By Hindol Chakraborty
Siliguri, Jan 31 2023 — Professor George Thadathil, Principal of Salesian College Sonada / Siliguri for past 23 years and author of several books both in English and Nepali languages has published his philosophy of life in the book entitled : Being A Priest in India : A Manifesto.
A Salesian College publication, the book has 121 pages costing Rs. 400 was released on 31st January 2023.
The work has a fathomless depth and uniqueness which makes a lay person dangerously curious to know more about theology and philosophy.
Soon after I received the soft copy of the book, I started almost swallowing it. In the process, it dawned on me that, the content was not everyone’s cup of tea because of its uniqueness and elegance. I felt stunned to see how author had placed the concept of non-dualism “advaitavad” as the soul of the book.
The current work is a thesis furnished by author during his Bachelor-in-Theology days some 30 plus years ago. However, the thoughts are stunningly valid even today.
As one looks at the chapters of this book, one can notice the three pillars of Christian theologico-philosphical soul of belief – the Trinity : Father-Son-Spirit. Now, if one has a closer look at the chapterizations, they seem to be as follows : Chapter I – Father: God-World-Man; Chapter II– Son: Jesus Christ-Pluralism-Liberation; Chapter III– Spirit: Church-Priest-Leadership.
Now, again a closer focus on the very first title gives way to “modern” outlook of understanding that primarily projects the Pre modern world having God as the centre; the Modern world having Man as the centre; and the Post modern world having Earth as the centre.
I have found this approach outstandingly captivating.
In a stage performance of a drama, 3 persons, together, signifies a crowd, i.e., plurality. Author has magnificently played with this tool, namely, three (3) – Father, Son and Spirit; Pre-modern, Modern and Post modern; being, existence and truth.
Author’s ornamented style of writing and the style of writing in this book is not an exception.
And, lastly, it is not an easy read, because the book journeys to find a meaning of existence and being, namely, ‘truth’, and truth is always tough to discover.
(Hindol Chakraborty is Head, Department of English at Salesian College Siliguri)