‘Volunteers are being gathered in heaven and no one can replace their place in heaven’

-Fr. Mahendra, Director Caritas Sri Lanka

Caritas India acknowledges and congratulates its volunteers every year for their inspiring voluntary efforts during the event of VOLUNESIA – is that moment that moment when you forget you’re volunteering to help change lives, because it’s changing yours. Volunteerism is another term for Spiritualism. And this spiritualism has stood as the strongest pillar of Caritas India over the years and helped to effectively work all over India. To build a strong volunteer network, recognising the efforts of volunteers and thanking them plays a pivotal role.

‘Until the seed falls on the ground, it doesn’t bear fruit’, said Mar Joseph Pamplany, Auxiliary Bishop of Thalasseri. Volunteers are these seeds. To become a volunteer, irrespective of their caste or religion, one must be selfless and deny themselves the comfort of life. As the theme suggests, the value of everything is enhanced by the efforts of many people. For example, humanity, being the value, needs humans to act to come into action. And the works of our volunteers is a clear depiction of humanity coming to life. As rightly said by Fr. Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India, joining hands to revive the humanity among us to make this world a better place is essential for all of us.

Volunesia 2021 received nominations from across the country under six categories, namely COVID Warriors, Service, Teamwork, Initiative, Leadership, and Innovation. A panel decided the following winners from the nominations received:

North Zone

1. Gautam Kumar – COVID Warrior
2. Jithendra Pal – Teamwork
3. Rajendra Singh Yadav – Innovation

South Zone

1. Juturu Srinivasuslu – COVID Warrior
2. Rajeshwari – COVID Warrior
3. Sunil Abraham – COVID Warrior
4. Amal Babu – Service
5. P Bincila Mary – Service
6. Bathalakuri Jayamma – Service
7. Jancy Joseph – Teamwork
8. Kolli Sampurnamma – Teamwork
9. James Chinkuthara – Initiative
10. Akhilesh – Initiative
11. Bindu – Initiative
12. Joseph K B – Leadership
13. Boniface – Innovation

East Zone

1. Jayasmita Das – COVID Warrior
2. Dr. Biju Kalezhath – Service
3. Vinodini Yadav – Initiative
4. Love Kumar Patel – Leadership

West Zone

1. Jaibin James – COVID Warrior
2. Manisha Satish Swami – Teamwork
3. Ratnamala Sunil Gade – Leadership

Northeast Zone

1. Daisy Zomuankimi – COVID Warrior
2. Christopher Francis – Teamwork
3. Dipar Rongpee – Initiative
4. Mamoni Ronrang – Leadership

Along with the Caritas Samaritans, special volunteer recognition was given to Mar Joseph Pamplany for His commendable work during the pandemic under the category – Comrade. He was actively involved in the cremation ceremonies of the dead Covid patients. Mr. Rakesh and Mr. Sanjay also received the Comrade award for their success in revamping 9 govt. schools in different parts of Karnataka. Their efforts also helped in improving the students’ attendance.

The program concluded with Mr. Ghanshyam, Head of Programs, Caritas India, thanking all the volunteers for their good services. He ended on the note that we must all try to spread the concept of volunteerism, especially in the rural areas.