Social activist Sr. Sujata Jena wins Peace Builders Award
George Kommattam - April 2026
Bhopal, India : Social activist Sr. Sujata Jena has been honored with the “Peace Builders through Path-Breaking Initiatives” Award in recognition of her work promoting women’s empowerment, social justice, and human dignity.
The award was presented during a commemorative event marking a decade since the passing of Swami Sadanand, a Catholic priest widely respected for his interfaith approach to peacebuilding and reconciliation. The gathering took place at the Samanvaya Campus in Bhopal on April 20, 2026, bringing together more than 200 religious leaders, scholars, and social workers from diverse faith traditions.
Sr. Jena, a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts based in Bhubaneswar, was recognized for combining legal advocacy, journalism, and grassroots social action in her efforts to combat human trafficking, rescue bonded laborers, support women religious, and challenge gender discrimination.
Receiving the award, she said the recognition encourages deeper collaboration and strengthens her commitment to continue working for marginalized communities.
The awards ceremony was presided over by Bishop Thomas Mathew of Indore
Other honorees included Dr. Brijmohan Singh for promoting social reform through holistic healthcare; Fr. Solomon Kadambattuparambil, CMI, for advancing socio-economic inclusion of persons with disabilities; Samanvaya Parivar for fostering interfaith harmony; and the Veer Ratna Foundation of Bengaluru for its support initiatives for war widows.
Organizers said the awardees reflect the continuing legacy of Swami Sadanand’s vision of reconciliation, nonviolence, and dialogue across communities.
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