Fr Vadakkemuri passes away
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Fr Mathew Vadakkemuri, who had led the Church-supported Indian Farmers Movement, died here on Friday.
Fr Vadakkemuri, 71, was seriously injured in an accident at Vazhakkulam, near Muvattupuzha, more than a month ago and was hospitalized. He had an attack of pneumonia and died at Amrita Hospital on Friday.
A priest of Kanjirapally diocese, Fr Vadakkemuri’s funeral services will be held at Kuvappally St Joseph’s Church on Monday.
His farm initiative began in the 90s in the era of liberalization when prices of cash crops such as rubber and pepper had plummeted.
He had organized small and marginal farmers under the banner of Malanad Social Service Society, which came out with its brands of milks and soap. He will also be remembered for opening a short cut to Sabarimala with people’s support.
When the price of rubber fell, he demonstrated the use of rubber in road-laying, which was later picked up by the authorities. He helped launch a people’s initiative in power generation through a small hydel project.
In early 2000, when vanilla cultivation took the state by storm, Fr Vadakkemuri launched Vanilco to procure the produce, process and produced value-added products.
Unfortunately, the vanilla glut and price slump scripted the epitaph on Infam. Yet, Fr Vadakkemuri will be remembered for his bold initiatives for the marginalized.
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