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Indian nun wins ICPA award for reporting on people’s rights

An Indian nun has won the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA)-Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Award for best reportage on Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
ICPA 2021 awardee Sister Sujata Jena

An Indian nun has won the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA)-Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Award for best reportage on Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). 

In its press release November 5, the ICPA said Sister Sujata Jena bagged the award “for authentically and consistently being the voice of people’s rights, especially the poor Dalits who are more susceptible to exploitation and injustice.”

“Jena, a nun-journalist-activist belonging to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, regularly contributes to major national and international news portals, especially on Dalit issues,” said the press note issued by ICPA president Ignatius Gonsalves and Father Suresh Mathew, secretary.

The annual award is given by the ICPA, a premier organization of Catholic journalists, dailies and periodicals in India founded in 1964.

The press release said, “Through the power of reporting and storytelling, Jena amplifies the various aspects of Dalits and Tribals, women, children and the homeless, who have been sidelined by the elite, powerful, and societal structures.” 

Her reports focus on people who are either stymied, not written about, or not comfortable speaking out. Her deep sincerity and perseverance in highlighting the rights of SC/ST show grit, courage and conviction. 

Her writings showcase hopes and resilience that the deprived people and communities show despite many challenges, deprivations and exploitation. 

Jena’s reports have shed light on issues that no secular journalist has ventured to report. It takes both courage and professional excellence to do so, said the ICPA note.

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 marginalized people.

The award will be conferred on December 1 at the National Convention of Christian Journalists at St Paul’s Media Centre, Bandra, Mumbai, western India. 

 

Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.”  Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.

Comments

Sr. Shanti scc, Nov 05 2021 - 11:07pm
Congratulations Sr. Sujatha for this award which you really deserve. I have always enjoyed reading your articles and appreciated your effort to collect real issues of life and present them with clarity, courage and accuracy
Dorothy, Nov 05 2021 - 11:11pm
Congrats dear Sujata...keep going...ore power to you...
Jothi SJ, Nov 05 2021 - 11:49pm
Congratulations dear Sr.Sujata...i am sure more such awards waiting for you.. continue your dedicated service to humanity as always
Devaraja jena, Nov 06 2021 - 8:43am
Congratulations Sr Sujata for your hard work. Especially focusing on SC,ST, Backward classes and downtrodden people voice in your report writing.
chit bobis, Nov 06 2021 - 9:02am
Congratulations Sr. Sujata! So proud and happy for you to receive this award. Truly you are living out the teachings of Jesus!
Dayanidhi Bisoi, SJ, Nov 06 2021 - 4:24pm
Appreciate your commitment to be the voice of the voiceless. May God bless you abundantly Sr Sujata, keep it up
S P Mari Nathan , Nov 07 2021 - 1:18pm
Dear Sr.Sujata, St.Paul told his letter, do the good to the poor and needy; really you are doing the good work. Congratulations. May God bless and keep you with good health to do his mission.
Sr.sujata, Nov 07 2021 - 1:37pm
Congratulations sister for your hard work which you truly deserve .And thank you giving your voice to the voiceless like us ST and SC people .So proud of you.
Deepak Hsnsds, Nov 07 2021 - 8:37pm
I Thank Almighty God for your achievement and hearty congratulations
Sujata Jena, Nov 08 2021 - 8:00am
Thank you everyone for your wishes, appreciation, encouragement and blessings. I am grateful to all of you. Please pray me as I continue to journey with God's people.
Vincent Lewis , Nov 08 2021 - 5:13pm
Dear sr Sujata Jena

It's great proud for the congregation of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, all over India and abroad.
Divine Grace of Jesus fill you with the mission to do God's will.

VINCENT LEWIS
SICIAL ACTIVIST
AHMEDABAD
GUJARAT

Lawrence Rao m…, Nov 06 2022 - 7:11pm
Really very good Dear Sr Sujatha jena. We need people like you in the church who are no more silent spectators for the unjust social norms .

Should fight back. Journalism is a very effective and powerful tool to counter giants like governments and mafia. But u need a team in big numbers to give you moral support and encourage you.

Expand your team, fighting for justice. I m with you from now on with more people along.

You go ahead and guide us to how best we can support you. Wish you great work going. You must become a champion in fighting for the cause.