The man who visualized India to be rebuilt by the youth and gave birth to the Universal Solidarity Movement, a holistic movement to transform India with the principle of ‘You Be the Change’, is no more. 

Whoever has met Father Varghese Alengaden has surely re-met their own selves. 

We can never forget how he made each one of us feel that we were born for a purpose and can make a difference. He always made us feel that ‘we mattered.’ 

I am so fortunate to have met him in this life. I always used to wonder what on earth have I done for the way he made me feel but that was his power, to make each one of us feel loved, valued and so significant. You gave meaning to who we are and made us think beyond ourselves. 

The way he welcomed each one of us to USM has taught us the true meaning of warmth and hospitality. We have learnt what inclusion, spirituality, and time management meant, just by watching the way he lived life.

Truly Father, your life is your message to us. I am personally indebted to you for being the light of my life for the last 14 years.

In each phase of my life, from being a student, moulding me into a USM brand and youth ambassador, my marriage, pursuing journalism, becoming an author, motivational speaker, to recently becoming a mother...you have been my guiding light. 

Thank you for always being so available for each one of us and giving us the charge of nation-building and building a civilization of love.

While your passing away is a big personal and national loss, we assure you that we will continue to live this mission and keep up the spirit of USM in everything we do.

May your soul rest in peace. Thank you for such a rich legacy and leaving us with so much to cherish. We all can feel your divine presence and blessings. Please keep watching over us. 

You will now be like:

“Up Above the World So High, Like A DIAMOND In the Sky.”   

We will continue to look up for you and we know we will find you as ‘Our Father in Heaven.’ 

(The writer is an ex-student of St. Mary's School, Prayagraj. U. P. who was associated with the USM)