Vikas Maitri
Voluntary Development Society in Jharkhand
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www.vikasmaitri.org |
website for rural and tribal development |
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Vikas Maitri |
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Voluntary Development Society in Jharkhand |
| The Major Churches
Links www.ranchiarchdiocese.org www.ranchiursulines.org www.gelc-in.org www.gossner-mission.de/india.html
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 The Churches in Chotanagpur The churches have presence in Chotanagpur for more than one and a half century. The first missionaries to arrive here were from Gossner Mission in Berlin. They were followed by British and Belgian missionaries. When the missionaries arrived, the Adivasis of Jharkhand were undergoing a crucial period in their history. They were unable to cope with the cultural invasion and large scale alienation of their rights over land. Reinforced by the British administration's military power they were increasingly being oppressed by few people who had usurped their land. This led to many movements and revolts. The missionaries could not isolate themselves in the turbulent situations. They encouraged the Adivasis to resort to legal means to redress their grievances. They also started presenting memorandums to the British Government enlightening about the actual practice and traditions in favour of the Adivasis. They also helped the British Government to enact land-laws which would protect them from further alienation of the rights over land.The church at the same time took upon itself to spread modern education among the Adivasis by setting up many schools even in the inaccessible parts of the plateau. As a result of this and many other health and developmental activities, the missionaries were able to attract a large number of Christian converts. The Christian converts and some of their unconverted educated brethren started taking up leadership roles for a due place of the Adivasi in modern India. Death is Sweet, to understand it one need define Life Bishop Nelson Lakra, Moderator of GEL Church gave this message on the occasion of the burial of N.E. Horo, the doyen of Jharkhand Movement. A large number of people gathered at the cemetery of GEL Church Ranchi to perform the last rite.
Though the Chief Minister of Jharkhand Mr. Sibu Soren
promised earlier to give State Honour to the veteran leader, he was away
from Ranchi. Despite a Cabinet decision no representatives of the
Government turned up let alone giving State Honour. The Rural
Development Minister, Mr. Enos Ekka who earlier broke with the leader
attended the burial on his personal capacity. Mr. Niral Enem Horo, a veteran leader of Adivasis, breathed his last on 11 December 2008. He was 83. He started his political call by joining All India Jharkhand Party under the leadership of late Jaipal Singh Munda. He contested Kolebira Assembly election and became Planning Minister of Bihar in 1968. However, he floated his own Jharkhand Party when Mr. Jaipal Singh Munda dissolved Jharkhand Party and merged with Congress Party against the wishes and aspiration of the people. Mr. Horo was a fighter for tribal land and forest rights all his life. The burning issues for Jharkhand have always been land alienation and displacement. His dream was the creation of a greater Jharkhand. Though Jharkhand came into being in his life time he was not happy. A generation came to an end with the passing away of Mr. Horo. Bible Society tenders apology The Kurukh translation of Bible published by Bible Society of India contains the word "sarna tree" in Deuteronomy 12, 2-3. The word sarna in Kurukh refers to the sacred grove and also popularly used to identify original adivasi religion. Perturbed over the sharp reaction by sarna adivasis and members of Jharkhand Assembly especially opposition and BJP MPs, the Bible Society of India along with All Churches Committee Ranchi (which includes RC Church) tendered unconditional apology on 23 September 2008 "for having hurt the religious sentiments" of sarna tribals. The church leaders expressed regret and said that we need the social harmony between the two groups. As Christians we promote universal peace, harmony and love among all people. The Kurukh Bible titled "Nemha Bible" was published in 1995 but nobody seemed to have taken notice of this mistake till a few days ago. Refresher seminar for pastors of GEL Church The South East Diocese of Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam organised a refresher seminar for pastors on 11 March 2008 at Kadma, Khunti. The theme of the seminar was "Social Responsibility of the Church". Rt. Rev. Dr. A.S. Hemrom, Executive Director, Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) was the speaker on the theme. Mr. Dominic Bara enlightened the participants on the need for integrating enterprise and business in development work of the parish and how Vikas Maitri could assist. The seminar was attended by 86 pastors, some of them women and candidates. Bishop Manohar Barjo, Bishop H. Hansda and other officials of the diocese were also present. Churches perspective plan for Jharkhand BIJHAN Social Service Society, a Church body organized a seminar to discuss Jharkhand Perspective plan on 5 - 8 March, 2008 at Social Development Centre, Ranchi. The seminar was addressed by Chief Guest Mr. Kamal Kishore Soan, IAS, Tribal Welfare Commissioner, Jharkhand. The presidential address was given by H.E. Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo and the keynote address by Rt. Rev. Bishop Charles Soreng, s.j., Chairman, BIJHAN Bishops Council. The welcome address was given by Fr. Augustin Topno, Director, BIJHAN SSS. Fr. Savarimutu S.J., Director ALERT Centre explained about the purpose of organizing the seminar. In the afternoon session Dr. Ramesh Sharan, Professor of Economics, Ranchi University presented a paper on Livelihood and Development. The other Panelists were Fr. Louis Franklin S.J. Ex-Director of XISS and Mr. Dominic Bara, Director, Vikas Maitri. In the second day Fr. Savarimutu s.j. presented a paper on Politics and Effective Governance and the Church and the other Panelists were Mr. Prabhakar Tirkey and Mr. Bernard Minj. Fr. Dr. Beni Ekka moderated the session. Mrs. Vasavi Kiro presented a paper on Women's Role in Development. The Panelists were Sr. Jyoti Beck, SCJM and Mrs. Rajshree of Catholic Relief Services. The seminar was supported by Caritas India, New Delhi and Catholic Relief Services, Ranchi. Seminar on the work and life of Fr. Johannes Evangelista Gossner (1773-1858) Preparatory to the commemoration of the 150th Death Anniversary of Fr. Johannes E. Gossner (March 30th) who sent the first four missionaries to Chotanagpur, a seminar was organised at Human Resource Development Centre on 3-4 March 2008. The main speakers of the first day were Rev. Dr. Klaus Roeber of Gossner Mission Berlin and Dr. Wolfgang Krogel of Berlin Society for Mission History. Dr. Klause Roeber presented a biography of Fr. Gossner. A paper sent by Rev. Dr. Ulrich Shoentube, Director, Gossner Mission Berlin, about the elements and factors shaping Gossner's life was read out. Dr. Wolfgang Krogel threw light on the work done and future plans to improve the management of the archive related to missionary work in Berlin and Jharkhand. He emphasised that the interaction between Berlin and local churches is very important. The seminar was moderated by Bishop A.S. Hemrom. Moderator Bishop Nelson Lakra inaugurated the seminar. About fifty participants attended this seminar. Johannes Evangelista Gossner Sketch of his Life - By Dr. Klaus Roeber Fr. Gossner and his Diaconic Thrust - By Dr. Ulrich Schoentube Spiritual heritage and archive management - By Wolfgang Krogel Archive for History of Gossner Mission Chotanagpur Plans are underway to rediscover the Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church history in India in cooperation with GEL-Commission. A special seminar will be held at Human Resource Development Centre on 3rd and 4th March 2008 with the purpose to discuss the modalities. A plan is underway to establish an archive at Gossner Theological College, Ranchi. All the important church officials will be participating. Dr. Klaus Roeber of the Berliner Society for Missions History, Berlin-Pankow is coming to participate in the meeting. Mr. Dominic Bara is also invited to attend. The seminar will be moderated by Bishop A.S. Hemrom. Most Rev. Vincent Barwa DD appointed Bishop of Simdega
The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Vincent Barwa at the new Bishop of Simdega Diocese as Most Rev. Joseph Minz Bishop of Simdega retires. His Eminence Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo announced the appointment of the Bishop on 11th February, 2008 at 4.00 p.m. at Archbishop's House, Purulia Road, Ranchi. The 28th General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) at Jamshedpur The 28th General Body Meeting of the CBCI is being held at Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) Jamshedpur beginning 13th February 2008. It is being attended by 160 Bishops from all over India. The main theme of the meeting is the Empowerment of Women in Church and Society. The meeting will be concluded on 22nd February. Workshop on Development Perspective Plan of Ranchi Archdiocese The workshop is being held from 28 - 29 February, 2008 at Social Development Centre, Ranchi. His Eminence Telesphore P. Cardinal Toppo inaugurated the workshop. Delegates from all Deaneries and Parishes of the Archdiocese participated in this workshop. Rev. Fr. Beni Ekka, Director of Xavier Institute provoked the participants by throwing light on some current development issues. Rev. Fr. Alex Ekka of the same Institute gave the introduction and moderated the whole workshop. The heads of Catholic Institutions were also invited to give their reflections. Vikas Maitri was also invited.
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