Sr. Pushpanjali Paul, Francis Xavier Joseph Nominated for Atmadarshan Lifetime Achievement Awards

INDORE, October 13, 2026: Sr. Pushpanjali Paul, SSpS, of Bhopal and veteran journalist Francis Xavier Joseph of Jabalpur have been nominated for the Atmadarshan Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contributions to Christian music, sacred arts, journalism, literature and education.

The two nominees will be honoured at the grand finale of the Atmadarshan Gospel Singer Reality Show, Season 2, on November 9, 2026.

Sr. Pushpanjali, a member of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit, has composed more than 300 songs, bhajans and hymns, contributing significantly to Christian devotional and liturgical music in Hindi-speaking regions of North India. She has also produced the Mangal-Mekhla series, comprising 15 volumes of audio recordings dedicated to prayer and spiritual reflection.

Her work extends to dance-dramas combining music, movement and spirituality, which she has written, choreographed and staged in India and abroad. In 1998, she presented a liturgical dance at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome during the Synod of Asian Bishops.

Based in Bhopal, she founded SADHANA-SANCHAR, a Centre for Art and Spirituality, Culture and Communication, to promote spiritual engagement through music and the arts. She has also conducted music retreats, meditation programmes and art therapy sessions.

Joseph, a journalist, author, educator and communication professional from Jabalpur, is being recognised for his decades-long contribution to Christian journalism and Hindi Christian literature, as well as his work in education and community development.

An independent journalist, he has covered Church affairs, education and social issues for regional media, news agencies and government information services. He also served as managing editor of a Christian weekly and contributed to Catholic Hindi literature through his association with the Hindi Sahitya Samiti of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.

In 1997, Joseph founded the Masihi Lekhak Sangh (Christian Writers’ Association) in Jabalpur. As its founder and secretary, he has worked to promote Hindi Christian literature and provide a platform for Christian writers. The association has completed 25 years of literary engagement.

His work also includes educational advocacy. Since 2002, he has served as founder and coordinator of the United Christian Educational Forum, Madhya Pradesh, assisting educational institutions with issues concerning minority status, recognition and educational rights. He has also served as state secretary of the Catholic Council of Madhya Pradesh.

The Atmadarshan Lifetime Achievement Awards recognise the nominees’ sustained contributions to the Church and society through their respective fields of service. Their selection brings together two distinct areas of ministry—creative expression through music and sacred arts, and community engagement through journalism, literature and education.

The awards will be presented during the November 9 grand finale of the gospel singing competition.

By Catholic Connect Reporter