By Matters India Reporter
Bengaluru, Jan 31, 2022: The government of Karnataka on January 31 conferred a Catholic center with the best NGO award for working among leprosy affected people in the southern Indian state.
Sumanahalli (the village of good heart) Society, started by Bangalore archdiocese 45 years ago, was handed over to Claretian Father George Kannanthanam later.
The award was handed over by Parimala S Maroor, director, of the state’s Institute of Health and Family Welfare, at the Anti-Leprosy Day program.
Mastan Saheb, the seniormost staff working for leprosy since 40 years in the Sumanahalli Society, received the award on behalf of the NGO, at a function jointly organized by the Karnataka government and Sumanahalli Society.
Conferring the award, Maroor hailed Sumanahalli Society for its “commendable work for the cause of the leprosy affected in its 45 years of service.” The program was held in the Sumanahalli Campus on the Magadi road, where more than 100 people from leprosy background are provided with treatment and rehabilitation facilities.
Nadeem Ahamad, District Leprosy Officer of the Bangalore Urban district, presented the message from the Deputy Commissioner and said that “Sumanahalli has been a front runner for the cause of the leprosy patients in Karnataka. There is no other agency now involved with both treatment and rehabilitation for leprosy in the state of Karnataka.”
Welcoming the gathering, Father Kannanthanam, Sumanahalli director, “said the NGO has provided dignified life to more than 11,000 leprosy affected persons through an integrated rehabilitation program consisting of education, vocational training, job placement, housing and family settlement.
This is in line with the theme of Anti Leprosy Day by WHO for 2022, “United for Dignity.” Sumanahalli supports leprosy patients living in all 11 colonies in Bengaluru, the priest said.
During the program, Jose Manikkathan and Boraiah were presented the ‘Sumanahalli Dr Hansen Award’ for their life time commitment to the cause of leprosy. Jose has headed AIFO, an international organization that has contributed to the welfare of the leprosy affected across various countries. Boraiah has spent 49 years in the department of health, working on leprosy issues.
Adhisayanathan, program coordinator of Sumanahalli, presented the center’s various activities to spread awareness about leprosy for the Anti Leprosy Fortnight starting January 31.
Various colleges and institutions will be covered for awareness and training. Special programs in the leprosy colonies will also be conducted with distribution of Winter Kits to the families, he added,
Definitely. The recognition ought to be given.
Leprosy survivors are true warriors. They may have lost innumerable battles but have won the war. They need to be made equal and valuable partners in the service of Planet Earth, our Common Home.