India News

By Felix Anthony

New Delhi, Dec 11 : A Catholic Priest belonging to the Salesian of Don Bosco was conferred with 12th International Human Rights Award for his contribution to peace with media reforms by the Delhi-based All India Council of Human Rights Council here at the Lodhi Road Islamic Centre Auditorium on 10 December 2022.

Father C. M. Paul from Calcutta Province, currently working as Vice Principal at Salesian College, Siliguri was presented with this prestigious award on International Human Rights Day.

Accepting the award for his contribution to peace with the media ministry, Father Paul said, “This award is for all those who suffer injustice and human rights violation silently”.

Speaking at the panel discussion prior to the award function, a veteran in the field of communication, Father Paul said, “If you have been a victim of human rights violation and injustice, only then can you be a voice for the voiceless. Let us join hands to pledge to protect human rights in our neighbourhood, society and country at large”.

A Kerala born missionary priest, Father Paul is the founder director of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati and Salesian College, Sonada. He is also the Founder Director of Radio Salesian 90.8 FM in 2016 and Salesian TV (YouTube) in 2018 at Salesian College, Darjeeling.

After completing his Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication from Fordham University New York, Father Paul became the first non-Italian director of Don Bosco News Agency in Rome.

Father Paul also has served as a Member of Central Board of Film Certification, Govt of India, Information & Broadcasting Ministry from 2006 to 2008 and he is the founder director of first two Mother Teresa International Film Festivals held in Kolkata.

Prior to this award, the 69-year-old, has received John Barrett Best Report Award from Indian Catholic Press Association in 2008, Ambassador of Jesus Award Calcutta for outstanding Media Priest in 2006 and Media at the Service of the Gospel Award from International Catholic Film Festival, Warsaw, Poland in 2010.