'CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IS HUMANITARIANISM'

It is not charity, but social, moral obligation of each and every individual and institution says Padma Shri Kurian John Melamparambil, founder of Melam Charities

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Kurian John Melamparambil was born on 14 May, 1954 as the second son of Late M V John (Kunju Kunju) and Leelamma into the 'Melamparambil family', a traditional business family of Thiruvalla in Travancore region of Central Kerala, India.

His early childhood and schooling days, both primary and senior level, were at MGM High School, Thiruvalla, where he spent time with the family members and imbibed great values from the family elders. After schooling, he joined for the Pre-degree course in Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla (1970-72) and from Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kerala he completed his graduation and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Economics (1972-75). He then moved to the Indore School of Social Work, Indore, in Northern India and completed his Post Graduate Degree in Social Work in 1978. After his post graduation, he joined as the Head of Personnel Administration division in the Kochi unit of Malayala Manorama, the largest Malayalam daily.

THE TURNING POINT

His father, MV John's death due to a cardiac arrest made him stop, think and realise the value of life. As it was a Sunday, his family could not give his father the kind of treatment, which could have perhaps saved him. On May 28, 1978, in the prime of his youth, the sudden and shocking demise of his father shook his life. His father died soon after he had the attack. The dying man's last words were, "Oh God free me from this pain". These last words of his father made a lasting impression on Kurian John Melamparambil.