In an effort to perpetuate the name of a Belgian Jesuit, who pioneered management education for Indian villages, his confreres have named part of an institution in his name.

The Xavier Institute of Development Action and Study (XIDAS) in Jabalpur diocese on April 29 named one of its blocks after Father Michael Van Den Bogaert, who founded it in 1995.

The priest, who died in 2009 at the age of 81, pioneered rural management education in Madhya Pradesh through the institute. It runs management courses to promote livelihood, health care, justice and to protect environment.

Belgian ambassador to India Jean-Marie Deboutte opened the memorial and the bust of the late priest at the main entrance. He said Father Bogaert was a “great patriot and dedicated his life for the poor.”

Recalling from his personnel meeting with the priest, the diplomat said the priest was “dynamic person, full of optimism and faith. He was truly a man of faith and action.”

He also founded India’s management schools such as Xavier Institute of Social Services in Ranchi in 1963, and Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar in 1968.

Bishop Gerald Almeida of Jabalpur recalled his association with the priest and said the Jesuit was “a man of faith” and “a great intellectual” who always thought of the welfare of the poor.

XIDAS director Jesuit Father Sebasti L Raj said his late confrere “never hesitated” to take up adventures to address the issues of the poor.

Father Raj said he planned to name the academic building after the Father Bogaert when he was alive but could not materialize because of the Belgian’s sudden demise.

Jesuit Father Marcel Ekka, who worked with the late priest, told UCA News “he had a sort of obsession for the poor.” He could never tolerate the suffering of the poor and did everything possible to help them.

Report by Saji Thomas

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