Ahmedabad Diocese Confers ‘Human Dignity Award’ On Cedric Prakash

AHMEDABAD, Gujarat, Feb. 09, 2010, 09.40 Hrs (SAR News):

The Diocese of Ahmedabad February 3 conferred its ‘Human Dignity Award’ for the year 2009 on Jesuit Father Cedric Prakash, on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of Kaira Social Service Society (KSSS), at a function here.

Kaira Social Service Society (KSSS) is the Diocesan Centre for the Promotion of Justice, Peace, Development and Human Dignity and the Human Dignity Award is given to an individual or organisation that has worked for a sufficiently long period at the state level. The award carries a citation and a cash prize of Rs 15,000.

Speaking on the occasion, director of KSSS, Father Joseph Appavoo, said Father Prakash was unanimously chosen for the award because of his three outstanding qualities: his fearlessness to stand up and speak up for the truth, his strength to side with the poor, the marginalised and the downtrodden, and his determination to ensure that the human dignity and rights of all are respected.

Bishop Thomas Macwan of Ahmedabad, conferring the award on Prakash, said the Jesuit priest was more than deserving of the award since he always championed the rights of others without being afraid of anyone.

For his commitment to the cause of human rights, justice and peace, he has been recognised both in India and abroad having received the Kabir Puraskar from the President of India and the Legion of Honour from the government of France. It is therefore, a privilege for the Diocese of Ahmedabad to honour one of its very own sons, he said.

Accepting the award, Father Prakash said he was always humbled by such awards because he realised that he was never fully deserving of such honours. However, he accepted it happily because, “it is a recognition that a wider reality exists in our society and each one of us must do our bit to ensure that the injustices which are the lot of many of our brothers and sisters will no longer exist one day.”

He further added, “Human dignity is at the basis of the Catholic social teaching. It clearly tells us that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. That means there is no high or no low. Each one is endowed with human dignity.

“Unfortunately the reality leads much to be desired. The minorities of the state are still treated as second-class citizens. Just about a month ago, the police in Godhra attacked innocent Muslim women for apparent crime of their husbands. A recent report by the Navsarjan Trust very clearly shows that the Dalits of our state literally live an inhuman existence. The Adivasis of our state are still denied the right to live in the forest which has been their home for thousands of years,” he said.

Human Dignity Day, which is observed February 3, by KSSS brought together hundreds of people from all walks of life.