FR. ROBY KANNANCHIRA CMI
Fr. Roby Kannanchira CMI is the Director of Chavara Cultural Centre. Born in 1969. June 18th, he is one among the renowned twin priests in Kerala. In 1998, the twins Fr. Roby Kannanchira CMI and Fr. Roy Kannanchira CMI were ordained as Catholic Priests.
Fr. Roby is a post graduate in English Literature from M G university, Kottayam, completed M phil and is currently pursuing his PHD in English Literature (Nature as the book of God a comparative study).
Fr. Roby has always been involved with the needs of communities, taking a keen intere st in issues faced by the young and young-at-heart. Fr. Roby is very active in the Socio-Cultural sphere and cares for the needy.
AN EVANGELIST OF INTER-RELIGIOUS HARMONY
Fr. Roby holds the position of Secretary General of World Fellowship of Inter Religious Councils (WFIRC) an organization having roots World over. Fr. Roby has presented papers on Inter Religious topics in the international conferences held at Oxford, Birmingham, Horsham UK, London, Austria. Doha, Qatar, UAE, Germany, Rome, and Belgium. Fr. Roby is closely associating with likeminded world renowned organizations like
URI- UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVES (CHAVARA CULTURAL CENTRE IS A COOPERATION CIRCLE MEMBER SINCE 2007)
IION - INTERNATIONAL INTER -FAITH ORGANIZATIONAL NETWORK
DICID – DOHA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR INTER FAITH DAILOGUE
IARF – INTERNATION ASSOCATION FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM’
GRAZ UNIVERSITY, AUSTRIA
Fr. Roby has been instrumental in holding 6 world conferences on Inter Religious peace and Harmony on behalf of WFIRC and is focusing his efforts for spreading the message of peace and harmony among religion and follows the philosophy of;
“I am here to “CELEBRATE YOUR FAITH” without losing mine.
I am here to “UPHOLD MY RELIGION” without hurting yours.
I am here to “APPRECIATE OUR DIFFERENCES” without giving up our uniqueness.”
FOCUS ON MAKING CHANGES IN GRASS ROOT LEVEL
For reaching out to the younger generation, we organized programs in association with Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), Deepika Childrens League (DCL), Kannur Peace Foundation. Jointly with DCL and Kannur Peace Foundation formed “Harmony” Clubs in Schools and colleges for spreading the message of peace and harmony.
KARMODAYA
Fr. Roby’s life has always been devoted to the poor and downtrodden. EMPOWERMENT OF AUTO / TAXI DRIVERS in Munnar town was yet another of his revolutionary initiatives, wherein drivers were given regular training in Spoken English, Grooming and Etiquette. This, in turn, helped Auto and Taxi Drivers adopt a positive attitude towards passengers, especially tourists, and enhance their earnings as well. Similarly, Fr. Roby initiated the “KARMODAYA” movement that brought together a group of more than 1000 Auto and Taxi Drivers. The universal acceptance of “Karmodaya” was shared at the I A R F meeting held in the United Kingdom in 2007.
CHARITY AND WELFARE OF SOCIALLY OSTRAZISED.
“CHAVARA INSPIRE CHARITABLE SOCIETY” a charitable society working for the benefit of Socially Ostrazised especially children living with HIV and Visually challenged had received the benevolence of Father as Secretary of the Society. This society was floated as an initiative of CMI and CMC congregations under the leadership of Prof. M.K Sanoo, well known literary critic and noted script writer Sri. John Paul.
Chavara Inspire since 2013 has supported 142 children living with HIV by providing them with scholarship, mental support by way of personality & motivational trainings, support for their medical needs, constructing houses, providing finance for repair of house, providing employment and much more. The total value of projects undertaken amounts to Rs.46 lakhs. The Visually challenged community is taken care of very well by providing ways for livelihood to them. They are given life skill and employability training and provide them with employment at the Chavara – CIIVC employability centre in association with Vodafone at Chavara Cultural centre, Kochi. The training centre and employability centre was set up by investing an amount of Rs. 23 lakhs. 28 visually challenged persons has benefitted out of this noble effort.
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF SOCIETY
Fr. Roby has always stood for the societal cause and contributed immensely on behalf of the organizations he has lead over the years:
1. While studying in Union Christian College, Aluva, Kerala 1991-1994 he fought against Campus Politics and was instrumental in establishing the first Anti-Campus Politics organsations all over Kerala. This movement won the court verdict against campus politics in schools in 1996 and later in colleges.
2. Spearheaded the movement “SAY NO TO HARTAL”
3. RISTY FOUNDATION
Foundation to spread awareness in schools and communities against drug abuse
4. Initiated “CHAVARA FEST”- a unique 5-7 days cultural fiesta for immortalizing traditional art forms set in a rustic ambiance, bringing together families to savour traditional tastes and enjoy ethnic art forms.
5. Highly focused on community development; currently dons the role of President of Karikkamuri Residents Association, Kochi in Kerala - a leading residential association in the locality.
6. As a very keen environmentalist, he formed the society “Clarion” in 2006 with the objective of coordinating different organizations for the conservation of Mother Nature.
ORGANIATIONS ASSOCIATIED WITH
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE | CAMPUS ABROAD
Maintaining close associations with the French Embassy Annex Alliance Francaise and Campus Abroad France, both organizations operate from the Chavara Cultural Centre premises at Kochi.
FIAT JUSTICIA
Free Legal Aid Centre for the benefit of the needy
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Iinternational forum for alcohol de-addiction.
2. Campaigned against smoking in public places; was part of the legal proceedings initiated to ban smoking in public places.
3. Spearheaded the movement “SAY NO TO HARTAL”
4. Initiated “CHAVARA FEST”- a unique 5-7 days cultural fiesta for immortalizing traditional art forms set in a rustic ambiance, bringing together families to savour traditional tastes and enjoy ethnic art forms.
5. Keenly involved in rehabilitating the marginalized; championing the cause of “Children living with HIV”.
6. Focused upon empowering visually-challenged individuals, imparting knowledge, life skills, employability skill as well as employment. Joined hands with Vodafone to set up a Call Centre, providing employment to 25 visually challenged individuals.
7. Highly focused on community development; currently dons the role of President of Karikkamuri Residents Association, Kochi in Kerala - a leading residential association in the locality.
8. Led the movement for abolishing liquor shops that operated in a thickly populated locality, causing hardship to the society.
9. As a highly motivated trainer, he held workshops in Qatar and the United Kingdom to impart value-based
training 10. As an evangelist of inter-religious harmony, he accepts, respects and celebrates all faiths, upholding each one’s Religion and Belief
11. As a very keen environmentalist, he formed the society “Clarion” in 2006 with the objective of coordinating different organizations for the conservation of Mother Nature.
Fr. Roby has close associations with International as well as Non-Governmental organizations operating in accordance with humanitarian lines.
Maintaining close associations with the French Embassy Annex Alliance Francaise and Campus Abroad France, both organizations operate from the Chavara Cultural Centre premises at Kochi.
Free Legal Aid Centre for the benefit of the needy
An international forum for alcohol de-addiction.
A unique platform to help senior citizens build meaning relationships, benefit from medical support, facilitate group organic farming among the local community
A cultural collective
A foundation to spread awareness in schools and communities against drug abuse
IION - International Inter-faith Organizational Network In 2007, Fr. Roby presented papers by IION at Oxford, United Kingdom.
DICD - INTER FAITH DIALOGUE
Moderated Sessions and Presented papers at the Doha International Centre in 2008, 2009 and 2010
GRAZ UNIVERSITY, AUSTRIA | HORSHAM | BIRMINGHAM
Presented at the Graz University, Austria (2011) as well as at other prestigious conferences conducted at Horsham (2013) and Birmingham (2014)
