Indian bishop from Arunachal
Pradesh honoured with Bharat Gaurav Award
Bishop George Palliparambil of Miao receiving the Bharat Gaurav award in the House of Commons, London. |
Bishop George Palliparambil of Miao Diocese was among 20 who
were honoured on April 13 at a ceremony at the House of Commons in the British
Parliament in London, for their contribution to Indian culture and society.
By Robin Gomes
A Catholic bishop serving in a corner of the remote
north-east Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, was honoured on Friday with
the Bharat Gaurav (India Pride) Award in a
ceremony in London in recognition for his contribution in the field of
education, healthcare, culture, environment and development of the local
people.
Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha, an NGO with the vision of
promoting Indian culture and society, honoured Bishop George
Palliparambil of Miao
Diocese with the Sixth Bharat Gaurav Life Time Achievement
Award at the prestigious House of Commons in the British
Parliament.
Born in southern India’s Kerala state, Bishop George has
been working in northeast India for over 40 years. He is the first bishop
of Miao Diocese, created in December 2005.
The colourful ceremony was graced by eminent personalities
from around the world.
The 63-year old Salesian of Don Bosco bishop, the first
Catholic bishop to receive this award, was among 20 who were honoured at the
April 13 ceremony in the House of Commons.
Prior to the award ceremony, Bishop George moderated a
seminar on “Rich Indian Culture”.
Iconic personality
According to Suresh Mishra President of Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha, “this award felicitates people with extraordinary excellence in their fields and make India proud.”
A letter from the Award Committee said, “You are one of the
iconic personalities of our nation who always encouraged each and every one to
bloom into a next idol of tomorrow. You are the pride of our country and
we feel privileged to inform that our Award screening committee has chosen you
to reward the “Bharat Gaurav Award.”
In his award acceptance speech Bishop George underlined his
lifelong commitment and concern for young people’s education and health;
promotion of indigenous methods for environment conservation, and upholding of
traditional tribal values of valour, dignity and honest work.
However, Bishop George was very modest about the recognition
he received. “It’s not a blessing for me particularly. I’m happy
that it was given because that remote corner of the earth has been
noted,” he told Vatican News. “That’s my satisfaction,” he said
speaking from London.
Priorities of Church
He explained to Vatican News that the first priority of the Church under his leadership in remote Arunachal Pradesh is proclaiming the Gospel “relentlessly”, along with the ministries of education and healthcare.
Another big task that the diocese is currently promoting is
the preservation and protection of nature because, he said,
the environment has become a “real problem” there. All these, he
explained, are geared to the “all-round development of the people.”
According to the bishop, a “multi-pronged approach” is
needed to preach the Gospel and promote development, keeping in
mind the social teaching of the Church.
Bishop George noted with satisfaction that that Miao Diocese
has a number of schools today, that are providing education to
some 20,000 children. It also has a degree college and
a hospital.
Future plans
He said negotiations are going on with a group of priests to start also a “Christian university” and another college in the remote region.
However, the Church’s priority, the bishop said, is to
provide infrastructure to all they have started, because most
of the facilities they are running are in temporary shelters.
This will take time.
Bishop George also underscored the need to train
local teachers for schools and staff for healthcare
facilities.
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