio.

He has to his credit over 300 published articles, in English and Hindi, and an audio-CD of his musical compositions, called 'Samanvay-dhaara', too. His commitment to his versatile mission keeps taking him to newand larger platforms as well as social engagements, coupled with a progressive widening of his insights in the area in hand.

18 literary, cultural, social and multi-faith organizations have recognized his contribution with Awards and Certificates of Honour. Membership of 22 organizations of diverse character and 28 visits to more than22 countries so far deepened his conviction in cross-cultural interaction and mutual enrichment as well as accorded him wide-ranging expertise. He has up to now held 18 positions of responsibility at local, regional and national levels, as well.

He is an established scholar of Hindi, Kabeer, saint poets, linguistics, education, culture, Christianity, religions, harmony of faiths, social ethics, national integration and social amity. Nowadays, he is a recognized professional of multi-faith insights, harmony of faiths, inter-community relations and social harmony, which he has been intensively engaged in for the last 25 to 30 years.

He is also invited to a few universities in the capacity of Visiting Professor, Research Guide, Ph.D. Examiner (assessing the thesis and conducting Viva Voce), Member of Board of Studies and Member of Academic Council, especially on themes related to religion, harmony of faiths and cross-cultural perspectives.

Being Founder Director of ‘Samanvay Institute of Religion and Culture’ in Ujjain, National Director of the Commission for Religious Harmony, CBCI, New Delhi, and Editor of half-yearly multi-faith journal ‘Fellowship’ deepened his experience and expanded his proficiency in the field, both at local, regional, national and international levels.

Presently, he is Founder Chair and Director of ‘Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies, New Delhi’, which is a multi-disciplinary and multi-community establishment for fostering cross-cultural perspectives through educational research for interfaith perspectives, inter-community relations, universal values, social harmony and societal transformation.

He is also pursuing the project of rendering universal values from sacred scriptures and traditions into poetry and music, publishing books, composing and releasing audio-CDs on harmony themes and addressing and organizing social gatherings of diverse compositions. ‘Inclusive thinking and harmonious living’ is the esteemed motto of his life.