Ignored by Christian Educationists: Fr. Jerome D'Souza SJ: A Pioneering Patriot and Diplomat

Author: Frank Krishner

It's been a while since I've put down some of my really frank views on any subject.

Yesterday night, I was in an online meeting, listening to one of our noted peace activists, and there I heard him speak of Reverend Father Jerome D'Souza, one of the framers of our Indian constitution.

My reaction was "what the *&%#@?"

I have studied in Catholic schools and colleges, and taught in some as well. Why the dickens do we not know of Fr Jerome D'Souza? Why haven't I been able to flaunt him alongside Ambedkar and the other chaps? Why have we know information about him in our textbooks?

So, for those of you interested people, here is a very brief and sketchy piece, which you teachers and others can hopefully use in your lessons.

Jerome D'Souza: Patriot and Diplomat

Fr. Jerome D'Souza SJ, a Jesuit priest of remarkable intellect and unwavering dedication, played an instrumental role in shaping modern India. As a member of the Constituent Assembly, he contributed significantly to the drafting of the Indian Constitution. 

Admired by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Fr. D'Souza's influence extended beyond  politics, into diplomacy and international relations, leaving an indelible mark on the our modern history.

Born on August 6, 1897, in Mangalore, Fr. D'Souza joined the Society of Jesus in 1921 and was ordained a priest in 1931. His academic brilliance shone through early in his career, earning him a reputation as an erudite scholar. This intellectual prowess made him an invaluable asset to the Indian National Congress, particularly during the crucial period leading up to India's independence.

Fr. D'Souza's entry into the Constituent Assembly in 1946 marked the beginning of his direct involvement in the nation-building process. He was one of the few non-Hindus in the assembly, representing the interests of minorities and advocating for a secular state. His contributions were marked by a deep commitment to social justice, equality, and religious harmony.

Voice of Reason and Compassion

In the assembly, Fr. D'Souza was a voice of reason and compassion. He emphasized the need for a constitution that safeguarded the rights of all citizens, irrespective of their religious or social backgrounds. His speeches often reflected a profound understanding of India's diverse cultural fabric and the necessity of unity in diversity. His ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and conviction earned him the respect of his peers, including Pandit Nehru.

Pandit Nehru's admiration for Fr. D'Souza was well-known. The two shared a mutual respect that transcended their religious and ideological differences. Nehru valued Fr. D'Souza's insights and often sought his counsel on matters of national importance. This camaraderie was not merely a testament to Fr. D'Souza's intellectual acumen but also to his character and integrity.

Fr. D'Souza's role extended beyond the Constituent Assembly. Recognizing his diplomatic skills and deep understanding of international affairs, the Indian government appointed him as a delegate to the United Nations. As a diplomat, Fr. D'Souza represented India with distinction, advocating for peace, justice, and cooperation on the global stage.

Role in the UN

At the United Nations, Fr. D'Souza's contributions were multifaceted. He participated in numerous debates and discussions, bringing India's perspectives to the forefront of international discourse. His interventions were marked by a commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, emphasizing human rights, decolonization, and international solidarity.

One of Fr. D'Souza's notable achievements at the UN was his involvement in the discussions on decolonization. He passionately argued for the rights of colonized nations to self-determination and independence. His eloquence and moral authority lent weight to India's position, contributing to the broader movement for decolonization that swept through Asia and Africa in the mid-20th century.

Fr. D'Souza's work at the UN was not limited to political matters. He also focused on social and economic issues, advocating for policies that promoted global development and poverty alleviation. His holistic approach to diplomacy underscored the interconnectedness of peace, justice, and development.

Throughout his career, Fr. D'Souza remained deeply committed to the Jesuit principles of education, social justice, and service to others. He continued to be actively involved in educational initiatives, recognizing the transformative power of education in building a just and equitable society. His legacy in this field is reflected in the numerous institutions that continue to uphold these values.

Jesuit Fr. Jerome D'Souza SJ was a pioneering patriot whose contributions to India's constitution, diplomacy, and international relations were profound.His intellect, integrity, and compassion left an indelible mark on India's history. 

Bihar's Muslims: in an educational Ghetto?

According to a Planning Commission report, only one per cent Muslim women and 3.4 per cent men in urban areas are graduates. In rural areas only 0.7 per cent Muslim men graduate and women graduates are too few to even register on a survey. Across India, Muslim literacy rate is 59.1 per cent, while the national average is 64.8 per cent. And 90 per cent Muslim students drop out by the time they reach high school. FRANK KRISHNER examines the Bihar situation.

In terms of education, Muslims fare much worse than the scheduled castes and tribes across the country and the problem is more economic than cultural, say a broad spectrum of Muslim citizens.

“It just isn’t true that Indian Muslims are backward-looking and resistant to education. Poverty is the over-riding factor. There are few government schools in pockets where there is Muslim majority and that’s why the kids are sent to the Madrasa, not the other way around, “ says Hasan Nezani, Principal of Patna Muslim Science College. Nezami, who once taught at the Military school, Ajmer, returned to Patna as the Principal of the Patna Muslim High School. The school, established in 1938, was reeling under several problems, including low attendance. Nazrani turned it around, lobbied successfully for its affiliation to the CBSE board, and today it stands as a much sought after provider of secondary education among the community.

The contribution of the community to education in this state has been significant. In Bihar, there are several secular and forward-looking Secondary and Higher secondary schools run by this minority community. In Patna, Rose Bud School ranks among the best English medium schools affiliated to ICSE. Its name is a reference to Pandit Nehru’s favourite flower and symbolic of his love for children. Mrs Rizvi, its founder principal is well known for her unflinching commitment to secular and democratic values. Rose Bud, as also International School are co-educational institutions whose alumni come from all sections and communities.

“It is not a fallacy to say that Bihar Muslims are in a ghetto in more ways than one,” says Meher, a Mass communications undergraduate. “The way to get them out of the ghetto is through modern education. A small number of families of Muslims are middle class or upper class, and these families usually form their own social group. Unless the boys get modern education, they will not get proper jobs, and the community will remain as it is.”
Interestingly, Meher is just one of over 24 Muslim girls studying mass communication in the two media related departments of Patna Women’s College. For the past three years, about twenty percent of the students of Communicative English come form the community.

However, the picture with reference to primary education isn’t as encouraging. Many Muslim parents do want to send children to government schools and learn English rather than send them to Madrasas. Surveys and complaints to Waqf boards show that government schools in Muslim-dominated areas are too few. The Sarva Shiksya Abhiyan, seems to have met roadblocks in Muslim areas, says Nezani. ‘The main reason why the children are being sent to the religious schools is because they are given ‘bhojan’. If only some financial help could be availed of, things would be different.
Recently, the spotlight has been on the Justice Sachar report on the condition of Muslims. The Sachar Committee, looking into the representation of Muslims in every sphere of national life, has not yet tabled its report. The Planning Commission already has an action plan for Muslim education. It’s proposing a scholarship of Rs 1,000 per month to every Muslim girl in the country and an incentive of Rs 10,000 to higher institutes for every Muslim graduate. No doubt, it is a radical plan that will involve an outlay of Rs 6,000 crore.
A working group on education for Muslims, appointed by the Planning Commission, has submitted a roadmap for making education more accessible for Muslim children, especially girls. It’s heartening to know that there are a some modern schools for girls being run by the community, which cater to all sections of the society in Bihar, however more needs to be done as large numbers of Muslim girls continue to be kept home.

There is a sense of urgency in these Planning Commission recommendations. It is imperative that all young people be empowered to access gainful employment. No section of society can be left behind, if India, and Bihar for that matter, is to move towards meaningful development. The roles of the members of the community who are actively promoting modern education are the key to the aspirations of the Indian Muslim.

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Engineer, Tinker, Tiger-man, Chief!

Olive Ridley turtles, a biogas plant that uses conduits made from recycled polythene, a hand-cranked rechargeable lantern, tigers and civil engineering! These diverse entities have a single degree of separation: 37 year-old Chandan Singh.

Singh, who heads the India office of the Toronto based Green Power Canada, started out in 1994, armed with a fresh degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Sri Jaichamrajendra College of Engineering (SJCE), University of Mysore. His first job was as a site engineer of HUDCO, Mysore. He went on to become Project Engineer and Chief Project Officer for FanucGE, a Japanese multinational at Bangalore, and for Resources & Results, Mysore,
He returned to his home-town Patna five years ago. In 2004, he became Chief of the first Greenpower office outside of Canada. Why the career switch?
“Its not a career switch, per se”, says Singh,” its more like I started giving more time to the environmental aspect after coming to Patna from Bangalore. Frankly, the engineering projects I was doing in Patna were repetitive in nature and were more of pen- pushing. I collaborated with Dr Bindeshwari Pathak of Sulabh International, and was developing a railway waste accumulation and storage for them, but the project was shelved. system During the same time Greenpower Canada contacted me and I started working on the Biogas projects. During this time I was developing a biogas plant which out of plastic or polythene sheets, and it was later successfully installed at Chandanchaturi and Laxmiposi villages near the Similipal tiger reserve. This plant, made totally from waste recycled material and polythene sheets, is probably the first one to be installed in India."
For those who know him, it was no surprise. Since he was a little boy, Chandan was into practical wildlife protection. He used to buy snakes from snake charmers and set them free at Patna zoo.
Since he made the conscious decision switch to environmental based services ( as a social entrepreneur) from his full time engineering based career, he has no regrets. “I get to do what I really like and that's made a huge difference .It’s good soul food and the work satisfaction is really great. I meet a lot of interesting people from all over the world, spend quality time in the wilderness, work at the grassroots level and can actually make a difference. It feels real good!”
The money factor for environmental-based projects? The pay packages are good, and if one starts early, it's compatible to the best in industry.
If one is passionate about environment and loves the outdoors, saving the world from itself has immense possibilities. “Students from Patna should take up environmental causes in their spare time. Students are the best vehicles of awareness and pro active involvement from them is going to pay rich dividends to the society and to themselves as well.

Chandan has also developed a project around hand-cranked lanterns which use white LED’s and a battery power source. Once charged, it gives 6 hours of reading light. It is designed for use in deep rural areas where there is no electricity.

“Environmental engineering is a part of Civil engineering, and after coming to Patna I am giving more time to the environmental aspect of my training than the construction and designing side, “ says Singh who is also a senior consultant with a Patna based construction firm. Environmental engineering is just like any other engineering course, and is offered by universities across India. It is basically a civil engineering curriculum with special emphasis on water treatment, air, soil and water pollution etc. One can go for a full degree course, or do a B.Sc in Environmental sciences. Apart from these, one can undertake vocational courses on environmental management, Forest management, Rural planning and development which are also useful if one wishes to pursue this as a career.

The world needs bright young minds to find solutions, to conserve resources and protect nature. Environmental Engineers and other streams related to protecting our planet are important and adventurous as well, he says.