Sangam All-Faith Climate Change Conference 2019

CHRISTINE CRAMER

The conference began at 9.30 am. The conference engaged faith communities to mitigate human caused climate change. Religious leaders from all faiths spoke about religious imperatives for promoting environmentally sustainable practices and the use of renewable energy.

Distinguished and renowned speakers having vast experience in Environmental Education, writers, documentary filmmakers, Professors in social work, Founders and Directors presented the current impacts and imminent dangers of climate change to the world.

Dignitaries

Three faith based multi-track workshops were held, followed by an input session, group discussions, a general assembly with workshop reporting, a youth open house action for climate change, and the presentation of the mission statement.

Consul-Generals

This was followed by the Green Awards Ceremony, where significant persons and institutions who have taken special efforts to create a better home on this earth were felicitated. One of the institutions recognised was the Loreto Congregation, represented by Sr. Sabrina Edwards, Provincial of the Loreto Sisters. The day ended with the Sangam Tree of Hope lighting ceremony.

Kolkata Christmas Festival 2019: Inauguration Ceremony

CHRISTINE CRAMER

The Annual Kolkata Christmas Festival was inaugurated on the 16th of December, 2019 at 6 pm at Allen Park. The Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Srimati Mamata Banerjee, lit the Christmas tree to inaugurate the festival.

The Blessing of the Crib was done by Most Rev. Archbishop Thomas D'Souza of the Archdiocese of Calcutta. Mr. Shane Calvert, the MLA of the WB Minority Commission welcomed the Chief Minister. A Christmas message was delivered by Dr. Ivan Satyavrata, Chairman and Administrator,  Assembly of God Mission.

Most Rev. Thomas D'Souza and Srimati Mamata Banerjee addressed the people and set the example of being united as ONE FAMILY. The vote of thanks was given by Ms. Nandini Chakravorty, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, West Bengal.

This ceremony was followed by a cultural programme. The Archdiocesan Bengali Choir, the Loreto Sisters Choir and Kalyan and Sukanya Banerjee performed Christmas Carols. The evening ended with some fun live music performances from Priscilla Corner, Shayne Hyrapiet and Krosswindz.

The festival will continue till 26th December, 2019. It is a time of celebration and fellowship. We encourage all to join in and be a part of the festival. 

 

Kolkata Boy Felicitated in Cyber Cop of India Awards

Kolkata, 6 December, 2019: Christ the King parishioner Dennis Lakra, was one of three contenders for the Data Security Council of India Excellence Awards 2019 in the category “India Cyber Cop ofn the Year.” In the contest, B.P. Raju, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Central Bureau of Investigation took the title, but Dennis, too, was felicitated for his podium win.

The objective of these awards is to “recognise and honour an Officer who has done the most outstanding investigation in solving a cybercrime AND to recognise and honour a state police/police agency for efforts made in overall capacity building through workforce development, investigation & forensics capability development, skill enhancement through trainings & workshops, etc.”

Dennis is an Inspector at the Cyber Crime Department of Kolkata Police and an active parishioner at Christ the King, where he is well known for his efforts to keep people hydrated during the day with his “Water Boys” service during Good Friday. Dennis was also in charge of Security for the recently concluded Small Christian Communities National Convention in Hindi held at Kolkata.