Chennai: The National Council of Churches in India held it’s Dalit Pre-Assembly Meeting at the Church Women Centre in Gurukul Lutheran Theological Seminary Campus, Chennai from 20-22 April 2012. The Assembly was organized by the Commission on Dalit Concerns of the National Council of Churches in India. Dr. Mor Coorilos Geevarghese, Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese and member of the NCCI Ex.Committee, presented a paper on the theme of the Pre_Assmbly, “Groans from the Margins: Pathos, Protests and Progress”. Rev. Dr. Augustine Jayakumar, Dr. Deenabandhu Manchala, Dr. Daniel Premkumar, Rev. Sundar Singh, Dr. Simon John, Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock and others led various sessions. Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, Ex. Secretary of NCCI Dalit Department was the chief coordinator of the Pre-Assembly. About 25 delegates attended the Assembly.