Lecture series to shed light on challenges faced by society

Journalist Vinod K. Jose delivering the inaugural Father Thomas Anthraper SJ Memorial Lecture, organised by St. Joseph’s Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Sanjo Outreach Service, and St. Joseph’s Alumni Association, in Kozhikode on March 7.
| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

St. Joseph’s Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Kozhikode, in association with St. Joseph’s Alumni association on Friday (March 7, 2025) launched a lecture series in memory of late Jesuit priest and renowned educator Father Thomas Anthraper. Journalist Vinod K. Jose opened the first lecture in the series, which began with a talk on ‘Protecting human dignity: the struggle for rights and freedom’ at K.P. Kesava Menon Hall.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Jose said it was an age of warmongers, where cartels were being formed among major countries for collective violations of human rights. “The first step in fighting this is to realise that we are not leading a normal life. In our country, criminals are escaping while the innocent are put behind bars as we move towards a bleak future,” he pointed out.

Organisers said the lecture series was planned to shed light on the challenges faced by society in an era when fundamental rights were under threat. They added it was time for society to take collective responsibility in upholding justice and dignity for all.

E.P. John, provincial of the Kerala Jesuit Society, inaugurated the event, which was presided over by school Principal Father M.F. Anto. Programme convener Sebastian John, Alumni association president T. Jayaraj, Parent-Teacher Association president C.K. Girish Kumar, and headmaster Sunil Jose were present. The winners of Father Thomas Anthraper memorial paper presentation were also honoured at the function.