Ministry to the Transgenders
Navodaya Movement has now become the Birth Centenary Programme of the Mar Thoma Church to celebrate the hundredth birthday of the Valiya Metropolitan Dr. Philippose Mar Chrysostom Marthoma. This is a ministry focussed on the Transgenders. To start with, an awareness programme is organised at three places- Cochin, Calicut and Trivandrum in the month of July. Each one is organised to initiate awareness among all people and our friends by empowering each Diocese to have a series of awareness in our parishes and centres. Similar programs will be organised in other dioceses as well.
The three ‘Awareness Programmes’ on the Ministry of the Mar Thoma Church to the transgenders organised at three diocese in Kerala took place smoothly at Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram on July 22,25 and 29, 2017.
1. Kottayam -Kochi Diocese:
Venue: Dr. Alexander Marthoma Hall, Elamkulam.
Theme: Gender Diversity and Human Rights- Facts and Figures
Inauguration: Hon. Minister (Adv) Mathew T Thomas, Minister of Water Resources.
Panel of Speakers:
• Mr. P. Vijayan IPS (IG Law and Order),
• Justice J Benjamin Koshy ( Former Justice and Human Rights Commissioner),
• Dr. Arun S. Menon (Endocrinologist, Amrita hospital),
• Ms. Gowri Savitri (TG Artist)
• Dr. Geeta Gopal (Former General Advisor to the Government of Kerala)
There was time for reflection and question answer session
Presided by: Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa
Vote of Thanks: Very Rev. P. T. Thomas, (Rtd. ) Vicar General
- Kunnamkulam – Malabar Diocese
Venue: Baby Memorial Hospital Auditorium, Kozhikode
Theme: Gender Parity: A Reality Check.
Inauguration: Hon. Mayor, Sri Thottathil Raveendran, Kozhikode Corporation Panel of Speakers: Mr. Prasanth Nair (IAS) Former Collector of Calicut, Ms. Sheetal Shyam (TG Artist), Dr. A. K. Jayshree (Prof. community medicine Pariyaram Kannur). Dr. M. K. Muneer (M.L.A) & Sri. M.P. Virendra Kumar (M.P.) could not come.
There was time for reflection, Question -Answer session
Presided by: Dr. Thomas Mar Theethos Episcopa, Diocesan Bishop
- Trivandrum – Quilon Diocese
Venue: St. Thomas School Auditorium, Mukkolakkal (Juhanon Marthoma Auditorium)
Theme: Gender Equality: a Reality or Myth.
Inauguration: Smt. K. K. Shylaja Teacher (Hon. Minister of Health and Social Justice),
Keynote Address: Dr. Shashi Tharoor M.P.(Tvm.),
Panel of Speakers: Mr. Jacob Punnosse (Former D.G.P.), Mr. Ashok Koshy IAS (Rtd.), Dr. K.P. Paulose (endocrinologist), Ms. Surya (TG)Artist and Dr. Geeta Gopal (Former General Advisor to the government of Kerala)
There was time for Reflection and Question – Answer Session
Presided by Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas, Diocesan Episcopa
Vote of Thanks: Rev. Shibu Abraham, Diocesan Secretary
In all three places, Mar Theodosius explained the objectives of the seminar and also summed up in speaking about the follow up action.
Ms Preethi Kuruvila, as the organiser, welcomed the gathering and Rev. Abin Srampical was the MC. Rev. Philip George assisted in the meetings at Kochi and Kozhikode. All together there were about 300 members in each place.
We got the assistance of the major newspapers in English and Malayalam to cover the news. The All India Radio and some channels communicated the message to the larger audience. Food was served at all the three places and the delegates were welcomed by a cup of tea.
The respective meetings in each Diocese was organised with the help of the Diocese, particularly the clergy therein.
Mar Theodosius+
