Indian nun wins ICPA award for reporting on people’s rights

An Indian nun has won the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA)-Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Award for best reportage on Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). 

In its press release November 5, the ICPA said Sister Sujata Jena bagged the award “for authentically and consistently being the voice of people’s rights, especially the poor Dalits who are more susceptible to exploitation and injustice.”

“Jena, a nun-journalist-activist belonging to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, regularly contributes to major national and international news portals, especially on Dalit issues,” said the press note issued by ICPA president Ignatius Gonsalves and Father Suresh Mathew, secretary.

The annual award is given by the ICPA, a premier organization of Catholic journalists, dailies and periodicals in India founded in 1964.

The press release said, “Through the power of reporting and storytelling, Jena amplifies the various aspects of Dalits and Tribals, women, children and the homeless, who have been sidelined by the elite, powerful, and societal structures.” 

Her reports focus on people who are either stymied, not written about, or not comfortable speaking out. Her deep sincerity and perseverance in highlighting the rights of SC/ST show grit, courage and conviction. 

Her writings showcase hopes and resilience that the deprived people and communities show despite many challenges, deprivations and exploitation. 

Jena’s reports have shed light on issues that no secular journalist has ventured to report. It takes both courage and professional excellence to do so, said the ICPA note.

The SC/ST Special Award was instituted by the ICPA and sponsored by the CBCI Office for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes to promote the welfare of marginalized people.

The award will be conferred on December 1 at the National Convention of Christian Journalists at St Paul’s Media Centre, Bandra, Mumbai, western India.