Mr. Amalraj, a table tennis player and Mr. Arokiarajiv, an athlete and a young army officer from Dalit Christian origin were awarded the most prestigious award in Sports the Arjuna Award this year by the Honorable President of India on 29th August 2017.
Both of them are hailing from poor families in Tamil Nadu. Despite of all the difficulties they faced, both were determined to achieve in their lives by their hard work and commitment and for this they were awarded the Arjuna Award.
On 31st August 2017 a felicitation program was organised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Office for Dalits and Backward Classes at CBCI Centre in which Most Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas, Secretary General of CBCI and Fr. Devasagayaraj, secretary to the CBCI Office for SC/BC, CBCI Office secretaries, Various church leaders, Dalit organisations and Civil society organisations and children lauded the achievements of the young awardees.
Bishop Theodore Presiding over the Function congratulated the boys and asked them to keep working hard to bring joy to themselves and to many other people in the Country. He blessed the participants.
The awardees shared their experiences of their achievement which was very inspiring to the participants especially to the future generations. Autographs of the awardees in the tennis balls were gifted to the Children to encourage and motivate for the success in their lives.
Sr. Robancy, Program Coordinator
CBCI Office for SC/BC