More than 200 priests, religious, theologians, and laypeople, including many non-Christians, gathered on April 20, 2026, at the Samanvaya Campus in Bhopal, central India, to pay tribute to Swami Sadanand, a CMI priest who adopted the path of a “swami,” reflecting a synthesis of Christian spirituality and universal compassion.
Titled “A Decade of Remembrance of Swami Sadanand,” the event focused on the theme “Fostering Reconciliation, Peace, and Harmony through an Interfaith Approach.” Organizers described it as both a commemoration of his legacy and a call to continue his work.
Known as a “prophet of peace,” Fr. Swami Sadanand worked for reconciliation among divided communities, mediated conflicts, offered free care to the sick, and spoke out against injustice through nonviolence and Satyagraha. His decision to donate his body for medical education was cited as a final act of service.
In his keynote address, Fr. Davis George, vicar general of the Diocese of Jabalpur, said Swami Sadanand’s life remains relevant, urging participants to apply his values of compassion, justice, and interfaith engagement in present-day contexts.
A panel discussion on “Dimensions of Peace Building,” moderated by CMI priest Fr. Cyril Kuttiyanickal, brought together speakers from different backgrounds to examine approaches to dialogue and conflict resolution.
A highlight of the program was the presentation of the “Peace Builders through Path-Breaking Initiatives” awards, presided over by Bishop Thomas Mathew of Indore. Each recipient received a trophy and a cash award of ₹20,000 in recognition of their work.
Among the awardees, Sr. Sujata Jena of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, based in Bhubaneswar, in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, was recognized for her work in women’s empowerment. Her citation noted her efforts combining legal advocacy, journalism, and social action, rescuing bonded laborers, addressing human trafficking, supporting women religious, and speaking against gender discrimination and clericalism. She said the recognition strengthens her commitment to continue the work with greater collaboration.
Other awardees included Dr. Brijmohan Singh for social reform through holistic health; Fr. Solomon Kadambattuparambil, CMI, for advancing socio-economic inclusion of persons with disabilities; Samanvaya Parivar for promoting interfaith harmony; and Veer Ratna Foundation, based in Bengaluru, south India, for its work with war widows.
Organizers said the awardees reflect the continuation of Swami Sadanand’s work through individuals and institutions engaged in social and pastoral initiatives.
The program concluded with a call to carry forward his emphasis on reconciliation, justice, and dialogue in a divided world.
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