The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) is announced that the ‘ICPA Award for the Best Reportage on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes’, [sponsored by the CBCI Office for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes], will be awarded to Father Irudhaya Jothi SJ for authentically and consistently being the voice of people’s rights, especially the poor Dalits who are susceptible to exploitation and injustice.

Sr Ganga Rawat SSpS, a religious nun belonging to the Holy Spirit Congregation based in Indore, has been chosen for the Swami Devanand Chakkungal award for Hindi Literature instituted by the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) and sponsored by SVD Congregation, Indore.

Rev Jothi, a Catholic Priest-Journalist-Activist, belonging to the Society of Jesus, has been regularly contributing to major national and international news portals, especially on Dalit issues. Through the power of reporting and storytelling, I. Jothi amplifies various aspects of Dalits who have been sidelined by the elite, powerful, and societal structures.

He has been a compassionate social worker, human rights activist, and journalist for over a decade. His deep sense of love and concern for Dalits, tribals, and the poor has been outstanding. He champions the issues and rights of the marginalized communities, particularly tribals, Dalits, and other vulnerable communities on the periphery.

What stands out about him as a journalist is his deep involvement in the labyrinthine issues of Tribals and Dalits. He critically analyzes the deeper aspects of Dalits and Tribals’ exploitation, subjugation, and injustice, which they face on many fronts. He is not afraid to speak the truth and is frequently heard calling for transparency and accountability.

His sincerity and perseverance in highlighting the rights of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes show grit, courage and conviction. His writings showcase hopes and resilience that the deprived people and communities show despite many challenges, deprivations and exploitation.

The SC/ST Special Award was instituted by the ICPA and sponsored by the CBCI office for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes to promote the welfare of the marginalized people.

Sr Ganga Rawat has been using her pen to make the Word of God known to the Hindi readers through her writings. She regularly writes articles and poems on social issues particularly women, girl child, family, values, etc. which are published in various magazines and newspapers.

She has also contributed opinion pieces and news stories to secular Hindi dailies like Patrika and People’s Samachar, Free Press, Indore Samachar, Kiran Prabhat, Metro Vaartha, and Aagaz -A-Chandan etc.

The awards will be conferred on Saturday, December 10, 2022 during the National Convention of Christian Journalists at the Citadel, Salesian Provincial House, Chennai.

[Based on an ICPA Press release]

  Catholic Church, Ganga Rawat SSpS, Indian Catholic Press Association, Irudhaya Jyoti SJ, Media