By Matters India Reporter
Bhubaneswar, Jan 10, 2023: Leaders of various Christian denominations in Odisha have held a historical conclave to discuss the present and future of their community in the eastern Indian state.
The January 7 conclave at Hindustan Hotel International in the state capital of Bhubaneswar was the initiative of Christian leaders of in association with the Nabin Bodonaik Foundation.
As many as 300 Christian leaders from across the state attended the day-long event with a few distinguished leaders from other religions.
In his opening remark Manoj Bodonaik, one of the founding members of the conclave, said, “The main objective of the conclave is to unite the Odisha Christian Community beyond the denominational barriers and to promote consistent dialogue with the government machinery concerning the issues and challenges of the Christians in Odisha and seek permanent solutions to the challenges faced.”
The conclave was divided into four-panel discussions.
The opening session was chaired by Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack Bhubaneswar.
Bishop D B Hrudaya led the session on Political Empowerment of the Christian community. Writer Barendra Kumar, women leaders Pragati Nayak and Rita Patra shared the panel.
The session on Justice for Christian Community was led by Bishop P.R Parichha, joined by Advocate Father Dibya Singh Parichha.
Entrepreneur Gourav Ralhan, Debesh Roul, Human Rights Activist Father Ajay Kumar Singh, Odia Cinema Director Susant Mani, and Actor Somesh Mohanty shared their view on the career guidance of youth and entrepreneurship of the Christian community. Prime Abhilash moderated the session.
A member of the Odisha Women Commission Jelina Priyadarshini, women leaders Sanjuprava Pani, Leena Chand, and Sacred Hearts Sister Sujata Jena shared their views on the Empowerment of Christian Women at the conclave.
The conclave presented the following demands to the government of Odisha:
-That the government set up a Minority Commission in the state, to look into the issues of Christians and minority communities.
– The Christian leaders want the state government to include Dalits Christians under the Scheduled Caste list so as to provide reservations for Dalits Christians in jobs, education, and legislature.
– The group demanded the renovation and restoration of Christian churches and institutions.
– The conclave required the administration to provide adequate protection for the Christian community taking serious action against religious persecution and hate practices anywhere in the state.
– The Christian Leaders want the government to provide land for burial grounds of the Christian community.
– The group demanded reservations for Dalit Christians in the Dalit Christians concentrated constituencies.
The leaders at the conclave came from 30 districts. Most of them came Gajapati district in southern Odisha where a significant population of Christian community is present.
Late Nabin Bodonaik Bodonaik was born and brought up in a remote village in the Gajapati district of Odisha. He served as a lecturer and consultant clinical microbiologist at the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, until his death.
Although most of his time was spent overseas, Bodonaik was passionate about the development of his people and community. The Bodonaik foundation is the afterthought of his family.