Karnal: In a united stand against one of the gravest human rights violations of our time, twenty-three consecrated men and women from across Northern India convened at Sneh Sadan, IMS Provincialate in Karnal, for the Northern Regional Assembly of Amrat – Talitha Kum India, a Catholic faith-based network dedicated to eradicating human trafficking through awareness, prevention, rehabilitation, and advocacy.
The two-day gathering represented a renewed commitment among religious congregations to confront the growing menace of trafficking and exploitation across vulnerable communities. The assembly was led by Sr. Therese Meera RGS, President of Amrat – Talitha Kum India, who emphasized the power of collective action rooted in faith. “Every great mission begins with a small step taken in faith,” she remarked, urging participants to deepen their collaboration and strengthen protective networks to restore dignity and hope to victims of trafficking.
The assembly brought together representatives from Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, creating a forum for dialogue and strategic planning among congregations working on the frontlines. Sr. Arpan Carvalho BS and Sr. Ekta FSLG led sessions that examined the current patterns of human trafficking in Northern India, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities for intervention through coordinated church and community action.
Fr. Ashwin Mathew IMS, Provincial Superior, and Sr. Erasma BS, Provincial Superior, guided the discussions that focused on building collaborative structures to enhance inter-congregational communication and response systems. As a major outcome of the meeting, the participants formally established a Northern Regional Team tasked with strengthening coordination, sharing resources, and developing mechanisms for prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation.
The assembly also reinforced the mission of Amrat – Talitha Kum India, which is part of the global Talitha Kum network, inspired by the biblical phrase “Talitha Kum” meaning “Little Girl, Arise.” Rooted in compassion and faith, the movement empowers consecrated women and men to act as advocates and protectors of the vulnerable, working in close partnership with civil society, law enforcement, and international organizations.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to creating a regional vigilance network, launching awareness campaigns in schools and parishes, and collaborating with local authorities to identify and dismantle trafficking operations. Their shared vision: a society where every person’s dignity is upheld, and no one is trapped in systems of exploitation.
The Karnal assembly thus marked a significant milestone in the Northern expansion of Amrat Talitha Kum India. With renewed faith, determination, and solidarity, the consecrated religious vowed to transform compassion into concrete action building a network of hope that reaches the most vulnerable and lights the path toward freedom and justice.