By Matters India Reporter
Panaji: A leading Indian NGO has chosen Daughters of St Paul Sister Pauline Chakkalakal for its prestigious national pride award.
The India International Friendship Society says it chose the Catholic nun for the “Rashtriya Gaurav Award,” recognizing her achievements and contributions.
The award will be conferred on her along with a “Certificate of Excellence” at a function on April 9 in New Delhi.
The India International Friendship Society advocates economic growth and national integration and stands as a champion in forging friendships between the individuals, corporates, regions, religions and nations, claims its office secretary Gurmeet Singh.
The peace, progress and prosperity of the global community remain its cherished objective, he added.
Singh said they chose Sister Chakkalakal after going through her bio-data most objectively and impartially. “It remains our considered opinion that Sr Pauline has given a fight in life and her worthy example does inspire others towards certain remarkable achievement,” Singh explained.
Commending Sister Chakkalakal’s achievement, her congregation’s Indian provincial Sister Arulmary Susai said, “We are proud that our Sr Pauline has been working tirelessly for the national integration program. She is the founding member of the interreligious program under the title, “Celebrating Unity in Diversity,” which is active at Bandra, Mumbai, for the past 27 years.
Every year Sr Pauline organized the programs together with Bombay Urban Industrial League for Development (BUILD), an NGO, and Bandra Hindu Association.
“It brought together people of all religions, and all walks of life to work together and bring awareness that we are all brothers and sisters and live as united Indians,” the provincial told Matters India.
“She has been also enthusiastically and actively participating in anything that is related to women or gender issues to bring public awareness through her writings and seminars.
“In spite of her age and health she keeps herself young in mind and heart, alert to the concerning issues in society that needs attention.
“Being a Daughter of St Paul is ‘To Be the Mission’ God has called us to be for others. Once again congratulations to Sr Pauline for all her efforts and achievements,” Sister Mary said.
Sister Chakkalakal holds a doctorate in Biblical Theology and diplomas in Philosophy, Library Science, and Journalism and Public Relations.
She is a member of the Indian Theological Association, Catholic Biblical Association of India, Society for Biblical Studies in India, Indian Women Theologians’ Forum, “Satyashodhak” (discernment), a Mumbai-based Feminist Collective, Asian Women’s Resource Centre For Culture and Theology and Ecclesia of Women in Asia.