Secular Citizen Vol.22 No. 37 dated 16 September 2013 by Lawrence Coelho

16 September 2013

Pope calls for 'culture of encounter' with Syro-Malankara Church

Moran Baselios Marthoma Paulose II with Pope Francis during their meeting on Friday at the Vatican (AFP photo/Osservatore Romano) Pope Francis met with the head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, an Eastern rite independent church that counts around two million members, mostly in the Indian region of Kerala. It dates its origin back to St Thomas the Apostle and was “rediscovered” by Europeans only when the Portuguese started setting up commercial bases in Southern India in the 15th century. Catholicos Moran Baselios Marthoma Paulose II spent two days in Rome as part of a Europe-wide tour and had a 45-minute meeting with the pope on Thursday. Both church leaders praised the progress of the ecumenical dialogue between the two churches in the past decades but didn't shy away from mentioning past and present tensions. Francis acknowledged the “division and rivalry which have marked our past.” The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has often criticized in the past the use of the title of Catholicos and Successor of St Thomas by the head of its Catholic counterpart, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, headed by Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, the youngest cardinal that elected Pope Francis in March 2013. Some Orthodox Christians publicly expressed their hope that Pope Francis would address this controversy, after Pope Benedict had boosted the status of India's Catholic Eastern churches by bestowing the red hat to their leaders. In their meeting, though, Pope Francis and Catholicos Paulose II seemed to skirt away from the controversy and focused instead on what the two churches can do together. “Wherever possible and appropriate, we are willing to cooperate with our sister churches in ministering to the pastoral needs of the people, particularly the poor and the marginalized,” the Catholicos Paulose II said in an official (Contd.. on p. 4)

Can Pope Francis Reform The Curia?

“His quips and one liners won’t get Pope Francis far in changing the Roman Curia,” a veteran Vatican official told me. “There are certain procedures which worked well in the past. Things have gone downhill recently, but the Vatican is too big to function without procedures, and introducing new ones is not easy.” Following the theft and publication of documents from Pope Benedict’s study, reports of financial shenanigans and a gay lobby, the cardinals at the conclave elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio in large part to clean up the mess. “We wanted someone with good managerial and leadership skills,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York told the National Catholic Reporter’s John Allen in July. “But so far that hasn’t been as obvious.” That may become clearer soon. In October, Francis is supposed to hear from an international group of eight cardinals he appointed with a mandate to advise him on nearly all aspects of church governance. The basic form of the Roman Curia was established late in the sixteenth century to help the pope apply the Council of Trent. It has been reformed several times since, the most important being the reform of Paul VI, a Vatican insider whose top adviser, Msgr. Giovanni Benelli, was a savvy, energetic Curialist. They reshaped the Curia by creating offices for areas of concern such as ecumenism and the laity, which had acquired a new importance at Vatican II. Francis lacks Paul VI’s Curial expertise, and there is no Benelli in sight. He could need outside help.

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‘Thought for the week’

A leader’s job is to look into the future, and see that the organization not as it is, but as it can become.

Contents

pg 2 - Pope calls for 'culture of encounter' with SyroMalankara Church pg. 3 - Why Should We Apologize For Being Catholic? pg. 5 - How Safe Are Women In Bandra? pg 8 - The World’s Biggest Campaign Against Hunger pg 10 - For Or Against Modi? – An Indian’s Response pg 16 - The Prophecy Of Prophet Isaiah 17and Psalm 83 Is About To Be Fulfilled pg 18 - World's Most Forward Thinking Rail Traveller pg 19 - Inspiration pg 20 - Matrimonials pg 22 - Home Remedies For Scalp Pimple

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Cover : For Or Against Modi? – An Indian’s Response

(Article on pg. 10)

16 September 2013

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Why Should We Apologize For Being Catholic?

don't know when, how, or why, but the Church has collectively decided that the best way for it to proclaim the glorious message of salvation to a world desperately in need of it is timidity. We don't want to hit anyone over the head with the message. We use self-deprecating language. We like to lay down on the couch and focus on our shortcomings. We look at our feet when talking in tacit acknowledgement that what we are saying is slightly embarrassing. And when we are not apologizing for something, we shy away from hard teachings because we have somewhere else to be. We don't talk of conversion anymore, we talk of dialogue as if the real truth is somewhere in the middle. We don't talk of sin so much as sickness. We are a collective of beta males (and females). We are an entire religion in need of over sized black glasses and a therapist. When did we become a religion of Woody Allens? Oh how I long for a religion as bold in its belief as it is in action. The kind of religion that sends missionaries to die in jungles just to bring the savage residents there salvation, a religion that loved savages enough to try and save them; I long for a religion that actually believes they need to be saved. Oh how I long for a religion with enough boldness to loudly, proudly, and incessantly proclaim uncomfortable truths, even to its own supposed adherents, until they all understand what it means to be Catholic. How I long for a religion with that quiet and gentle resoluteness. A religion that can acknowledge the mistakes of its members while loudly proclaiming the Church One, Holy, Apostolic, and Infallible. I desire John Wayne Catholicism in a Woody Allen world. But the thing about John Wayne characters, without fanfare, gratitude, understanding, or appreciation, they just did what needed doing for no other reason than it was the right thing. So I guess I will just try to do that. (Source: National Catholic Register)

(Contd.. from p. 2) speech delivered at the end of his private meeting with the pope. “Some of the present pastoral issues may be resolved on the basis of the common tradition that existed before the unfortunate division in the Indian church in the 16th century,” he added, inviting the pope to visit India. Both leaders also emphasized the dialogue between the two Churches, which dates back to the Second Vatican Council. Francis encouraged the two Churches to work towards reconciliation and harmony through theological dialogue and by cultivating a “culture of encounter,” overcoming prejudices and closed attitudes. In 1990, a joint commission was created between Catholics and Orthodox Syro-Malankars, which led to an agreement for “the common use of buildings of worship and cemeteries and the necessity to identify new forms of collaboration in the face of growing social and religious challenges.” Visiting Rome last spring, the Rev Abraham Thomas, secretary of the Department of Ecumenical Relations of the Orthodox Syro-Malankara Church, said dialogue with Catholics and other Christians in Asia should focus on “making the ‘voice of the Holy Spirit’ clear to the world.” He accused “institutionalized Churches” of “imitating the multinational companies” rather than working together to resist the social, environmental and cultural imbalances forced on communities by Western-led globalization.

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Catholics in Goa are Culturally Hindu, says CM Catholics in "I am not the Goa are culturally Hindu nationalist as Hindu and India is a understood by Hindu nation in the some TV media - not cultural sense, Chief one who will take Minister Manohar out a sword and kill Parrikar has said. a Muslim. "India is a "According to Hindu nation in the me, that is not Hindu cultural sense. A behaviour at all. HinCatholic in Goa is dus don't attack also Hindu culturally anyone, they only because his pracdo so for self-detices don't match fence - that is our Manohar Parrikar with Catholics in Brahistory," said zil except in the reliParrikar, seen as a gious aspect, a Goan Catholic's way of critical quantum in BJP's prime ministhinking and practice matches a ter-in-waiting candidate Narendra Hindu's," Parrikar said in an interview to Modi's think tank. New York Times' India blog published He was also one of the leading Wednesday. candidates for the post of party presiParrikar heads a state where the dent some years back and headed the Catholic population is just under 30 BJP's innovation cell. percent of its 1.5 million population. The chief minister is a former InThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded dian Institute of Technology (IIT) aluman unprecedented eight Catholic can- nus and is known for his hands-on style didates out of the 24 assembly seats of governance. This is his third stint as the party contested. chief minister of the state. The 57-year-old chief minister said he was a "perfect Hindu" but added that it was his personal faith and that "it has Once a British asked Swami nothing to do with government". Vivekanand, "Why can't you wear Parrikar took pains to distinguish proper clothes to become a gentleHindu as a cultural rather than a relimen." Swami Vivekanand smiled gious term. and said "In your culture, tailor makes a gentlemen; in our culture The article "Traditional 'Monthi character makes a gentlemen."

A Gentlemen

Fest' Celebration" in issue dated 9, September 2013 (Vol.22 No.36) is the collection of research and writings done by several individulals: Ancy Paladka made a research on the topic who travelled several places in the western coast of India for collecting the data. Translation by Alphonse Mendonsa, Pangla (Abu Dhabi) Besides various sources like, wikipedia /Mangalorean Catholics. John B. Monteiro and related news items are used.

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16 September 2013

How Safe Are Women In Bandra? On National television, a frail and pretty lass from Delhi recently lamented“Do you know how afraid I am because daily I have to dodge potential rapists on my way to college?” Is this how our young girls feel in other cities too, in Mumbai? Then, it is time to worry and be very afraid for our female children who need to get out of the safety of their homes for education…..and so many other purposes. Till recently Mumbai was known to be a safe city for women. It is no more, say voices across the city, and from all over India. Bandra too has changed and citizens ought to sit up and take note -what has changed in the last decade? Any Mumbaikar living here for a couple of decades, would have easily observed the downward slide of this city from a regal, majestic and disciplined one into a glitzy, crumbling, indifferent Vera Metro frayed at the edges and bursting at the seams. It is particularly painful to watch the queen of suburbs, Bandra descending into the present appalling condition of chaos and disorder. The underbelly of this rich suburb is evident in the sleazy joints and the disrespect shown to women and the elderly in public. The huge leap in floating population, the unplanned glut of new buildings, the mushrooming of bars/pubs combined with the apathy of the administration have collectively transformed Bandra

16 September 2013

into a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any time. Though most of the crimes against women go unreported, just one incident of the kind that happened in Delhi will act as the spark that will set the haystack of Bandra on fire! And like every problem, women are at the receiving end, affected on all sides. To cite just one example - Walking on Hill road elbowing through the throng of unruly crowds returning after catching a glimpse of their screen hero is a daunting experience for any female. The clash of cultures is very much in evidence. Brought up to think that all females are possessions to be owned, and that the fashionable attire is an invitation to ogle, grope or more…the outsiders may be tempted to resort to venting their passions on any female at hand. This is not restricted to Hill road Alvares alone, even the once idyllic lanes of Bandra are becoming out of bounds for our young girls and women out on their own. The traditions of Bandra have drastically undergone a sea change for the worse. Living in the plethora of buildings it is convenient to live like frogs in the well- without taking the trouble of getting to know one’s neighbour or bonding with society for common good. The increase in the number of incidents of chain-snatching, eve teasing

... The huge leap in floating population, the unplanned glut of new buildings, the mushrooming of bars/pubs combined with the apathy of the administration have collectively transformed Bandra into a ticking time... and groping on roads and public places can be attributed to the general indifference and self-centeredness of the people living in the area. Not very long ago, concern for the safety of women out for work, education, entertainment, marketing etc. used to be the responsibility of the whole community, living in the quiet suburb of Bandra. With the burgeoning of Bandra, priorities have changed leaving no room for additional responsibilities. Rapid progress may have changed the face of Bandra but the problem is that the Civic administration and the police have failed to prioritize the issues. Clearing the freeways for smooth movement of traffic and pedestrians may reduce the jostling on our roads. Stricter policing is the need of the hour. Police personnel can do better with their blinkers off- shooing away courting couples is not as important as registering FIRs when women lodge complaints of harassment, domestic violence and molestation. Treat the complaints of women however illiterate, as top priority, for they are the mothers, sisters and daughters of this society. At the Community Centres in Bandra one can hear the pathetic tales of women who have ventured to complain to the police and have been lectured upon for complaining about their own masters ( husbands who live off them and assault them in return)! For the youth, the present atmosphere in the suburb seems to be conducive to healthy growth without gen(Contd.. on p. 7)

UN Dedicates International Day of Charity to Holy See Statement on United Nations' 1st InterBlessed Mother Teresa - September 5th Initiative to Promote Importance of Benevolent Giving

September 05, 2013 - Today, the United Nations (UN) commemorated the anniversary of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta by declaring September 5th as the International Day of Charity. According to the UN website, the initiative was proposed by Hungary ”with the goal of creating a universal platform to raise awareness about the importance of benevolent giving.” The UN headquarters in New York will commemorate the day with panel discussions that will highlight the role of charity in alleviating poverty and promoting access to clean water and sanitation in the world. “On this International Day of Charity, the United Nations invites all Member States and all international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental

Words Of Wisdom From Mother Teresa "If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”

national Day of Charity

"The Church is particularly happy that the international community, by designating precisely September 5th ... wishes to recognize the extraordinary witness of charity exemplified in recent times by Blessed Mother Teresa" September 05, 2013 - Here is a statement from the Holy See's mission at the United Nations, regarding today's celebration of the 1st International Day of Charity. In recognition of the role of charity in alleviating humanitarian crises and human suffering within and among nations, as well as of the efforts of charitable organizations and individuals, including the work of Mother Teresa, the General Assembly of the United Nations designated the 5th of September, the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, as the International Day of Charity.

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organizations and individuals, to commemorate the Day in an appropriate manner, by encouraging charity, including through education and public awareness-raising activities,” the UN stated in a communique. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who passed away on September 5th, 1997, worked tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of the poor in the streets of Calcutta. The order she founded, the Missionaries of Charity, was established in 1950 and spread all over the world to serve “the poorest of the poor.” Blessed Mother Teresa was beatified on October 19th, 2003 by Blessed Pope John Paul II.

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16 September 2013

How Safe Are Women In Bandra? (Contd.. from p. 5)

der bias. The numerous schools and colleges in Bandra provide opportunities to youth to interact freely and grow together in wisdom and knowledge without any underlying currents. This can be utilized to dispense information to change the mindset of growing teenagers. It is not possible to change the laws of attraction but we can teach people to respect them. Building a safer community for all concerned and especially for women will need each one to grow in awareness of the social problems. Taking proactive measures collectively will certainly help in the long run. Buildings and housing societies can come together at regular intervals to invest time and energy into proven deterrents to crime such as stricter security agencies, CCTVs, citizen patrols and other similar measures that may be operated in conjunction with the local BMC Corporator and Police. Investigating an offense against women however insignificant, may deter the perpetrator from growing into a full-fledged criminal. As fathers, sons and brothers, even those living ensconced in luxury and security should take the responsibility of making all our girls and women feel safe and free when they are away from home. The police by their presence and deft handling should instil more confidence in the citizens that unitedly they can make Bandra safe for all women!

16 September 2013

A Healthy Collaboration Via The Presence Of National Festivals

With the new Pope Francis in station and his deliberations the Catholic Community of the world is looking forward to a new era of transparency and divine intelligence. In India where less than 2% of the population is Catholic there can be seen a change in the promulgations of the Church n India vis a vis itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collaboration with India and the Indian-ness that surrounds us as Catholics. For the first time since early Independence, Catholics I believe will celebrate Indian festivals with the same fanfare and revelry thereby joining and interacting with the national and local population of India belonging to all castes and creeds and thereby showing camaraderie and love for all. Divali or Deepavali is primarily a national celebration so is the Holi festival of colors. None of them have any reserves with any showcased religion. They belong to the universal Indian and the present day Catholic in India is a representation of this genre. Each Archdiocese in every designated Catholic area represented by local churches, will, I am to understand, convey to the people the good news and the essence of Jesus our Savior via the message of love and thereby create healthy collaborations with Indian communities all over. For the first time I can truly say that I am an Indian Catholic and I belong to India the land of my birth. I pray that Pope Francis visits this wonderful land, India, the land of a billion people who believe in one source energy, one infinite intelligence , one universal power and allow for the freedom to follow the religion of their choice within the ambit of the Constitution of India which stands unbiased and accommodative to all. Jai Hind. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Calwyn D'Abreo

The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Biggest Campaign Against Hunger â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is not a question of whether we have the means. We have to create the meansâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Congress President, on financing the Food Security Bill which has been passed by parliament in the first week of September 2013. With the Congress all set to use it as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;game-changingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; poll plank in the run-up to the 2014 elections, the food security bill which has been passed by both houses of Parliament and which will shortly become an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Actâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; after it receives the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assent, and finally the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; when it is notified Following are some salient features of the revolutionary bill which is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest anti hunger measure on this planet Earth and quite appropriate way to bring about International Day Of Democracy â&#x20AC;˘ Each beneficiary of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana â&#x20AC;&#x201C;an e x i s t i n g programme for the poor, will get 5kg of wheat (at Rs.2 per kg) and rice (at Rs.3 per kg) every month.

â&#x20AC;˘ Rs.6,000 to be given t additionally o pregnant or lactating women

by Steven Lawrence Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza

(Former IRS â&#x20AC;&#x201C;RETD (VRS-2008)Customs, Central Excise and Service tax, Officer, presently a corporate management and tax consultant . On Advisory Panel of various state and central govt. committees, prominent NGOs and deemed universities and senior high court/supreme court legal counsel on tax, administrative and finance matters .Besides, Visiting faculty business mgt., and course coordinator for UPSC â&#x20AC;&#x201C;IAS and other competitive exams)

â&#x20AC;˘ Rice for Rs.3, wheat for Rs.2 and coarse grains for Rs.1/kg for a period of three years; will be linked to Minimum Support Price for farmers thereafter.

â&#x20AC;˘ A person below poverty line is entitled to 5 kg of wheat (at Rs.4.15 per kg) and rice (at Rs.5.65 per kg) every month.

â&#x20AC;˘ 5 kg of wheat (at Rs.6.10 per kg) and rice (at Rs.8.30 per kg) every month for those above poverty line

â&#x20AC;˘ Storage capacity has to be improved from 55 million metric tonnes to 78 million metric tones â&#x20AC;˘ Quantity of Food grains required per year: 61.2 million metric tones

â&#x20AC;˘ Quantity of Food grains procured on an average in the past four years: 60.2 million metric tonnes

â&#x20AC;˘ The bill covers 67 per cent of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population- 75 per cent in rural areas and 50 per cent in urban areas â&#x20AC;˘ Annual expenditure:Rs.1,33,000 crore

â&#x20AC;˘ Current food subsidy bill : Rs.90,000 crore â&#x20AC;˘ No cut from the current quota of foodgrains for States. â&#x20AC;˘ One year for States to implement the scheme Currently, different quantities of rice and wheat are provided at different prices to different categories â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Antodaya Anna Yojana beneficiaries, Below poverty Line and Above Poverty Line families. The new Bill offers a uniform monthly entitlement of 5 kg foodgrain to 75 per cent of the rural and 50 per cent of the urban population at the subsidized prices already being offered to the AAY category (the poorest of the poor). However, the entitlement of 25 million AAY households to 35 kg of cereals every month continues It is the best way to bring about International Day Of Democracy which is being celebrated by the United Nations all over the world on September 15th every year. India is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest democracy and has the largest number of hungry people in the whole world. What a better way to celebrate democracy than by launching the big-

16 September 2013

gest campaign to eradicate hunger ever in the history of man kind in the world’s biggest democracy. Nelson Mandela said that political freedom is meaningless without freedom from hunger malnutrition and disease and illiteracy. Despite the per capita income being half that of India’s the social HDI (Human Development Index) indicators in Bangladesh are higher than in India. Forget what ever TV panelist socialites and arm chair economist say, there’s no replacement for the democratic socialist state and republic that is India investing in basic human welfare to ensure that all people have work, food, education and healthcare. In the Gospels in the Bible, Jesus has laid great emphasis on feeding the hungry and even performed miracles to feed the hungry crowds. There is the miracle of Jesus feeding over five thousand men and other women and children mentioned in the four Gospels. with five loaves and two fish, multiplied by his miraculous grace many times over, Jesus fed over five thousand men, women and children in the hungry crowd and everyone ate and had enough and twelve full baskets of food were left over- All 4 Gospels in the Bible - (Mathew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-40, Luke 9:10-7, John 6:1-14) . The Food security Bill is nothing short of a miracle. The Billon dollar question is – “ Will we be witnessing in the years to come the biggest success in eradicating hunger which is the scourge of mankind?”

What is Jaggery?

aggery or gur is a specific type of sweetening ingredi ent popular in India. It is normally manufactured from either sugar cane or date palms. While jaggery is useful in cooking, it is also an ancient part of Ayurvedic medicine and has spiritual significance. Gur is considered unrefined and is produced by boiling raw sugar cane or palm juice in iron pans. It is then formed into blocks. As it does not go through additional processing it retains some of the natural vitamins and minerals of the ingredients used.

16 September 2013

Food Security Bill: Salient Features titled to five kg foodgrains per month at Rs.3, Rs.2, Re.1 per kg for rice, wheat and coarse grains, respectively. • The work of identification of eligible households has been left to the states.

The programme aims to provide subsidized wheat and rice to 70 percent of India’s population. When implemented, the scheme will massively broaden an existing programme of providing cheap food to 218 million people. Critics say beneficiaries do not stand to gain as about 40 percent of rice and wheat earmarked for the poor gets siphoned off due to corruption. An inefficient distribution channel also leads to waste. Despite being one of the biggest producers of food supplies, India is home to 25 percent of the world’s hungry poor, according to a U.N. agency. The National Food Security Bill, 2013 passed by the parliament Monday gives right to subsidised food grain to 67 percent of India's 1.2 billion people and provides for penalty for non-compliance by public servants. The bill's salient features include: • Seventy five percent of rural and 50 percent of the urban population en-

• Pregnant women and lactating mothers entitled to nutritious meals and maternity benefit of at least Rs.6,000 for six months. • The central government will provide funds to states in case of short supply of foodgrain. • The current foodgrain allocation of the states will be protected by the central government. • The state governments will provide food security allowance to the beneficiaries in case of non-supply of foodgrain. • Public distribution system to be reformed. • The eldest woman in the household, 18 years or above, will be the head of the household for the issue of the ration card. • There will be state and district level redress mechanisms.

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For Or Against Modi? –

An Indian’s Response Recently I received an email from a close family friend, now in his eighties, whom I have held in great esteem. The said email is reproduced below, ad verbatim. It necessitates a point-bypoint rebuttal, which follows the original text that is in italics.

P.J. Thomas, 14th Chief Vigilance Commissioner (appointment subsequently quashed) are all Christians. The country’s Foreign Minister Mr Salman Khurshid, Minister of State for External Affairs Mr E. Ahmed, Chief Justice of India Mr Altmas Kabir, Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha Mr Hamid Ansari, Chief Election Why India needs Modi to Commissioner Mr S.Y. Qureshi, Attorremain a secular state? ney General of India Mr Goolam Essaji Over 80% percent of India’s popu- Vahanvati, Minister for Minorities Aflation or 900 million people in the coun- fairs - K. Rahman Khan, and Rashid try are Hindus + Sikhs + Jains + Bud- Alvi - the Congress Spokesperson are all Muslims. To add an insult dhists. Yet, shamefully, to the injury Syed Asif the country is being ruled Ibrahim, a Muslim IPS officer by the Minorities, who has been appointed as Chief may now constitute of Intelligence Bureau (IB). around 20% of the popuMany Hindu leaders believe lation count. India is the that his appointment could only country in the world endanger India’s internal sewhere its minorities –– curity. principally the Muslims Chhotebhai In this connection, and the Christians –– readers should note that in have ganged up together order to pave the way for Asif Ibrahim to to enact laws that decide how the Hindu be the Chief of IB, at least four of his majority should behave in their own senior Hindu officers (R.N. Gupta, V. country! Rajagopal, S. Jayaraman and It is truly a matter of great regret Yashovardhan Azad) were transferred and shame that Hindus are taking this to insignificant posts. Closest political injustice and tyranny lying down! Since advisers of Sonia Gandhi are Margaret Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi Alva, a Christian, Ahmad Patel, a Musled UPA, the sinister efforts are under- lim and Oscar Fernandez, a senior Inway to selectively appoint the Chris- dian National Congress leader, a Christians and Muslims in sensitive and pow- tian. The country’s Minister of Health erful positions within the administra- and Family Welfare Gulam Nabi Azad is tion. Here are a few glaring examples of a Muslim. it: Chairperson of the country’s ruling For all practical purposes, the overpolitical alliance UPA is Sonia Gandhi, all Hindu people and India as the couna practising Catholic Christian. Her son try are presently under a state of siege. Rahul Gandhi, another Catholic Chris- Unknown to the common public, that tian, is being groomed to be the next siege has been laid with the help of Prime Minister of India. Country’s De- radical Islamists, ISI jihadists, and Left fense Minister - A.K. Antony, the For- Wing-Marxists. The chief aim of this eign Secretary - Ranjan Mathai, Head insidious conspiracy is to demoralize of the Air Wing of military - Anil Kumar and denigrate the Hindus and their Browne, P.J. Kurien – Dy. Chairman organizations….............and encourage Rajya Sabha, - P.C. Chacko, newly the centrifugal forces to balkanize India appointed Congress Spokesperson, - into several mini-Pakistans and mini-

Communist nations. Almost all Hindus have already been driven out of Kashmir. Over 70 million (7 Crore) Bangladeshi Muslims have infiltrated into Assam, West Bengal and other neighbouring states. The states like Assam, Bengal, and Kerala are witnessing a big demographic change. No matter how strongly we deny it, the unfortunate fact still remains intact that the “demographic conquest of any land is the most permanent form of a conquest.” Discrimination against Hindus in India is rampant. Top Hindu temples like Tirupati and Sabrimala are taken away from Hindu hands – through the legislation – and given to ‘secular’ civil servants for managing them. From the religious offerings of Hindu devotees meant strictly for the Hindu issues, the bureaucrats unfairly dole away Rs.690 crores a year as the Haj subsidy alone. Remember there are 54 Muslim countries in the world but NONE of them give Haj Subsidy BUT for India alone. There is a complete economic mess and utter chaos in India created by various mega-scams: Coal-gate scam worth Rs. 10,86,000 crores, 2G scam worth Rs. 1,76,000 crores, and Commonwealth Games scam worth Rs. 70,000 crores. Massive payoffs from these scams have made it possible for a half-literate Italian-Indian woman like Sonia Gandhi to become the fourth richest politician in the world. (Not to mention uncountable amount of money that will be spent in Food Security bill, which is going to crush already burdened middle classes with more inflation) Amidst all this gigantic plunder and loot, there is little hope for our country. The only way out is if the honest and courageous leaders like Narendra Modi, after whose life and blood, these leeches and parasites are after, can become the Prime Minister of (Contd.. on p. 15)

16 September 2013

Priests Should Be Sensitive On Issues Of Homosexuality: Cardinal

Mumbai: Cardinal Oswald Gracias has said he would advise priests to be more sensitive on issues relating to homosexuality during their sermons or in their public statements. The prelate’s comments came a month after Pope Francis said that society should not be judgmental about homosexuality. Cardinal Gracias, who is also the archbishop of Bombay, gave the statement in response to a letter from Queer Azaadi Mumbai (QAM), an LGBT group, about a sermon at St Thomas Church, Goregaon, where the priest allegedly described homosexuality as “a great sin” and opposed gay marriage. Some Catholic members of the group had written a complaint letter to the archbishop last month and had discussed the issue on social media. The sermon had taken place just a day before the widely-discussed statement by Pope Francis, in which he said: “If someone is gay and seeks the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Cardinal Gracias, in his letter dated August 31, said “Going by the data in the letter, some of what the priest said is alright and some part is inappropriate. The Church does not accept gay marriage because the Bible teaches us that God willed marriage to be between man and woman.” On the other hand, to say that those with other sexual orientations are sinners is wrong. “I do think we must be sensitive in our homilies [sermons] and how we speak in public and I will so advise our priests,” he added.

16 September 2013

He added that the Church loved everybody, including those with different sexual orientations. Members of QAM said they were satisfied with the response. “The Archbishop’s response was very reassuring for the community. It gives me confidence as a member of the Church that I will not be discriminated against,” said a parishioner of the Goregaon Church and member of

QAM who had attended the sermon. LGBT activists lauded the archdiocese’s stand. “We are grateful to the church for categorically stating that they are not against homosexuality. The Archbishop of Mumbai has set a benchmark for everyone else,” said Harish Iyer, who recently figured among the 100 most influential LGBT people in the world. (Source: Hindustan Times)

Basilica Gets Relic Containing Late Pontiff’s Blood

Mumbai: The Mt. Mary Basilica in Mumbai will now house a relic containing the blood of Pope John Paul II. “This relic contains the blood of Pope John Paul II. I present it to the rector of the shrine for devotion,” said Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio. The relic, a special gift from Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, comes ahead of the canonization of the late pontiff. Archbishop Pennacchio, who led the mass on Sunday morning on the first day of the Mount Mary Fair, ended the ceremony by handing over the relic to basilica representatives. He also presented a 2 ft. statue of Pope John Paul II, who had visited the basilica 27 years ago. “As the Pope’s representative in India, I bring to you blessings and greetings of our holy father,” he said. “Let us pray in a special way for the gift of peace in Syria, the Middle

East and every part of the world where there is violence,” he added. On Saturday night, Pope Francis had led a peace prayer vigil for Syria at the Vatican. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, who was also present for the mass, prayed that the “statue will remind us of the teachings and life of Pope John Paul II.” Father Aniceto Pereira, vice- rector of the basilica, said the gift came as a surprise and the installation will take a few days.” Basilica authorities also presented Archbishop Pennacchio with a gift in return – a three dimensional photo of the Basilica. The Mount Mary Fair, also known as the Bandra Fair, is a series of celebrations to mark the annual Feast of Our Lady of the Mount, or the Feast of the Nativity of Virgin Mary. (Source: Hindustan Times)

16 September 2013

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O holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for his creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the Saint of Miracles. O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. —Mrs P. G. Fernandes, Wadala

16 September 2013

(Contd.. from p. 10) India who manoeuvre the country away from the sure doom and disaster waiting ahead.

An Indian’s Response Please note that the text reproduced above has no date, place of origin, or name of the writer. This is typical of cowardly propagandists, anarchists, alarmists, and faceless antinationalists. It is highly probable that this text is being flashed all over the country, and to the rich NRIs who relish such jingoistic rhetoric. We need to protect our motherland from such a lethal virus. Hence this rebuttal. Prima facie the text has originated from a right wing extremist Hindutva source, that, a la Don Quixote, tilts at windmills. In this case the usual suspects are – radical Islamists, ISI jihadis, left wing Marxists and, for good measure, the “practicing Catholic Christian” Sonia Gandhi and her beta Rahul. The Congress is painted as a scam tainted party, and Modi is projected as the “honest and courageous” saviour. The Congress and the BJP are welcome to slug it out for the 2014 elections. As an Indian that is not an issue for me. However, if Modi’s supporters seek to elect him by denigrating the Muslims and Christians, then I have a serious problem with Modi-ism. A careful reading of the text shows that it indulges in alarmist generalities, distortion of facts, selective data and blatant bigotry. There is an old adage that “A half truth is more dangerous than a lie”. This is because a lie is recognised for what it is. But a half-truth is attractive, like sweet poison, which is fatal if ingested. The offending text falls in the category of half-truths, and is therefore lethal, if not logically and factually rebutted. Let us address some of the issues as mentioned in the text.

COUNTRY RULED BY MINORITIES: This is a baseless allegation. One swallow does not a summer make. So a handful of Christians or Muslims holding high office cannot, by any

16 September 2013

The two States with the oldest Christian presence are Kerala (2000 years) and Goa (450 years). In Kerala in 1961 there were 3,587,365 Christians in a population of 16,903,715, which is 21%. In 2001 this had dropped to 6,057,427/ 31,841,374 or 19%. More alarmingly in Goa the percentage dropped from 227,202/ 626,667 (36%) to 359,568/ 1,347,668 (27%), a drop of 9 percentage points. stretch of the imagination, be construed to be a “ruling class”. I will not swallow that. It is a reality that the Christian representation in Parliament, at about 4%, is higher than the percentage of the population at 2.3%. However, the Muslim representation is much less than its 12.5% of the population. It is also worth noting that Christian MPs are from different national and regional parties, and their constituents are not necessarily Christian.

STATUS OF MINORITIES: Far from being a ruling class, the Minorities are more of a deprived class. Here are some statistics from the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) for 2009-10. In education Muslims have the highest drop out rate of 45%. Among urban male graduates employment per 1000 for Hindus was 234, whereas for Muslims it was an abysmal 69, actually down from 75 in 2004/5. The living standard (per capita per month actual expenditure) of Muslims is again the lowest at Rs 980/-, while the Sikhs are the highest at Rs 1659/-. If Christians have relatively good education, employment and living standards, it is through their own efforts and institutions, and no thanks to the Govt.

CHRISTIANS AS RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS: Having been National President of the All India Catholic Union, I am fairly well acquainted with the status and statistical data of the Christian community in India. I quote from the Census of India 2001 (as the data of 2011 is not yet in the public domain). The two States with the oldest Christian presence are Kerala (2000 years) and Goa (450 years). In

Kerala in 1961 there were 3,587,365 Christians in a population of 16,903,715, which is 21%. In 2001 this had dropped to 6,057,427/ 31,841,374 or 19%. More alarmingly in Goa the percentage dropped from 227,202/ 626,667 (36%) to 359,568/ 1,347,668 (27%), a drop of 9 percentage points. The sex ratio figures for the country show that among Christians it was highest at 1009, as against the national average of 933. In Kerala and Goa this was even higher at 1031 and 1107. So, far from being “rulers”, Christians are responsible citizens of the country, whose myriad institutions are “service”, not ruling ones.

PRACTICING CHRISTIANS: This is a term seldom used by those who are not Christians themselves, so I am rather bemused by this turn of phrase. It usually refers to those Christians who go to church every Sunday, especially among Catholics. The text refers to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul as “practicing Catholic Christians”. Has anybody seen Sonia or Rahul going to any church to pray or worship? I haven’t. A few years ago, at Mother Teresa’s funeral, which was telecast live, Sonia Gandhi did not step forward to receive the Holy Communion, an indication that she is not a “practicing Catholic”. As for her internal beliefs, or that of her son, it is their personal matter, and their privacy should be respected.

CHRISTIANS IN HIGH OFFICE: The text referred to A.K. Antony (Defence Minister), Ranjan Mathai (Foreign Secretary), Air Chief Marshall Browne (Air Chief), P.C. Chacko (Congress spokesperson), P.J. Kurien (Dy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha), P.J. Thomas (proposed Chief Vigilance Commissioner), as also Margaret Alva and Oscar Fernandes. This therefore surmounted to Christians ruling India! Now for the facts. A.K. Antony, though of Christian origin, is known to be an agnostic, certainly not a “practicing Christian”. Mathai has already demitted office. Browne (nick-named Charlie Brown in his native Allahabad) is a distinguished pilot, whose son is also (Contd.. on p. 16)

(Contd.. from p. 15) an ace pilot. The appointment of P.J. Thomas as the CVC was opposed in the Supreme Court by James Michael Lyngdoh, former Chief Election Commissioner, and a fellow Christian! P.J. Kurien and P.C. Chacko are popular leaders in Kerala, as is Oscar Fernandes in Karnataka. Margaret Alva is from a family of freedom fighters – Joachim and Violet Alva. So there is nothing sinister about their holding high office. On the other hand, this scenario is not exclusive to Congress regimes. When the BJP was in power, George Fernandes was the Defence Minister, ironically another non-practicing agnostic; and Admiral Sushil Kumar Isaac was the Naval chief. Lyngdoh was the Chief Election Commissioner from 2001-04, when the BJP was in power. General Sunith Francis Rodrigues was Army Chief from 199093, when a non-Congress Govt, supported by the BJP was in power. Purno Sangma, also a Christian, was the Speaker of the 11th Lok Sabha from 1996-98, again when a non-Congress Govt was in power. Again he was one of the main opponents of Sonia Gandhi on the issue of foreign origin. Even Air Chief Marshal I.H. Latif (a Muslim) was appointed when a non-Congress Govt was in power. So Christians holding high office is in no way peculiar to Congress rule. On the other hand, Modi’s supporters are doing a singular disservice to the nation by tying to give a communal tinge to defence appointments. Shame.

HEROIC CHRISTIANS: It is said

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that war heroes are the greatest. I recall that in the 1965 Indo-Pak war Col Tarapore (a Parsi), Abdul Hamid (a Muslim from Meerut), and Albert Ekka (a Christian from Ranchi) were all awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously. The Keelor brothers both got Vir Chakras for downing the Pakistani Sabre jets with their tiny Gnats, and Brig (later Lt General) R.S. Noronha got the Mahavir Chakra for the second time (a rare distinction). I have a book “Patriotism in Action” written by Valmiki Faleiro, which enumerates the long list of officers and heroes from the tiny State of Goa, who distinguished themselves in the defence services. 95% of them were Catholics. Perhaps the greatest act of “wilful heroism” was that of Wg Cdr Clarence Joseph D’lima on 4th November 1977. He was piloting a TU 124K aircraft of the VIP squadron, taking Prime Minister Morarji Desai to Assam. Since there was no way of a safe landing he decided to ditch in a soft paddy field. He opted for a “nose first” landing that invited certain death, but saved the Prime Minister in the tail of the aircraft. Another crewmember that was martyred was Sqn Ldr Mathew Cyriac. Ironically, another Christian onboard, John Lobo, the then head of the Intelligence Bureau, used his 6-foot frame to pull the Prime minister out of the wreckage before it went up in flames. Another unique act of heroism was that of paratrooper Maj Ivan Joseph Crasto. It was he, who in October 1992, risked his life to rescue 10 passengers suspended 1300 ft in the air in a cable car in Himanchal Pradesh; when he jumped from a helicopter to save them. The latest in this galaxy of heroic Christian officers was Wg Cdr Darryl Castellino, the pilot of the ill-fated helicopter that had saved hundreds of lives in the Uttarakhand disaster. He laid down his life saving “Hindu pilgrims”, while Feku Narendra Modi claimed to have saved 15,000 Gujaratis in Innovas! Let us not forget the real heroes (Christians or anyone else) and also identify the pretenders to the throne, the masqueraders, or rather marauders like Modi, for what they actually are – just pretenders.

BANGLADESHIS: The text claims that 70 million (7 crore) Bangladeshis have illegally entered India. This is a gross exaggeration because the total population is just about 170 million! What of the lakhs of Tibetans (Buddhists) to whom India has given refuge and all amenities? What of the millions of Nepalis (Hindus) who have made India their home, and are now demanding a separate State of Gorkhaland? Should we not have a common approach to all migrants/ refugees, regardless of religion?

HINDU TEMPLES: Another allegation of “discrimination” against Hindus is regarding the Trusts formed to manage “top Hindu temples like Tirupati and Sabarimala”. Who made these trusts, and who are their members, if not Hindus themselves? So why raise such canards? Incidentally, the temples of the South have so much gold and jewellery (all non-productive assets) that even the Reserve bank of India is worried, and asking for details of gold hoarded in the Guruvayoor and Sabarimala temples. The Supreme Court is already monitoring the treasures of the Shree Padmanabha Swamy temple. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if rationalist and nationalist Hindus spent more money on serving deprived sections of society, tribals and dalits; instead of on offerings of gold?

CONCLUSION: I have tried to counter the allegations with facts. Since many of the allegations stemmed from an anti-Christian bias, I had to frame my rebuttal accordingly. It would be nice if some Muslim scholar were to also air his views on the allegations made. The real issue here is not of the Congress or the BJP; or Hindus, Muslims and Christians. The real issue is of India, and the fear of its “balkanisation”. How true. Balkanisation of territorial India may not be that easy. But balkanisation or polarisation of society into “we” and “they” is a distinct possibility. A feku like Modi would be the largest beneficiary of such a polarisation. As a concerned Indian I will not let that happen. JAI HIND!

16 September 2013

The Prophecy Of Prophet Isaiah 17and Psalm 83 Is About To Be Fulfilled

amascus is the capital and the second largest city of Syria af ter Aleppo. Damascus has been nicknamed as the City of Jasmine. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Damascus is a major cultural and religious center of the Levant. With U.S. warships looming offshore, reports of chemical weapons and saber-rattling from Iran about the coming of Armageddon, the nation of Syria and its capital, Damascus, are at the epicenter of what some suggest may become a prophesied battle of biblical proportions. The Word of God see a major alignment of ancient prophecies regarding the end times being fulfilled right before our eyes, more importantly, we are the first generation in history to see such dramatic and striking alignments. The biblical passage of Psalm 83 – which tells of the nations surrounding Israel conspiring against it – and especially to Isaiah 17, which tells of a day when Damascus, often cited as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, will be utterly destroyed. “Behold, Damascus is taken away

Capt. Mervin John Lobo from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap,” states the ancient prophet Isaiah. “The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.” Meanwhile, Syria ally Iran has threatened to launch thousands of missiles on Israel if President Obama follows through on the proposed attack, and Iran’s politicians have claimed the conflict could prompt the end of times and the coming of the last Islamic messiah, including an Armageddon-like battle for worldwide Islamic governance. The result is an international powder keg that could easily explode be-

16 September 2013

Russia’s strong warnings – is going to contribute to the future coming of a world war with Russia and Iran. The Prophecy of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be fulfilled “Syria has the Key to World war III. With all of the chaos in Syria continually growing more and more unstable, it is certainly understandable that Scripture are looking to yond Syria’s borders, and President Obama is holding the match. “The ancient Hebrew prophecy contained in Isaiah 17 is presently poised to find final fulfillment, and it could easily be provoked by a poorly calculated political move by America,” “Psalm 83: The Missing Prophecy Revealed.”“Current contemplations of the Obama administration to strategically strike Syria to punish the Assad regime for using chemical weapons on his Syrian countrymen could be the spark that sets the entire Middle east ablaze. President Assad has threatened to attack Tel Aviv on several occasions during the Syrian revolution, and his latest threats have prompted Israelis to scramble for gas masks. In tandem a prophecy in Psalm 83 predicts that a climactic concluding Arab-Israeli war is coming, and Syria and Israel are listed among the participants, it is reasonable to presume that we are living in the days of Isaiah 17 and Psalm 83, and that a single U.S. missile landing anywhere in Syria could provoke the ‘Mother of All Middle east Wars’ that is predicted in the Scriptures!” America is a nation under judgment. In that regard, show exactly how the next major end-time prophecy to do with nations is the imminent coming of World War III. That war will reduce us once and for all the superpower status – as we know must happen from the book of Revelation.

Isaiah 17 and asking if its fulfillment could be imminent, like predicting Israel will use a nuclear bomb to fulfill Isaiah 17?s destruction of Damascus. It appears to be an event that will occur at the end of the seven-year tribulation as the Lord not only judges and destroy Damascus, but all of Israel’s historic enemies that surround her. If one examines the broader context of Isaiah 17 and takes account of the section where it is located, it becomes clear that it is a section in which the Lord prophesizes (sic) judgment upon all the Gentile nations that have opposed Israel. This will all happen at the end of the tribulation in conjunction with the second coming of Christ to the earth. The events of Isaiah 17, Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38 and 39 could be happening right here, right now, is becoming an “emerging popular view.” “Isaiah 17 is one important part of the larger prophecy that Isaiah sets forth in Chapters 13-23, which tell of judgments not only against Israel, but against all of the surrounding Gentile (mostly Muslim) nations,” he continues. “Isaiah 17 tells us Damascus will be leveled and in ruin, Aram will fade away as well (the southern region of Syria), Aroer (the northern region of Jordan) will be greatly affected, entire regions of northern Israel will become virtually desolate, the entire nation of Israel will be greatly and (Contd.. on p. 18)

The Prophecy Of Prophet Isaiah ...... (Contd.. from p. 17) adversely affected for a long period of time. Given the massive and devastating armament capabilities of Israel and the chemical weapons cache of Syria, one can easily see how today’s escalating conflict can fulfill these prophecies. “In Psalm 83, the Arab (Muslim) nations surrounding Israel will attack her in her perceived weakness, yet Israel will prevail,” “and in Ezekiel 3839, another alliance of more outlying nations (mostly Muslim) attacks Israel, again perceiving vulnerability on Israel’s part. God intervenes supernaturally, and Israel is spared.” We can sense the beginning signs for the fulfillment of Isaiah 17?s destruction of Damascus when we witness the influx of refugees from Syria to Jordan as predicted by the prophet Amos: ‘I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD’ (Amos 1:5),” Aven is Damascus today, and Damascus is also literally mentioned here by name. Syrians are leaving by the droves into Jordan and precisely ‘unto Kir,’ which is Kir-Moab (Isaiah 15:1). Today that region is called Kerak. When we review both the ancient map and the statistics of the recent influx of Syrian refugees into Jordan, we find that over a half million Syrians already fled to ‘the borders of the land of Moab now called Kerrek [Kerak].” Whether these things are all happening now or are set to happen in the future, however, there’s one point at which the apparent context of all these passages, is that their fulfillment is found in the very last days – shortly before the biblical Day of the LORD, and the return of Jesus. The headlines of today’s news and the current Middle East upheaval, as well as Syria being at the epicenter of a major war in the region, indeed, these are very prophetic times in which we are living.

World's Most Forward Thinking Rail Traveller

n 19th Jan 2000 Fakhruddin Takulla ( India ) travelled from Mumbai ( Bombay ) to New Delhi, both India, using a ticket he had purchased on 15 July 1973 – 26 years 6 months earlier. Takulla used the unlimited booking service offered by the Indian Railway Authority so that he could attend the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Indian Independence. Shri Fakhruddin Takulla, resident of Bombay, shocked the reservation clerk on duty at Western Railway's reservation office some time in 1973 when he approached him to book an AC Chair Car ticket to travel from Bombay Central to New Delhi by the Rajdhani Express 27 years later in January, 2000! Such bookings were then allowed under Railway Board's experimental scheme to permit would-be passengers to book their reservations in all trains without any time cap. Initially the clerk was reluctant for he had no calendar for 2000 to know whether the train would run on the specified date 27 years later for the Rajdhani then (in 1973) used to run only thrice a week. Further it was also too much of an 'unnecessary' hassle for the clerk to keep records, etc., safely for the next millennium. But the enterprising Shri Takulla would not give up as he produced a manual calendar, which he had drawn up himself, to let the clerk know the exact day and date of date of his journey! Finally, thus, he got his precious ticket for Rs 120/-. Later Shri Takulla indeed took the journey to New Delhi by the Rajdhani Express to arrive there well in time to see the Golden Jubilee Republic Day celebrations in January 2000. He was

grateful to Allah for keeping him alive to see the destined day 27 years later. Indian Railways played the good Samaritan for they exchanged his ticket gratis for AC 3tier class as by 2000 the AC Chair Car class had vanished from the Rajdhani. They also gave him a VIP treatment by deputing a railway official to receive him at New Delhi station on arrival and arranged for his lodging in New Delhi at a railway guesthouse for 8 days, and also arranged for his return journey at no cost to him. Shri Takulla was also given a place in the VIP gallery to watch the Republic Day celebrations. 'We felt that a person who could think of doing this 27 years ago obviously had tremendous faith in the reliability of the Indian railway network and we felt that we needed to acknowledge that and respond to it adequately,' said Shri Shanti Narain, member of the Railway Board. At 61, Fakruddin Takulla now wants to book a ticket for 2038 - when he will be 100.His dream now is to go to his ancestral home in Kaparwaj, in the western state of Gujarat.

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16 September 2013

Inspiration!

The Law of the Seed

ake a look at an apple tree. There might be five hundred apples on the tree, each with ten seeds. That's a lot of seeds! We might ask, "Why would you need so many seeds to grow just a few more trees?" Nature has something to teach us here. It's telling us: "Most seeds never grow. So if you really want to make something happen, you had better try more than once." This mean: You'll attend twenty interviews to get one job. You'll interview forty people to find one good

Blood Group Can Define You

employee. You'll talk to fifty people to sell one house, care, insurance policy, idea. And you might meet a hundred acquaintances to find one special friend. When we understand the ' Law of the Seed', we don't get so disappointed. We stop feeling like victims. Laws of nature are not things to take personally. We just need to understand them - and work with them. 'Successful people fail more often. They plant more seeds." Whenever you are feeling down because of failures and mistakes you made in life, do take time out to think about this law of seed.

Laughter

Your blood group also speaks about you. See this very latest interesting and international research report about all eight blood groups A(+): Good leadership A(-): Hard working. B(+): Can Sacrifice for others and very ambitious, telerance. B(-): Non flexible, Selfish and Sadistic. O(+): Born to help O(-): Narrow minded AB(+): Very difficult to undersand. AB(-): Shart and Intelligent.

16 September 2013

An MBA student went home with his girlfriend after completing his MBA. His father asked, "Who is she?" Son replied, "My campus selection!"

Height of Begging..

A sleeping beggar puts up a notice board in front of himself: "Please do not make noise by dropping coins.. Instead, offer notes!"

Existence of God

In 1902, a professor asked his student whether it was God who created everything that exists in the universe? Student replied: Yes He again asked: What about evil? Has God created evil also? The student got silent... Then the student requested that may he ask a question for him? Professor allowed him to do so. He asked: Does cold exist? Professor said: yes! Don't you feel the cold dear. Student said: I'm sorry but you are wrong sir. Cold is a complete absence of heat. There is no cold, it is only an absence of heat. Student Asked again: Does darkness exist? Professor said: yes! Student replied: You are again wrong sir. There is no such thing like darkness. It's actually the absence of light. Sir! We always study light and heat, but not cold and darkness. Similarly, the evil does not exist. Actually it is the absence of love, faith and true belief in God.

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MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : Keralite Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 9”, Wt. 68 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. U.K. Graduate, having own business. Seeks a educated, mild natured, with a balanced lifestyle, smart, below 27 years. Contact : email: edfernz@gmail.com OR 66998519 / 28541673 (Regd. No. 5895) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 26 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 45 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. BA Pursving M.A., working as a C.S.E. (MNC), Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email: clintjude2002@yahoo.co.in OR 9819394473 (Regd. No. 5894) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 65 kgs, light Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.M.S. in H.R. working as a Sr. H.R. Officer. Email : contactmissmiriam@gmail.com OR 9819985128 (Regd. No. 5893) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 42 years looks much younger to his age, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 59 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. XIIth std., having own business. Contact : 9767630415 / 9175186730 (Regd. No. 5892) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 33 years, Ht. 5’ 8”, Wt. 70 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Microsoft Engineer in Bangalore. Well settled, having own house in Bangalore. Seeks a educated Mangalorean girl from good family background. Contact Email : lorettag58@gmail.com OR 9323949129 / 9867848489 (Regd. No. 5880) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 27 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 58 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working for Multinational Bank. Seeks a Goan Roman Catholic graduate working girl. Contact Email: miltonintouch3@gmail.com OR 02512680461 (Regd. No. 5877) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic

Bachelor, aged 36 years, Ht. 5’ 11”, Wt. 90 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. HSC, having own business. Seeks a tall, simple, homely good looking girl. Contact Email : ulcomputronics@gmail.com OR 40263038 (Regd. No. 5874) MUMBAI : Tamilian Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 53 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 75 kgs, Tan Complexion, Edn. Elect. Engg., Self Employed. Contact : 9619784992 / 9833560643 (Regd. No. 5869) MUMBAI : Marathi Converted Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 45 years Ht. 6’, Wt. 76 kgs, Wheatsih Complexion, Edn. H.S.C., working in Kuwait as a Public Relation. Contact Email: vbhabal@yahoo.com OR 9619344291 (Regd. No. 5863) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Widower, aged 44 years, Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 65 kgs, Wheatish Complexion , Edn. Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, working aborad as a Mechanic. Seeks a simple, loving, well mannered below 38 years preferably working girl. Contact Email : simondspear@gmail.com OR 9702148869 (Regd. No. 5861) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 36 years, Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 80 kgs, Fair Complexion , Edn. 10th + Diploma in Hotel Management, working as a Supervisor in Muscat. Seeks a sutiable match. Contact Email: martis.leena@yahoo.com OR 9029263886 / 9757411125 (Regd. No. 5857) GOA : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 41 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Ht. 68 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. 1st Year B.Com., Having own Resort Well settled. Seeks a Girl willing to settle in Goa. (Regd. No. 5856)

Royal Christian Family Helps In Choosing The Right Life-Partner

Serving Since 32 Years

MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 45 years, Ht. 5’ 11”, Healthy, Fair Complexion, Edn. MS Engineering, workaing as a Deputy Manager, Well settled Seeks a Mangalorean RC graduate working or non working girl. Contact Email: srf391967@yahoo.com (Regd. No. 5855) MUMBAI : A loving caring, jovial Mangalorean Catholic Bachelor with sober habbits, aged 37 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 62 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. Graduate, Working in MNC BPO as a Senior Executive, seeks a suitable match. Contact Email : divinelove1975@gmail.com OR 9820821961 / 9892569050 (Regd. No. 5853) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 41 years, Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 79 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. HSC., Having own business of Catering. Seeks a suitable match. Working or Non working, simple, Godfearing girl. Contact Email : collin_197@rediffmail.com OR Mob.: 9987226243 (Regd. No. 5843) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 32 years, Ht. 6’ 2”, Wt. 87 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA, Banker, well settled. Seeks a bride below 29 years, tall, prefereably Mangalorean. Contact Email:anthony.eternity@gmail.com OR Mob.: 9820863381. (Regd. No. 5842) Address your replies to :

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To Place Your Matrimonial Advertisement Call: 2269 3578 OR 2265 4924 16 September 2013

MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 32 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 60 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., Sr. Stylist (Hair & Makeup). Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : dyllisd@gmail.com OR 9167560077 / 9930689139 (Regd. No. 5964) MUMBAI : Anglo Indian RC Spinster aged 39 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 68 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Sc., MBA (HR) working as a AGM (HR) Contact email : berny2002@hotmail.com OR 26771992 (Regd. No. 5929) MUMBAI : Mangalorean RC Spinster aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA (Marketing) working as a Manager. Contact email: diana.g.fernandes@gmail.com OR 25923985 (Regd. No. 5927) MUMBAI : Mangalorean RC Spinster aged 31 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 50 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. M.A. B.Ed., Teacher by profession. Contact email : carol.chitale@yahoo.com OR 9769775073 / 9819442577 (Regd. No. 5926) MUMBAI : Mangalorean R.C. parents, invite alliance for their daughter 26 years, 5’ 4”, fair, good looking, B.Com., working as an H.R. marriage annulled, from qualified settled bachelor age upto 34 years, Contact email : orchidsunrise12@gmail.com (Regd. No. 5918) MUMBAI : Tamilian RC Spinster, 39 years, Toll, slim, Fair, Edn. EMBR HR, working as a Sr. Executive. Contact Email : rinklynj@gmail.com / floryjanardhan@rediffmail.Com OR 9820076082 (Regd. No. 5917) MUMBAI : Goan RC Spinster, 28 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 56 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., MBA (Finance) working as a Jr. Manager in Bank. Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email : oldgoa2012@gmail.com OR 9869765169 (Regd. No. 5916)

Royal Christian Family Helps In Choosing The Right Life-Partner

Serving Since 32 Years 16 September 2013

MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, 33 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Edn. B. Com., Dip. in Business Management, Working as an Admin Inchagre for a reputed Pharmaceutical Company. Seeks a Goan educated Bachelor upto 38 years. Contact Email : ferns1178@gmail.com OR 9820724100 (Regd. No. 5915) KUWAIT : Goan RC Spinster, 26 years, Ht. 155 cms, Wt. 68 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Office Assistant. Seeks a Goan RC Bachelor. Contact Email : jnnfr.rdrgs@gmail.com OR +965971379900 (Regd. No. 5912) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 25 years, Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 65 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. Chartered A/C., M.Com., Working as a C.A., Only Child. Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email “ jolie_rosetta@yahoo.co.in (Regd. No. 5910) MUMBAI : RC Spinster, 31 years, 5’ 4”, Post Graduate, Professional Therapist, has established personal Clinic and Hospital attachements, seeks alliance from well qualified RC bachelors from Mumbai. Kindly reply to marg781@ymail.com. (Regd. No. 5907) MUMBAI : Goan RC Spinster, 23 years, Ht. 150 cms, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. Diploma (Prod.) working as a Jr. Engg., Seeks a Bombay based well settled bachelor. Contact Email : ieydesignconsultant@rediffmail.com OR 26600774 (Regd. No. 5906) POONA : Tamilian Roman Catholic Divorcee, 1st marriage is annulled less then one year, good looking, aged 41 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, slim, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.Com., working as a Asst. Executive in Dubai. Seeks a sincere, genuine, trustworthy person below 47 years. Contact Mob.: 9423003578 (Regd. No. 5905) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, 28 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 60 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. MBA working for MNC. Seeks a well eduated and well settled match. Contact email:

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To Place Your Matrimonial Advertisement Call: 2269 3578 OR 2265 4924 21

Home Remedies For Scalp Pimple

A Professional Help From God

woman was at work when she received a phone call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication. She got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys in the car. She didn't know what to do, so she called home and told the baby sitter what had happened. The baby sitter told her that her the fever was getting worse. She said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door." The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been thrown down on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time or other had locked their keys in their car. Then she looked at the hanger and said, "I don't know how to use this." So she bowed her head and asked God to send her some help. Within five minutes an old rusty car pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head. The woman thought, "This is what you sent to help me?" But, she was desperate, so she was also very thankful. The man got out of his car and asked her if he could help. She said, "Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?" He said, "Sure". He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was opened. She hugged the man and through her tears she said, "Thank You So Much! You are a very nice man." The man replied, "Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out for about an hour." The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out loud, "Oh, Thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!"

etting painful r e d boils on the scalp can be really troublesome as you find it difficult to comb your hair. Your scalp is also prone to getting pimples. This is because of various reasons like excessive oil secretion in the scalp, dirt and clogged pores. Even using fragrances on the hair can lead to scalp pimples. If you think that oiling is the best way to sooth the painful pimple on the scalp then perish the thought! Oiling can only clog the pores more further worsening the pain. Here are some of the remedies: Nutmeg: Mix grounded nutmeg with milk and apply the paste on the scalp. Leave it for an hour. Cover your head with a shower cap. Rinse with a mild shampoo and condition it. Garlic: Mash a garlic clove and then rub it on the pimple. It will reduce the pain and also diminish the pimple on the scalp. Tea Tree Oil: Mix tea tree oil with olive oil and massage on the scalp. It is one of the home remedies to treat scalp pimples and dandruff. Neem: Concoction Boil neem leaves in water for 30 minutes. Now strain and make a paste of the leaves. Apply the paste on the scalp especially on the pimple and leave for 30 minutes. Neem has antibiotic and antiseptic properties which cleans the scalp.

Papaya: Ground a slice of papaya with its seeds and skin. You can also mash a ripe papaya to make a thick paste. Apply it on the scalp pimple to get instant relief from it. Milk: You can rinse your scalp with milk. It cleanses the scalp and conditions the hair too! You must rinse your hair with boiled milk and leave for five minutes after shampooing. Lemon Juice: Applying lemon juice is one of the best home remedies for treating scalp pimple. Lemon juice cleans the scalp, treats acne and pimple breakouts. Tomato: Mash ripe tomatoes and massage your scalp with it. Leave for an hour and then rinse with cold water. It is an effective home remedy to treat scalp pimple. Rose Water: You can rinse your head with rose water or simple apply a drop of it on the pimple. It soothes the pimple and treats it. Lavender Oil: Mix lavender oil with four parts of tea tree oil and a tablespoon of olive oil. Apply on the scalp and massage. Leave for 2530 minutes. This homemade shampoo is very effective for treating scalp infections and pimples.

16 September 2013

Best Principal Award For Sr Mariette, CJ

Sr Mariette CJ, Principal of St Mary’s Inter College, Allahabad, (U.P.) was conferred the prestigious national Best Principal Award 2013 by the Universal Solidarity Movement ,(USM) Indore, on September 4, 2013, as part of their annual Teachers’ Day Celebrations. Best Teacher Award 2013 was conferred on Mrs Jagjeet Kaur Ahuja from the Ursuline Convent School, Greater Noida, at the same public function at the USM National Office in Indore. The Awards are given every year by the Universal Solidarity Movement to teachers who excel themselves in promoting value education in their schools and Colleges. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, Shri B. J. Heerji, IAS , (Retd) congratulated the award winners, and said that value education is of paramount importance in our country today, and teachers play a vital role in imparting value education to students , above all with their lived examples. Good teachers thus become instruments in creating great world leaders , besides becoming catalysts of change in the society. Sr Mariette hails from Pala (Maryland) of Kottayam Dist of Kerala. She joined the Congregation of Jesus (formerly known as IBMV) in Allahabad, and made her final commitment on February 2, 1974. She was elected Provincial Superior of the Congregation in 2003, and remained in Office till 20009, after which she was appointed Principal of St Mary’s Inter College, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the diocese of Allahabad. She has been a teacher for nearly 37 years. The Best Principal and Best Teacher awards were instituted in 2007 in memory of Louise Josephine, a committed and selfless teacher who passionately promoted value education in schools. The award consists of Rs 10,001/- in cash , a citation and other mementos. —Fr Alfonso Elengikal

16 September 2013

Ex-monk Builds Stunning Cathedral Out Of Junk

Spain: With its giant spires and magnificent dome to rival that of St Peter's Basillica, Mejorada del Campo's impressive cathedral looks like it has been skilfully crafted by a team of architectural experts. It's impossible to believe that it has been singlehandedly built by a former trappist monk who had never laid a brick in his life. The as yet unfinished building, a little over 12 miles outside of Madrid, has been painstakingly built piece by piece over 50 years by 86-year-old farmer Justo Gallego Martinez. He had no prior knowledge of architecture and no experience in the construction industry, but instead has spent five decades collecting junk and discarded building material in order to build the 131ft tall structure. After working as a farmer and bullfighter, deeply religious Mr Martinez - or Don Justo as he is known - spent eight years at a Trappist monastery. But he was forced to leave when he was struck down with tuberculosis in 1961. During his illness, he vowed that if he survived it he would build a chapel and name it after the Virgin Mary to whom he prayed while he was sick. True to his vow, Don Justo began building what he describes as his act of faith in 1963 and despite his lack of skills or building materials, is still working on the project today. Despite the scepticism of many friends and locals, Don Justo has remarkably managed to build the place of worship without using so much as a crane. The vast columns of the structure are made from empty oil drums, while the covering on one of the domes is made from discarded food tubes. But, with Don Justo working on his own aside from occasional help from his six nephews, the cathedral is far from finished with windows left unpainted, one of the domes to be covered and the floor to be completed. The inspiration of St Peter's Basillica with its huge central dome is plain to see, but Don Justo's ideas were also taken from the White House, and a variety of European castles and churches.

RNI No. 56987/92

Published on every Monday & Posted on Monday & Tuesday of every week Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office, Mumbai - 400001.

16 September 2013

Registered No. MH/MR/South-139/2012-14

Printed and Published by Lawrence Coelho at The Secular Citizen, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Harihar Nivas, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001. Tel.: 2269 3578, 2265 4924 16 September 2013 Printers: The Secular Citizen, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Editor : Philip Myaboo