Articles
Shocking Statistics versus thoughtless slogans
Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan | 14-Nov-2024
I wish to begin this write-up with certain alarming statistics: • 129 million Indians are living in extreme poverty (World Bank) • In the 2024 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 105th out of the 127 countries. • One farmer/farm labourer dies by suicide.....
New Delhi – New York, Via Newcastle
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 11-Nov-2024
What’s new? In recent times, a lot. Let me begin with the adage “Don’t carry coal to Newcastle”. This is because Newcastle, in north east England, was known for its industry and coal fields. Hence any attempt to send coal there would be superfluous. Can.....
Embracing True Christianity: A Call to Authentic and Prophetic Action
Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang | 07-Nov-2024
Often people claim that they have abandoned their traditional religion and embraced Christianity. Many people think that it is a great victory. Yes, there are many good elements that exist in our society but there are also some social evils that eat into.....
All Saints Day’ and ‘All Souls Day’
Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang | 01-Nov-2024
Catholic Church observes ‘All Saints Day’ on November 1 as a day to honor all the saints in heaven and ‘All Souls Day’ November 2 to pray for the souls in purgatory. ‘All Saints Day’ is intended to honour the memory of countless unknown and uncanonized s.....
Formation needs transformation
Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan | 01-Nov-2024
I was intrigued by the revelations Bishop James Thoppil of Kohima, chairman of the northeast bishops’ formation commission, made during the meeting of the formators of northeastern region held from October 21-23, 2024 at Mount Tabor Retreat Centre in Dima.....
The validity of Catholic Baptism
Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang | 27-Oct-2024
The Catholic Church has always understood baptism differently. It teaches that baptism is a sacrament that accomplishes several things, the first of which is the remission of sin, both original sin and actual sin—only original sin in the case of infants a.....
Upholding Gandhian Values of Truth, Justice and Nonviolence for Journalism Today!
Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash | 23-Oct-2024
It is good to be here at this the 29th Annual Convention of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA). I wish to place on record my deep and sincere gratitude to the Executive Committee of the ICPA and all others concerned for giving me the joy and pri.....
Sacrificing Childhood magic to social media
Opinion | Articles | Peter F Borges | 19-Oct-2024
Imagine a world where the echoes of children’s laughter are replaced by the quiet taps on a smartphone screen. Where once there were scraped knees from climbing trees and chasing friends, now there’s the glow of Instagram and TikTok keeping kids captivate.....
Where are we going?
Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan | 15-Oct-2024
Every day news headlines, both in print and digital media, give us terrible shocks. News about murders, robberies, human trafficking, cheatings, corruption, atrocities on women, sectarian violence, caste-based discrimination, abuse of nature and natural r.....
Harvesting Souls?
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 15-Oct-2024
Back in 2000 Arun Shourie wrote a book “Harvesting Souls – Missionaries, their designs and claims”. It was a condemnation of everything remotely connected with missionaries. In the Indian context it was about our Christian presence. For those who came.....
Fratelli Tooti
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 17-Sep-2024
Had I entered a Spelling Bee contest I would have failed miserably, considering that I have mis-spelt the title of Pope Francis’ encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” that he wrote during the Covid pandemic. Unlike previous Popes, he wrote in Italian, not Latin. Se.....
Mother Teresa: Saint who taught us Compassion
Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash | 08-Sep-2024
Today (5 September) is a very special day for the world: it is the Feast Day of Mother Teresa, the Foundress of the Missionaries of Charity. She died on this day in 1997. The Catholic Church throughout the world venerate her as a Saint – and rightly so. F.....
Tele-serials Propagate Destructive Values
Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan | 08-Sep-2024
Of late I have been watching a few Tamil television serials. I was surprised to note a running thread in all the serials. What is it? HATRED. This hatred is usually fuelled by different types of revengeful activities. For this purpose, every serial has a .....
India: An ailing nation, a sick society
Opinion | Articles | John Dayal | 24-Aug-2024
Sometime later this year, if all goes well in India and the United States, India will send its second citizen into space. The first one, fighter pilot Rakesh Sharma, was on board a Soviet spacecraft in 1984. The next, also an air force pilot, will be on b.....
Your Slip is Showing
Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai | 19-Aug-2024
Let me begin with a frank admission. From school days I have hated English grammar. On the other hand, my wife is a grammarian, knowing Wren and Martin’s grammar like the back of her hand. She compensates for my many inadequacies. The word “slip” is bot.....
India Cries for Freedom!
Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash | 18-Aug-2024
India cries for Freedom: Thanks to the relentless struggles and sacrifices of our freedom fighters, on 15 August 1947, India made her tryst with destiny! After years of colonial rule, she finally became an independent nation. Ever since (during these past.....
Indian women live in an unsafe environment
Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan | 15-Aug-2024
This year India is celebrating its 78th Independence Day on August 15, marking 77 years since the first anniversary of independence. As usual, hoisting of the national flag, colourful decorations, illuminations, fire crackers, cultural events, and tea par.....
TODAY, is WORSE than the ‘EMERGENCY!’
Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash | 04-Aug-2024
TODAY, is WORSE than the ‘EMERGENCY!’ India will and should never forget that infamous night of 25/26 June 1975, when, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had a state of emergency declared all over the country. During that dark chapter of the country.....
Shankaracharya exercises his prophetic mission
Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan | 04-Aug-2024
Shankaracharya exercises his prophetic mission A few days ago, I watched a YouTube video uploaded by AAA YouTube channel of Ajit Anjum. In this video the news reporter is interviewing Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand. He came across to me as a .....
The Journey to my Vocation Part-II
Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang | 31-Jul-2024
The Journey to my Vocation Part-II In my previous post, I had written about My Vocation as Part I and I am so overwhelmed by the response and request for ‘My Vocation Part II.’ I ended with a note that I was given a break and with all the limited resourc.....