V. M. THOMAS VATTATHARA, SDB

A Visionary Educationist and Builder of Institutions

Fr. V.M. Thomas Vattathara is a distinguished educationist, HRD consultant, youth worker, social reformer and institution builder. A Harvard graduate in Educational Administration, Planning and Social Policy, he has served in several important positions, including Founder Director of Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati; Head of Don Bosco Youth Mission and Educational Services; Secretary of the North Eastern Education Commission; and Secretary of the Junior Red Cross, Assam Branch. A certified HRD trainer from the American Society for Training and Development, he has also served as visiting faculty at leading institutions such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Assam Administrative Staff College, Gauhati University and Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute.

Born in Kerala in 1951 and associated with Assam since 1962, Fr. Thomas was ordained a priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1978. Driven by his vision of “Building Dreams, Shaping Lives and Influencing Society,” he dedicated his life to empowering deprived and marginalized communities, especially young people. Through initiatives such as Bosco Barefoot College, the Deprived Urban Children Project and the CARE literacy programme, he helped provide education, vocational training and livelihood opportunities to thousands of school dropouts, disadvantaged children and violence-affected families across Assam. His outstanding contribution to education, sports and social development earned him the State-Level Sankardev Award for Social Work in 1990.

Fr. Thomas has the courage to dream more things… He is incapable of sitting back on his laurels. He believes strongly “anything that the mind can conceive, can achieve”.

In 2004, Fr. Thomas established Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati, as a centre for human development, training and leadership. From humble beginnings, the institute grew into a nationally respected institution serving students, teachers, administrators, civil servants, corporate professionals, NGOs and community leaders. He also mobilised resources to establish schools and training centres in remote areas, always striving to “give the best to the least.” Through his leadership, publications, peace initiatives and social-development programmes, Fr. V.M. Thomas has transformed institutions, inspired individuals and made a lasting contribution to education and social progress in Northeast India.