Nirmala Carvalho

A leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), an extremist Hindu organisation responsible for attacks against the country's ethnic, religious and social minorities, made the anti-conversion statement recently. The "VHP wants to intimidate and persecute Christians by raising the bogeyman of conversions to instil Hindutva ideas in in the population," Christian leader said.

The Pontifical Academy for Life organizes a seminar on "Ageing and disability”. A gloomy picture is traced of India, which has the second highest number of elderly in the world. The traditional extended family is becoming less common, and "grandparents" are often left on their own.

The bishop of Mangalore, where the monument will be built, has asked the state's chief minister for a financial contribution. The shrine will rise where the Blessed met 500,000 faithful during his trip to India in 1986.

The president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC ) has been awarded the Mar Osthathios Puraskaram Award. Presented by His Beatitude Baselios Mar Thomas Poulose II, primate of the Indian Syro-Malankara Orthodox Church.

The official explanation is the widening of a road to relieve traffic congestion in the neighborhood. Sisters and activists explain, however, that changing the road at that point will not solve the problem it will only will destroy a part of the Cardinal Gracias Destitute 's Home. Founded in 1962, the house for the sick and dying today houses 70 women.

Rev David Grant, a pastor with the Evangelical Assemblies of God World Missions, is accused of breaking visa rules. For the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), his arrest underscores the unequal treatment reserved for Christian clergymen, who are often subjected to "threats, abuse and arrests."

The Major Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Syro-Malankara rite is the new president of the Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). His Beatitude explains his "work program" for the Church in the country, inviting all the bishops and local clergy to an "inner renewal to help build society and the country”. The cardinal recalls that "the Church is at the service of the poor: this is a sign that the Gospel is alive in our country".

The book "The Hindus: An Alternative History" written U.S. scholar on Indian history and culture Wendy Doniger in 2009. According to Hindu nationalist groups inside and outside the country, the volume is "offensive". For the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC ) " the increasing power of extremist groups is disturbing".

In 1995, the country's highest court ruled that seeking votes in the name of Hinduism is not a form of corruption. The verdict was heavily criticized, because the defendant in that trial had been elected on the back of Hindutva, a nationalist ideology . The president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC ) urges a favorable decision of the Supreme Court in view of the general elections of May 2014. "In states where Hindutva is pursued, minorities live in insecurity".

Sajan George, national president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), sounds the alarm bells. Fundamentalist group Hindu Vahini is of particular concern. In mid-January, one of its members stabbed to death an evangelical clergyman. According to the GCIC leader, anti-Christian violence is likely to become "more brutal" as India's general elections approach.

The director of the Opus Dei Centre in Mumbai talks about the successor to Saint Josemaría Escrivá, founder of the personal prelature, who will be beatified in September. Del Portillo was a person naturally "faithful, first to Our Lord and then to the spirit of Opus Dei." During the Second Vatican Council, he played a fundamental role, which he continued with young people from all over the world.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the murder of the Australian missionary and his two sons, killed by Hindu radicals. The president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) reflects on the next general election. The nationalist party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which supports radical groups, is also vying for power.