Kolkata: During a formal Christmas celebration at Lok Bhavan, Kolkata, the Honorable Governor of West Bengal, Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose, conferred the Governor’s Award of Excellence upon Dr. Fr. Roby Kannanchira CMI. The award recognizes Fr. Kannanchira’s nearly thirty years of dedicated service to global peace, inter-religious dialogue, and humanitarian engagement.
The event was hosted by Governor Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose and Lady Governor Smt. Lakshmi Ananda Bose. The ceremony highlighted the recipient’s pivotal role in fostering harmony among diverse faith traditions and his extensive contributions to international cooperation.
A Career Defined by Global Harmony
Dr. Fr. Roby Kannanchira CMI, a Catholic priest of the Syro-Malabar Rite, has spent decades building platforms for interfaith cooperation. His leadership has been instrumental in several key international capacities:
World Fellowship of Inter-Religious Councils (WFIRC): Serving as Secretary-General since 2014, he has organized multiple World Assemblies of Religions across various continents.
Ecumenical Leadership: He serves as the Secretary to the Dialogue and Ecumenism Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council.
United Nations Representation: He has contributed as an NGO Representative at the United Nations, advocating for peace on a global stage.
Academic and Diplomatic Reach
Fr. Kannanchira is a respected scholar whose work has been featured at premier institutions including Oxford University and George Washington University. He has addressed global audiences in Doha, Rome, Austria, Germany, and Thailand, and was a featured speaker at the Global Justice, Love & Peace Summit in Dubai. His invitation to the Chicago Parliament of the World’s Religions further underscores his status as a leading voice for global dialogue.
Official Statement
In conferring the award, Governor Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose recognized Fr. Kannanchira’s "distinguished global contributions to inter-religious dialogue, peacebuilding, education, culture, and humanitarian engagement". The Governor noted that Fr. Kannanchira’s presence "greatly elevate[s] the jubilance of the blissful event"
About Lok Bhavan, Kolkata:
Lok Bhavan serves as the official residence and workplace of the Governor of West Bengal, hosting significant state functions and cultural celebrations aimed at promoting national unity and excellence.