Church steps up relief efforts with survey and medicines

Church steps up relief efforts with survey and medicines

Thomas D’Silva

Bongaigaon, July 28: On a day when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Kokrajhar and announced relief package assuring investigation into the causes of ethnic violence, the Church in Bongaigaonreached out to inmates of the camps by sending medical teams. The clashes between the migrant Muslims and the Bodo tribals have resulted in over 50 deaths, four lakh homeless and the damage of crops, houses and property.

Meeting the victims of violence in the relief camps, Singh said, "I have come here to share your sorrow and pain and this is a time for healing." The Bongaigaon diocesan medical teams headed by Dr. Lachit from St. Augustine Hospital and Sr. Kiran, the vice president of Community Health Association of Bongaigaon (CHAB) did exactly that- ‘the healing’.

The three government ambulances loaded with medicines carried the team to Mongalia Camp under Bijni Subdivision, about 35 km north of Bongaigaon. “Of 4840 inmates of the camp about 220 people were examined and medicines were given,” said Sr. Kiran. The common ailments being: diarrhea, malaria, skin diseases and other water borne diseases. 

This reporter for the first time could survey on a motorbike along with Banerjee Kr Basumatary, three villages- Noapara, Belatola and Sarapet and meet the victims in the Mongalia Camp. “We are happy with the security as BSF is here, but as people are eating only rice and daal and nothing else, they have gastroenteritis. Government should provide clean drinking water and build toilets,” suggested Bithou Brahma, the camp-in-charge.

NGOs like Action Northeast Trust (ANT) of Rowmari near Bongaigaon, All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) of Bijni  and others too were seen trying their bit to alleviate the suffering.

Meanwhile Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil along with Peace and Relief Coordination Committee (PRCC) of Bongaigaon made a survey of Subaijhar Camp in Chirang district to assess the damage and plan the relief measures. The camp in the high school there has over 4500 people. He also visited the Satsang Ashram there, which too has become a camp and expressed solidarity with the inmates. 

Bishop Pulloppillil has convened on July 29^th Inter Church Peace Mission (ICPM) comprising all Christian denominations to evolve strategies for peace initiatives.  A joint press statement is expected to be released after the meeting.

Bodoland burns: Assam still tense

Bodoland burns: Assam still tense

Thomas D’Silva

Bongaigaon, July 27: The violent clashes between the Bodos and the Muslim immigrants continued and spread leaving 58 dead and over two lakh homeless in Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD) in Western Assam. While Chief Minister Tarun  Gogoi blamed it on the Centre and the Opposition, the Centre was quick to act by setting up a 10-member coordination committee.

At Mongalia Bazaar Camp,  near Bijni in  the dt. of Chirang

Even as epicenter of the conflict were the districts of Kokrajhar and Chirang accounting to 40 deaths,  the ripple effects in the neighboring districts of Dhubri and Baksa too were felt, as violence and deaths were reported  from those areas.

Though Bodo Territorial Council (BTC) created under the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution is in place since 2003 under the leadership of Hagrama Mohilary, maintaining law and order falls under the state government of Assam. Obviously the buck stops at Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s desk who also is the Home Minister.

Mistrust, conflict, violent clashes and so called ‘ethnic-cleansing’ is not new in the BTAD region. Ever since the Bodoland agitation from 1987, there have been waves of such conflicts, in which the migrant Muslims were a major target. Ownership of land was one of the main reasons and it will always be.

But the triggering point it is reported was when two Muslim youths, Nurul Haque and Mazibur Rahman, were allegedly shot dead by the cadres of the now disbanded Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT) on 6^th July. Then on the 20^th July, four members of the erstwhile BLT were hacked to death by unidentified persons in Joypur outside Kokrajhar town. Ensuing a full-scale riot involving the migrant Muslims on one side, the Bodo tribals on the other.

Even as 200,000 people from over 400 villages displaces- their houses reduced to ashes, cattle killed, crops untended and fields desolate- the question is- how could those involved in  violence possess and use such sophisticated  firearms? Where is the rule of law? What ‘politics’ or ‘outside elements’ (as alleged) involved?

At Mongalia Camp

Church gets into action:

The Peace and Relief Coordination Committee (PRCC) headed by Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil of Bongaigaon met here today to take stock of the situation and chalk out the plan.

The committee identified- food materials like rice, pulses, salt; tarpaulin for shelter; providing clean drinking water; mosquito nets to protect from malaria and medical attention as the top priority as far as the relief work was concerned.

It also suggested names of some leaders of influence from both the communities who could be involved in exploring the peace process.

The representatives from the diocese led by Fr.Thomas D’Silva, the PRO and the spokesperson met Chirang District Commissioner Upendra Nath Bora and expressed readiness to do the relief works. As per  the agreement, the diocese would begin immediately the medical relief under  H.C.Brama, the Joint Health Director of the district.

Meanwhile, the Bongaigaon Gana Seva Society(BGSS), the social service wing of the diocese is getting ready with a massive relief project. “We are planning a three-phase programme: medical relief, food and shelter and peace building phase”, said Fr. David Antony, the director.

Bodo tribals and Migrant Muslims Class

Ethnic Clashes Paralyse Life in Assam: Church Steps in with Relief and Peace Efforts

Thomas D’Silva

Bongaigaon, July 26: Assam remained cut-off from rest of the country as violent clashes broke out between the Bodos and the Muslims in the districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri and Bongaigaon, claiming over 38 lives and rendering over two lakh people homeless.

As the leaders of both the communities leveled charges on each other and the inaction of the administration, the rioters went about on a killing, burning and looting spree.  

All these areas of disturbance fall under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Bongaigaon. Meanwhile, Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil who was on his Annual Retreat along with 28 priests at Kurseong in West Bengal cut short the retreat and rushed back to the diocese. It took 26 hours to cover the distance of 350 km as there were bandhs, curfews, section 144 and shoot-at-sight orders imposed. 

Immediately at his arrival, a press release was issued by the Bishop appealing for peace and showing solidarity with the suffering. The Bishop is personally monitoring the situation, has constituted a Relief Team and a Peace Mission Committee. The two NGOs of the diocese- Bongaigaon Gana Seva Society (BGSS) and the Diocesan Development Society have sprung into action under their directors Frs. David Antony and Biju Joseph respectively. 

Schools, institutions, health centres and church premises have become relief camps providing food, shelter and security to the people uprooted from their settlements. But the ongoing violence, fear and panic have curtailed the movement of the volunteers and the transportation of the relief materials. Bishop Pulloppillil focusing on two areas of action- relief works and peace initiatives, has appealed to aid agencies and NGOs to lend a helping hand.

An appeal from  the diocese is already been made to Caritas India, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Northeast Community Health Association (NECHA) to provide help in four necessities: food, clothing, shelter, health and hygiene.

The tension flared up on 20th July when four Bodo youths were mercilessly chopped to death allegedly by a group of Muslims (for reasons unknown) at Joypur near Kokrajhar. This led to retaliatory killing and then the region witnessed a chain of action and reaction. Though there is a semblance of calm, but there are reports of the spread of violence to other parts of the state too.

The diocese of Bongaigaon is witness to a series of ethnic clashes. The most recent one was between the Bodos and the Santhals in 1996 and 1998, the after effects of which are felt even to this day. The church had played a commendable role in peace building efforts and rendering relief services under the guidance of Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, former Archbishop of Guwahati, of which Bongaigaon was then a part. 

Once again it is time to wake up to the need of taking up a leading role in bringing peace in the midst of mistrust and differences. “Let us pray for peace and do whatever good we can”, urged Bishop Pulloppillil  in his address to his priests. 

At the Foothills of Himalayas

Aerial view from the Pastoral Centre, Kotdwar

At the Foothills of Himalayas

In the wee hours of Sunday the 26^th April, I set out along with Fr. Anand by the Garwal Express to attend a three-day ‘Web Administrators Workshop’ at Kotdwar, in the diocese of Bijnore. And the ‘express’ took over 7 hours to cover a distance of 238 kms from Delhi to this district headquarters of the state of Uttarakhand situated at the foothills of Shivalik Range of Himalayan mountains. While the plains of Western UP and the Southern UK looked vast and dry, the forest after Najibabad was indeed mesmerising.

With Bishop John and the workshop group

The Kotdwar railway station was unique- giving a clear indication that we have arrived at the foothills of the Himalayas! The Pastoral Centre at Nimbuchour, where the workshop was held is an architectural wonder. The natural ‘air-conditioned’ weather, the green lawns and the colourful flowers, the imposing hills and the mountains were enough for anyone to have a journey into a world of fantasy. To add to it were the honeycombs hanging on the parapets of the buildings which lets out an exclaim- ‘oh how sweet’!

The next day our visit to St. Joseph’s Cathedral was memorable. The architecture is of course an integration of Hindu-Muslim-Christian culture. The statues and images, the silence spectrum, the imposing structure and the spiritual solace at the cathedral welled up within me an overwhelming urge to pray.

Well, it was indeed a memorable trip that I will ever cherish.

A TRIBUTE TO SR. JAYA FLSG

The Woman Who Gave up Everything for Christ: A Tribute to Sr. Jaya FSLG

On Sunday the 15^th April, when I was at the Sardhana shrine- fulfilling my long cherished dream and the vow of offering the Holy Eucharist, I was informed that one of the daughters of Our Lady of Graces had bid farewell to this earthly life. I wasn’t moved much, until I heard that she was the pioneering missionary in my diocese of Bongaigaon, Assam. I knew who it was: Sr. Jaya, the ever eager and committed religious to be the servant of Christ at Magurmari parish! I had known her to be a dynamic nun with a lots of initiatives to help the poor children with moral and intellectual education. Hence, I cut short my Sardhana trip and proceeded to Meerut for the funeral service held at 3.00 PM.

I was reminded of an incident mentioned in the Gospels- “As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on’.” (Lk 21:1-4//Mk 12:41-44). That’s it! There may be religious with great accomplishments to their credits, yet for me Sr. Jaya (54) was a missionary par-excellence. In no time she could gauge the pulse of the people, feel the need of the place and put all her resources into the ministry until ‘the end’!

It was an abrupt end. Being the Thursday of the Easter Octave, no doubt she was on a ‘spiritual high’- celebrating life. During the funeral service, Bishop of Francis Calistus of Meerut reminded her mourning siblings, Religious Sisters of FSLG, the priests of the diocese and others present, “We the celebrants are wearing white vestments, singing Gloria on this last day of the Easter Octave, believing firmly that our sister Jaya is received into Everlasting Life”.

Sr. Jaya FSLG (Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Graces) was always busy- ‘doing her Father’s business’. On Thursday after her village ministry she returned to the convent late in the evening, had her dinner and went early to bed. At around 11.00 PM she called Sr. Jancy and complained of some discomfort and breathing problem. Sr. Sophie, FSLG in Mushalpur was also informed and Fr. Sushil the parish priest was woken up at midnight to attend to the emergency situation. Fr. Sushil immediately rushed her to the hospital at Kokrajhar, about 6 Km away. Sr. Jaya was breathing heavy and fast and was praying aloud- “Jesus have mercy on me”. At about 1.00 AM when they arrived at the hospital, there was no trace of life in Sr. Jaya, and the doctor declared- ‘she is brought dead’! Shock and disbelief descended upon all of them. I cannot believe it either. Yet, Sr. Jaya knew where she was going... that is why she was calling on the name of Jesus.

A colossal loss to her dear ones, the Congregation and of course her dear community at Magurmari. A huge vacuum that exists now. “Wherever Sr. Jaya went there was life”, declared Sr. Rajini in her obituary message. I can vouch for it, as I have seen it for myself. Now, Sr. Jaya from above will surely intercede for us poor missionaries to be more committed and eager to do God’s Will. May her soul Rest in Peace.

At the Shrine of Our Lady of Graces, SARDHANA, Meerut

A Visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Graces, Sardhana (Meerut)

In Front of the Shrine of Our Lady of Graces

The front view of the Shrine

When I was young I used to be taken by my mom and dad to St. Lawrence Church, Attur in the Diocese of Mangalore, Karnataka for the yearly feast and pilgrimage. More than the church ceremony- the purchasing of religious articles and relics, sweets and fruits (mostly the water melon) and the fun of a fair (mela)- were the main attractions! Later as a minor seminarian, I had the good fortune of visiting St. Jude’s Shrine in Jhansi. Though he is a saint for desperate cases, I only had placed the intention to make me a good and committed priest one day. Then, as a young priest, when I was kidnapped by the militants in Assam, out of desperation, my elder sister Lilly had vowed that she would take me to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni (Tamil Nadu) if Mother Mary intervened for my safe return. After my release, my sister did take me to the shrine of Our Lady and fulfilled the vows. The tradition of making vows, visiting the shrines and doing the offerings were thus inherited. And now, as my mom is down with paralysis for over three years- unable to move, speak and even eat solid food; it was my turn to have recourse to Our Lady of Graces at Sardhana Shrine, Meerut- to intercede for the earthly mother.

Though there are different versions, yet this shrine is one of the oldest and the most magnificent one indeed. The Building which had commenced in 1809 and was completed and dedicated in 1822 has the following inscriptions in Latin at the entrance:

The main altar in the Church

D.O.M SUIS CURIS ET IMPENSIS AFUNDAMENTIS EXCITAVIT ET SUB NOMINE, ET PROTECVTIONE DEIPARAE VIRG: MARIAE JUXTA ROM: CATHOLICU: RITUM DICAVIT EXLMA DMA JOANNA SOMBROU PRINCEPS SADHANAE AN: DMI MDCCCXXII. ( The English version would be: ``To God most good and great, the most illustrious Lady Joanna, ruler of Sardhana, raised (this church) from its foundations at her own expense, and dedicated it according to the Roman Catholic rite, under the title and patronage of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of god, in the year of the Lord 1822”)

And the queen had written to Pope Gregory XVI, on 21-1-1834 stating, ``I am proud to say it (the Church) is acknowledged to be the finest, without exception, in India''.
 (Source: http://sardhanachurch.org/TheChurch-Basilicaof.aspx)

The statue of Our Lady of Graces

Along with my cousin Mark Pereira, his wife Teresa, their friends Leena Lobo,  Lata Prabhu and her daughter Priya, we started off our journey at 7.00 AM from Delhi on Sunday, the 15^th April, 2012. The 80 odd Kilometres journey was pleasant with jokes, songs, chats and a lot of fun. Our host at Meerut was Fr. Nitisha IMS who had kept the breakfast ready and was there to welcome us into IMS Gurukul, their minor seminary. The well-maintained farm with dairy, rabbits, vegetable garden, etc. were worth seeing. After several photo sessions with rabbits and the pet dogs, we proceeded to the Shrine- to fulfil the purpose of our trip. The Holy Eucharist for pilgrims was at 11.30 AM, celebrated by Fr. Mathew SDB and I joined him as concelebrant and also did the preaching in Hindi and English language.

It was one of those memorable Holy Masses that I ever have celebrated: with deep faith, fervent prayers, and many intentions and fully involved. The fire of faith seen in the eyes of the pilgrims was indeed a great motivating factor for me too. I offered my mom into the hands of my heavenly Mother, trusting in her strong intercession and the providence of God the Father.

Happy Easter

Hi Friends,

Let us be the bearers of the good news that- 'Jesus is Risen...Alleluia is our Song'. Filled with new life and vigour let us pledge to be the 'Easter People'.

Wishing you the Peace & Joy of Easter.

Fr.Thomas d'silva