Mr. Joseph Chacko, Director and CC coordinator of Indian Dalit Ecumenical CC, with Charles Gibbs, URI Executive Director, cutting the ribbon at the inauguration of the first URI Peace Centre in India
URI-South India proudly announces that the Indian Dalit Ecumenical CC won the Best CC of the Year award in July 2011. The CC is one of 53 prominent CCs in URI's South India Region. The word ‘dalit’ stands for aborigines. The main thrust of this unit is to develop the conditional of aboriginal people, especially the youth. Many of their programs are related to capacity building.
The first URI Peace centre in India was started under the auspices of this CC. It was inaugurated by Rev. Dr. Charles Gibbs in the presence of Sally Mahe, Barbara Hartford and a host of other dignitaries from different parts of the world, including members of the URI Moral Imagination trainees. The Centre functions as a nucleus for peace and harmony among people of different Faiths. Mr. Joseph Chacko is the Director and CC coordinator.
Here is a brief report of their activities:
1. 2010 April 15-20: Leadership Training for 40 youth from different religions conducted at the URI Peace Centre. Bishop Dr. Geevarghese Mar Coorilose, Rev. Abraham Zachariah, Adv. P. A Prasad, Dr. Simon John, A. V. george were the leaders.
2. 2010 May 30 : Felicitation for the winners of High School and Higher Secondary Examinations. Municipal Chairman(Local Administrative Body) was the chief guest.
3. June 5: Ecological Seminar in connection with the Earth Day conducted at Bethel Ashramam, Varikkad. Kuriakose Mar Gregorios Metropolitan and Rajan Mathew were the leaders.
4. July 10: Inter-religious fellowship Meeting at the URI Peace Centre, Tiruvalla. K.M Isa Muhammed Maulavi, Rev. Abraham Zachariah, Akkiramon, Kalidasa Bhattathiri etc. were the leaders.
5. August 15: Indian Independence Day Celebrations: At Paippadu Boy’s Haven. Latika Subhsh, Panchayathu President was the chief guest.
6. August 30: Onam celebrations and Onam Feast at Bethel ashramam, Varikkadu
7. October 2: Gandhi Jayanthi Day: Peace Procession in connection with IDP and UN Day of Non-Violence. Bappu Kizhakken Muthoor, Muhammed Ishmail and Rev. Abraham Zachariah were the leaders.
8. November 1st. Kerala Day Celebrations: Reading Competition and Elocution competition at Paippadu Boys Haven
9. December 29: Christmas celebrations at Varikkadu Bethel Ashram. Geevarghese Mar Coorilose Metropolitan, Bishop Lukas C. geevarghese, C. T Ishmail, C K Bhanu were leaders.
10. January 26: Felicitation to the winners of Local Body Elections. Geevarghese Mar Coorilose and Joseph M Puthussery MLA were the guests.
11. February 8: Poetry Workshop—Poets like Pullarkode Babu, R V Parmpillam, C. Muthu, Kaviyoor rajasekharan etc. were the leaders.
12. March 10: SSLC Preparation class for students of H. S Final Exam. Manoj Markose, P. A Anilkumar led sessions.
13. 2011 April 16-17: Leaderrship Training and Picnic at Wagamon
14. May 29: School Reopening Worship and School Kit distribution by Rev. Abraham Zachariah
