CT Nilesh

Since June 25 there have been 72 deaths from exposure to the cold, heart attacks and accidents. In less than a month, over 4 million faithful visit natural cave of Amarnath situated in the Himalayas. The place is famous throughout India for ice formations sacred to the god Shiva.

For US magazine Time, the Indian prime minister is an underachiever. His disastrous economic management and failure to implement reforms make Singh a "man in shadow," no longer apt to lead Asia's third largest economy and the world's biggest democracy.

The political history of Purno Agitok Sangma makes his candidacy for President of India a novelty. A member of Congress (in government), he then left to form a nationalist party. Now, has the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the ultra-nationalist Hindu party.

Over the last ten years, growth has declined from 9% to 6%. But poverty has fallen from 37.2% to 29,% from 2004/2005 to 2009/2010. The Congress government has failed to fully exploit the wealth generated by the economic boom, enslaving itself to a policy of waste and corruption. The new objectives are to eradicate poverty and create jobs. But without a pro-growth plan, the first victims are the future generations.

New Delhi has arrested a journalist linked to an Iranian group over terrorist attacks against Israeli diplomats. But India still does not take sides in favor of Israel, against Iran.

Delhi remains cautious towards Tehran, including with regard to the assassination attempt against Israeli diplomatic personnel. According to a senior official in Tel Aviv, Iran behind aggression.

In 2011-2012 marks 6.9%, compared with 8.4% last year. Decline in industrial production and mining sector growth slows. Service sector is at 9.4%, compared to 9.3% in 2010-2011. The Indian Ministry of Finance defines the data "disappointing" but "not surprising, given the global economic situation."

In February, statewide elections will be held in the state. If the Congress Party led by 40-year-old Rahul Gandhi should win, the up and coming leader might aspire for the prime minister's office in 2014. Caste-based parties are his is many opponents.

An Indian trade delegation will go to Iran to confirm its trade agreements. Washington warns New Delhi of the threat of fines, if it fails to fall in line with international community. The U.S. wants Tehran to renounce its nuclear program.

India’s Commerce minister will officially lead a large trade delegation in an official visit to Pakistan. The goal is normalise and boost the current US$ 10 billion trade relationship. At present, Pakistan allows only 1,938 items to be imported from India.

Leprosy, a disease that has always been feared, has also generated a continuing disregard for the sick. Yet for 2000 years Christians have made it one of the fields of their mission. The example of Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, Fr Father Damien de Veuster, the Apostle of Molokai. Gandhi made the treatment of leprosy one of the pillars of his commitment. The testimony of Fr Vijay Rayarala, PIME, in his ashram Swarga dwar (Gate of Heaven) for the rehabilitation of lepers.

For the first time Christians of different denominations come together to address the opportunities of the global market without losing its identity. A step that confirms the emergence from being ghettoized, to carrying out the Christian mission in society. The blessing of Msgr. Agnelo Gracias.