NCCI Disability Awards 2024 Winners Acknowledged and Appreciated

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The NCCI-IDEA Disability Awards 2024 winners were announced on February 1, 2025, during the monthly online Persons with disabilities Fellowship 2025. The awards featured four categories for persons with disabilities (PWDs): Individual, Innovative Interventions, Institutional, and a special category for Persons with disabilities.

In the Individual category, the winner was Mr. M. David Jeyasekar, a special educator with three decades of experience from I.E.L.C Church in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. He was acknowledged for his significant contributions to the lives of Persons with disabilities.

The Persons with disabilities category winner was Mr. Rongsen Jamir from Ao Baptist Church in Dimapur, Nagaland, recognized for his extraordinary achievements and contributions in the rehabilitation and support of individuals with disabilities.

The Innovative Interventions category was awarded to Mr. Aashish Samuel, an engineering student from Sion fellowship Church in Telangana. He was awarded for his groundbreaking initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities through the invention of devices that provide relief from pain.

The Institutional category winner was CSI VHS&HSS School for the Deaf in Valakom, Kollam, Kerala. The School was celebrated for its significant contributions in the area of care and sensitivity for persons with disabilities.

The NCCI-IDEA Disability Awards 2024 celebrated the remarkable achievements of individuals and institutions making a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities. From pioneering inventions to decades of dedicated service, the winners exemplify resilience, innovation, and compassion. Their contributions not only uplift communities but also pave the way for an inclusive and accessible society, inspiring many through their individual and collective efforts.

Report By

Nelson Nag
Program Executive
Ecumenical Fora

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Unity Octave 2025: Celebrating the Spirit of Oneness in the Indian Churches

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The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in India was observed from January 18 to 25, 2025, with churches across the country coming together to pray for unity. This annual event, promoted in India by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), highlighted the importance of Christian unity through prayer and reflection.
The 2025 observance was especially significant as it marked the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, held in 325 AD, which played a crucial role in shaping the doctrinal unity of the Church. The theme for this year’s event, “Do you believe in this?” was inspired by John 11:17-27, inviting Christians to reflect on the essential question of faith that unites them. The prayers and reflections for the week were prepared by the monastic community of Bose in northern Italy.

NCCI Sunday was observed on 19th, January. specifically to uphold the activities of NCCI in prayer.

Throughout the week, regional councils of NCCI and CBCI held worship services and gatherings, fostering a sense of unity and fellowship among Christians of various denominations. This special time provided an opportunity for participants to deepen their faith, reconnect with their shared Christian heritage, and commit to the principles of Christian unity, strengthening the bonds between believers across India and beyond. NCCI expresses its appreciation to those who worked diligently to translate the liturgy into different vernacular languages and to those who put in significant effort to organize many events at the regional level.

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Rev Dr Abraham Mathew
Executive Secretary,
Commission on Policy, Governance and Public Witness

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At 75: Recognising the time of God’s favour

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India wakes up today brimming with hope as we her citizens celebrate 75 years of collective dignity and self-respect. As a young democracy and a vibrant Republic we have done well to rally around each other and hold our heads high.

While on this day we come out in our best, we do not forget the responsibility that is reposed on each of us jointly and severally in order to see that the smiles with which we pose today are real in the life of the least of our fellow-citizens.

We stood up to being bullied, we rallied around each other  during the worst of calamities, we had each others back to overcome our failings, and we depended on each other to set governments in power.

At this time of celebrating our common heritage, we commit to uphold the trust we have in the wisdom of each other, the collective strength of our varied faith experiences and ideological expressions, and the passion that we have to be among the first of the nations.

This dream can be ‘dearer’ than distant when we learn to hold up the least and the last among us as the most important, and design a polity that protects their right and ensures their personal and spatial safety.

Rhetoric and actions that continue to demonise the ‘other’ and terrorise the least do not quite pave the way to where we want to be; they at best create more mistrust and perpetuate polarisation.

It is time we the common citizens identify together the elephant in the room, the wolf in sheep skin, and set the house in order so that we can last for many more years to come.

It is time to affirm the democratic principles not just toy with numbers, the visible expression of a secular state that is equidistant from all religious traditions, and the enhancement of the naturally prevailing goodwill and harmony of all peoples in every neighbourhood.

It is time to be ahead of the curve with all well meaning citizens of the country and consciously start cultivating the spirit of India, concertedly identify and nurture selfless leaders for the future, build a consensus people’s vision of the nation, and plan a time-bound strategic framework to realise the dream.

It is time to harness the spirit of building a New International Financial and Economic Architecture that ushers in a measurable inclusive development where the sovereignty of the least prevails

It is time to reawaken the literary and cultural legacy of the peoples of the varied landscape breaking forth into a renaissance of liberation

It is time to pay forward the sacrificial grace that we have received from our forebears and ensure to the future generations the idea of India that was handed down to us

It is time to ward off our shackles and walk free into the streets of our motherland singing songs of liberation dancing to usher the era that will know no fear

Now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation

God bless India

Jai Hind !

Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in India

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Emerging with the scar(s) of Bethlehem

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Christmas 2024

Banksy’s iconic ‘scar of Bethlehem‘ (2019) depicts the traditional manger scene against the backdrop of a grey wall which is suggestive of the wall that separates Israel and the Palestinian territories. The mark of a bullet hole in the painting creates an image reminiscent of the nativity star on the wall.

This piece of art serves as a candid reminder of the call to recognise the holes punched into the projections of supposedly impregnable posts that have until today sought to perpetuate vampirical empires of the times. Many years after the British artist’s work of resistance appeared in Bethlehem’s Walled-Off Hotel and drew media attention to The Wall, many walls continue to haunt situations of self-inflicted contexts of wars, want and despair.

Twenty years after the Accra Confession introduced by the World Communion of Reformed Churches named (read nailed) the empire as the enemy, we still see projections of supposedly informidable and unsurmountable empires with their treachourous trap to enslave all.

Our calling, after the manner of Jesus, puts us face to face with ‘powers and principalities’ underlying such empire constructs that deny life to all affirming it only to a few privileged ones. In these engagements we are invariably mauled and pressed from all sides by the unholy nexus of politics, religion and the market. Many have fallen resisting, but not without scars of the fight. Many since the Jesus of history, and in our own neighborhood, have been crushed and/or have fallen in resisting the vampire. The vampires have inflicted grievous wounds in our struggles leaving many a scar, yet ‘by those stripes we are healed’ and recouped for pressing on.

Let us add meaning to the observance of Christmas this year by identifying and lifting the likes of the scar(s) of bethlehem that will drive us to committing to a world with no walls, and a world that recognises and respects the dignity and rights of all individuals, groups and communities. In this process we too may be inflicted with many a scar; yet it is these scars of having stood up that can lead generations to the manger(s) of liberation and life-flourishing.

Wish you all a blessed Christmastide, and prayers for a good start to the New Year 2025. Let us emerge with, and recognising such imageries as, the scar(s) of bethlehem; rising to Life acknowledging ‘failing’ babylons of our times.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary

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Manipur: Call for Immediate Intervention to Restore Peace and Harmony

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The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), officially representing 14 million Christians belonging to the Protestant and Orthodox Churches in India, expresses deep sense of anguish and concern regarding the recent escalation of violence and unrest in the state of Manipur. It has been almost two years since the outbreak of ethnic strife in the region, and the situation continues to spiral out of control, leading to widespread suffering, loss of life, displacement, and immense hardship for the people.

The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated. The people of Manipur are caught in a state of utter hopelessness, as their lives have been disrupted by relentless violence and insecurity. Families have been torn apart, and entire communities have been displaced from their homes. Children could not continue their studies. Basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare are no longer accessible to many, as the conflict disrupts the normal functioning of society. The continued instability is eroding the very social fabric of Manipur, and the toll on the mental and physical well-being of the people is staggering.

We strongly condemn the violence in the strongest terms and express our grave concern over the lack of sufficient and timely intervention by the authorities. Despite numerous appeals from various sections of society, the conflict remains unresolved, and the suffering of the people continues unabated. We believe that the failure to restore peace and security in Manipur is not only a national tragedy but also a reflection of the systemic breakdown of governance and the rule of law in the state.

We urge the Government of India to take immediate and decisive steps to end the violence in Manipur and restore peace. Specifically, we urge the following:

  1. Immediate and Robust Deployment of Central Forces – We request the immediate deployment of additional central security forces to Manipur to restore law and order, protect innocent civilians, and prevent further bloodshed. The presence of central forces will hopefully provide a neutral and authoritative presence that is needed to de-escalate tensions and stop the violence.
  2. A Transparent and Inclusive Peace Process – We appeal for the initiation of an inclusive and transparent peace process that involves all affected communities, local leaders, and civil society organizations. A meaningful dialogue should be facilitated to address the underlying causes of the conflict, promote mutual understanding, and pave the way for lasting peace.
  3. Swift Humanitarian Aid and Relief – As winter is approaching fast, we request Immediate relief be provided to the victims of the violence, particularly the displaced persons, the elderly, children, and those with special needs. Relief operations should ensure access to essentials such as food, water, medicine, winter clothes and shelter. Additionally, we urge the Government to work with faith-based organizations, NGOs, and community groups in providing humanitarian support.
  4. Accountability for Acts of Violence – We urge the authorities to ensure that all acts of violence are thoroughly investigated irrespective of ethnic differences and that those responsible for committing heinous acts are held accountable through the legal process. The people of Manipur deserve justice and a sense of security that their rights will be upheld under the law.

The intervention of the state authorities has often been viewed with suspicion by different communities, and there is a growing perception of partiality that undermines trust and confidence in the political process. The State Government must act as a neutral mediator and facilitator for peace, ensuring that the voices of all affected communities are heard and that no group is marginalized in the peace process.

The time to act is now. We appeal to the President of India, the Prime Minister, and the Home Minister to intervene urgently, not only to bring an end to the ongoing violence but also to restore harmony, trust, and cooperation among the communities in Manipur. The need for leadership, compassion, and a commitment to justice has never been more critical.

We also urge the Church and all people of faith to continue praying for peace and healing in Manipur, trusting that God’s love will help heal wounds, restore brokenness, and lead to lasting peace.

NCCI extends support to the Government’s efforts in restoring peace and stability in Manipur, offering collaborative initiatives that foster dialogue, reconciliation, and long-term harmony among all communities.

 

Rev. Asir Ebenezer 
General Secretary, NCCI

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