Staines International Award For Religious Harmony

Staines International Award For Religious Harmony
MUMBAI, FEB. 02, 2009, 10.00 Hrs:
"Staines International Award For Religious Harmony" is being bestowed on Mrs. Kavitha Karkare and Mrs. Nirmala Carvalho who have championed the cause of secular India and have been heroic promoters of religious harmony.
Kavita Karkare, widow of Hemant Karkare, chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad killed in the 28/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008, said she was initially angry after the Mumbai terror attacks, "but now I think I am overcoming the anger. Because this anger and violence will not help to solve the problem. We should come together and do something constructive". Showing kindness to Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, Kavita Karkare, a lecturer in a Mumbai college, has said that her family is ready to forgive the terrorist. In an interview to a TV channel, Mrs. Karkare said, 'He is only 21 years old. He should be given opportunity to change his theories.' This intricacies of divine civility is the root of ahimsa and from Christ to Gandhiji
Mrs. Nirmala Carvalho has created awareness of human rights violations against women and other minority groups in India and throughout the world by her writings and fearless reporting on over the past four and a half years as a correspondent with the Italian based news agency ' AsiaNews. She has consistently reported on various human rights issues and her articles have been published in India and abroad, and her active campaign against violence has not only generated awareness but also elicited international responses to incidents that have taken place in India.
We would like to specially commend her for her brave writings. Carvalho has brought to light the insufficiency of the response from the Government of Orissa and the police authorities. Reporting the brutal killings, rapes and burning of priests, nuns, pastors, believers including women and children, she has been able to paint the true picture of the intensity of attacks against the already poor Christians in Orissa. Yet, in the face of these grave violations and injustice, Mrs. Carvalho has continuously written of the message of forgiveness, love and hope.
This Award in the Field of Human Rights is an honor given to individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding achievement in human rights. The Award was established by the International Council of Evangelical Churches in conjunction with the Global Council of Indian Christians and awarded for the first time on 11th April 2000, to Archbishop Allen de Lastic of New Delhi, (India) the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of India and Dr. John Dayal of (India) journalist and National Convenor of United Christians Forum for Human Rights.
It commemorates the memory and the sacrifice of Australian missionary Dr. Graham Staines who was burnt alive along with his two little sons Timothy and Philip. The award also records the Christian witness of Mrs. Gladys Staines who, in the depth of her grief for her murdered family, found in her heart the strength to forgive the killers of her husband and her sons.
The Award acknowledges the achievements of the recipients and sends an encouraging message to human rights defenders all over the world that the international community is grateful and supports their tireless efforts to promote human rights for all.
The Award will be given away at Bangalore, India in the presence of the representatives from various Human Rights Organizations. Leaders from Canada, India and various Countries and states are expected. PTI