The Matthew Kurian Cherukara Memorial Scholarship at NALSAR

Honouring a Life of Grit and Justice: The Matthew Kurian Cherukara Memorial Scholarship at NALSAR

From left: Prof. Sunisht Goyal, Capt. George Therattil, AGM Security, SBI Amaravati Circle - a family friend, and Prof. Sreekrishna Dev Rao, Vice Chancellor, NALSAR with Kurian, Biji and Anna

In a touching tribute to the life, courage, and ideals of Late Shri Matthew Kurian Cherukara, family members and college friends have come together to institute a scholarship in his memory at the NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad—an institution that shaped much of Matthew’s academic and personal journey. The initiative has received a warm and positive response from the University, which has also unveiled a large photograph of Matthew in its central library as a lasting symbol of his enduring legacy.

The Photograph displayed in the University Library

Matthew, who pursued both his B.A.LL.B. (Hons) [2014–2019] and LL.M [2022–2023] at NALSAR, passed away on 9 November 2024 after a long and courageous battle with a brain tumour. Despite facing profound health challenges and physical limitations, he completed his degrees, served as an Assistant Manager (Legal) at HDFC, and qualified the UGC NET-JRF examination in December 2023. His academic achievements stand as a testimony to his resilience and unwavering determination.

Matthew was deeply committed to the values of social and economic justice, a passion that permeated his conversations, coursework, and personal convictions. To honour these ideals and help others walk a path he once traversed with so much dignity, his family and friends have instituted the Matthew Kurian Scholarship. This fund aims to support students with disabilities (PwD category) pursuing the B.A.LL.B. (Hons) course at NALSAR, thereby carrying forward Matthew’s spirit of inclusion and empowerment.

The scholarship fund has already received an initial contribution of INR 8,00,000, raised entirely through donations from Matthew’s close-knit circle of loved ones. Prof. Sunishth Goyal, a classmate and close friend of Matthew, has been overseeing these efforts. Prof. Goyal is now Asst. Professor in the Faculty of Law at NALSAR University. An additional amount of INR 60,000 will be transferred by July 2025 to kick-start the scholarship from the upcoming academic year (2025–2026). Starting 2026–2027, the scholarship will be disbursed from the annual interest generated by the fixed deposit.

The University will oversee the fair and transparent selection of deserving PwD candidates, with the flexibility to allocate the scholarship to one or multiple students. The support may come in various forms—including fee concessions, grants, or assistive technology—depending on the specific needs of the selected students.

On 5 May 2025, Matthew’s parents and sister visited the Vice Chancellor of NALSAR to express their gratitude and formally discuss the next steps in the scholarship’s institution. Their meeting marked a heartfelt moment of collaboration between the bereaved family and the University—united by the shared goal of nurturing future legal minds inspired by Matthew’s strength and ideals.

As the scholarship takes shape, the broader NALSAR community—faculty, students, and alumni—are invited to find inspiration in Matthew’s story: of quiet perseverance, academic excellence, and an enduring commitment to justice.

This collaborative act of remembrance celebrates a life well lived and serves as a beacon for future generations of law students at NALSAR.

A Heart of Faith and Bravery, Guided by Grace

A Heart of Faith and Bravery, Guided by Grace

Barely a week had passed since we said goodbye to our beloved Amma when the sudden loss of our cherished Unni struck us. Words fail to convey the depth of our feelings and sorrow.  

A message of condolence from the NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

Matthew Kurian Cherukara, whom we dearly called Unni, was a remarkable young man who, despite enduring extraordinary challenges, left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. Born in 1996, Matthew's life was defined by his intellectual brilliance, unwavering resilience, and boundless curiosity.

At a very young age, Matthew was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain tumour that impacted his central nervous system. Over the years, he bravely faced three complex surgeries, enduring partial loss of both sight and hearing. Yet, despite these overwhelming obstacles, Matthew’s passion for learning and his academic excellence remained undeterred.

With friends in Hong Kong

A voracious reader and dedicated scholar, Matthew pursued his education with remarkable tenacity. He graduated with both an LLB and an LLM from The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) in Hyderabad, one of India's premier law schools. In December of last year, he achieved yet another milestone by clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET) and securing a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), a testament to his enduring commitment to knowledge.

With Ama in Disney Land, Hong Kong

Matthew’s courage and determination shone through even as his health worsened. Despite the relentless progression of his condition and the limited medical options available, he faced each challenge with strength and optimism. His doctors at Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad had, over time, done all they could, though another surgery was deemed too risky.

Hong Kong 2013

Matthew was a man of deep faith and remarkable strength. Though fully aware of every detail of the terminal illness he was courageously fighting, he never once voiced a complaint. Instead, he held steadfast to the belief that God had a purpose for his suffering. His beloved parents, Kurian and Biji, and his beloved sister Anna devoted their lives to caring for him, carrying the weight of worry for his health. Even when they would voice heartache, questioning why God allowed such hardship for their child, Matthew remained unwavering in his trust in God's divine plan.

Hong Kong 2013

As he gradually lost his hearing, partially lost his sight, and found movement increasingly difficult, his mother encouraged him to pray to the Blessed Mother for healing. But Matthew, ever brave and surrendered to his faith, had his own response: “Jesus, do not listen to all that she says, but let only Your will be done.”

In Macau 2013

Matthew’s legacy is one of perseverance, intellect, and resilience. He is deeply mourned by his family, friends, and all those who were fortunate enough to know him. He leaves behind a legacy of courage and an example of a life lived with extraordinary dignity in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Rest in peace, our dearly beloved Unni (Matthew). Your light will continue to inspire us.

Lamentations 3:22–23

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”.

Disney Land, Hong Kong