Kota (Rajasthan): Archbishop M.A. Thomas, the founder of the well-known Emmanuel Mission International (EMI) of Kota Rajasthan, passed away at Kota at 9.30 p.m. on 4th December 2010. He was a recipient of the prestigious National Award in India, the Padma Shri Award, which was conferred upon him by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government in 2001, for his decades-long selfless service for the alleviation of the suffering among the poor and the marginalized sections of Indian society, especially in the State of Rajasthan in India. The EMI founded in the year 1960 has been rendering service in various fields during the last half a century, mainly to the have-nots, regardless of their caste, creed or religion. Archbishop Thomas was a committed Christian and a dedicated human rights activist, involved in the work of transforming the lives of orphans and street children.  read more »