Jubilees in Gujart jesuit Province

On 8th, Frs. J. Amalraj, Roy Miranda, Vijay Shidonkar and Bro. Malcolm complete fifty Golden years in the Society of Jesus. We join them in thanking God for giving them fifty years of perseverance and pray that they may keep on answering the call of God in their day-to-day life.

On 20th, Archbishop S. Fernandes, Frs. Mattam, Ovelil and Alex Thannipara complete 60 years in the Society. We join them in thanking and praising God on this occasion and pray for them.

Folk Remedies of Tribals

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Sr Lissy Vedruna sister at Unai

 Ahmedabad: 

Daksha Gamit sits among a group of other women around a silver dish, peeling Indian asparagus in the country's Western state of Gujarat.

Married with two teenage children, Gamit will later add the vegetable to a mixture of seeds and sprouts, place them in a carafe and sit the concoction in the sun to ferment.

The brown juice that results – rich in vitamin D and plant hormones – is used to treat eye diseases and infertility.

Among the Adivasi tribe to which Gamit belongs – Adivasis are among India’s first inhabitants – these folk remedies have been produced for centuries.

And for nine years, Gamit has traveled 20 kms once a week from her home village to the town of Unai, where she works at a herbal medicine shop and health clinic run by the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna.

Sister Lissy of the Congregation has spent several years studying traditional Adivasi medicine, and in 2003 she began to put her knowledge to use.

She cultivated aloe vera plants and used the viscous juice of the plants’ leaves to stimulate the production of red blood cells. After three months of applications on herself, she saw in tests that red blood cell production increased.

Aloe vera has now become an effective remedy for sickle cell anemia, a hereditary disease that is prominent among Adivasis. The ailment destroys the natural shape of red blood cells and can cause complications that have a high mortality rate.

“If patients start on time to take aloe vera, which stimulates blood production, individuals can live with the disease,” says Sister Lissy.

In addition to helping cure illness, the herbal medicine shop and clinic has become a vital source of income for many in the local Adivasi community.

The facility employs four full-time women and 28 part-time staff, all of whom earn 150 rupees (US$2.50) per day.

“The income helps my family,” says Gamit. "Besides, it is nice work, and I often take products back to my village. Our hair oil, for example, is very popular. It cools the head while working in the fields.”

In the years since she first started, Sister Lissy has added a diverse number of products to her inventory. She’s particularly proud of her wheatgrass juice, which helps wounds heal faster, she says.

Pineshkumar Gamit, a farmer from Dharampuri village, is a case in point. He was spared an expensive hospital visit that would have ruined him financially.

He sustained a small ankle injury that got infected and quickly progressed to a large proliferating wound. After 27 days of treatment by Sister Lissy, using concentrated wheatgrass juice, the wound finally closed – at a cost of only 700 rupees. At a hospital, the bill would have been several thousand rupees.

Sister Lissy has also set up workshops to pass on her knowledge – not only to local villagers but also to doctors from private hospitals.

The increasingly popular herbalist learned many of her recipes from old Adivasi women.

“The tradition of the Adivasi contains precious knowledge about the effects of many plants,” says Sister Lissy. “But because they pass on their knowledge orally, there is a great risk that this treasured knowledge could be lost.”

In an effort to help keep these traditions alive, the nun has encouraged families to plant and cultivate the medicinal herbs long familiar to their ancestors. Aloe vera plants are even offered for sale at the Congregations clinic for 10 rupees each.

Sister Lissy’s foray into traditional herbal remedies – in addition to being an effort to preserve Adivasi heritage and help those with few resources to afford expensive hospital visits – is a highly personal one.

At the age of 30, the nun fell ill with the virulent falciparum malaria. After delays in treatment, she was required to take a heavy regimen of medications that left her diabetic.

“At that time, I thought to myself that there must be yet another way of treatment,” she says.

She began experimenting with aloe vera treatment, and that led to her study of traditional Adivasi herbal medicine and her work with the local community to educate about these ancient and effective remedies.

“We are all part of nature, so we should try to treat our illnesses with the resources of nature.”

Dance 2 - Bardipada Tribal Dance Festival

Bardipada Tribal Dance Festival 2013

The young artists from the boarding.

The Pyramid part of every tribal dance.

 The Tribal Dance festival was organized at Jivan Jyot, Bardipada in South Gujarat, India on the 22nd Feb 2013.
Ten groups from different parts of Gujarat took part in the Festival of highly colourful and fast dances. The Festival encourages the tribals to appreciate and preserve their own cultural forms.

Changda Village shoot

Shoot in progress

Changda shoot [ near Tarapur - Gujarat ] which was reported in the previous post is presented with these stills.
Script by Krishnaben
Directed by Ashok Vaghela

Scott at the house of Babu.

Grena at the Camera.

Scott

Reflectors for the shoot.

Krishnaben and Scott with Babubhai

A Christmas message by Ashok Vaghela sj

Congratulations to Fr.Cedric Prakash and the Prashant team!

 Congratulations to Fr.Cedric Prakash and the Prashant team!

November 19, 2012

Mayor Eric J Kellogg’s speech honoring renowned human rights activist and Jesuit priest, Fr. Cedric Prakash, s.j.

Dear Council Members and my fellow citizens,

It is my privilege to welcome you all today to this event, which symbolizes the values of our nation and the spirit of the City of Harvey. We are gathered here today to appreciate and honor a man who lives thousands of miles away, but whose heart beats for peace, justice and the well being of all humanity. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming renowned human rights activist and Jesuit priest from India Fr. Cedric Prakash!

You may recall that in March of this year, our City Council passed a resolution condemning the horrific massacres in Gujarat in 2002, and expressing solidarity with the victims and survivors of that pogrom. The Gujarat pogrom is known for the killing of over 2,000 people and the displacement of over 150,000, and indeed represents one of the darkest chapters in Indian history. On the other hand, the struggle for justice in the aftermath of the Gujarat carnage is a story of selfless service, of a relentless quest for peace and of undying love for humanity. Fr. Cedric Prakash is one of those rare individuals who symbolize these great qualities.

Fr. Cedric Prakash is the director of an organization called Prashant in the city of Ahmedabad, which was the epicenter of the horrendous crimes against humanity that were perpetrated in Gujarat in 2002. The organization is in the forefront of monitoring and documenting human rights violations and advocating for religious harmony. Fr. Prakash himself, as the founding director of this organization has worked tirelessly to build bridges among various groups, and to secure justice and rehabilitation for the survivors. He has also been vocal in highlighting the ongoing plight of minorities in Gujarat and other parts of India.

Fr. Prakash’s work in the field of humanitarian advocacy predates the tragic events in Gujarat.  He has worked ceaselessly to bring about religious harmony in the diverse religious landscape of India. This cause, for which he has worked selflessly for several decades, has been recognized in India and abroad. In 1995, the President of India conferred him with the Kabir Puraskar, for his work in the promotion of religious harmony. In 2003, the Indian American Muslim Council presented him with the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award for Humanitarian Work. In 2006, he was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, one of the highest French civilian awards, in recognition of his commitment to the defense and the promotion of Human Rights in India. The same year, the National Minorities Commission of India also honored him with the Minorities Rights Award.

Today, we in the City of Harvey have the honor of having Fr. Cedric Prakash in our midst. As Mayor of this wonderful city, it is my privilege to pay tribute to Fr. Prakash, and the cause of justice and interfaith harmony that he and his organization symbolize.

Fr. Prakash’s work shows us that in the midst of appalling cruelty and terrible crimes against humanity, there exists compassion, selflessness and an inspiring conviction in the brotherhood of humanity.  Fr. Prakash’s persistent struggle for justice is a reminder of the proverb, “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

Cedric Prakash S.J.

Sabarkatha Mission Golden Jubilee Celebration

Sabarkatha Mission Golden Jubilee Celebration

Fifty years of development of the Sabarkantha region is being celebrated this year.

The celebrations were in purely Indian and Tribal style.

Even the Bishops wear shawls for mass , not the catholic traditional vestments.

Those in other parts of the world may find this as an example of indigenization or inculturation in Liturgy different from their experience.

 Arch Bishop Stanny F and Bishop Pathalil.

Local women in traditional dress.

50 Local traditions drums played for the 50 years of Sabarkantha.

Women with traditional sprouts of wheat as offering.

Tradional Tilak on the forehead  for the Bishops

Relatives of Fr Dindayanad.

Fr Dindayanand sj Founder of the Mission Sabarkantha

A tree as a backdrop for the celebrations.

The tree represents different areas developed by Sabarkantha  Mission.

GOOD NEWS TO THE BLIND બ્રેયીલમાં શુભસંદેશ - નવો કરાર

  બ્રેયીલમાં શુભસંદેશ - નવો કરાર   is going to be released at the Inaugural Mass of the Year of Faith on 12.10.2012 in Gandhinagar Archdiocese Cathedral by Rt. Rev. Stanislaus Fernandes, SJ.

Thanks for your collaboration.

 બ્રેયીલમાં શુભસંદેશ - નવો કરાર 

GOOD NEWS TO THE BLIND

Braillema Bible – Catholic Navo Karar

Introduction

The people of the world know that the Bible is the Holy Book of the Christians. At the same time, still people of various religions are not aware that the Bilble is not made up of one single book, instead it is the collection of various books. The Christians are fully aware and it is their firm Faith that the Bible is the Word of God written in words of different human persons. Further it is believed that the Word of God is the food, drink and support for their life-long journey.  The readers and the listeners find greater meaning by drawing water from the same Biblical well and drink such precious water (amrutvani) in order to quench their thirst.

The Bible is divided into two parts. First part is the Old Testament and the second part is the New Testament. The books which were written before the birth of Jesus are known as the Old Testament. Whereas the books which were written after the birth of Jesus are known as the New Testament.  After the Baptism, at the appropriate time, with the unique experience of his ABBA FATHER, Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day at Nazareth and in the midst of all gathered there he proclaimed the purpose of his public Mission – “The spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the afflicted. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord” (Lk 4:18-19).

According to me, from my experiential knowledge, I must say that every Blind person is ‘the divine eye of the Divine’ – ‘devna divyachakshu’. To such dear ones, the year 2012 is something special to them. Why? Because, the Catholic Pope Benedict XVI has declared a special year (from October 11, 2012 to 23 November, 2013) as the YEAR OF FAITH in order to know, love and follow Christ MORE in daily life. In this context, I, as the follower of Jesus, re-call the Mission Manifesto of the greatest Missionary Jesus – “... sent me to give sight to the blind”. This particular statement has churned my existence as an ordained evangelist and has motivated me to answer creatively in proclaiming His GOOD NEWS to all peoples, especially to the visually challenged persons of my karmabhoomi Gujarat. Thus, while accompanying various categories of the disabled persons in North Gujarat, already a year back I was moved to prepare the Gujarati New Testament in Braille transcription and to present to them as a precious gift at the beginning of the YEAR OF FAITH. Indeed the present prepared ‘Braillema Bible – Catholic Navo Karar’  is a unique GOOD NEWS to all the visually impaired persons of our Growing Global Gujarati Group. Now let me explain in brief the genesis and rationale of this innovative project.

Problem statement

• A backward attitude towards life has led many persons in Gujarat to think of disability as a curse. ‘The blind neither have the physical vision nor they have vision for life’, such a negative attitude creates tension among the visual and the non-visual persons.
• The non-readiness approach to tackle the causes of disability, especially on visual impairment.
• Non-enthusiastic nature for life by many non-disabled persons leading them to be non-participatory in the mobilization and rehabilitation of the Persons with Disabilities.
• The blind may have the hunger and thirst for the Word of God of the Bible. But till this date they have no means to read directly the Catholic Bible. Till this date they are deprived of this unique facility in comparison with their normal counter parts.

Logical Intervention

According to the population census survey 2010, the population of Gujarat is 50,596,992. In which nearly there are an estimates 10,45,000 disabled persons of all categories in Gujarat.  This is based on the 1.98% of disability given by the National Sample Survey Organisation.  Of these, around 1.5 lakh people have visual impairment. Around 40% these are school age going children.  So we have about 60000 blind children using Braille in Gujarat.

In Gujarat, we have about 82 institutions who are directly involved in the education and rehabilitation of the blind persons. Besides these, the Inclusive Education for the Disabled Children at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) and the Education for All (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan – SSA) at the Primary stage cater directly to the educational needs of these visually impaired children.

Main Objectives

·       To be a leaven to provide the New Testament in Gujarati Braille transcription to the Blind.

·       To enable the visually impaired persons of Gujarati speaking to read independently without the help of the reader and to assimilate personally the New Testament in Gujarati Braille transcription and to motivate them to become the agents in ennobling the human community to love and serve God and His peoples.    

·       To give an opportunity to the visually impaired persons of all religions and cultures to taste and see, i.e. to experience the Word of God for a meaningful integration and inclusion in the human society.

·       To initiate the blind persons of Gujarat to have the ‘darshan’ (vision) of God in Jesus by reading the New Testament of Catholics.

·       To encourage such visually challenged persons to challenge the darkness of the world and to contribute creatively in removing such darkness from the grasped gospel messages of Jesus.

·       To encourage the Institutional heads and the Educational sector personnel to motivate the Blind persons to read and to grasp the messages for a meaningful life from the New Testament.

Sources of inspiration

·       Catholic New Testament in Tamil Braille transcription – 1^st time in an Indian language: When I learnt that the Second Reading of the Mass was read out by a visually challenged person in Chennai at the inaugural Eucharist celebration on 9, January, 2011 by the Conference of the Catholic Bishop’s of India’s Meet (Editorial, The New Leader, vol.124, No.: 3, February 1-15, 2011. It says: “…she read from Braille Tamil New Testament, newly published by the Tamil Nadu Bible Commission. This is the blessing to all the visually challenged people, now the blind can read the Word of God by themselves.)

·        Vanche Gujarat movement of Gujarat Government – Best Reader Competition for the Blind: The aim of the competition was to motivate the blind students to read inspirational short stories, novels, poems, biographies and books.

Conclusion

To me, in this context, offering this ‘Braillema Bible – Catholic Navo Karar’ in the hands of the Blind persons of Gujarat is one of the novel ways of the New Evangelization process at the beginning hour of the YEAR OF FAITH. Indeed a greater opportunity is given to us to CELEBRATE this Faith-filled year as a Grace-filled year in the midst of all types and all categories of persons with Special needs.

We are grateful to Alboan and Misiones La Rioja, the NGOs of Spain for their generous financial support to prepare this ‘Braillema Bible – Catholic Navo Karar’ in 12 volumes. We also appreciate the Staff of the Braille Press, National Association for the Blind (Gujarat Division), Vastrapur, Ahmedabad  for their computerized Braille transcription, proof reading, printing and binding.

Fr Girish Santiago SJ

Blessed are the Blind for theirs is the Kingdom to ‘see’ joyfully the newly transcribed book in Braille and to read it, assimilate it and to act as men and women of good will according to the living WORD of God! Let the WORD continue to BECOME FLESH and dwell amongst us in and through our well focussed compassionate approach of incarnation, insertion and involvement. Let our ‘domestic churches’ (homes), the ‘structural churches’ (places of adoration and worship) and the ‘institutional churches’ (cells & centres) become truly an ‘abode of inclusion’ – sammilitalayam! Timely and truly, our on-going faith-justice based apostolic commitment towards the needy has enabled and enhanced us to name aptly our centre at Unteshwari as sammilitalayam. May our Spirit-filled approach towards inclusion bring solace – shanti – salaam – shalom to all.   

Fr. Girish Santiago, SJ

 Director

Gurjarvani - a New Look

 The roof of the Gurjarvani Studio was removed and concrete slab has been put on the top of the 1st floor. This will protect the building from leakage and from the hot Sun.
Now it looks very bright with the new white paint on the walls and ceiling. There is plan to put a Gujarati traditional decorated door as we see in the Poles of Ahmedabad. Once that is put the photo of the building will look different.

National Sahitya Academy Award - Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 2012

National Sahitya Academy Award - Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 2012

 Can telling stories win you one of the greatest Awards in literature? Yes, this has been very true for our own Yoseph Macwan. Mr. Yoseph Macwan who is very well known among the literary world of Gujarat. He has translated the Psalms in Gujarati for "Sapmpurna Bible" (The Complete Bible). His translations of Psalms has won him accolades for its poetic expressions. 
The Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Literature, India) under the Chairmanship of its President, Sri Sunil Gangopadhyay selected Mr. Yoseph Macwan's book - Aav Haya, Varta Kahu.... (Gujarati) for its Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 2012. The Award presentation function shall be held in November 2012.
Haya is the granddaughter of Mr Yoseph Macwan. This book was written when Haya was very small and often asked her grandfather for stories. Gurjarvani congratulates Kavi Yoseph Macwan for this achievement.

Yoseph Macwan

Come Haya, Let me tell you a Story.

Jesuit Novice Masters from Indian provinces visit Gurjarvani

In the audio studio of Gurjarvani

The Novice Masters at Gurjarvani,Ahmedabad,India

The young people who want to dedicate themselves  for ever to serve the needy and poor people any where in the world in the Society of Jesus are given a two year intense spirituality training. And that is called " the Novitiate"[નવશિશ્યાલય ]
The Novice Master is the one who directs them. 14 such Novice Masters from all over India were at Ahmedabad for a meeting  to share their experience in guiding the young people.
Gurjarvani Parivar [ Gurjarvani Family] thanks them for their visit on 4th September 2012.

A video presentation in the Gurjarvani studio

Akho - A socio-spiritual reformer poet of Gujarat

Gorosquieta - interview

50 years in the Society of Jesus - Br Agnelo [ c/o BBN]

A Movie: Two young men dedicate their lives to serve: Gujarat Jesuits

Fr Shaji sj - Minister at Premal jyoti

Shaji sj in Gurjarvani Studio during a recording session.

 Fr Shaji sj is  Minister at Premal Jyoti, Ahmedabad [from June 2012 ] where a large number of Jesuit brothers from all over India stay and study at St Xavier's college Ahmedabad . He is given this new assignment besides the work of being in charge of the audio section of Gurjarvani.
Premal Jyoti being just across the road he will be able to do both the jobs. Just now - 15th May 2012 - he is at home where his father is not keeping well.
Shaji has produced a number of audio Cassettes / CDs which are very popular all over Gujarat.
Devasia

Shaji with Appu in his studio during a recording session,

At Munnar - A trip to collect Nature shots. Shaji's village is close to this beautiful area.

50 years in the Society of Jesus in Gujarat

Those who celebrated at Rosary Vododara

 Bishop Godfrey Rozario and Provincial Jose Changa gave the mementos to each of the Golden Jubilarians at Rosary school Vadodara, Gujarat,India, on 6th April evening.

Ornellas Coutinho [ right ]

Castiella [ right]

Paul Macwan [ left]

Thannipara Thomas [ left]

Paul Valapila [ left]

Devasia Muthuplackal [ left]

Thomas Chamakala [ right]

Rappai Poothokaren [ left]