24th National Convention: A Call to Revival of Constitutional Rights
The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) organized the 24th National Convention of Christian Journalists at Jharsuguda, Odisha, from March 1 to 3, 2019. The main thrust of the convention was work for a revival of Constitutional rights in the country.
The convention began with the traditional lighting of the lamp while an invocation song was sung by the congregation present.
The ICPA chose Jharsuguda as its venue for annual meet and convention to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Kandhamal massacre. Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack- Bhubaneswar, under whose territory Kandhamal falls, thanked the members for their support through their writings on Kandhamal.
The association pledged to become more effective by roping in more press personal and training the youngsters in print journalism.
Fr Surech Mathew, OFM Cap, the Editor of the Indian Currents, in his address highlighted how the present political dispensation has been deviating from the Constitution; the local tribal activist Siprian William Kiro said how the constitutional rights guaranteed to the tribals have been denied to them and social activist Fr. Ajay Singh of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar spoke how the dalits have been marginalized today.
Bishop Emeritus A. S. Hemrom of GEL Church of Simdega spoke on Constitution and tribal religion, while Fr Ignatius Soreng, SVD spoke on Constitution and Cultural Pluralism and Fr George Plathottam, SDB, FABC Secretary for Social Communications and a former ICPA president, spoke on Unity in Diversity versus Enforced Uniformity.