WHAT IS THE CHRISTI SEVAK FEDERATION ( CSF ) ?

• The CSF is an organization to promote unity among various Christian sections, groups and individuals in the body of Christ
• For various reasons the community has been divided on lines of mainline, denominations, independent churches, regions, rites, etc.
• The CSF attempts to bring individuals, institutions and NGOs with a common belief in the Trinitarian God ( Father, Son & Holy Spirit ) together.
• Our objective is to highlight not our differences, but showcase our strengths, our services to the nation and unite all Indian Christians in nation building.
• We come together, not to defend Christianity which is in no danger – But to promote Christians in the national mainstream and raise human rights issues.

AIMS & OBJECTS OF THE CSF SAMMAN AWARDS ?

• The Christi Sevak Samman ( Distinguished Services Honour ) Trinity Awards are a public gesture of love that Christians feel for their own achievers.
• They have been instituted by Mumbai-based nationalist, JOSEPH DIAS – activist, businessman, philanthropist and holder of three Guinness World Records.
• He has for around 40 years served the community in India, besides championing human rights and fighting against attacks on the church – The body of Christ.
• The CSF Samman Award is the highest community honor bestowed for significant contributions made in various spheres – service, profession, business, institutional, etc.
• They are conferred annually during The CSF Christmas Celebration Ceremony which is an occasion for Indian Christians to pray for the country and fellowship with one another.

WHAT FRUITS DOES THE CSF AWARDS BEAR ?

• Unleashing the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control ( Galatians 5:22-23 ) for the benefit of India and humankind.
• Many prefer to be silent workers or who serve only because of their love for The Holy Trinity or performing duty, not desiring any honours. The CSF Award is a token of family prayer.
• It is Christian love – a recognition from us, fellow family members – The CSF Awards conveys our sentiments of pride, gratitude and morale boosting to one of our own.
• The Awardees are those who excel or are loved in the secular and religious world. The CSF Award appreciates them as a valued community member.
• This united community as children of One Father, Our Father then goes out in dedication to witness and serve the nation, praying for its leaders.

AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV ?

Indian Christians have been active in the forefront of India’s freedom struggle and since we became a republic. However, after Independence, the community has shied away from politics, public life and civil services. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of it’s people, culture and achievements. Indian Christians are equal citizens and must show themselves to be so. While other minorities like the Sikhs, Parsis, Jains, Muslims and Buddhists have joined in to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Christian community needs to do more.

We must actively participate in all national initiatives, take advantage of government schemes, especially for the benefit of the lesser fortunate. This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The CSF Awards is a step in this direction to showcase the Christian contribution to the nation.

The official journey of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav commenced on 12th March 2021 with a 75-week countdown to our 75th anniversary of independence and will end post a year on 15th August 2023. Indian Christians will be seen celebrating it till then with various activities. Keep in touch….

The Christi Sevak Samman (CSS – Distinguished Services Honour) Awards have been instituted by Mumbai-based nationalist, JOSEPH DIAS (activist, businessman, philanthropist and holder of three Guinness World Records) who has served the Church in India and championed human rights for around 40 years. The CSS Awards are meant to honor outstanding individuals / institutions / NGOs for significant contributions made by selfless service. They are the shining stars of the community and The CSS Awards are the highest community honor that can be bestowed upon them.

JOSEPH DIAS explains it best when he says – My championing many public causes are well documented since St. Xavier’s College days (Masters in Economics) in the 1980s – volunteering for Julio Ribereiro, super-cop. I am now fast approaching the end of golden years as soon to be joining the ranks of senior citizens! I have been thinking recently of what kind of legacy, I would like to leave behind since I have fewer years in front of me, than behind me.

As I prepare to hang up my boots, having enjoy a great prayer family, business and social life, I prayed about what I could start that could live on? My mind raced through several community members who joined me in my activism. Some well-known and others not known but those who I knew made a great difference. I thought of many talented, but under-exposed friends in Christ, who excelled in their performance nevertheless. Kind and loving souls whose services even community sometimes took for granted. I felt the need was to publicly  salute and express public gratitude to those who have served the community well.

In the spirit, I felt even more strongly that we all have to thank the Lord for community-members such as these. Especially for priests, pastors and religious women or men, who are engaged in the secular world. Or who imbibe into us Christians – the Gospel & Moral values they learnt and practiced.  A public celebration of their lives, while they are living would serve many purposes:

1. The Awardees could experience the gratitude and love of whom they serve
2. The Awardees would be encouraged to continue their work or even do more
3. Here is a showcase of many services that community provides to the country
4. The resources, opportunities and challenges of the community are highlighted
5. There is awareness of the facilities and needs for public support & interaction among stakeholders

Indian Christians are a microscopic minority constituting barely 2 % of the country’s population, but their share in education, medical and social services is more that 50 % venturing into areas where even the government finds difficult to reach. This is a small beginning, a seed which I pray grows up to be a mighty tree – if the LORD wills. A catalyst to boost nation-building not just among Christians, but all communities in this AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV …