by I J Saldanha
Mangalore, Aug 3: Catholic Priests’ Conference of India (CPCI) selected five diocesan priests in India, who have excelled in their unique areas of involvement, to confer ‘CPCI National Award for Excellence’ 2011.
The Awardees are: (1) Fr. Davis Chirammel of the Archdiocese of Trichur, for his creative contributions for health care, especially for organizing kidney donations and the Accident Care Transport Services, besides his social development efforts for the emancipation of the poor
(2) Fr. Ivan Madtha of the diocese of Mangalore, a Magician priest, for the creative use of the art of magic for the promotion of the Kingdom values and for his great resilient enthusiasm in his mission even after losing one of his hands in a train accident
3) Fr. P.J. Jacob of the diocese of Belgaum, for his creative political ministry and numerous struggles for defending the rights of ordinary people, and for his prophetic activities within the church
(4) Fr. Joe Pereira of the Archdiocese of Mumbai, recipient of Padmashri Award, a great Yoga Guru, for his prolific research and contribution in his area of specialization and for organizing De-addiction centers (Kripa Foundation) throughout India and
(5) Fr. Anand Muttungal of the Archdiocese of Bhopal for his great contribution in the area inter-religious peace and harmony and for empowering people politically, besides initiating services for the poor.
The Awards will be given away at a national get together of priests in Bhopal on November 16th 2011.
Fr Ivan Madtha Felicitated by ROZARIO Mangalore.
The Management of the well known Rozario Institutions Mangalore invited Award winner Fr. Ivan Madtha to present his captivating value based magic show for the benefit of students of this institution to day. Before the show he was felicitated by the Management of the High School. Fr.Madtha who has just won a prestigious award "CPCI National Award for Excellence - 2011".
The Correspondent of Rozario Rev.Fr.Stany Goveas felicitated Fr.Ivan Madtha formally; the Head of the Institution Mr.Aloysius D'Souza was present. Members of the media, students and well wishers cheered jubilantly. Ms.Elizabeth, senior teacher of the School introduced the award winner. Fr. Stany spoke highly of the celebrant and extolled the fact that in-spite of the Fr. Ivan loosing his left hand and two fingers of his right hand in a train accident in 2005 and is now 60per cent incapacitated he has not been deterred. Instead he has overcome many hurdles and perfected his skills more than before the accident. He exhorted the students to emulate the values Fr.Ivan projected in their life and fight all odds to rise to great heights.
Fr.Ivan Madtha has recently also won "SWABHIMAN" award instituted by Daijiworld Weekly for physically challenged achievers in different fields. A two hour value based magic show followed which was greatly appreciated by all present and particularly the students.
Fr.Ivan conducts various human resource and magic show programmes for students and youth in different languages.