Nirmala Carvalho

Recent violence has rekindled tensions in the northeastern Indian state, scene of a bitter conflict for the past three years. Ethnic Kuki-Zos now accuse the Nagas, who had remained neutral during the confrontation between Kuki-Zos and the Meiteis. The newly elected Yumnam Khemchand Singh administration is facing the difficult task of reconciliation.

In Kottayam district, a Christian hymn performed during a festival sparked controversy from groups close to the Hindu right. The temple committee, however, defended the choice, emphasising the shared nature of the event and the collaborative relationships between the Hindu and Christian communities in the village.

The BJP-led state government has renamed a 16th-century pillar to make it a symbol of Hindu victims of the Inquisition. For scholar Frazer Andrade, the new name is misleading, lacking any verifiable historical evidence. Meanwhile, a local nationalist leader lashed out at Saint Francis Xavier in a debate, calling him "a terrorist”. The archdiocese expressed outrage, saying that the saint is “revered not only in Goa but by millions of people across the globe,” an example of “peace and unity”.

A rare defeat for Modi in Parliament: Bill to reserve 33% of Lok Sabha seats for women in the 2029 elections rejected. The opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, rejected the bill, denouncing ‘gerrymandering’: the increase in seats to 850 and the redrawing of constituencies based on 2011 census data would have favoured the North at the expense of southern states.Delhi: The constitutional amendment on women and political manoeuvring

Organized by the Fiat Mission movement, which, based in Kerala, promotes lay apostolate both in Indian dioceses and among Malayali migrant communities worldwide. Archbishop Moolachira of Guwahati presided over the Mission Mass. Among the most visited booths was that of the Archdiocese of Imphal, featuring testimonies from Christians in Manipur.

The decision came after days of unrest, which sometimes resulted in violence, in the industrial areas of Noida, home to Samsung factories. The measure comes in response to workers' demands, who complain about precarious working conditions and poor wages, but is also part of the broader process of implementing labour reforms.

A journalistic investigation has revealed two deaths and dozens of cases of illness among the Dalit artisans brought in from Rajasthan to build the spires of Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, the largest Hindu temple in the West. The allegations: wages of less than $1.20 an hour and inadequate safety measures. The organisation that runs the sacred site defends itself by describing them as “volunteers engaged in religious service”.

After a battle lasting several years, the community of Ambala Cantonment has secured justice for an incident of desecration and vandalism that took place on Christmas Eve 2021. The resilience of the local community and the solidarity shown by other religious groups proved decisive. ‘May this ruling reaffirm the value of mutual respect between different communities.’

The Allahabad High Court orders Father Pereira to stand trial for calling Jesus's religion "the only true religion" in a church sermon. The court cited India's secularism to argue that such a claim denigrates other faiths. This is a paradoxical development in a state like Uttar Pradesh, a Hindu fundamentalist stronghold.

Over 400 soon-to-be-weds, migrant workers in various countries across the region, are unable to return home and tie the knot due to the suspension of flights. Families are in despair, having completed their preparations yet facing an uncertain future. Some are considering video calls for an ‘alternative’ ceremony, but weddings are not merely a personal choice but community events woven into the social and economic fabric.

Recently, the state government led by Yumnam Khemchand Singh met with the Kuki-Zo Council for the first time, issuing an appeal to "forgive and forget". The meeting marks a first step towards reconciliation, but tensions and deep mistrust remain between the communities.

On this World Day, which highlights the potential of people with this chromosomal condition, the story of an Indian boy and his family who have welcomed him for over forty years, striving to ensure that his differences do not become an obstacle. The importance of faith in his life. Today he brings joy to everyone he meets and his smile is a blessing.