M E Cherian passes away

He acquired a bachelor8217;s degree in history and religious philosophy at Spicer Memorial College, Pune. He married Premila Ohal the following year and left for the US soon after to pursue an MA in religious philosophy from Andrews University, Michigan 1956 and another master8217;s degree in history 1957 from the University of Maryland.

He was back in Pune as the president of Spicer Memorial College in 1963 and went on to earn a Ph.D. in history from the University of Pune. He was also awarded an LL.D. Honorary from Andrews University.

In the Adventist setup, Cherian employed his administrative and public relations acumen to inspire, motivate and guide others. He has chaired numerous boards and committees ranging in purpose and application from education, religious liberty, and publishing to social and medical welfare, music, finance and law. He was a member of the police liaison committee, Pune, the national board of the YMCA, and the committee on restructuring college programme, University of Pune among others.

He spent the last seven years working as president of the Southern Asia division of SDA since 1990. His contribution to the city and the Christian community in the subcontinent has been acknowledged in the citations and awards conferred by various organisations including the Pune Municipal Corporation.

Cherian represented the Indian Christian community at various international religious liberty fora and came across strongly as a patriotic Indian with a strong national identity. The Learned Asia, Who8217;s Who 1981, Who8217;s Who in the Commonwealth 1982 and International Book of Honour 1985 among other publications have listed Cherian as one who made a difference to mankind.

His death leaves a vacuum for those who knew him but his life serves as an inspiration.

The funeral service will be held at 1.30 p.m. on August 11 at the Spicer College auditorium.