By Matters India Reporter
NEW DELHI, October 27, 2026: NISCORT Media College held a transition program on Oct. 24, 2026, to welcome incoming Director Father Martin Sadiq and bid farewell to outgoing Director Father Robinson Rodrigues.
The event marked a significant leadership change for the institution, bringing together students, faculty members, and prominent religious and civic dignitaries.
The gathering was presided over by Bishop Rayarala Vijay Kumar of Srikakulam and Chairman of NISCORT.
The National Institute of Social Communications, Research and Training (NISCORT), is the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India’s (CBCI) national institute for social communication and media formation.
Other notable attendees included Msgr. Daniel Gill, Vicar General of the Diocese of Jalandhar; Father Biju Alappat, Secretary of the CBCI Commission for Communication; Father John Grewal; Father William Sahota; Bernard Malik, Director of the American College of Leadership in Australia; and Francis Gill, a Delhi International Airport businessman.
Family members, including Samuel, brother of the incoming director, also joined the celebration.
The program opened with a prayer song performed by students, followed by the traditional ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the distinguished guests. The institution’s principal delivered an overview of NISCORT’s milestones, highlighting years of academic progress and institutional accomplishments.
The first half of the program focused on expressing gratitude to the outgoing director, Father Robinson Rodrigues. Through speeches, songs, and a video presentation, students and staff thanked Rodrigues for his dedicated service and contributions during his tenure.
The chairman, incoming director, and principal formally felicitated him in recognition of his leadership.
The second half of the event featured the formal installation of the new director, Father Martin Sadiq. Prayers and blessings were led by Chairman Bishop Rayarala, Father Rodrigues, and visiting guests.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the symbolic handover of the office key and the NISCORT logo from Father Rodrigues to Father Sadiq, signifying the official transfer of authority. Additionally, a message of gratitude from Cardinal Antony Poola, President of the CBCI, was read aloud by the chairman.
Students and staff welcomed Sadiq by reading his curriculum vitae, emphasizing his extensive qualifications, achievements in the field of communication, and pastoral apostolate.
Father Sadiq then delivered his inaugural address as director, sharing his vision and future outlook for the media college.
The concluding portion of the program included religious and cultural blessings. Chairman Bishop Rayarala blessed the new Tabernacle in the private chapel of NISCORT, alongside Fathers Sadiq, Rodrigues, and other priests.
This was followed by the blessing of new musical instruments donated by the chairman to support student activities.
The handover ceremony concluded as Rodrigues symbolically transferred the tabernacle key to Sadiq in the presence of the chairman, entrusting the institution into the care of its new leadership.
(Photo supplied)