Nirmala Carvalho

The number refers to the disparity between males and females reported in the last national census (2011). In the parishes of the Archdiocese 37 million lamps and candles will be lit. For the director of the Catholic weekly The Examiner, spiritual and sexual health formation can bring about a change in attitude that respects the dignity and sacredness of human beings. The message of the Bishops' Conference for Indian Republic Day.

The Global Council of Indian Christians organised a meeting during which the latest figures on anti-Christian persecution were presented. In 2012, 135 attacks were recorded across the country. The Australian missionary and his two sons died at the hands of Hindu extremists on 23 January 1999.

This is the appeal of Tempa Tsering, the Dalai Lama's representative in New Delhi, the new president. So far, Xi has not commented on Tibet, where young people continue to set themselves on fire against Beijing repression. Communist Party of China is still hungry for land and power, and afraid of the Dalai Lama, loved by millions of Chinese.

On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RICA), AsiaNews interviews the Director of Catechesis in the Archdiocese of Bombay, Fr. Terence Murray. The response of the new evangelization to catechumens today, looking for "a deep and personal encounter with God" among the threats of fundamentalism.

The president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) slams anti-conversion laws used to persecute non-Buddhists, especially Christians. Formally, Bhutan guarantees freedom of worship; in reality, Christians cannot build churches or say Mass in public.

This was stated by Lenin Raguvanshi, a lay activist in Varanasi. He denounces the participation of Naga sadhus, ascetic warriors who parade armed with swords and tridents, "militarizing" a religious moment as important as that of the Kumbh Mela. It is "urgent and necessary" to prohibit the participation of these individuals, and stand against the caste system, "to give dignity" to Dalits and tribals.

The victims of the anti-Christian violence in 2007 and 2008 are still denied justice and assistance. Hundreds of people are still without identity papers or title deeds. Violence remains an ever present problem, especially for Dalit Christian girls and women.

Lenin Raguvanshi, director of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (Pvchr), comments on Benedict XVI’s messgae for the 46th World Day of Peace. Among the threats to a "sustainable peace", male selfishness in male-female relationships, which leads to violence, such as New Delhi rape or selective abortions. The "fundamental" role of religion, against extreme forms of secularism that hinder peace.

For Guru Asaram Bapu, the victim is "as guilty as her rapists". But homicide charges hang over him over the death of two children in his ashram. For the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, his "distorted mindset [. . .] scares women, stopping them back from going to the police". Abuses against tribal and Dalit women are up.

Detained and arrested in 2004 on false proselytising charges, Brian O'Connor appeals for openness. In his view, granting religious rights to non-Muslims would be a "positive change" for the country. A study by the Centre for Development Studies indicates that the children of Indian migrants "grow up confused," which may manifest itself "in rebellion, school absenteeism, drop-outs and substance abuse".

For Mgr John Barwa, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar, such an event is unprecedented in the history of the troubled state of Orissa. Hundreds of thousands of Catholics and Hindus brought flowers and candles to the Baby Jesus in all the parishes of the state. In his New Year message, the archbishop stresses the importance of young people in spreading and bearing witness to the message of Christ among the nations.

The girl, 23, died at dawn from a cerebral hemorrhage. Her body will arrive in India in the evening. Hundreds of policemen patrolling the Indian capital for fear of violent protests. Archbishop of Mumbai: "The death of the young woman is a cry for a radical change in the Indian society."