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Puri-based Polish missionary
recommended for Nobel prize

Father Marian Zalazek (84), who lives among leprosy patients in a colony set up by him in the pilgrim town of Puri, has been a shining example of how love for fellow human beings can help a man transform the life of others.

Zalazek, who spent five years in the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau during World War II, told PTI over telephone that people from several parts of the world, including Poland, had recommended his name for the prestigious prize.

Zalazek is a member of the Catholic Society of the Divine Word and has dedicated his life to the welfare of leprosy patients and eradication of leprosy. He came to India in 1948 and worked among the adivasis. In 1975, he set up a colony for leprosy patients in Puri welcoming anyone who needed help and especially those suffering in silence.

The colony has about 600 permanent inmates, majority of whom are patients undergoing treatment. It also houses the families of the patients.

Zalazek has set up a special school for children of those affected by leprosy close to the colony, with some teachers being those who had recovered from their ailment.

He does not want the children to, in any way, feel inferior compared to other children.

The colony has its own hospital and provides boarding for the most maimed ones who cannot take care of themselves.

Interestingly, his birthday coincides with International Lepers' Day, which is observed on January 30.

The inhuman existence in the Nazi concentration camp did not leave him a bitter person but awoke in him a deep faith in the dignity of every human being and a strong desire to make this world good by being good himself, the recommendation forwarded by the Catholic church in Bhubaneswar in his favour said.

"It is not difficult to be good, provided one wants to be so," Zalazek said.

The priest said he could not reconcile himself with the indifferent way in which leprosy patients and their sufferings had been treated by society.

Despite being a foreigner, he is deeply revered and loved by the people around him, especially those belonging to other faiths. He respects their traditions and rituals, proving that there is one god and love is his only attribute.

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