Padma Shri Father Thomas V Kunnunkal, Former CBSE Chairman, Passes Away at 99 in Delhi
Father Thomas V Kunnunkal, a revered Jesuit priest, Padma Shri awardee, and former chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), died in Delhi on Wednesday evening at the age of 99. Known for his transformative role in India's post-Independence education landscape, Father Kunnunkal's legacy spans decades of service, marked by simplicity, vision, and unwavering commitment to the marginalized.
A Life of Peace and Purpose
Joseph Victor Edwin, a theology teacher at Vidyajyoti Institute of Religious Studies in Delhi who knew Father Kunnunkal for over 25 years, recalled his serene demeanor. "He was always peaceful," Edwin said. "Quiet. Accepting. Even at 99, there was no anxiety in him." Father Kunnunkal's daily routine included morning walks from the Jesuit residence at St. Xavier's School, embodying his mantra of "water and walk" as keys to longevity. He lived with minimal medication, embraced simplicity, and accepted aging without complaint.
Architect of CBSE's National Stature
Father Kunnunkal served as CBSE chairman from 1980 to 1987, a period during which he reshaped the board into a national benchmark. Latika Gupta, an assistant professor of education at Delhi University, noted, "He was among the first to give CBSE a clear vision. He understood that the board had to stand for something academically." Under his leadership, CBSE gained credibility and coherence, convincing numerous schools, especially convent and missionary institutions that favored ICSE, to migrate to the board. "Because of the trust people had in him," Gupta added, "principals and governing bodies were convinced."
Humble Contributions and Lasting Impact
Despite his achievements, Father Kunnunkal rarely spoke about his own accomplishments. He declined requests to write an autobiography, insisting any book focus on his collaborators. Edwin shared his philosophy: "He believed deeply in networking and synergy. He would say: 'In mathematics, one plus one is two. But in human relations, one plus one can be two, three, four or even zero. It depends entirely on the quality of relationships'."
Early Life and Educational Journey
Born in Alappuzha, Kerala in 1926, Father Kunnunkal joined the Society of Jesus in the 1940s and later became part of the Delhi Jesuit Province. He pursued higher education in the United States, earning master's degrees in English, Educational Administration, and Educational Measurement. Before entering national policy-making, he served two terms as principal of St. Xavier's School, Delhi, where he implemented progressive reforms.
Pioneering Reforms and Open Schooling
In 1974, Father Kunnunkal was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to education. He played a key role in conceptualizing and establishing the National Open School under the National Policy on Education, 1986. Dinesh Singh, former Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University and a student under Father Kunnunkal, highlighted his mentorship: "He shaped me as a mentor and as a visionary institution builder." Singh recalled that in 1970, Father Kunnunkal banned corporal punishment at St. Xavier's—a radical move at the time—and appointed a full-time student counselor accessible throughout the day.
Commitment to the Marginalized
Edwin emphasized Father Kunnunkal's Jesuit-inspired commitment: "As a Jesuit, he was inspired by a call to commit to the poor. He asked himself: as an educationist, how do I serve those who drop out, especially in towns and cities? That question led to open schooling." Colleagues noted that for him, the poor were never an abstraction; he advocated for education as scalable systems to reach those excluded from conventional classrooms, moving beyond charity to empowerment.
Advocate for Interfaith Dialogue
Beyond education, Father Kunnunkal was a lifelong advocate of interfaith dialogue. He served as director of the Jesuit-run Indian Social Institute in New Delhi and as president of the Islamic Studies Association, where Edwin worked closely with him. His influence shaped a generation of dialogue practitioners, fostering understanding across religious divides.
Legacy of Positivity and Wisdom
Edwin shared personal lessons from Father Kunnunkal: "He taught me the power of now. Let go of the past. Live fully in the present." Another lesson was to resist the instinct to find fault. Even in his nineties, people sought his advice, as Gupta discovered when attempts to meet him last year were hindered by his health. "He had no fear," Edwin concluded. "No pain. No restlessness. He was always positive."
Father Kunnunkal's passing marks the end of an era in Indian education, but his legacy of service, innovation, and compassion continues to inspire educators and policymakers nationwide.
