The contribution of Rev. Fr. Thomas Felix CMI is great in the area of disability rehabilitation and knowledge dissemination. In order to immortalize his memories two awards have been instituted in his name by CIMR, one, to a best performing institution and another to an outstanding individual working for the intellectually challenged persons in India. The awards carry the name as follows:
These two awards are presented on the commemoration day of Fr. Felix in a public function. The awardees are selected from nominations called for from all over India and the nominations are thoroughly studied by a screening committee and final selection is done by the selection committee. Every year nominations are invited in the month of July- August and the awards are distributed to the selected awardees on 11 January. Details of the awards given the previous years is given below
The awards for 2025 were distributed on the third commemoration day of Fr. Felix, 11 January 2026.
Nominations for the awards were invited in the month of July 2025 and accordingly several nominations were received. Out of these nominations the screening committee prioritized the nominations and the final selection committee selected the awardees. Carmel Jyothi Charitable Society, Machilapavu, Adimaly, Idukki was selected as the best institution for the year 2025 and Mr. Venkataramaman of Ritham Special School, Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu as the outstanding individual for 2025.
During the third commemoration day meeting the awards were distributed to the awardees. Sr. Biji Jose CMC received the best institution award from the chief guest His Grace Mar Thomas Tharayil, Archbishop of Changanacherry. The award includes a cash award of Rs. 50,000/-, memento, certificate and citation. This award prize was made possible with the financial support of the family members of Fr. Felix.
The second award, for an outstanding individual was given to Mr. K. Venkataramanan, the founder of Ritham Special School, Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu for the outstanding work he has done for the intellectually challenged persons. The award was presented to him by the Archbishop. The award includes a memento, certificate, citation and a cheque for Rs. 50,000/- This award was instituted with the support of the well wishers of CIMR.
CIMR instituted two awards as a memorial and honour of Fr. Felix so that his services are always remembered. The proposals for the first awards were called for in June 2024. The first award “Fr. Thomas Felix CMI Memorial Award for the Best Institution Working for the Intellectually Challenged Children” was awarded to ‘Asha Nilayam Special School’ Ponkunnam. The award received by its Director, Rev. Fr. Roy Mathew Vadakel from the Chief Guest Dr. C. V Ananda Bose on 11 January 2025. The award was given to them based on their meritorious services for the children and their contribution to the field of intellectual disability.
The second award “Fr. Thomas Felix CMI Memorial Award for Outstanding Individual Working for the Intellectually Challenged Children” was awarded to Sr. Mary Tom FCC from Assissi Vidyalaya, Chenamcode, Kanyakumari (Dt) Tamil Nadu for her committed services for the intellectually challenged children in the past 34 years. Sr. Mary Tom received the award from the hands of the Chief Guest.
Both the awards included a cash award of Rs. 50,000/-, memento and a citation. These two awards will be given every year on the commemoration day of Fr. Felix to selected institution and individual. The first award is sponsored by the family members of Fr. Felix and the second by the well wishers of CIMR.
