Thomas Pallithanam is a human rights

Human rights

Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...

 activist associated with movements of the landless poor and forming thrift groups among the womenfolk for self-empowerment.

He is also concerned with building of community-based organisations around Ravulapalem of East Godavari district and efficiently managing self help groups through Peoples Action for Rural Awakening, a Don Bosco social action initiative of which he is the Director.

His background

Thomas is a silver jubilee priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco

Salesians of Don Bosco

The Salesians of Don Bosco is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the late nineteenth century by Saint John Bosco in an attempt, through works of charity, to care for the young and poor children of the industrial revolution...

 Mission in India. He is a B.Sc. (Mathematics) with LL.B. Born on 6 January 1950 in Kerala, he had an inclination to become a Priest

Priest

A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...

. He had his collegiate education in Tirupattur, Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...

 and later joined the Kristu Jyoti College (aggregated to the Pontifical Salesian University, Rome) for pursuing theological studies.

Dalit Bahujan Shramik Union

Thomas was the Organising Secretary of Dalit Bahujan Shramik Union

Dalit Bahujan Shramik Union

The Dalit Bahujan Shramik Union is a Dalit-Bahujan civil rights organization locally coordinated from Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, South India.-Origins:The name "Dalit" refers to a group of people traditionally regarded as low caste...

, an affiliate of dappu located in Hyderabad.

When serving there, he is acknowledged to have infused dynamism into DBSU and other affiliates of dappu together with his counterpart Mr. Paul Diwakar

Paul Diwakar

Sri N.Paul Divakar is a Rights Activist. At present, he is the Convenor of National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights based in New Delhi. He was formerly the General Secretary of the Dalit Bahujan Shramik Union, a Dalit-Bahujan rights organisation in Andhra Pradesh.-His background:Sri Divakar is...

, the then General Secretary.

Presently, Thomas continues to provide leadership to the executive of the Union.

Thomas has also been attending the Social Forums (read Asian Social Forum and World Social Forum)representing the Dalit-Bahujan sections of Andhra Pradesh.

Peoples Action for Rural Awakening

Taking care of innocent children is one of the prime concerns of PARA. Run-away kids found in the Railway and Bus Stations of the nearest river town of Rajahmundry

Rajahmundry

Rajahmundry is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Veda culture and intellect...

 are brought here to safety and educated in a bridge school that is taken care of by an able master. Fr.Thomas personally oversees the care of the children making umpteen visits to their block in PARA inquiring each child's progress. As an orator, Fr.Thomas delivers lectures at various fora.

After successful completion of the bridge course, students are then sent to Don Bosco Boarding School in Ravulapalem or the Government Schools in the vicinity. During holidays, PARA becomes their home.

Don Bosco Boarding School, Ravulapalem

Fr.Thomas is popular with the students of the School. A tiny room accommodates him here.

Located in a large compound off the National Highway no. 5 that cuts through Ravulapalem, this boarding school houses separate hostels for girls and boys, a large school building, football ground, play area with swings and slides, vegetable garden, and a chapel.

Convent education of children is the wish of many parents. By and large, this has been the forte of those who can afford it.

However, in Ravulapalem, joint efforts of Fr.Thomas' and his counterparts has ensured that this education also reaches the Dalits, Bahujans and those who cannot afford this education.

Fr. Thomas also conducts mass in the Chapel here. As a Preacher, his sermons can bring about a 'change' in a person, be it children, women or men.

Bosco Seva Kendra

As a member on the Development Commission of the Province of St.Joseph, Hyderabad, Fr.Thomas jointly oversees the programmes of Bosco Seva Kendra

Bosco Seva Kendra

Bosco Seva Kendra is the Development Office of the Salesian Province of St. Joseph, Hyderabad.It is situated in Kismatpur on Himayatsagar Road in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.-Motto:...

, the development arm of the province.