Prolific writer Parakal conferred ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’

Mumbai – Mr. Anthony Parakal, a prolific writer of letters to newspaper editors, was recently conferred the first–ever Secular Citizen Lifetime Achievement Award 2005 at a function held on May 8.

Instituted by the Mumbai–based Secular Citizen magazine, the award carried a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, a shawl, trophy and a citation.

Mr. Parakal is a Guinness Book record holder and his achievement has been also recognised by the Limca Book of World Records.

Mr. Parakal’s first letter appeared in the Times of India edition of December 17, 1955 and since then he has been an unstoppable letter–writer, penning over 5000 letters to various publications. All of them have been published. He has been interviewed by almost all leading newspapers, the Time magazine, and TV channels.

At the felicitation function, which coincided with the release of a special issue of ‘Secular Citizen’, president of the Bombay Catholic Sabha, Mr. Dolphy D’Souza, praised Mr. Parakal as a living legend. “He is an achiever because of his passion to write and write. We must support the Parakals around us,” he said.

Presiding over the function, Mr. Rajesh Angelo Athaide, said Mr. Parakal had done the country proud “and we are all proud that he is part of our community.”

Responding to the felicitation, Mr. Parakal said that his urge to write letters stemmed from the desire to combat injustice of all kinds. “Our country,” he said, “is flooded with problems and there is no dearth of subjects or issues to write about.” “However, it is absolutely necessary for all of us to contribute in our own way for the betterment of society. Our earth is blessed with enough human and material resources, but it is the selfishness of a few that prevents most from getting their fair share.”

The president of the Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Vincent Mathias, his deputy Mr. Henry Lobo, publisher of Secular Citizen, Mr. Lawrence Coelho, and his family members were present at the function.