Congratulations to Fr.Cedric Prakash and the Prashant team!
November
19, 2012
Mayor Eric J Kellogg’s speech honoring renowned human rights
activist and Jesuit priest, Fr. Cedric Prakash, s.j.
Dear Council
Members and my fellow citizens,
It is my
privilege to welcome you all today to this event, which symbolizes the values of
our nation and the spirit of the City of Harvey.
We are gathered here today to appreciate and honor a man who lives thousands of
miles away, but whose heart beats for peace, justice and the well being of all
humanity. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming renowned human
rights activist and Jesuit priest from India Fr. Cedric Prakash!
You may
recall that in March of this year, our City Council passed a resolution
condemning the horrific massacres in Gujarat
in 2002, and expressing solidarity with the victims and survivors of that
pogrom. The Gujarat pogrom is known for the
killing of over 2,000 people and the displacement of over 150,000, and indeed
represents one of the darkest chapters in Indian history. On the other hand,
the struggle for justice in the aftermath of the Gujarat
carnage is a story of selfless service, of a relentless quest for peace and of
undying love for humanity. Fr. Cedric Prakash is one of those rare individuals
who symbolize these great qualities.
Fr. Cedric
Prakash is the director of an organization called Prashant in the city of Ahmedabad,
which was the epicenter of the horrendous crimes against humanity that were
perpetrated in Gujarat in 2002. The
organization is in the forefront of monitoring and documenting human rights
violations and advocating for religious harmony. Fr. Prakash himself, as the
founding director of this organization has worked tirelessly to build bridges
among various groups, and to secure justice and rehabilitation for the
survivors. He has also been vocal in highlighting the ongoing plight of
minorities in Gujarat and other parts of India.
Fr.
Prakash’s work in the field of humanitarian advocacy predates the tragic
events in Gujarat. He has worked
ceaselessly to bring about religious harmony in the diverse religious landscape
of India.
This cause, for which he has worked selflessly for several decades, has been
recognized in India
and abroad. In 1995, the President of India conferred him with the Kabir
Puraskar, for his work in the promotion of religious harmony. In 2003, the
Indian American Muslim Council presented him with the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award
for Humanitarian Work. In 2006, he was named Chevalier
of the Legion of Honor, one of the highest French civilian
awards, in recognition of his commitment to the defense and the promotion of
Human Rights in India.
The same year, the National Minorities Commission of India also honored him
with the Minorities Rights Award.
Today, we in
the City of Harvey
have the honor of having Fr. Cedric Prakash in our midst. As Mayor of this
wonderful city, it is my privilege to pay tribute to Fr. Prakash, and the cause
of justice and interfaith harmony that he and his organization symbolize.
Fr.
Prakash’s work shows us that in the midst of appalling cruelty and
terrible crimes against humanity, there exists compassion, selflessness and an
inspiring conviction in the brotherhood of humanity. Fr. Prakash’s
persistent struggle for justice is a reminder of the proverb, “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”
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| Cedric Prakash S.J. |
