Caritas India’s contributions in Odisha lauded

(March 16, 2012) Caritas India, the social wing of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, concluded a two-day golden jubilee celebrations on Thursday in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the eastern state of Odisha (Orissa), as part of Caritas India’s regional Golden Jubilee celebration throughout the vast country. Bishop Lumen Monteiro of Agartala delivered the keynote address and underlined the achievements and the future plans of the world’s second largest non governmental organization. The programme was inaugurated on Wednesday with a panel discussion on “Access to development and rights” with special reference to Odisha. Senior journalist Rabi Das moderated the discussion which touched upon various issues relating to the anti-Christian violence in Odisha’s Kandhamal district and Caritas India’s peace initiatives. Caritas has helped form peace committees and peace clubs in 415 villages of Kandhamal district following the 2008 anti-Christian violence. Nearly 1000 people including priests, religious, nuns, bishop’s, NGO partners, village leaders and local stake-holders took part in the concluding celebration on Thursday. Caritas India has till date supported 929 developmental projects with investment of rupees 667 million in Odisha state