The Hindu
New Delhi, Feb 5: Fr Dominic Emmanuel SVD, who has been working on inter-religious dialogue, and Anjuman Sair-e-Gul Faroshan, known for its annual “Phool Walon ki Sair,” received National Communal Harmony Award for 2008, recently here in New Delhi during Republic Day Celebrations.
The jury, headed by Vice-President M Hamid Ansari selected Delhi-based Fr Emmanuel in the individual category and Anjuman Sair-e-Gul Faroshan, in the organisation category.
Fr. Emmanuel, 57, has been working for communal harmony for the past two decades. Having a Ph.D. in ‘Communication as Dialogue: Its Progressive Recognition in Modern Christian, Academic and Broadcast Discourses,’ he has been involved in the service of inter-religious dialogue, the release said. He has been involved in resolving conflicts/differences between different communities. His works include 14 books on subjects covering value education for schoolchildren and communal harmony.
Anjuman Sair-e-Gul Faroshan has been working for communal harmony since its inception in 1964.
It has been organising every year ‘Phool Walon ki Sair’ in Delhi for more than 40 years. The festival is a symbol of solidarity amongst Hindus and Muslims.
The ‘pankhas’ of ‘Phool Walon Ki Sair’ are presented to the President and Vice-President of India besides other dignitaries.
The award included Rs. 5 lac and Rs. 2 lac as cash prize for the organisation and individual categories respectively.