Ken Gnanakan was an Indian educator, environmentalist and theologian. He was a frequent speaker worldwide at workshops, seminars and conferences.
Gnanakan was the founder and chancellor of ACTS Group of Institutions (www.actsgroup.org), a social organisation with a focus on education. He was the Chairman of ETASI,[1] as well as the Chairman of the International Council for Higher Education, Switzerland. He was also the Vice President of the Global Challenges Forum (GCF), Switzerland and an Advisor to the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR), Geneva. He taught in India and in other parts of the world on varied subjects such as management, environment, education, entrepreneurship, theology, and philosophy. Gnanakan was married to Prema and they had two children, Santosh and Anupa. Ken Gnanakan died on 9 May 2021, following a massive heart attack.
Ken Gnanakan has written extensively on various issues. At present he propagates the concept of "Integrated Learning" in Africa and Asia through workshops based on his books and articles. He has written an introductory certificate course in health and environment as well as several courses on NGO Management for the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), headquartered in New Delhi. His text books on Theology and Philosophy are being used in various parts of the world.
His book "Trees" - a collection of poems on environmental issues - is being used in various schools.
Gnanakan initiated the Programme for Environmental Awareness in Schools (PEAS), a nationwide network aimed at motivating students into action. The programme initially funded by CIDA has hundreds of schools networked in an environmental movement bringing together thousands of children from all over the country.
Gnanakan pioneered the use of waste plastics for road surfacing in India. He has collaborated with European ecologists to develop a model eco-toilet for slums. At present he is engaged in developing a holistic model of socio-economic development starting with the collection of urban waste. The model includes the generation of cooking gas as well as electricity.
After completing his Ph.D. in philosophy at King's College London and returning to India, he and his wife Prema set up the ACTS Institute,[2] a vocational training school, which also imparted practical skills and spiritual values to young people. The institute took the couple into needy areas in slums and villages, and gradually grew to become a large network of education, health and environmental projects, all over India under the banner of ACTS.
Ken Gnanakan was widely connected all over the world with academic and social programs. He was the Chancellor of ACTS Group of Institutions (India); Chairman of the International Council for Higher Education (Switzerland), a Member of the International Association for Promotion of Christian Higher Education, USA.[3]
Ken Gnanakan has attended and spoken at various UN forums. One of his recent books is "Wellness and Wellbeing", which is one of UN’s Sustainability Goals.
Gnanakan was also an accomplished musician and used to be a part of the "Trojans". The band known as "the Indian Beatles" kept Bangalore, Calcutta and Bombay swinging in the '60s and included Biddu, a prominent pop musician. He has produced various CDs of his Christian spiritual compositions. He has written an environmental theme song sung by children all over the country.
Books authored by Gnanakan include: