With Inputs from Ms. Veronica D'Souza

Ahmedabad May 18: Mangalorean Jesuit priest, Fr. Cedric Prakash sj, the Director of PRASHANT,  Ahmedabad based Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace, has been awarded France's highest civilian decoration.

In a message to Fr. Prakash, the Ambassador of France to India, Mr. Dominique Girard writes:

"I have the utmost pleasure of informing you that the President of the French Republic, Mr. Jacques Chirac, has conferred on you the award of "Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur" (Knight of the Legion of Honour), by decree of 18th April, 2006.

I warmly congratulate you for this distinction.  By this award, France acknowledges your lifetime commitment to the defence and the promotion of Human Rights in India."

The award was initiated by the then first Consul of the French Republic, Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and is given to an elite group of people (mainly French Nationals and very exceptionally to foreigners)  who distinguish themselves through military or civilian valour.

Fr. Cedric Prakash Lobo, has committed himself to the service of faith and promotion of human rights, communal harmony, justice and peace, since the last 30 years. 

Fr. Prakash has been a championing the cause of Human Rights in Gujarat and in other parts of India. In the wake of the Gujarat Carnage of 2002, he has testified before the US Commission for International Religious Freedom in Washington.

Among the prestigious awards received by him are the Kabir Puraskar which the President of India conferred on him in 1995 for his work in the promotion of Communal Harmony and Peace and in 2003, the Indian Muslim Council, USA presented him with the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award for Humanitarian Work.

The Legion d'Honneur will be given to Fr. Prakash by the French Ambassador at a function to be held in Ahmedabad towards the end of June.

Also Read

Rev. Fr. Cedric Prakash  [ Mangalorean Star July, 2004 ]