Signis India Elects New President, Secretary

NEW DELHI, Feb. 12, 2010, 09.40 Hrs (CBCI News):

Fr.Vincent Chinnadurai, Secretary for the Commission for Social Communications of Tamil Nadu Bishops Conference, Director of Santhome Communications Centre, and Chairman, Minority Commission of Government of Tamil Nadu, has been elected president of Signis India- the national body of the Catholics in Communications, February 7 at Patoral Orientation Centre, Kochi, during the annual meeting of Signis India. He succeeds Fr. Rappai Poothokaran SJ.

Fr. Norbert Herman SVD was elected Secretary cum Treasurer. Director of Maitri Sadan, Udaipur, a centre for dialogue and communication, Herman succeeds Fr. John Paul SVD. Fr. Herman has a doctorate in communication and is a composer, lyricist and singer.

Fr. Chinnadurai has master’s in several subjects, including Journalism and Mass Communications. He has won the prestigious Rashtriya Gaurav Award, and Glory of India Gold Medal for securing the rights of minorities in the country. He served as the Public Relations Officer of the Tamil Nadu Bishops Council for more than a decade and has authored nine books. His book on the life of Mother Teresa titled Boomiyin Devathai (The Goddess of the Earth) was released by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Government, Mr. M.Karunanidhi. He edited and published leading Catholic Tamil Weekly titled Nam Vazhvu (Our Life) for seven years.

Signis India, which form part of the worldwide communication network of media professionals, promotes media activities through awards, grants, study seminars and production which promote communal harmony and peace. The focus of study and discussion for Signis this year is ‘youth and children for a culture of peace.’