Wed, 21/01/2009 - 3:06pm GCIC Celebrates the Life of Graham Staines, Phillip & Timothy 23rd Jan 1999-23rd Jan 2009 -10th Death Remembrance
Graham Staines, 58, who along with his two sons Philip,10,and Timothy, 8, were burnt alive on January 23, 1999, when their station wagon in which they were sleeping was set afire.
In 1965, Graham, from Queensland, Australia came to Mayurbhanj, Baripada, Orissa State, India, to help the ostracized Leprosy patients-.
He served the socially outcast lepers in a 105-year-old Mayurbhanj Leprosy Home which had been established in 1895 by the Maharaja (King) of Mayubhanj, Rama Chandra Bhanj Deo.
Gladys, a young nurse from Australia served at Operation Mobilization, met Graham in India and married on 6th August 1983 at Ipswich Gospel Chapel, Queensland, Australia After the marriage, both of them returned to India.The Staines made their home in an old house within the Mission compound and chose a very simple lifestyle.
God blessed them with three children; Esther Joy, Philip Graham and Timothy Harold.
On 22nd January 1999, Graham along with his two sons reached the remote Manoharpur village to attend the annual jungle camp.
On the night of 22nd January 1999, Graham Staines, Philip and Timothy, slept in their station wagon
It was around 12.20 a.m. on 23rd January 1999, mob armed with sticks and tridents surrounded the station wagon,as they approached it, they began screaming.
Dara Singh struck first, wielding an axe at the tyres, deflating them. The others broke windows and prevented the Staines from escaping and then torched the jeep………….in seconds, the vehicle was on fire.Graham Staines (1941-1999) his sons Phillip & Timothy were Burnt Alive.During the funeral service, Gladys and Esther sang this song along with the believers: "There is no friend like Jesus who is humble. He knows our struggles. He will lead us".
At the funeral, Esther said, "I thank God for choosing my father as a martyr for Him".
Ten years have passed since that fateful day, Orissa continues to burn Christians.
Kandhamal Christians were burnt, decapitated and killed by the Sangh Parivar, and the Widows of Kandhamal also speak of Forgiveness
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
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Thu, 22/01/2009 - 9:59pm Mrs Kavitha Karkare and Mrs. Nirmala Carvalho wins satines award
Mrs Kavitha Karkare and Mrs. Nirmala Carvalho selected for the "Graham Staines award for peace" on the occasion of the tenth death anniversary
Women widowed by violence speak of Forgiveness and show the way forward and GCIC wishes "Graham Staines award for peace" will enables all to celebrate life in its fullness.
Kavita Karkare, widow of Hemant Karkare, chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad killed in the 28/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008, said she was initially angry after the Mumbai terror attacks, "but now I think I am overcoming the anger. Because this anger and violence will not help to solve the problem. We should come together and do something constructive".
Showing kindness to Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, Kavita Karkare, a lecturer in a Mumbai college, has said that her family is ready to forgive the terrorist. In an interview to a TV channel, Mrs. Karkare said, 'He is only 21 years old. He should be given opportunity to change his theories.'. This intricacies of divine civility is the root of ahimsa and from Christ to Gandhiji
Mrs. Nirmala Carvalho for her immense contribution to the civil society by her writings which have created awareness of human rights violations against women and other minority groups in India and throughout the world. Over the past four and a half years as a correspondent with the Italian based news agency ' AsiaNews , she has consistently reported on various human rights Her articles have been published in India and abroad, and her active campaign against violence has not only generated awareness but also elicited international responses to incidents that have taken place in India.
posted in: Current Issue, Misc, East India
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Thu, 22/01/2009 - 5:00am Pope to Obama: Rediscover US Spiritual Heritage
Vatican
Sends Telegram to New President of America
Pope Benedict XVI sent a telegram to the new president of the UnitedStates, Barack Obama, expressing wishes for the nation to rediscoverits heritage of spiritual values and ethical principles.
The Pope sent good wishes to the 44th U.S. president on the occasionof Obama's inauguration today, with an "assurance of my prayers thatAlmighty God will grant you unfailing wisdom and strength in theexercise of your high responsibilities."The English text of the telegram, personally signed by the HolyFather, was released by the Vatican today.
He wrote: "Under your leadership may the American people continue tofind in their impressive religious and political heritage thespiritual values and ethical principles needed to cooperate in thebuilding of a truly just and free society, marked by respect for thedignity, equality and rights of each of its members, especially thepoor, the outcast and those who have no voice."
The Pontiff expressed the hope that "[a]t a time when so many of ourbrothers and sisters throughout the world yearn for liberation fromthe scourge of poverty, hunger and violence, I pray that you will beconfirmed in your resolve to promote understanding, cooperation andpeace among the nations, so that all may share in the banquet of lifewhich God wills to set for the whole human family."
He concluded by invoking blessings of "joy and peace" upon thepresident's family and the American people.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
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Wed, 21/01/2009 - 4:23pm Blast plotters’ goal was Hindu rashtra
By Krishna Kumar in MumbaiTHE ACCUSED in the Malegaon blast case were banking on help from Israel and probably even the Maoists for taking over the country and establish a ‘ Hindu rashtra ’. This disclosure forms part of the 4,528- page charge sheet filed by the Anti- Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Tuesday in the Malegaon blast case.The charge sheet contains two confessional statements of accused Rakesh Dhawade and Dayanand Pandey, a list of 431 witnesses the prosecution wants to examine and forensic evidence. The ATS has produced telephone, audio and video transcripts running into hundreds of pages.Special judge Y. D. Shinde, after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense, fixed Wednesday to decide if the accused can be booked under MCOCA ( Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act).The charge sheet blames 11 persons for the Malegaon blast in October 2008 that killed six people. These 11 persons, it adds, wanted to create a ‘Hindu rashtra or Aryavarta desh through violent means’. The charge sheet claims “the accused wanted to strike terror in the minds of people by exploding bombs in Malegaon and to overawe the government”. It goes on to add that Lt. Col. Prasad Shrikant Purohit founded Abhinav Bharat in 2007 to propagate the Godse- Savarkar line of Hindutva that strives for a Hindu rashtra with ‘ Bharat swarajya, surajya suraksha ’ in its preamble.A Hindu rashtra is also the goal of extremist elements in the Sangh Parivar, who want to establish a theocratic state, the charge sheet says.
posted in: Current Issue, Secular, Central India
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Tue, 20/01/2009 - 6:03am Three withdraw anticipatory bail application in nun rape case
Cuttack (Orissa), Jan 19 - In a new development in the nun 'rape'case in Kandhamal district, three persons named in the police recordtoday withdrew their anticipatory bail application from the OrissaHigh Court.Fakir Mohan Das, Dhruva Charan Das and Hrushikesh Das decided not topursue their cases for anticipatory bail after realising that theirapplications would be rejected by the high court.
Earlier, the court had rejected the anticipatory bail applications ofthree other accused.
The nun who lodged an FIR at Baliguda police station had alleged thatshe was raped at K Nuagaon during the Orissa bandh on August 25.
The nun had identified two persons, allegedly involved, during a TestIdentification Parade (TIP) at a jail here on JanuaryOrissa- The sangh's growthThe decadal growth of the Sangh Parivar in Orissa from the martyrdomof Graham Stuart Staines and his sons on January 23, 1999, and ofFather Bernard digal in the violence of August 2008
RSS the mother organization now has 6,000 shakhas with a 1,50,000 pluscadre.The VHP has 1,25,000 primary workers in Orissa.
The Bajrang Dal has 50,000 activists working in 200 shakhas.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has above 4,50,000 workers.
The Durga Vahini, the women’s group has 7,000 outfits in 117 sites.
The Rashtriya Sevika Samiti, another gender group, has 80 centres
Bharatiya Majdoor [labour] Sangh manages 171 trade unions with a cadreof 1,82,000 members.
The strong Bharatiya Kisan [farmers] Sangh has 30,000 in 100 blocks.
Other Sangh front organisations include Friends of Tribal Society,Samarpan Charitable Trust, Sookruti, Yasodha Sadan, Eklavya Vidyalayas[schools], Vanvasi Kalyan Ashrams and Parishads , Vivekananda Kendras,Shikha Vikas Samitis and Sewa Bharatis.Kandhamal district, one of Orissa’s thirty, has 2,415 villages, thetwo towns of Phulbani and Balliguda.
Orissa’s 36.8 million population has a mere 2.4 per cent Christians,2.1 per cent Muslims.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
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Mon, 19/01/2009 - 7:21pm Pastor Attacked at Karimnagar Dist.AP
On Jan 16, Friday night, Pastor Patti Yakobu (Jacob) was assaulted by BJP members in Gumpula village, Odela Mandal, Karimnagar district, Andhra Pradesh. Pastor Yakobu is working with India Mission.
Pastor Yakobu was at home when at around 12:00 a..m. in the night, he heard a knock on his door. He opened the door to find six masked men who forcefully entered his home. Without a word, they started beating up the pastor. They lit the stove in the house and started heating up knives to burn him. They burnt a photograph of Jesus that was on the wall. They then proceeded to tonsure the central part of Pastor Yakobu’s scalp. Their intention was to brand a cross on his head but he escaped before they could do it. They burnt all the clothes and books in his house. The assailants starting shouting and saying that there should be no pastors in the village.
Pastor Yakobu happened to be alone in his home as his wife and children were in Bhongir for a holiday. His house is a little secluded from the other houses in the locality.
He was admitted to the Odela Mandalam Hospital for his injuries.
On Jan 17 morning, Pastor Yakobu along with other pastors in Odela Mandal went to the police station at Potkpalli police station and lodged a complaint. A case has been registered against the culprits at the Potkapalli Police station. Five of the perpetrators have been arrested so far.The district BJP leaders have ruled out their men’s involvement in this attack. The case is under investigation.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Brown's Daily Word 1-22-09
Good Morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. Praise the Lord for the way Jesus our Lord calls out of this world and sends us back to the world to be His servants and His witnesses. In John, 1, it is recorded , how Jesus calls the first disciples.
"The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, ’Follow Me.’ (v. 44) Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. (v. 45) Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, ’We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the Prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ (v. 46) And Nathanael said unto him, ’Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ Philip saith unto him, ’Come and see.’" We find Philip coming to Nathanael and proclaiming that he has found the One about whom Moses had written! He is Jesus of Nazareth. Though we do not know what expression Nathanael had on his face when he responded, there is a strong chance that his response revealed a cynical sneer as he said, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip’s response was, "Come and see!" I once read about Rev. Dr. Gordon Targerson, a Baptist pastor in Worcester, Massachusetts, who was crossing the Atlantic Ocean by ship some years ago. He noticed on several occasions, a man sitting in a deck chair reading a Bible! One day, Rev. Dr. Targerson sat down beside him and said, "Forgive my curiosity. I’m a Baptist minister. I notice you are a faithful Bible reader. I’d like to meet you." After introductions, the man said, "I am Filipino. I was born into a good Catholic home. I went to the United States as a young man to study in one of your fine universities, intending to become a lawyer. On my first day on campus, a student dropped by to visit. He welcomed me and offered to help in any way he could. Then he asked me where I went to church. I told him I was a Catholic. He explained that the Catholic church was quite a distance away; but, he sat down and drew me a map. I thanked him and he left. "On the following Sunday morning, it was raining. I decided to just skip church; but, then, there was a knock on my door. There stood my new friend and he was holding two (2) umbrellas. He said that he worried that I might not be able to read his map. So, he said he would escort me to the Catholic Church. I hurriedly dressed, thinking all the while what an unusually thoughtful person he was. I wondered what church he belonged to. "As we walked along, I asked him about his church. He said that his church was just around the corner. So, I suggested that we go to his church this Sunday; and, then to mine the following Sunday. He agreed. However, somehow I felt so much at home in his church that I never got around to finding mine. After four years, I felt that Almighty God was leading me into the ordained ministry; rather than, the law! I went to Drew University Seminary and was ordained a Methodist minister. Then, I returned to the Philippines to serve in a Methodist parish. My name is Valencius - Bishop Valencius - Bishop of the Methodist Church in the Philippines." Please understand that the hero of that story is not the Methodist Bishop, as important as he is. Rather, the hero is that anonymous young man with "Twin Umbrellas!" Whether they had ended up in the Methodist or the Catholic Church didn’t really matter! Go all the way back to the beginning of Christian and church history - and, you will find that unamed woman or man with 2 umbrellas. Behind almost every Christian convert there is a person with a winsome faith who builds a bridge of friendship with another person. Across that bridge walks a "Living Christ" who claims another soul as His own! You and I can be like that person with 2 umbrellas. We can be like Andrew, bringing his brother to Christ. You can be like Philip telling someone else to "come and see". Just come and see, and we will learn that something good can come out of Nazareth - Jesus, the Christ!
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw
Praise the Lord for this new day. Praise the Lord for the way Jesus our Lord calls out of this world and sends us back to the world to be His servants and His witnesses. In John, 1, it is recorded , how Jesus calls the first disciples.
"The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, ’Follow Me.’ (v. 44) Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. (v. 45) Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, ’We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the Prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ (v. 46) And Nathanael said unto him, ’Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ Philip saith unto him, ’Come and see.’" We find Philip coming to Nathanael and proclaiming that he has found the One about whom Moses had written! He is Jesus of Nazareth. Though we do not know what expression Nathanael had on his face when he responded, there is a strong chance that his response revealed a cynical sneer as he said, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip’s response was, "Come and see!" I once read about Rev. Dr. Gordon Targerson, a Baptist pastor in Worcester, Massachusetts, who was crossing the Atlantic Ocean by ship some years ago. He noticed on several occasions, a man sitting in a deck chair reading a Bible! One day, Rev. Dr. Targerson sat down beside him and said, "Forgive my curiosity. I’m a Baptist minister. I notice you are a faithful Bible reader. I’d like to meet you." After introductions, the man said, "I am Filipino. I was born into a good Catholic home. I went to the United States as a young man to study in one of your fine universities, intending to become a lawyer. On my first day on campus, a student dropped by to visit. He welcomed me and offered to help in any way he could. Then he asked me where I went to church. I told him I was a Catholic. He explained that the Catholic church was quite a distance away; but, he sat down and drew me a map. I thanked him and he left. "On the following Sunday morning, it was raining. I decided to just skip church; but, then, there was a knock on my door. There stood my new friend and he was holding two (2) umbrellas. He said that he worried that I might not be able to read his map. So, he said he would escort me to the Catholic Church. I hurriedly dressed, thinking all the while what an unusually thoughtful person he was. I wondered what church he belonged to. "As we walked along, I asked him about his church. He said that his church was just around the corner. So, I suggested that we go to his church this Sunday; and, then to mine the following Sunday. He agreed. However, somehow I felt so much at home in his church that I never got around to finding mine. After four years, I felt that Almighty God was leading me into the ordained ministry; rather than, the law! I went to Drew University Seminary and was ordained a Methodist minister. Then, I returned to the Philippines to serve in a Methodist parish. My name is Valencius - Bishop Valencius - Bishop of the Methodist Church in the Philippines." Please understand that the hero of that story is not the Methodist Bishop, as important as he is. Rather, the hero is that anonymous young man with "Twin Umbrellas!" Whether they had ended up in the Methodist or the Catholic Church didn’t really matter! Go all the way back to the beginning of Christian and church history - and, you will find that unamed woman or man with 2 umbrellas. Behind almost every Christian convert there is a person with a winsome faith who builds a bridge of friendship with another person. Across that bridge walks a "Living Christ" who claims another soul as His own! You and I can be like that person with 2 umbrellas. We can be like Andrew, bringing his brother to Christ. You can be like Philip telling someone else to "come and see". Just come and see, and we will learn that something good can come out of Nazareth - Jesus, the Christ!
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Brown's Daily Word & India update1-21-09
Good Morning,
We are in the grip of winter's blast here in New York. It was on this day in 1985 that my mom came to the USA to visit us for the first time. The wind chill factor that day was 65 degrees below zero. We were going down to JFK with Dr. Richard Dalfiume, one my friends, driving my VW Rabbit Diesel. It was so cold that the diesel engine jelled up. The engine quit on the way. My mom arrived wearing chappels (flip-flops) and a sari. When she landed at JFK she almost froze. It was a very memorable day. It is currently springtime in Orissa, India. The Mango trees are blossoming. The cotton trees are in full bloom. The spring birds are out with their jubilant choruses. Jesus makes all things beautiful in His Season and in His time.
We are saved to serve the Lord on earth, making our days count in His Kingdom for His Kingdom. We receive our significance by serving the Savior and King.
Elmer Towns tells about a member of a motorcycle gang who was converted to Jesus Christ dramatically, and on his first Sunday he did the only thing he knew he should do; he went to church. Nobody in the church knew him, and he walked down to the second aisle and sat in the seat. People stared because he looked the part of a gang member. He was a big, burly, bearded guy with long hair, black jacket, and tattoos. It came announcement time and the minister got up and made an appeal for nursery workers. He said, “We need someone to work in the nursery.” But no one would volunteer. He asked a second time, “We really need someone to go be with our kids.” But no one would volunteer. And the cyclist prayed, “Lord, I want to do what you want me to do and if you want me to go work in nursery just have the preacher ask a third time.” A third time the preacher said, “Please we need someone to work in the nursery.” The cyclist raised his hand, nodded his head and started toward the nursery and immediately 50 mothers followed, volunteering to work in the nursery. What kind of person comes to mind when you think of a person God uses? Do you think of a biker covered with tattoos when you think of people whom God uses? God uses anyone he chooses to use! In fact, God usually chooses to use people we wouldn’t necessarily choose. God is inclined to use the most unusual people, people we would most likely reject. There was a woman named Rahab, a prostitute who lived in the city of Jericho. God used her, a prostitute, as a part of his providential plan. In fact, the book of Hebrews in the New Testament lists Rahab as a hero of the faith. “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” (Hebrews 11:31). Joshua sent only two spies into the land at this time because, I think, he remembered what happened when Moses sent 12 spies (Numbers 13:1-14:4). He also sent just two spies so that they could remain discreet and unnoticed. He sent them to Jericho because Jericho was a heavily fortified city and it would take a quality battle plan to capture this city. Joshua did not know at this point how God was going to help him attack the city and so he need strategic information about the city for the upcoming battle just in case he had to fight through conventional means. The spies entered the city of Jericho and stayed at the house of a prostitute, Rahab. The spies chose to stay at Rahab’s home because, as a prostitute, she lived on the edge of society, one stop short of rejection. Her house, built right into the city wall, provided both lodging and sexual favors to travelers. Perhaps the spies also hid at Rahab’s house so that they may be mistaken as some of her customers. A house of prostitution made a perfect place for the spies to check out the land. Rahab was a prostitute but she also knew something about God. She had heard about the miracles of God. Is it surprising that a prostitute knew about God? She had never met an Israelite but her heart was already being melted by God. Often, as Christians, we think that God only reveals himself to those inside the church. But it is apparent that God reveals himself not only in the church but in the whorehouse, the bar, the nightclub, the track, the restaurant. This prostitute, Rahab, was beginning a journey with God, and so she said to the spies, “Please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sign that you will spare the lives of my family and that you will save us from death.” (Joshua 2:12). Verse 15 says, “She let them down by a scarlet rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.” The scarlet cord, lowered from her window during the attack upon Jericho, was the symbol of redemption for Rahab and her family. Apparently God had found his way into a whorehouse in the outskirts of Jericho. In Isaiah 55:8 God says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my way, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.” God is in the business of taking people like you and like me and transforming us into people who can accomplish his purpose in this world. There is no adequate excuse you can come up with as to why God can not and will not choose to use you. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I have chosen you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” (John 15:16). God took Rahab’s immoral lifestyle and her whorehouse and used it as a place of redemption for his people. God can take the worst, nastiest parts of us and use it for good. He took the worst part of Rahab, her profession as a prostitute and somehow used to it in his plan. In Matthew chapter 1, as we read the lineage of Jesus we read of Rahab. She was a relative of Jesus Christ. The son of God came from a family that had a prostitute. Rahab was not only a part of God’s plan in Jericho, she was part of God’s plan to save the world! Many scholars actually believe that the scarlet rope Rahab used to lower the spies out of the city, foretells the redemption of sin through the shedding of Jesus’ blood! All of this has been taught to us by a prostitute. Strange, but isn’t that the type of people God uses?Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKmTdskCWPg
We are in the grip of winter's blast here in New York. It was on this day in 1985 that my mom came to the USA to visit us for the first time. The wind chill factor that day was 65 degrees below zero. We were going down to JFK with Dr. Richard Dalfiume, one my friends, driving my VW Rabbit Diesel. It was so cold that the diesel engine jelled up. The engine quit on the way. My mom arrived wearing chappels (flip-flops) and a sari. When she landed at JFK she almost froze. It was a very memorable day. It is currently springtime in Orissa, India. The Mango trees are blossoming. The cotton trees are in full bloom. The spring birds are out with their jubilant choruses. Jesus makes all things beautiful in His Season and in His time.
We are saved to serve the Lord on earth, making our days count in His Kingdom for His Kingdom. We receive our significance by serving the Savior and King.
Elmer Towns tells about a member of a motorcycle gang who was converted to Jesus Christ dramatically, and on his first Sunday he did the only thing he knew he should do; he went to church. Nobody in the church knew him, and he walked down to the second aisle and sat in the seat. People stared because he looked the part of a gang member. He was a big, burly, bearded guy with long hair, black jacket, and tattoos. It came announcement time and the minister got up and made an appeal for nursery workers. He said, “We need someone to work in the nursery.” But no one would volunteer. He asked a second time, “We really need someone to go be with our kids.” But no one would volunteer. And the cyclist prayed, “Lord, I want to do what you want me to do and if you want me to go work in nursery just have the preacher ask a third time.” A third time the preacher said, “Please we need someone to work in the nursery.” The cyclist raised his hand, nodded his head and started toward the nursery and immediately 50 mothers followed, volunteering to work in the nursery. What kind of person comes to mind when you think of a person God uses? Do you think of a biker covered with tattoos when you think of people whom God uses? God uses anyone he chooses to use! In fact, God usually chooses to use people we wouldn’t necessarily choose. God is inclined to use the most unusual people, people we would most likely reject. There was a woman named Rahab, a prostitute who lived in the city of Jericho. God used her, a prostitute, as a part of his providential plan. In fact, the book of Hebrews in the New Testament lists Rahab as a hero of the faith. “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.” (Hebrews 11:31). Joshua sent only two spies into the land at this time because, I think, he remembered what happened when Moses sent 12 spies (Numbers 13:1-14:4). He also sent just two spies so that they could remain discreet and unnoticed. He sent them to Jericho because Jericho was a heavily fortified city and it would take a quality battle plan to capture this city. Joshua did not know at this point how God was going to help him attack the city and so he need strategic information about the city for the upcoming battle just in case he had to fight through conventional means. The spies entered the city of Jericho and stayed at the house of a prostitute, Rahab. The spies chose to stay at Rahab’s home because, as a prostitute, she lived on the edge of society, one stop short of rejection. Her house, built right into the city wall, provided both lodging and sexual favors to travelers. Perhaps the spies also hid at Rahab’s house so that they may be mistaken as some of her customers. A house of prostitution made a perfect place for the spies to check out the land. Rahab was a prostitute but she also knew something about God. She had heard about the miracles of God. Is it surprising that a prostitute knew about God? She had never met an Israelite but her heart was already being melted by God. Often, as Christians, we think that God only reveals himself to those inside the church. But it is apparent that God reveals himself not only in the church but in the whorehouse, the bar, the nightclub, the track, the restaurant. This prostitute, Rahab, was beginning a journey with God, and so she said to the spies, “Please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sign that you will spare the lives of my family and that you will save us from death.” (Joshua 2:12). Verse 15 says, “She let them down by a scarlet rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.” The scarlet cord, lowered from her window during the attack upon Jericho, was the symbol of redemption for Rahab and her family. Apparently God had found his way into a whorehouse in the outskirts of Jericho. In Isaiah 55:8 God says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my way, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.” God is in the business of taking people like you and like me and transforming us into people who can accomplish his purpose in this world. There is no adequate excuse you can come up with as to why God can not and will not choose to use you. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I have chosen you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” (John 15:16). God took Rahab’s immoral lifestyle and her whorehouse and used it as a place of redemption for his people. God can take the worst, nastiest parts of us and use it for good. He took the worst part of Rahab, her profession as a prostitute and somehow used to it in his plan. In Matthew chapter 1, as we read the lineage of Jesus we read of Rahab. She was a relative of Jesus Christ. The son of God came from a family that had a prostitute. Rahab was not only a part of God’s plan in Jericho, she was part of God’s plan to save the world! Many scholars actually believe that the scarlet rope Rahab used to lower the spies out of the city, foretells the redemption of sin through the shedding of Jesus’ blood! All of this has been taught to us by a prostitute. Strange, but isn’t that the type of people God uses?Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKmTdskCWPg
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Brown's Daily Word 1-20-09
Good Morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. Praise the Lord for the incoming President of the USA, who today will be taking office as the President of the United States of America. We praise the Lord for President George Bush for his administration for last 8 years. Sunita and Andy, who live in Washington D.C., are participating in various ones of the activities and celebrations in Washington. Sunita called and shared with me that they are all excited about being able to participate in some of the celebratory and inaugural events in Washington.
Alice spent a few days in Boston with Janice, Jeremy, Micah and Simeon. She had a grand time. She got home last evening safe and sound after an uneventful drive - the best kind.
When I think about the world we live in and reflect upon some of the current world events I get excited about the Kingdom of God, where Jesus is the King. He is the Lord. When we open the Book of Mark, the first Gospel written, we read that God’s kingdom has come, the Old Testament has been fulfilled, the Messiah, whose real name is Jesus, is the anointed one. Jesus is Lord. He is Savior. He is the true Son of God. He is the prince of peace. His death and resurrection bring true peace to this world. "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:13). It is not (and never was) Caesar who is god and worthy of worship, but King Jesus, who reigns from his throne in heaven forever! It is not the Roman Empire or any empire of man to whom we should give allegiance, but the empire of Jesus, which is an eternal empire and an eternal kingdom. Caesars die, Rome burns, and nation rise against nation. Heaven and earth will pass away but King Jesus will build his kingdom and the gates of Hades will not conquer it. One day the world will bow to King Jesus and confess that He alone is Savior and Lord. It is not Caesar or any other worldly leader. You, see Jesus Christ is Lord of lords, King of kings. This is the gospel. The world does not belong to Caesar, but it does belong to Jesus. How is this King Jesus going to claim the world as His own? What is the strategy? It is by sending out apostles, or messengers, to simply share the good news. That was Paul’s point when he said, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God”. King Jesus was not going to take the world by force or by sword. His plan was simply to spread the message by and through the company of those who are committed to Him. Soren Kierkegaard wrote, "When one preaches the gospel and when he is done someone shouts, ’Away with that man, he does not deserve to live,’ know that this is the gospel of the New Testament. Capital punishment is the penalty for preaching Christianity as it truly is." We have seen this happening in Orissa , India even today and in other places around the globe. Bob Moorehead wrote an essay a few years back entitled, “The Fellowship of the Unshamed.” "I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slowdown, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. "My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, myway is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. "I won’t give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. "And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear for 'I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.' (Romans 1:16)" We will not cowtow to any person, any ruler, who doesn’t like our message. Jesus the King is calling you to be a part of this revolution.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld3D4oOzx8o
Praise the Lord for this new day. Praise the Lord for the incoming President of the USA, who today will be taking office as the President of the United States of America. We praise the Lord for President George Bush for his administration for last 8 years. Sunita and Andy, who live in Washington D.C., are participating in various ones of the activities and celebrations in Washington. Sunita called and shared with me that they are all excited about being able to participate in some of the celebratory and inaugural events in Washington.
Alice spent a few days in Boston with Janice, Jeremy, Micah and Simeon. She had a grand time. She got home last evening safe and sound after an uneventful drive - the best kind.
When I think about the world we live in and reflect upon some of the current world events I get excited about the Kingdom of God, where Jesus is the King. He is the Lord. When we open the Book of Mark, the first Gospel written, we read that God’s kingdom has come, the Old Testament has been fulfilled, the Messiah, whose real name is Jesus, is the anointed one. Jesus is Lord. He is Savior. He is the true Son of God. He is the prince of peace. His death and resurrection bring true peace to this world. "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:13). It is not (and never was) Caesar who is god and worthy of worship, but King Jesus, who reigns from his throne in heaven forever! It is not the Roman Empire or any empire of man to whom we should give allegiance, but the empire of Jesus, which is an eternal empire and an eternal kingdom. Caesars die, Rome burns, and nation rise against nation. Heaven and earth will pass away but King Jesus will build his kingdom and the gates of Hades will not conquer it. One day the world will bow to King Jesus and confess that He alone is Savior and Lord. It is not Caesar or any other worldly leader. You, see Jesus Christ is Lord of lords, King of kings. This is the gospel. The world does not belong to Caesar, but it does belong to Jesus. How is this King Jesus going to claim the world as His own? What is the strategy? It is by sending out apostles, or messengers, to simply share the good news. That was Paul’s point when he said, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God”. King Jesus was not going to take the world by force or by sword. His plan was simply to spread the message by and through the company of those who are committed to Him. Soren Kierkegaard wrote, "When one preaches the gospel and when he is done someone shouts, ’Away with that man, he does not deserve to live,’ know that this is the gospel of the New Testament. Capital punishment is the penalty for preaching Christianity as it truly is." We have seen this happening in Orissa , India even today and in other places around the globe. Bob Moorehead wrote an essay a few years back entitled, “The Fellowship of the Unshamed.” "I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slowdown, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. "My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, myway is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. "I won’t give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. "And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear for 'I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.' (Romans 1:16)" We will not cowtow to any person, any ruler, who doesn’t like our message. Jesus the King is calling you to be a part of this revolution.
In Christ,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld3D4oOzx8o
Monday, January 19, 2009
India update 1-19-09
Thu, 08/01/2009 - 10:53am Margaret Alva to lead Kandhmal peace movement
Margaret Alva during the launch of rights awareness programme organized by the Global Council of Indian Christians in Bangalore on Wednesday.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Bangalore: With all the angry public movements to restore peace and secularism in the country, a new movement will begin to resolve communal violence in Orissa. Former AICC general secretary Margaret Alva and Global Council of Indian Christians announced here on Tuesday that they would launch an awareness campaign across the country to restore peace in Kandhmal and give the victims the compensation they deserve. The campaign will be held in the city on March 30, 31, and April 1 and 2.Alva said she was free now of her political commitments and she could devote all her time to the cause. “Our voice has been discarded because the Christian community is peaceful. But it is time to fight back now. One is the displaced victims who have migrated are being asked to convert to Hinduism before returning to their homes. This should be addressed. They are Christians and should be allowed to practice their belief,” she said.The other demand, she pointed out, was that most victims did not have land documents as they have been living in the interior tribal areas and are not being allowed to enter their homes because of this. She said the issue needs to be addressed by the central government.Twelve widows from Kandhmal from different camps of G Udaygiri, Raikia, Tikabali, Sugodbadi etc were present to have a word with Alva. Kavita Naik, also a victim who works with widows for their rights, said the aid that was being given to the camp members was not adequate. Children were getting a packet of biscuits every week and elders were getting rations of only dal and rice. “I had severe diarrhoea once and they gave me paracetamol. Medical supply is out of place and children are falling sick every day,” she added.
posted in: Current Issue, , South India
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Thu, 08/01/2009 - 8:15am ‘Rights of all citizens will be protected’ Karnataka state
BANGALORE: The State Government on Wednesday informed the Karnataka High Court that it would protect the rights of all citizens in Karnataka, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion even as the Commissioner of the Davangere Municipal Corporation (CMC) filed a memo stating that some churches in Davangere that were locked had been reopened.
Advocate-General Uday Holla made this submission when a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran and Justice V.G. Sabhahit was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by several pastors and members of the Christian community of Davangere district.
The petitioners had sought the intervention of the court, claiming that some fundamental groups had attacked churches and assaulted pastors. They alleged that even the district administration, particularly the Deputy Commissioner (DC), had failed to provide adequate protection to them.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
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Wed, 07/01/2009 - 1:14pm A dalit couple was beaten and their child killed
Shivpuri, MP, Jan 7 : A dalit couple was beaten and theirthree-month-old girl killed by a few people over a dispute related tofilling water at Bhadroni village in this district, police said today.
Saroj Jatav (25) had gone to fill water from handpump yesterday when afew influential people told her not to do so while wearing slippers.This led to an argument between them.
Later, Saroj was going along with her husband Nawal Singh, childAanchal and brother Kamalal to police station to lodge a complaintwhen the culprits stopped them on the way and beat them up.
The accused took hold of the baby girl and smashed her on the groundkilling her on the spot.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, Central India
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Wed, 07/01/2009 - 1:10pm Kerala launches project to preserve, study Christian heritage
Thrissur : Kerala has launched a project to preserve and digitise manuscripts and heritage material related to 2,000 years of Christianity in the state.
The project, launched in collaboration with Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) and some leading European and American universities, also aims to "promote further studies on the subject in a proper perspective".
A forum called Association for the Preservation of the Saint Thomas Christian Heritage (APSTCH) has been formed to locate, gather and preserve all available documents including the manuscripts in Syrian.
"The purpose of the project is to preserve and maintain the St Thomas Christian heritage, monuments, manuscripts and printed books in Syrian and Malayalam to create correct data-base for the study of Christianity in Kerala, their culture and traditions," APSTCH honorary president Mar Aprem says.
The Syrian Christians in Kerala, regardless of different church denominations they belong, trace their origin to the arrival of St Thomas at Kodungallur, an ancient port town in central Kerala, in 52 AD to preach the gospel.
According to historians, many church documents had been lost over centuries.
"The project is important not merely from the religious angle. The preservation of the documents that have survived the ravages of time would greatly help studies on Kerala history and eastern Christianity," KCHR director Cherian said.
The entire project will be carried out in three-phases.
posted in: Current Issue, Religion, South India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Tue, 06/01/2009 - 8:21pm Governor's remarks on RSS: BJP rocks Rajasthan Assembly
Jaipur (PTI): Rajasthan Governor S.K. Singh's remark that Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by an RSS man had its repercussions in the Assembly on Tuesday where opposition BJP rocked question hour leading to adjournment of the House thrice.
As soon as the question hour began, BJP MLAs raised the issue and demanded a debate on the Governor's statement. They rushed to the well of the House and raised anti-Governor slogans.
Speaker Dipendra Singh Shekhawat, however, dismissed a debate on the issue and asked reporters to expunge details of the incidents in the House.
BJP Deputy leader G.S. Tiwari recalled that a privilege committee was formed against former Governor Sampoornand's "derogatory" remarks and demanded constitution of similar committee now. The relentless opposition forced two adjournments on the issue.
When the House re-assembled after the second adjournment, BJP members stalled proceedings and did not allow the speaker to continue the business. Speaker adjourned the House for third time in Zero hour.
At a university seminar on Saturday last, the Governor had said that an RSS member assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. "Gandhiji never bowed down to terror," he said while delivering a lecture on "Gandhi in Times of Terror".
posted in: Current Issue, Religion, North India
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Tue, 06/01/2009 - 5:44pm keep Central forces in Kandhamal till elections: Supreme Court
The Hindu“If your government is unable to protect Christians, you better resign,” says KatjuThe Centre has to ensure that minorities are safeOrissa must coordinate deployment with Union Home MinistryNew Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Orissa government to coordinate with the Union Home Ministry deployment of Central paramilitary forces in the Kandhamal area till the general elections to be held in a couple of months.
A Bench, consisting of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices Markandey Katju and P. Sathasivam, passed this order after senior counsel for Orissa K.K. Venugopal said the Centre planned to withdraw the forces by January 15.The Bench said the Centre should take an appropriate decision having regard to the law and order situation in the State. It also asked the Orissa government to pass orders on payment of compensation for churches damaged in violence. It posted the case, filed by Archbishop of Cuttack Raphael Cheenath, for further hearing after six weeks.Earlier, Justice Katju told Mr. Venugopal: “You [State] had failed in your duty to protect minorities.” When counsel maintained that necessary action was taken, he said, “You had done it much later after 50,000 Christians fled to the jungles. You can’t run your government like this. We can’t tolerate persecution of minorities. If your government is unable to protect Christians, you better resign. We are a secular country and no minority should feel insecure in our country.”When Additional Solicitor-General Gopal Subramanian said the Central forces would be withdrawn in a phased manner only if necessary, Justice Katju told him: “You [the Centre] have a responsibility to protect the minorities. You have to ensure that they are safe.”During the hearing on October 22 last, the court directed that paramilitary forces be stationed in the riot-hit areas till December-end in view of Christmas, and that a generous view be taken on payment of compensation for churches and other institutions damaged in the riots.On Monday, when the matter was taken up, senior counsel Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioner, said there was a deceptive calm in the area after the deployment of the Central forces.Though about 150 churches and institutions were damaged, the State was offering only about Rs. 40 lakh as against the demand for Rs. 3 crore. The estimate for repairs was Rs. 5 lakh to 6 lakh but the State was providing only Rs. 50,000 and in some cases no compensation was being considered.Mr. Venugopal said in cases where there was a dispute over land — whether the structure was an encroachment or it came up on forest land — compensation was kept on hold.Payment could be considered only if the structure had come up on land other than forest and government land.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
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Tue, 06/01/2009 - 3:47pm Naveen Patnaik government should either resign or get rid of communal forces
Patnaik should quit or snap ties with BJP: CPI
Bhubaneswar (PTI): A day after the Supreme Court asked the Orissa government either to protect minorities or quit, CPI on Tuesday said that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should resign or snap ties with ruling coalition partner BJP.
"In view of the apex court's pronouncement, the Naveen Patnaik government should either resign or get rid of its communal partner without delay," CPI general secretary A B Bardhan told reporters here.
Claiming that the ties with BJP was causing Patnaik and his government considerable embarrassment not only in the country but abroad also, he said, in a democracy it was important to ensure that minority communities are protected.
To a query, the veteran CPI leader said, though BJD itself is not a communal party, it had forged an alliance with the "most communal party in the country."
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
Margaret Alva during the launch of rights awareness programme organized by the Global Council of Indian Christians in Bangalore on Wednesday.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Bangalore: With all the angry public movements to restore peace and secularism in the country, a new movement will begin to resolve communal violence in Orissa. Former AICC general secretary Margaret Alva and Global Council of Indian Christians announced here on Tuesday that they would launch an awareness campaign across the country to restore peace in Kandhmal and give the victims the compensation they deserve. The campaign will be held in the city on March 30, 31, and April 1 and 2.Alva said she was free now of her political commitments and she could devote all her time to the cause. “Our voice has been discarded because the Christian community is peaceful. But it is time to fight back now. One is the displaced victims who have migrated are being asked to convert to Hinduism before returning to their homes. This should be addressed. They are Christians and should be allowed to practice their belief,” she said.The other demand, she pointed out, was that most victims did not have land documents as they have been living in the interior tribal areas and are not being allowed to enter their homes because of this. She said the issue needs to be addressed by the central government.Twelve widows from Kandhmal from different camps of G Udaygiri, Raikia, Tikabali, Sugodbadi etc were present to have a word with Alva. Kavita Naik, also a victim who works with widows for their rights, said the aid that was being given to the camp members was not adequate. Children were getting a packet of biscuits every week and elders were getting rations of only dal and rice. “I had severe diarrhoea once and they gave me paracetamol. Medical supply is out of place and children are falling sick every day,” she added.
posted in: Current Issue, , South India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Thu, 08/01/2009 - 8:15am ‘Rights of all citizens will be protected’ Karnataka state
BANGALORE: The State Government on Wednesday informed the Karnataka High Court that it would protect the rights of all citizens in Karnataka, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion even as the Commissioner of the Davangere Municipal Corporation (CMC) filed a memo stating that some churches in Davangere that were locked had been reopened.
Advocate-General Uday Holla made this submission when a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran and Justice V.G. Sabhahit was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by several pastors and members of the Christian community of Davangere district.
The petitioners had sought the intervention of the court, claiming that some fundamental groups had attacked churches and assaulted pastors. They alleged that even the district administration, particularly the Deputy Commissioner (DC), had failed to provide adequate protection to them.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 1:14pm A dalit couple was beaten and their child killed
Shivpuri, MP, Jan 7 : A dalit couple was beaten and theirthree-month-old girl killed by a few people over a dispute related tofilling water at Bhadroni village in this district, police said today.
Saroj Jatav (25) had gone to fill water from handpump yesterday when afew influential people told her not to do so while wearing slippers.This led to an argument between them.
Later, Saroj was going along with her husband Nawal Singh, childAanchal and brother Kamalal to police station to lodge a complaintwhen the culprits stopped them on the way and beat them up.
The accused took hold of the baby girl and smashed her on the groundkilling her on the spot.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, Central India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 1:10pm Kerala launches project to preserve, study Christian heritage
Thrissur : Kerala has launched a project to preserve and digitise manuscripts and heritage material related to 2,000 years of Christianity in the state.
The project, launched in collaboration with Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) and some leading European and American universities, also aims to "promote further studies on the subject in a proper perspective".
A forum called Association for the Preservation of the Saint Thomas Christian Heritage (APSTCH) has been formed to locate, gather and preserve all available documents including the manuscripts in Syrian.
"The purpose of the project is to preserve and maintain the St Thomas Christian heritage, monuments, manuscripts and printed books in Syrian and Malayalam to create correct data-base for the study of Christianity in Kerala, their culture and traditions," APSTCH honorary president Mar Aprem says.
The Syrian Christians in Kerala, regardless of different church denominations they belong, trace their origin to the arrival of St Thomas at Kodungallur, an ancient port town in central Kerala, in 52 AD to preach the gospel.
According to historians, many church documents had been lost over centuries.
"The project is important not merely from the religious angle. The preservation of the documents that have survived the ravages of time would greatly help studies on Kerala history and eastern Christianity," KCHR director Cherian said.
The entire project will be carried out in three-phases.
posted in: Current Issue, Religion, South India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Tue, 06/01/2009 - 8:21pm Governor's remarks on RSS: BJP rocks Rajasthan Assembly
Jaipur (PTI): Rajasthan Governor S.K. Singh's remark that Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by an RSS man had its repercussions in the Assembly on Tuesday where opposition BJP rocked question hour leading to adjournment of the House thrice.
As soon as the question hour began, BJP MLAs raised the issue and demanded a debate on the Governor's statement. They rushed to the well of the House and raised anti-Governor slogans.
Speaker Dipendra Singh Shekhawat, however, dismissed a debate on the issue and asked reporters to expunge details of the incidents in the House.
BJP Deputy leader G.S. Tiwari recalled that a privilege committee was formed against former Governor Sampoornand's "derogatory" remarks and demanded constitution of similar committee now. The relentless opposition forced two adjournments on the issue.
When the House re-assembled after the second adjournment, BJP members stalled proceedings and did not allow the speaker to continue the business. Speaker adjourned the House for third time in Zero hour.
At a university seminar on Saturday last, the Governor had said that an RSS member assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. "Gandhiji never bowed down to terror," he said while delivering a lecture on "Gandhi in Times of Terror".
posted in: Current Issue, Religion, North India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Tue, 06/01/2009 - 5:44pm keep Central forces in Kandhamal till elections: Supreme Court
The Hindu“If your government is unable to protect Christians, you better resign,” says KatjuThe Centre has to ensure that minorities are safeOrissa must coordinate deployment with Union Home MinistryNew Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Orissa government to coordinate with the Union Home Ministry deployment of Central paramilitary forces in the Kandhamal area till the general elections to be held in a couple of months.
A Bench, consisting of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices Markandey Katju and P. Sathasivam, passed this order after senior counsel for Orissa K.K. Venugopal said the Centre planned to withdraw the forces by January 15.The Bench said the Centre should take an appropriate decision having regard to the law and order situation in the State. It also asked the Orissa government to pass orders on payment of compensation for churches damaged in violence. It posted the case, filed by Archbishop of Cuttack Raphael Cheenath, for further hearing after six weeks.Earlier, Justice Katju told Mr. Venugopal: “You [State] had failed in your duty to protect minorities.” When counsel maintained that necessary action was taken, he said, “You had done it much later after 50,000 Christians fled to the jungles. You can’t run your government like this. We can’t tolerate persecution of minorities. If your government is unable to protect Christians, you better resign. We are a secular country and no minority should feel insecure in our country.”When Additional Solicitor-General Gopal Subramanian said the Central forces would be withdrawn in a phased manner only if necessary, Justice Katju told him: “You [the Centre] have a responsibility to protect the minorities. You have to ensure that they are safe.”During the hearing on October 22 last, the court directed that paramilitary forces be stationed in the riot-hit areas till December-end in view of Christmas, and that a generous view be taken on payment of compensation for churches and other institutions damaged in the riots.On Monday, when the matter was taken up, senior counsel Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioner, said there was a deceptive calm in the area after the deployment of the Central forces.Though about 150 churches and institutions were damaged, the State was offering only about Rs. 40 lakh as against the demand for Rs. 3 crore. The estimate for repairs was Rs. 5 lakh to 6 lakh but the State was providing only Rs. 50,000 and in some cases no compensation was being considered.Mr. Venugopal said in cases where there was a dispute over land — whether the structure was an encroachment or it came up on forest land — compensation was kept on hold.Payment could be considered only if the structure had come up on land other than forest and government land.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
read more newsman's blog add new comment
Tue, 06/01/2009 - 3:47pm Naveen Patnaik government should either resign or get rid of communal forces
Patnaik should quit or snap ties with BJP: CPI
Bhubaneswar (PTI): A day after the Supreme Court asked the Orissa government either to protect minorities or quit, CPI on Tuesday said that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should resign or snap ties with ruling coalition partner BJP.
"In view of the apex court's pronouncement, the Naveen Patnaik government should either resign or get rid of its communal partner without delay," CPI general secretary A B Bardhan told reporters here.
Claiming that the ties with BJP was causing Patnaik and his government considerable embarrassment not only in the country but abroad also, he said, in a democracy it was important to ensure that minority communities are protected.
To a query, the veteran CPI leader said, though BJD itself is not a communal party, it had forged an alliance with the "most communal party in the country."
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
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