-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Press Release: FIACONA elects New Board/Expressed concern over growing problem
Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 23:42:57 -0400
From: FIACONA Press Release <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America
110 Maryland Ave, NE Suite 510, Washington DC 20002
202 547 4700, www.fiacona.org <http://www.fiacona.org>
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FIACONA Elects a New Executive Board During the 4th Annual General Body Meeting
Expresses Concern over Continuing Problems in India
PRESS RELEASE
April 25, 2004 Newark, DE
The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA) held its Fourth Annual General Body Meeting yesterday (Saturday, April 24) in Delaware. Representatives of various Indian Christian Organizations gathered in Newark, Delaware to elect a new Executive Board for various positions of the Federation.
Rev. Bernard Malik of Delaware won an unanimous vote to succeed Dr. Jayachand Pallekonda of Chicago, as the President of FIACONA. Mr. Abraham Mammen from New York, was elected to be the new National Vice President. Mr. Rajseelan Sampson, was elected as the next General Secretary, to be assisted by Ms. Sapna Gandhi. Dr K.P. Verghese was elected Treasurer, to be assisted by Mr. Immanuel Desai. Dr. Linus Taylor, Mr. Anil Macwan, Mr. A. Samuel Lall, Mr. Solomon Christian, Dr. Sheba Kulothungan and Mr. Jose Anthony were elected to be the regional Vice-Presidents of FIACONA from their respective regions. Five members of the General Board, Ms. Merlin Tiwari, Mr. Mike Massand, Rev.Wilson Jose, Mr. T. Thomas and Mr. Thilak George were elected to be the Members at Large of the Executive Board. FIACONA established an Advisory Board that would include past presidents of the organization and senior leaders, to guide the long term policy making.
The meeting commenced in a spirit of prayer and devotion mindful of the challenges faced by Christians and other minority communities in India. FIACONA reaffirmed its role as North America's main advocacy group focused on the security and religious freedom of the Christian community in India. The Meeting emphasized the need to further strengthen FIACONA's member networks in North America besides encouraging and supporting the Christian institutions in India.
A Constitutional Review Committee headed by Mr. Susai Anthony presented its recommendations. A revised Constitution was adopted by the general board unanimously. The revised constitution, among other things, would also allow FIACONA to collaborate with like-minded institutions to achieve the Federation's goals.
The General Body noted the changing nature of threats to the security and freedom of Christian churches, institutions and individuals in India from the rightwing extremist party and its social counterparts. Besides direct assaults on Christians and their institutions, there are challenges associated with the violation of constitutional rights related to religious freedom. More insidious, long term damage is being perpetrated against the country's younger generation by actions of the BJP government. One of such efforts is the revision of school textbooks which present a distorted picture of the history of religious minority populations and their religion.
FIACONA noted that, though the media and civil society institutions in India had in the past played an important role in highlighting the assaults on Christian institutions, lately there have been reports of pressure from the rightwing elements, on publishers, journalists and officials who have a secular outlook. FIACONA expressed concerns that, 'as a result, the reporting of violence and assaults against Christians in India is being underplayed and often times goes unreported'. FIACONA noted that this trend is a serious threat to the future of India. The newly elected President, Rev. Bernard Malik expressed the need to strengthen FIACONA's work to build awareness on these issues within the Indian American community in the United States as the media is reporting less and less of such assaults.
The meeting ended with prayer for the peaceful conduct of the Indian General Elections and for the strengthening of the hands of FIACONA's new office bearers who would represent the organization in the various spheres of influence in the coming year.
Pictures are available at www.fiacona.org <http://www.fiacona.org> and click on General Body Meeting or click here http://www.fiacona.org/Organization/040424_Delaware%20meeting.htm
Contact: J. Prabhudoss, Chairman, Governmental Affairs Committee, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> or 202 547 4700
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