Kurian John Melamparambil
Kurian John Melamparambil is an Indian philanthropist, industrialist and writer from Kerala. He is the founder and chief promoter of Melam Group Of Companies[1] and the Melam Foundation.[2][3] He may be the only personality in India who ventured into business to raise funds to provide free medical treatment to poor and needy patients. With his own generated funds, he has already provided free medical treatment to over 1,54,000 poor patients through 1050 hospitals[3][4] He was honoured by the Government of India, in 2010, for his services to the social cause, with the fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri.[5]
Kurian John Melamparambil | |
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![]() Padmashree Dr.Kurian John Melamparambil | |
Born | |
Nationality | ![]() |
Occupation | Entrepreneur, humanitarian |
Spouse(s) | Sujatha |
Children | Divya, Dhanya |
Parent(s) | Varghese John Leelamma |
Awards | Padma Shri |
Website | melamfoundation |
Background
Humanitarianism is not charity, says Kurian John, but is a moral and social obligation of each and every individual and institution[6][7]
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', a traditional business family of Tiruvalla, a central Kerala town in Pathanamthitta. His early childhood and schooling days, both primary and senior level, were at M.G.M High School, Tiruvalla where he spent time with the family members and imbibed great values from the family elders. After schooling, he joined Pre-degree course in Mar Thoma College(1970–72) and from Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram 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 and completed his Post Graduate Degreein social work (MSW)in 1978.[3][4][8]
After his Post Graduation, he joined as the Head of personnel & Administration division in the Cochin unit of Malayala Manorama the largest Malayalam daily.[8] Kurian John Melamparambil's father, M.V. John's death due to a Cardiac Arrest made him stop, think and realize 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 his son, Kurian John Melamparambil.. These last words of his father made a lasting impression on his son, Kurian John Melamparambil. The loss of a father, friend and guiding figure for him was the beginning of the thought process that led to his humanitarian activities. His helplessness in not being able to do anything that could stop his father's untimely death made him think of ways by which he could help in preventing others from suffering a similar fate or loss. This idea that was born in that tragic moment lingered in his thoughts and laid the foundation for the starting of a noble venture. On 10 September 1986, Kurian John Melamparambil formally started the Melamparambil Varghese John Memorial Charities (M.V.J.M. Charities) named after his father, late Sri. M.V. John[9]
Achievements and contributions
- Unique Philanthropist
He may be the only unique philanthropist in the country who ventured in to the business scenario for generating funds for carrying out charitable activities[10]
- Self Generated Funds
Kurian John Melamparambil is an exception to this rule in the sense that he has provided medical treatment to more than One Lakh Fifty four Thousand poor and needy patients from own generated funds[10]
- Personal Involvement
All applicants for medical assistance from the Melam foundation are personally met an interviewed before disbursement of any assistance. He may be the only humanitarian cum industrialist who sits along with his wife and two daughters to personally meet each and every patient/relatives, however large the turnout is. He also provides food on those days to the patients and their relatives[10]
- Participation of Peoples Elected Representatives (MLAs and MPs)
This involvement and support from democratically elected leaders gain more significance when one realize that they are involved in a wholly private activity with no Government funds or involvement.48 MP's (both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) from the State of Kerala,138 MLA's out of 140 from the Kerala Legislative Assembly, and from the border district of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and around 18,000 Councilors/Panchayath members in Kerala have already participated in the selection process[10]
- Widespread Recognition
The continuous efforts and perseverance of Kurian John Melamparambil has resulted in establishing a network of more than 1025 renowned hospitals across the state for providing specialized treatment to the sponsored patients within a 30 days credit period for reimbursement from him[10]
Awards and recognitions
He could be one of the few in the country who would have implemented The principle of bootstrapping-startup with minimal financial resources the unique idea framed by him ensured that the business ran profitably and a major portion was shared with the less fortunate in the society
Kurian John Melamparambil has been honoured with several awards and recognitions during his career.[11]
Personal awards and recognitions
- Padma Shri – 2010[5][12]
- For the Sake of Honor Award – the Rotary Club International – 2011[11]
- Humanitarian Millennium Award – International YMCA – South West Region[11][13]
- Excellence Award – Lion's Club International – 2003 and 2004[11][13]
- Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work – Cosmopolitan University, Missouri, USA[11][13]
- Sree Gokulam Excellence Award – 2003[11][13]
- Outstanding Social Worker Award – Sri Sankaracharya Educational Trust, Kaladi, Kerala[11]
- Honorary Doctor of Humanity – Emmanuel Mission International, Kota – 2004[11]
- Janaseva Deshiya Puraskaram – Mahatma Gandhi International Charities Trust, Kerala – 2003[11]
- JCI Award – Indian Junior Chamber- 1994[11]
- Athuraseva Ratnam Award – Gandhibhavan International Trust – 2008[11]
- Adv. Mammen Mathai MLA Award – Merchant's Association, Kochi – 2009[11]
- Times of India Excellence in Business Award – Times of India Group – 2009[11]
- Rhema Foundation International Award – Rhema Foundation International[14] – 2010[11]
- Karmakeerthi Puraskaram – Kalanidhi Centre for Arts, Culture and Research, Trivandrum – 2012[11]
- Voice of Gulf Returnees Excellence Award – 2012[11]
- Best Citizens of India Award – the Best Citizens of India, New Delhi – 1998[11]
- Cherian Palathara Award- 2011 from Cherian Palathra Foundation for outstanding Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility.[4]
- CSR Award 2012 - from Bharata Mata Institute of Management "Xlencia 12" for the exemplary performance in the field of social work through business[4]
- Business Excellence Award -2015 for consistent C.S.R initiative from D.C. Media, D.C. Books.[4]
- Baroda Sun Lifetime Achievement National Award -2015 (Cash award of Rs. 5 lakhs) for excellence in Social Service from Bank of Baroda.[4]
- Georgian Award 2016 from St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Pandalam for the outstanding social work.[4]
Awards for Melam Group
- Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year 1997 – the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.[12][13]
- Outstanding Performance in Exports – the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India – 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97[11]
- Goldstar Millennium Award – Global Economic Council, New Delhi[11][13]
- Rashtriya Ratan Award – 1999[11]
- Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year – 1998 – Berchmans Institute of Management Studies, M G University, Kottayam, Kerala
- Gold Star Award – The Institute of Economic Studies, New Delhi – 1994[11]
- Bharat Vikas Excellence Award – the Council for National Development, New Delhi – 1997[11]
- Niryat Ratan Award – Indian Council for Small and Medium Exporters, New Delhi – 1994[11]
- Udyog Ratna Award – the Institute of Economic Studies, New Delhi.[11]
- International Gold Star Award – Business Initiative Directions, Spain – 2007[11] a vanity award
- Vocational Excellence Award – Rotary Club, Alappuzha – 2007[11]
Published works
Kurian John has published a few memoirs, which narrates his life through business, spirituality and charity.[15]
- Kurian John Melamparambil (2005). Melam Ente Jeevante Thalam. DC Books. ASIN B007E4XRS2.
References
- "Melam Charities". Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- "Melam Foundation". melamfoundation.org. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Melam". Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- "Melam Foundation". melamfoundation.org. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Govt announcement". Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- John, Kurian. "Kairali TV Interview 2". Coffee with Boss in Kairali TV (Interview). Interviewed by Abraham Thomas. Kochi. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- "Dhanya Anna article". Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- "Bio Unique". Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- "Melam Charities International". melamcharities.org. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Melam Charities International". melamcharities.org. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Awards". Archived from the original on 2 January 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- "Objectives Charity". Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- "Cosmopolitan". Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- "Rhema". Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- Dr. Kurian John Melamparambil (2005). Melam Ente Jeevante Thalam. Kochi: DC Books. ASIN B007E4XRS2.
External links
- Official website
- "Melam Charities". YouTube. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- Kurian John Melamparambil at Penguin India