Biju Veticad

A group of young Muslims, descrated and danced on the cross, an act causing widespread concern. According to Msgr. Pamplani, Church leaders fear possibility of ISIS supporters being groomed in Kerala.

The bishops went on a hunger strike yesterday, whilst teachers start today until the hiring issue is settled. Independent schools can choose their teachers, but must wait for state approval. For four years now, approval has been delayed. With COVID-19, schools’ financial woes have worsened.

Out of 320 million young people of school age, only 23.8% have access to the internet. 66% of the Indian population lives in rural areas, where internet access is limited to 14.9% of the population. Teaching under bridges, or with speakers. Private schools risk closure due to late payment of tuition fees.

Sister William Parmar, a member of the Carmelites of Charity of Vedruna, received the recognition for her work with the National Service Scheme. Her projects include public toilets, sewage canals, and waste treatment plants. Her work is inspired by the motto "Not me, but you".

For decades, the two Orthodox communities have been fighting for ownership of churches and property. The Jacobites are excluded because they are followers of a "foreign" rite (the Antiochene one). The dispute over the Church properties involves 1700 sacred buildings. After clashes, demonstrations and hunger strikes, the Keralan government has now opened a negotiation table to resolve the situation. The Catholic Church has opened its churches to the Jacobites.

New legislation favours large monopoly groups, which will now be able to impose prices. Small-scale farmers want to continue selling their products through government bodies. For Card Alencherry, farmers should not be denied their rights. Liberalising the sector will create wealth, the government claims. Public agencies cannot compete with large corporations, experts say.

Nine Al Qaeda members were arrested this morning, three in Kerala. Islamic State cells are present in Karnataka, Telegana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu-Kashmir. At least 21 Christian girls and young women have been caught up in IS’s “love jihad": after falling in love and converting to Islam, they engage in active terrorism.

The video game is seen as a threat to the health and social life of young people and children. More than 36 million Indians have downloaded it to their smartphones. For analysts, India’s ban is in retaliation for clashes with China over the Himalayan border. PUBG detractors call for action against app addiction.

Priests have given up part of their allowance to provide food and coronavirus kits to those in need. About 33 per cent of Bihar residents live below the poverty line. Some 1.3 million unemployed migrant workers need help. The Church is committed to fighting illiteracy.

Due to pandemic-related health regulations, the synod was held via videoconference. Some 61 bishops joined in from all around the world. Participants called on the “faithful to increase the nation’s production capacity, encouraging agricultural and industrial activities.” They also urged cooperation with the authorities to help society’s poorest, irrespective of caste or creed. Since the start of the pandemic, the Syro-Malabar Church has spent US$ 7.3 million to help the poor.

Under a 2019 reform, 10 per cent of all government jobs and admissions to higher educational institutions are reserved for disadvantaged families, regardless of caste. Enforcing the legislation would help thousands of Syro-Malabar Catholics.

At least 15,000 families have chosen this method of education because of lower costs for large families and greater interest and involvement in children’s education. With parents and tutors as educators, greater attention is paid to children’s own aptitudes and their families’ specific religious or cultural visions. The Santvana community offers one example.