Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-63
Fr. Manjoos Kalappurakkal C.M.I.
Fr. Manjoos Kalappurakkal, known affectionately as Kochettan, served as the leader of the Deepika Balasabha for one and a half decades, implementing numerous programs aimed at nurturing children’s diverse abilities. Born on September 26, 1926, in the renowned Kalappurakkal family in Edathwa to Joseph and Eliyamma, he completed his education at Edathwa High School and joined the C.M.I. congregation at the age of 19, studying at the Kunammav Church Seminary. He received ordination on December 6, 1955, at Mannanam.
Manjoos’s primary area of work was the Deepika Balasabha, where he served for 18 years as president and chief editor of the children’s magazine. Notably, he never used his positions for personal fame. During his presidency, he organized 15 annual camps, family gatherings, and cultural festivals, with an average participation of around a thousand children. These camps, lasting three to four days, featured innovative activities and competitions, setting a precedent for engaging so many children.
Known for resolving issues through calm discussions and prayer, Manjoos demonstrated exceptional leadership. He organized training sessions on leadership, public speaking, and personal development, inviting experts for guidance. He established a special column in the children’s magazine to encourage young artists and conducted scholarship exams with external support to award scholarships.
During the 1956 landslide in Koombanpara, Manjoos and his team were among the first to arrive with essential supplies. This exemplified his commitment to social responsibility. He successfully arranged for then-President V.V. Giri to serve as the patron of the Balasabha, and every time the president visited Kerala, Manjoos and the Balasabha representatives would meet him.
As membership in the Balasabha grew to over a million, a grand celebration was organized in Palai, attended by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, with reports estimating around seven lakh participants at the event. Through the children’s section of Deepika and various channels, he worked to raise awareness on social and political issues.
Manjoos’s leadership during one and a half decades left an indelible mark. After stepping down from the Balasabha, he served as the chief editor of the Karmalakuzhumo magazine for 11 years, often providing open critiques on contemporary political, social, and church-related issues.
He taught at the C.M.I. minor seminary for 15 years, serving as rector three times. For three years, he was engaged in parish work at Chethipuzha and later went to Rome for further studies, where he studied theology at the Pontifical Urban University.
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