Serzohe at 17:40, 2 December 2025

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{{Short description|Indian priest}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Fr. Gabriel Chiramel CMI
| birth_date = {{birth date|1914|12|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Manalur]], [[Kingdom of Cochin]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2017|5|11|1914|12|11|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Thrissur]], [[Kerala]], India
| death_cause =
| occupation = Educationist, scholar, social reformer, priest
| website = {{url|http://frgabriel.com}}
| awards = [[Padma Bhushan]]
}}
'''Fr. Gabriel Chiramel CMI''' (11 December 1914 – 11 May 2017) was an Indian [[Syro-Malabar Catholic]] priest, educationist, zoologist, author and social reformer, known for his services in the fields of education, health and human welfare. He was awarded [[Padma Bhushan]] in 2007 by the Government of India for his contribution to education and literature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://photodivision.gov.in/new/IntroPhotodetails.asp?thisPage=81 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-05-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504173723/http://photodivision.gov.in/new/IntroPhotodetails.asp?thisPage=81 |archive-date=4 May 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Biography==
Fr. Gabriel Chiramel CMI was born with the Christian name, Antony, on 11 December 1914 in [[Manalur]] in the south Indian state of [[Kerala]].<ref name="100th Birthday Greetings to Padma Bhushan Rev. Fr. Gabriel CMI">{{Cite web |url=http://www.devamatha.net/Gabriel.pdf |title=100th Birthday Greetings to Padma Bhushan Rev. Fr. Gabriel CMI |date=2017 |publisher=Devamatha |access-date=11 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701182104/http://www.devamatha.net/Gabriel.pdf |archive-date=1 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He made his first profession on 24 November 1933 and was ordained as a priest on 30 May 1942. He entered the field of teaching in the Upper Primary School in [[Champakkulam]]. In 1943 he moved to teach the Aspirants in Mannanam. After passing Intermediate with First Rank in [[St. Berchmans College]], [[Changanassery]] and B.A Honours with 2nd Rank from [[Presidency College, Madras]], he started teaching in [[Sacred Heart College, Thevara]].<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=http://www.devamatha.in/index.php |title=CMI Devamatha Province, Thrissur |access-date=2014-05-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504172647/http://www.devamatha.in/index.php |archive-date=4 May 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Chiramel served as the founder principal of Christ College in Irinjalakuda from 1956 to 1975. He built up the institution as a place of excellence with the integration of academics, literature, arts, sports and games. After his retirement from Christ College, he served as the provincial of Devamatha Province, Thrissur. It was during this time he initiated the establishment of Amala Cancer Hospital in 1978<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-04 |title=Welcome to Amala Institute of Medical Sciences |url=http://www.amalaims.org/amala_history.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504172748/http://www.amalaims.org/amala_history.php |archive-date=2014-05-04 |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=amalaims.org}}</ref> which has now grown into [[Amala Institute of Medical Sciences]], a Medical College offering the courses such as MBBS, MD, MS, DM, BSc Nursing, General Nursing, other paramedical courses, Diploma courses in pharmacy, nursing and therapy in Ayurveda.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AmalaIMS |title=Home |url=https://amalaims.org/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=Amala Institute of Medical Sciences}}</ref> The institution aims at the integration of multiple systems of medicine viz., Modern Medicine, Ayurveda and Homeopathy on the same campus.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

Chiramel was instrumental in establishing number of other institutions such as [[St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda]], [[Carmel Higher Secondary School, Chalakudy]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carmel H.S.S., Chalakudy |url=https://www.carmelchalakudy.com/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=www.carmelchalakudy.com}}</ref> Bharathamatha School, Palakkad, Catholic Centre, Irinjalakuda, Deepthi Cultural Centre, Calicut, Sneha Bhavan for training physically challenged children and parallel colleges at Ambazhakad and Varantharapilly.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-12-11 |title=Service of priest to society lauded |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He also established the Zoology Department of Sacred Heart College, Thevara.<ref name="A centenarian leading a meaningful life">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/a-centenarian-leading-a-meaningful-life/article6681086.ece |title=A centenarian leading a meaningful life |date=11 December 2014 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>

Gabriel Chiramel died, at the age of 102, on 11 May 2017 at [[Amala Institute of Medical Sciences]] campus where he was staying towards the later part of his life.<ref name="പ്രശസ്ത ജന്തുശാസ്ത്രജ്ഞനും പത്മഭൂഷൺ ജേതാവുമായ ഫാ.ഗബ്രിയേൽ ചിറമ്മൽ അന്തരിച്ചു">{{Cite web |date=11 May 2017 |title=പ്രശസ്ത ജന്തുശാസ്ത്രജ്ഞനും പത്മഭൂഷൺ ജേതാവുമായ ഫാ.ഗബ്രിയേൽ ചിറമ്മൽ അന്തരിച്ചു |url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/news/just-in/2017/05/11/fr-gabriel-chiramel-passes-away.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512013236/http://www.manoramaonline.com/news/just-in/2017/05/11/fr-gabriel-chiramel-passes-away.html |archive-date=2017-05-12 |publisher=Malayala Manorama}}</ref>

==Scientific contribution==
It was while teaching in Sacred Heart College, Thevara, in 1953, Chiramel discovered the wood boring [[mollusc]] that ate into ship platforms. It was later named '''Bankia Gabrieli''' after him.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-12-08 |title=ISRO Chairman calls on his teacher |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
== Legacy ==
'''Bankia Gabrieli''' and '''Stenaelurillus Gabrieli''' are both named after him.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 December 2016 |title=New spider species named after Fr Gabriel |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2016/dec/14/new-spider-species-named-after-fr-gabriel-1548753.html |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>

==Institutions founded==
[[File:amala institute of medical sciences.jpg|right|thumb|Amala Institute of Medical Sciences]]
[[File:Christ College,Irinjalakuda.JPG|right|thumb|Christ College, Irinjalakuda]]

Fr Gabriel founded several institutions during his career.<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-04-17 |title=Church Institutions In Kerala Ignore Poor, Says Award-Winning Catholic Priest |url=http://www.ucanews.com/story-archive/?post_name=/2007/04/18/church-institutions-in-kerala-ignore-poor-says-awardwinning-catholic-priest&post_id=5626 |website=UCA News}}</ref>
* Zoology Department of [[Sacred Heart College, Thevara]]
* [[Amala Institute of Medical Sciences]], Thrissur
* [[Christ College, Irinjalakuda]]
* [[St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda]]
* [[Carmel Higher Secondary School, Chalakudy]]
* [[Bharatha Matha Higher Secondary School|Bharathamatha School]], Palakkad
* Catholic Centre, Irinjalakuda
* Deepthi Cultural Centre, Calicut
* Sneha Bhavan for training physically challenged children

He also founded two parallel colleges at Ambazhakad and Varanthaarapilly.

==Awards==
* [[Padma Bhushan]] Award by Government of India, 2006.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{commonscat}}

* [http://news.wikinut.com/Williamsji-Maveli-s-Media-Column%3A-NUTSHELL-Padma-Bhushan-Rev.-Fr.-Gabriel-Chiramal/2dy9gyaj/ Media on Padma Bhshan Award] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225019/http://news.wikinut.com/Williamsji-Maveli-s-Media-Column:-NUTSHELL-Padma-Bhushan-Rev.-Fr.-Gabriel-Chiramal/2dy9gyaj/ |date=3 March 2016 }}
* [http://talent-kerala.net/previous/2007/mar/4.htm Reference on Padma Bhushan Award]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140504172647/http://www.devamatha.in/index.php Devamatha web site]
* [http://christcollegeijk.edu.in Christ College web site]
* [http://www.amalaims.org AIMS web site]
* [http://www.stjosephs.edu.in St. Joseph's College web site]
* [http://www.carmelchalakudy.com Carmel Higher Secondary School web site]
* [http://www.bharathamathaschool.org Bharathamatha School web site]
* [http://en.radiovaticana.va/storico/2007/03/29/in_india,_founder_of_christ_college_awarded_%E2%80%9Cpadma_bhushan%E2%80%9D/in2-390790 on Vatican Radio]

{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2000–09}}
{{Padma Award winners of Kerala}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chiramel, Gabriel}}
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:Malayali people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in literature & education]]
[[Category:Syro-Malabar Catholics]]
[[Category:Indian Eastern Catholics]]
[[Category:Indian men centenarians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educational theorists]]
[[Category:Writers from Kerala]]
[[Category:Christian clergy from Thrissur district]]
[[Category:Indian social reformers]]
[[Category:Indian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian zoologists]]
[[Category:Christian clergy from Kerala]]
[[Category:Presidency College, Chennai alumni]]
[[Category:Syro-Malabar priests]]

Gabriel Chiramel - Revision history

Serzohe at 17:40, 2 December 2025