Akkamma John Chacko (Thankamma, 8)

Jacob Abraham’s eldest daughter Akkamma (Thankamma) completed M.Sc. (Nursing) from C.M.C., Vellore and worked there for a long time. She was one of our earliest family members who got graduated from C.M.C., Vellore. She was always very kind in helping our family members who needed treatment in Vellore, which was one of the best hospitals in India, even in those days. She retired from there as the Nursing college Principal and Nursing Superintendent. Even after retirement, she worked as Professor & Principal in various nursing colleges. Dr. Chinoy J.G. Chacko of Pallom Vallappurayil family was her husband. Dr. Chacko was an Indian pathologist and researcher who made many important discoveries and contributions to the knowledge of the pathology of leprosy, most importantly demonstrating that the mucosal layer of the nasal passages were the primary portal of entry of M.leprae into the human body. Dr. Chacko underwent his basic medical education at the Christian Medical College (C.M.C.) in Vellore in South India and was an alumnus of the batch of 1950 of that institution. After completing his M.B.B.S. degree in 1956, he joined the M.D. post-graduate degree course in Pathology at the same institution and completed it in 1961. He joined the C.M.C. Department of Pathology in the same year as a member of the faculty. Later he completed his Ph.D. from Madras University in 1971. Dr. Chacko held two appointments simultaneously during his professional career, spanning for about three decades. He was a Professor in the Department of Pathology at C.M.C. Vellore, rising to become the Head of the Department in the year 1988. He was also a Pathologist and then subsequently Head of the Branch of Laboratories of the Schieffelin Leprosy Research and Training Centre (S.L.R. & T.C.) in Karigiri. Dr. Chacko was a simple, modest, unassuming, self-effacing and gentle person who played many informal roles in the institutions he worked in. To his students, he was a mentor and counsellor, seeking out the academically poor and insecure among them. He then counselled, motivated and encouraged them, instilling confidence and self-assurance. He kept in touch with these students subsequently for many years, continuing to mentor and counsel them. To his colleagues, Dr. Chacko offered constant support, encouraging them to adopt modern or more effective approaches in diagnosis, research or teaching and to participate regularly in workshops and conferences. In these efforts, his aim was always to bring out the best in others and this was aided by his cheerful and optimistic nature. He had no ill feelings towards those who differed from or even opposed him. At a personal level, Dr. Chacko was a devout Christian and a socially conscious teacher and doctor. He would often offer rides in his car to poor leprosy patients visiting the S.L.R. & T.C. hospital at Karigiri. An avid reader, he was well-read on politics and current affairs, both national and international. He was interested in new technologies, especially those concerning non-conventional energy. His interest in school education led him, with a group of like-minded persons, to establish the Ida Scudder School, which is now one of the leading English-medium schools in Vellore. He was a devoted family man and gave much time to his own and the extended family. He retired from service in the year 1991. Following his professional retirement, Dr. Chacko settled down in his family home in Buchana, Pallom. He continued to be active, supporting various initiatives and institutions in his neighbourhood. Among these were the local mission hospital and programmes to aid senior citizens. Responding to the endemic alcoholism in the neighbouring communities, he started an Alcoholics Anonymous group, attending its meetings regularly, personally counselling and helping many persons to recover from the addiction and with their subsequent rehabilitation. His long experience in counselling and guiding his students and colleagues helped him to set up counselling programmes for married couples and adolescents. Apart from health related activities, Dr. Chacko also supported schools and an orphanage in his neighbourhood. He raised funds for its development and for the purchase of equipment. They have a son named Udai & daughters Deepa, Thara and Shobha. Akkamma passed away on 6th June 2025 at the age of 95 and Dr. Chinoy Chacko passed away on 17th April 2014 at the age of 82. Both were cremated at St.John The Baptist C.S.I. church, Pallom.