Event: Teacher's Day

In the frame of Indian teacher's day, the aspirants of Dehon Jyothi community organized a special program for their teacher on Friday, 5 September. With their creativity, they offered an attractive skit, singing and dancing. One of them gave a speech. He invited all of us to wish a happy teacher's day for our beloved English teacher, Mrs. Rani. Moreover, on behalf of community he thanked for her availability and willingness to help our community to take part of formation. Even though she is English teacher, but she has been teaching so many aspects of life that it will be fruitful for the whole personal growth of our aspirants.

In that special occasion, we remember also all our teachers since in our childhood. We aware that their merits are uncountable. Without them we were nothing. Of course, men propose but God dispose. God makes us possible to be like what we are now. And we are sure that God's dispose, come throught the kindness of our teachers.

_____________

In Pictures: Communal Violence Revisits Orissa

"We come to you, Lord, for protection; never let me be defeated."

"At your cross, I commend my spirit"

"I went around bent over in mourning, as one who mourns for his mother"

"We pray with our head bowed low, as we weould pray for our friends or brothers and at once our enemies"

"Burning of the house, inflame our hearts to love more and more"

"God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble"

Letter: Fr. Martin's Message

September 3, 2008

Dear confreres and friends,

"Another Face of INDIA"

The August 23, there was the murder of a Hindu leader, Swami Laxmananda Sarwati by Maoist extremists. After this happened, Hindu mobs started to attack Christian centers in Khandamal in Orissa.

With deep shame and feelings of disappointment, India faced again a terrible situation, and it is becoming more near to our own skin. The hate of the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad), a Hindu fundamentalist group is growing against Catholics and Christians.

Murder and torture and burning have started started. Thousands of Catholics, including nuns and priests, have fled to the jungle to save their lives. The VHP have threatened to kill them. In the forest there is no protection. There is no drinking water, no place for sleeping, no food…, nothing. What about the children and the sick among them??!!

Yesterday, the CBCI released an updated list of devastations in the eastern State of Orissa. According to this data, 26 were killed, and many more were injured. At least 41 churches (Catholic and Protestant) were destroyed, 4,014 houses were damaged, 6 convents, five hostels and youth residences, six Catholic volunteer institutes were devastated, and hundreds of cars and other belongings were set on fire during the raids carried out by Hindu fundamentalists.

"The protest is meant to highlight the slaughter of Christians in Orissa, which has been made worse by the incapability of the central government to stop violence at a time when anti-Christian sentiments are growing and the faithful are tortured and killed," said CBCI chairman, Oswald Cardinal Gracias.

All over the country prayer days are held, and on the 6th of September a fast day for the victims will take place. On Friday, Aug.29 all the Catholic schools were closed (more than 25,000.) In each diocese rallies took place in support of "Our people in Orissa.” In our diocese of Cochin there was a big rally in the midst of heavy rain. Thousands of the faithful, and also our own seminarians, along with other religious and priests, with the Bishop - under umbrellas- lead the long procession. It was not only an expression of support, but also a witness of faith. On the placards were slogans such as “We pray for peace" and "We don't hate the Hindus", and "We will not take revenge with violence."

A tragedy took place where a priest and a sister were hidden behind the pastoral center: The Hindu mob broke into the house and dragged them outside. “They began our crucifixion parade,” said Father Chellen. “The gang of about 50 armed Hindus beat us up and led us like culprits along the road to the burned pastoral center. There they tore my shirt and started pulling off the clothes of the nun. When I protested, they beat me hard with iron rods. Later they took the nun inside and raped her while they went on kicking and teasing me, forcing me to say vulgar words" said the priest, who has cuts, bruises and whose whole body was swollen, with stitches on his face. “Later, both of us, half naked, were taken to the streets, and they ordered me to have sex with the nun in public, saying nuns and priests do it. As I refused ,they went on beating me, and dragged us to the nearby government office. Sadly, dozens of policemen were watching all this,” he said. Angry at his plea to the police for help, the mob beat the bleeding priest again.

Later, a government official, and members of the mob, took the priest and the nun to the policy station, where father Chellen said he was kicked in the face ." The four hour ordeal ended when a senior police officer arrived in the evening,” said Father Chellen.

Asked about the nun (who was traumatized and taken to a convent), father said “we had no option and were simply following their commands. We resisted as much as we could. This is like being tortured for Christ.”

Another touching witness given by a sister in the jungle, "We as followers of Christ, should we not take up the cross as Jesus did and make the way of His Cross too?"

Dear confreres and friends, with my heart full of solidarity and love for all the victims in Orissa, I ask you to pray for them. This will be the beginning of a NEW LIFE FOR THE CHURCH IN ORISSA, the Victory comes through the cross.

Fr. Martin SCJ
Superior of SCJ India District

Discussion: Christian Action for Orissa's Violence

At 1 September, Dehon Jyothy community had a special discussion in accord of some issues about Orissa's Case of Christian violence. As we know that Indian Church tries to create some action-movement as a solidarity to our Christian brothers and sisters in Orissa who are struggeling, suffering and becoming victims because of their faith. One of actions was inviting all Chatolic instutions, mainly education institutions (about 45.000 institutions) in the whole of India, to close their activities and making a rally as a symbol of protest.

The discussion was to respond the statement on newspaper. In the same day of discussion, there was a statement in the Indian Express newspaper as follows: "If Christian missionaries have to protest, they can always ask their followers to do so. They do not have any right to ask the schools, in which children from all religions study, to close and protest the Orissa violence. They cannot do it just because it is run by them. Parents send their children to study in schools and not to participate in the religious protest." (http://thammayya.worldpress.com/)

In keeping with that statement, the students of Dehon Jyothi tried to discuss together. Some of students agreed with that statement because some reasons. First, education should not mixed with the religions-mission and also politic matters. Children should get their right. The basic right of students (children) is geeting knowlegde by classes. Second, parents of students pay to schools with some amound money, in order to get education from institution for their children. By closing the schools, parents would be feeling that schools didn't give pay back to them by giving time for students to study. Third, institutions should respect with all students, especially who are coming from different religions. They could not push them to do something that it is not according to their faith. By closing the schools, it is a kind of intolerance.

In other side, some of students didn't agree with that statement and they supported the action of the Church. Their reasons are as follows: First, the other religions often to do the same way. When they had problems regarding with their faith, whether or not, it was intern problem, easily they demanded to have any kind of action, liked strike, hartal and banned. And they demanded not only their own institutions, but all kind of institutions. Second, we didn't invite children to participate in our action. It was just 'holiday' for them and only Christian-adult would go for directly praticipation on rally or protest action. Third, it is a kind of show up to all Indian people that even though we are minority and it seems nothing, but we are doing much for them and for nations, especially through education. By clossing the schools, hopefully they will be aware that Christian is essential part of Indian-development. Christians are called to be 100% of Jesus' followers and at once Indian.

As conclusion, we come to know more about the meaning of study. Study is not just process to get knowlegde in the class, library, in the books and meeting with the teacher. Action-movement is one part of study. It is invitation to all students to be aware about social problem. College and schools could not separate with the soceity. Knowlegde however should use for making encouraging and enpower of soceity in the true spirit, especially justice, wisdom and peace. By this action, students could learn something for their life. Second point, action against of Orissa Violence is not just the matter of religion, but it is about injustice humanity. It is not the business of Christian to againts that tragedic, but it is business of all human being who have good will to live in peace and harmony. Somehow, we can understand that statement at above, as far as Chatolic institutions didn't give proper explanations to all children and their parents regarding with this action-concern and its purpose. It is also acceptable if the Catholic institutions don't have special curriculum of calendar and easly clossing schools for particular cases.

________

What's Up Orissa2: Land and People

It is still warm in ears, the tragedic of Orissa. It was not just the tragedic of religion relationship, moreover it was humanity tragedic. But actually, who and how is Orissa? The dream of Orissa is so beautiful. They dreamed to live in harmony. Orissa is a land of religious tolerance where people all religions live in true spirit of brotherhood. Yes! There is always distance or gap between dream and reality. Let's help Orissa to fulfil their dream.

Orissa is a symbol of Sacred beauty, holiness and artistic excelence. Orissa is a liitoral state on the eastern coast of peninsular India. The land surface of Orissa varies greatly in elevation and altitude. From rugged hilly terrains to white frothy beaches Orissa is state with delightful variation. Geographical area of the state is 1,55,707 square kilometres.

As understood from the history of the state the geographical location of Orissa led to assimilation of races and culture pf Aryans and Dravidians. Orissa is predominatly a rural soceity where traditional calues are still intact. In the race of modern times Oriyas have still been able to keep their relationship with humanity and nature.

The official language of the state is Oriya. Bengali, Telugu and Hindi are spoken languages of people. English is spoken language by the educated mass in the urban areas. Orissa is a plygot state and any kind of language. Intolerance has never been felt.

Orissa has a high concentration of Hindus. Though sizeable number of followers of Islam and Christianity are also found in Orissa. A land of religious tolerance where people from all religions live in true spirit of brotherhood and harmony.

Caste system is prevalent in Orissa though the rigidness is confined to tural areas.

Peope from Orissa firmly believe in the family life and joint family system is still in rural as well as to some extent in urban areas. The soceity follows the patrilineal form of inheritance. Hindus of Orissa are governed by the Mitakshara system of law.


From: Web of Resident Commissioner-ORISSA

What's Up Orissa1: Orissa in Pictures

Orissa's Cultures (Dances)

Orissa's Temples

Orissa's Arts & Crafts

Tribes of Orissa

Orissa's Fair and Festivals

REFLECTION: Change The World

"How can I change the world?" asked a disciple to his Master.

"You can't! Except, you change your country."

"How can I change my country?"

"No way! except, you change your family and neighbors."

"Then, how can I change my family and neighbors?"

"Impossible! Except, you change yourself."

"How can it happen?"

"Just accept yourself. Be happy with yourself as you are."

(Anthony de Mello, SJ., "One minutes Nonsense")