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The official Annual Provincial Visitation of Rev. Fr. Santiagu Thomas Raj Kumar SDB, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Hyderabad, to People’s Action for Rural Awakening (PARA) took place on Friday, 31st October and Saturday, 1st November 2025. The visit was marked by spiritual renewal, fraternal dialogue, and meaningful interactions with confreres, staff, and collaborators of PARA and its associated institutions.

Day 1: Friday, 31st October 2025

The Provincial arrived on the evening of 30th October to a quiet welcome by the Salesian Community. Friday, the 31st began with Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharistic celebration, invoking God’s blessings upon the visitation. After breakfast, Fr. Provincial conducted the Inaugural Conference for the Salesians, setting a reflective and inspiring tone for the two-day program.

A warm welcome by the PARA staff followed, expressing gratitude for the Provincial’s presence and guidance. This was accompanied by a brief coffee interaction, fostering a cordial and informal exchange between the Provincial and the staff.

Throughout the day, Fr. Santiagu Thomas Raj Kumar met individually with confreres, providing space for personal sharing and encouragement. Later, he met with the MACS Staff, followed by tea and an interaction session that allowed for discussion on ongoing projects and future directions. A visit to Oota-Wellsprings, the Province Center for Psycho-Social Services, was also part of the schedule.

In the evening, the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of PARA was presided over by the Provincial, who is also the organization's president.  This session provided an overview of PARA’s activities, achievements, and plans. The day concluded with Evening Prayer, Spiritual Reading, a Conference, dinner, and the Rosary and Goodnight talk, rounding off the day in prayerful reflection.

Day 2: Saturday, 1st November 2025

The second day began with Morning Prayer, Meditation, and the Holy Eucharist, followed by breakfast. The Provincial continued his individual meetings with confreres and later interacted with the PARA Staff, offering words of appreciation and encouragement for their commitment to social transformation.

This was followed by a meeting with EPC and Committee Members, and PARA Collaborators, strengthening the spirit of shared mission and collaboration. All members joined the Provincial for lunch, marking a joyful moment of fraternity and togetherness.

In the afternoon, Fr. Provincial proceeded to Ekalavya Children’s Home (ECH), Rajahmahendravaram, where he met with the ECH staff, children, and collaborators among whom were 3 members of the Child Welfare Committee of East Godavari District. His presence brought warmth and inspiration to the young beneficiaries and the team working with them. After tea, he returned to Ravulapalem, concluding the visitation with Evening Prayer and a Concluding Conference, wrapping up the two-day program in a spirit of gratitude and renewal.

The Provincial’s visit was a moment of grace and encouragement for the PARA community and its collaborators. His presence, insights, and fraternal interaction strengthened the commitment of everyone involved toward the shared Salesian mission of empowering the marginalized and promoting integral human development.

A team of religious brothers from the Don Bosco Philosopate, Mariapuram, Warangal, who are currently pursuing their studies in philosophy, visited PARA for a week-long – from 10th to 18th October social exposure program. The purpose of this visit was to help them gain practical insight into the lives of marginalized communities and to understand the ground-level realities of social development work. This exposure also aimed to deepen their appreciation for human rights, social justice, and the principles that guide community empowerment.

The program began with an orientation session conducted by PARA’s team. During this session, the participants were introduced to a variety of important themes, including human rights, child rights, gender equality, rights of persons with disabilities, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and constitutional values. These sessions provided the brothers with a broad understanding of the frameworks and legal protections that guide social action in India.

After the orientation, the brothers were divided into four groups and placed under the guidance of PARA’s block coordinators. Each group was assigned to a different operational area for field exposure. The four blocks covered were Alamuru under the leadership of Durga, Atreyapuram led by Prabhakar Rao, Ravulapalem guided by Raja Rao, and Kothapeta coordinated by Isaiah. Through these placements, the brothers had the opportunity to engage directly with local communities and gain hands-on experience in social fieldwork.

During the exposure visits, the participants visited several villages within their respective blocks, with a particular focus on brick kilns where child labor and migrant labor are prevalent. They conducted surveys on child labor and migrant workers to better understand their living and working conditions. In addition to the surveys, the brothers actively supported the e-Shram registration of laborers, which would help workers in villages and brick kilns to access social security benefits. Towards the evening, the teams also visited village committees to learn about their structure, activities, and role in promoting local governance and community participation.

On the 18th, they travelled to Ekalavya Children’s Home (ECH), where they, along with wider civil society they participated in a workshop to understand the struggle to safeguard the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. In the evening, they had an opportunity to interact with the inmates of ECH. The following day, the 19th, they left for their Philosophate.

The program proved to be a deeply enriching experience for the participants. It provided them with first-hand exposure to the struggles and resilience of marginalized groups, helping them develop a greater sense of empathy and commitment to social justice. The brothers also gained valuable knowledge about participatory approaches to development, rights-based advocacy, and the importance of community organization in bringing about lasting social change.

The People’s Action for Rural Awakening (PARA), together with the Manava Hakkula Ikya Vedika, held a forceful protest at Konaseema Mukha Dwaram, Ravulapalem on 10th October, condemning the October 6 incident in which an unidentified lawyer allegedly attempted to throw his shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai inside the Supreme Court.

Protestors described the act as not only an assault on an individual but an attack on the independence and dignity of the judiciary. They expressed deep concern that the attacker’s motive appeared to be linked to CJI Gavai’s Dalit identity, and criticized what they perceive as a slow or inadequate response by authorities.

“This protest is to protect the Indian Constitution,” said PARA Director Thomas Pallithanam. “If the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can be attacked in this manner, what will happen to ordinary people? We demand justice — and that the state act firmly to protect constitutional values.”

Protestors also made a direct ideological demand: the demolition of caste-affirming texts and practices rooted in exclusion. They called for the abolition of Manusmriti and other practices they say perpetuate caste discrimination, arguing such systems have no place in a modern, egalitarian democracy.

The gathering included prominent Dalit leaders, human rights activists, and local community members who raised slogans for equality, dignity, and the swift prosecution of those responsible for the courtroom assault. The event at the Ravulapalem Centre served as a strong statement of solidarity with CJI Gavai and a renewed call to defend constitutional rights against caste-based violence and intimidation.

The protesters demanded immediate legal action against the perpetrator, stronger safeguards for public officials and citizens alike, and broader social and legal measures to dismantle structural caste discrimination.

Ravulapalem, October 9, 2025:

People’s Action for Rural Awakening (PARA) solemnly observed the 19th Death Anniversary of Manyasri Kanshi Ram, the visionary leader who dedicated his life to awakening the social and political consciousness of India’s oppressed and marginalized communities. The commemoration, held at the PARA campus, brought together DB Tech training students and PARA staff in a meaningful gathering of respect and reflection.

The program began with Fr. Thomas Pallithanam SDB, Director of PARA, garlanding the portrait of Kanshi Ram and offering floral tributes. In his address, Fr. Thomas highlighted Kanshi Ram’s transformative role in shaping India’s socio-political landscape. He spoke of the leader’s tireless efforts to secure rights and representation for Dalits, Adivasis, and Other Backward Classes—mobilizing millions to rise for dignity, equality, and justice. Fr. Thomas also underscored Kanshi Ram’s mentorship of Mayawati, noting how his vision for building strong leadership among marginalized communities continues to inspire future generations.

Saka Raja Rao, who hosted the program, shared valuable insights into the profound influence of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on Kanshi Ram’s philosophy and mission. He emphasized that Kanshi Ram perceived his movement as a continuation of Dr. Ambedkar’s unfinished work—striving for social justice and empowerment through awareness, unity, and political participation. Raja Rao noted that Kanshi Ram’s movement was not merely political but deeply social and educational, aimed at uniting the Bahujan Samaj under one banner of dignity and self-respect.

The gathering also served as an educational experience for students and staff, who reflected on Kanshi Ram’s enduring message of “Bahujan Hitay, Bahujan Sukhay”—the welfare and happiness of the majority. Discussions centered on how his vision remains relevant today in the ongoing struggles for equality, education, and empowerment of marginalized groups.

The event concluded with a collective pledge to uphold and advance the ideals of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Manyasri Kanshi Ram, reaffirming PARA’s commitment to justice, social awareness, and people’s empowerment.

LAYA, a distinguished organization that combines grassroots activism with advocacy on wider platforms for Adivasi rights, organized a three-day training program for tribal community leaders at Addateegala. The training brought together 45 leaders from three regions—Rampachodavaram, Parvathipuram, and Paderu.

These leaders, deeply rooted in their villages, have been working tirelessly for the rights and well-being of their communities. The program aimed to enhance their understanding of constitutional values, leadership skills, and strategies for effective community engagement.

The PARA team was invited to participate in the training as key stakeholders. During the program, Mr. Thomas Pallithanam, Director of PARA, delivered an engaging and insightful session on the Indian Constitution and its core values. His session highlighted the importance of constitutional awareness in empowering marginalized communities to assert their rights and demand justice.

The training served as an enriching and collaborative experience, fostering mutual learning and solidarity between LAYA, PARA, and tribal leaders. It not only strengthened the capacities of participants but also reinforced the collective commitment to advancing the rights and dignity of tribal communities.