Friday, April 30, 2010

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE GUJARAT

 
 



FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE GUJARAT'S FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY

                                                                    - Fr. Cedric Prakash sj*

 

             There are perhaps five hundred ways and more, by which one can celebrate Gujarat's 50th birthday. 

                                But Gujarat and all of us, who do well, if we would give top priority to the following:

 

1.      Celebrate Heritage:

Let us highlight the fact that we belong to an ancient culture which boasts of Lothal and Dholavira.  Recent excavations have brought home the fact that our lineage is very rich;

dinosaurs are believed to have roamed the lands around Balasinor.  Let's get back and celebrate our roots! 

 

2.      Celebrate Minorities:

Gujarat would never have been the same, were it not for the contributions of the Mughals, very especially of a great ruler like Ahmed Shah.  Whether it is the Siddi Syed Mosque,

 or for that matter, the step-wells across the State, there has been an immense contribution to art and architecture by the minorities.  A good part of the "mithai" that we so happily

 consume, be it the jalebi or the halwai are mid-Eastern in origin; bangles and jewellery are part of our decor.  We owe much to the minorities!

 

3.      Celebrate Adivasis:

The Adivasis constitute about 9% of our State and they have greatly been responsible for preserving our eco-systems.  The whole eastern corridor still forested would have

 been nothing, if not for them.  Unfortunately, over the years through mega-projects, we have alienated them and pushed them to the brink.  They are the original inhabitants

 of our land.  Let's recognize their rights!

 

4.      Celebrate Workers:

May 1st is Worker's Day all over the world.  Unfortunately, the closure of our textile mills has meant immediate unemployment for thousands of workers. 

 We see large groups of daily labourers standing at "nakas" waiting for their daily bread.  Unjust wages and systematic exploitation have been their lot.

  It will be a great day to help forge unity among the working class!

 

5.      Celebrate Water:

We need to realise that a large percentage of the people of our State have no access to clean drinking water.  The people of Saurashtra are thirsting for water! 

 Village women have to trudge several miles for a pail of water.  We need more viable solutions to respond to their cries of the poor be it 'jal, jungle, jamin'

or 'roti, kapada aur makaan'. Instead of cosmetic illuminations, we could better divert the funds towards the genuine needs of the people.

 

           We definitely need to celebrate "Swarnim Gujarat" but do we have the courage to do it in real ways?

                                                   

 

(* Fr. Cedric Prakash sj is the Director of "Prashant", the Ahmedabad based Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)

29th April, 2010

 

 

PRASHANT   (A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)
Hill Nagar, Near Kamdhenu Hall, Drive-in Road, Ahmedabad – 380 052
 

Phone: 27455913, 66522333
Fax: 27489018
Email:
sjprashant@gmail.com     www.humanrightsindia.in

 


Saturday, April 03, 2010

THE CHALLENGE OF EASTER- by Fr Cedric Prakash sj

 
 
 
                                                                                                               THE CHALLENGE OF EASTER  

- Fr. Cedric Prakash sj *                       

 

Christianity - and very specially the Catholic Church – has been, of late, very much in the news but for the wrong reasons. The growing revelations, of how some Catholic priests 

 entrusted with the care of children, have sexually abused them, have made millions of the followers of Jesus hang their head down in shame and in contrition.

 

This Easter season, therefore, provides Christians and others - the time not only to reflect on the meaning of their faith but also to make amends for the sins of the past.

 The key challenges of the season are:

 

    Service - in humility and in love, Jesus kneels down to wash the feet of his disciples.  An act which is totally unthinkable and unacceptable in his times and perhaps our times too.

     This service is not merely symbolic.  It transcends the narrow confines of ones' selfishness, prejudice and divisiveness. 

       It reaches out to the other in a service which protects, motivates and ennobles.

 

   Sacrifice - Jesus' death on the cross is the supreme sacrifice; 'greater love than this has no man than when one lays down his life for others'.

 This death reverberates down the centuries.  It is not an ordinary one: it is filled with humiliations, excruciating pain and ignominy.

 A real victim of vested interests, who could not see him stand up for truth and for justice.  This sacrifice, however, was never doomed to failure. 

It would bring in rich dividends for human kind. 

 

Solidarity - is at the heart of the Easter message.  Jesus sharing his body and blood with all; identifying himself with the suffering of those who

have come to console him; and ultimately providing new hope and new life. A solidarity which is manifested in the triumph

 of light over darkness; of immortality over mortality; of life over death.

 

The challenge of Easter is therefore, our ability to embody and live the values of service, sacrifice and solidarity.

These are truly non-negotiable for all, in order to make of our world a more compassionate, protective and humane place.

 

Today could be a new beginning!  HAPPY EASTER!!!

 

(* Fr. Cedric Prakash sj is the Director of "Prashant", the Ahmedabad based Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)

 

  3rd April, 2010

 

 

PRASHANT   (A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)
Hill Nagar, Near Kamdhenu Hall, Drive-in Road, Ahmedabad - 380052
 

Phone:  27455913, 66522333
Fax: 27489018
Email: sjprashant@gmail.com     www.humanrightsindia.in

 


Friday, April 02, 2010

RE: [jesuitscorrespondence] Easter Greetings 2010

Same wishes and prayers to all

 

Fernando F. Franco SJ

Social Justice Secretariat

Jesuit Curia, Rome

Borgo S. Spirito 4,

Roma 00193

 

e-mail (office): sjs-dir@sjcuria.org

phone: + 390668977395

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: jesuitscorrespondence@yahoogroups.com [mailto:jesuitscorrespondence@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of amal sebastian
Sent: 01 April 2010 11:36
To: jesuitscorrespondence@yahoogroups.com; westjust peace; socom- westernregion; wesjesam@yahoogroups.com; gujchristi; jesagujarat@yahoogroups.com; jesawest@yahoogroups.com
Cc: gujaratmediaclub.prashant@blogger.com
Subject: Re: [jesuitscorrespondence] Easter Greetings 2010

 

 

A PEACEFUL, JOYFUL AND LIBERATING EASTER TO ALL JESUITS OF THE PROVINCE FROM FR. S. AMALRAJ SJ AND THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY. MAY THE RISEN LORD GIVE US RENEWED VIGOUR TO SERVE THE LORD AND HIS PEOPLE.

 

S. AMALRAJ SJ

 


From: Prashant <cedricprakash@yahoo.co.in>
To: jesuits correspondence <jesuitscorrespondence@yahoogroups.com>; westjust peace <westjustpeace@yahoogroups.com>; socom- westernregion <socom-westernregion@yahoogroups.com>; wesjesam@yahoogroups.com; gujchristi <gujchristi@yahoogroups.com>; jesagujarat@yahoogroups.com; jesawest@yahoogroups.com
Cc: gujaratmediaclub.prashant@blogger.com
Sent: Thu, 1 April, 2010 1:31:05 PM
Subject: [jesuitscorrespondence] Easter Greetings 2010 [1 Attachment]

 

May these HOLY DAYS remind us of

 

SERVICE………..

In humility and with love-

As Jesus washes the feet of His disciples!

 

SACRIFICE………..

In selflessness and unconditionally-

As Jesus dies on the cross!

 

SOLIDARITY………..

With victims of violence and injustice-

As Jesus lies in the tomb!

 

STRENGTH………….

In the pursuit of Truth, Justice, Peace -

As Jesus rises from the dead!

 

May the BLESSINGS of this EASTER SEASON

 Be with you, your community, your family,

 Your colleagues and other collaborators

 

With warm wishes and prayers,

Fr Cedric Prakash and ALL at

.- - - - - - -     - - - - - - - -    - - - - - - -   - - - - -
PRASHANT   (A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)
Street Address : Hill Nagar, Near Kamdhenu Hall, Drive-in Road , Ahmedabad - 380052, Gujarat , India
Postal Address : P B 4050, Navrangpura PO, Ahmedabad - 380 009, Gujarat , India

 Phone : 91  79   27455913,  66522333      Fax : 91  79  27489018                                                                                          

Email: sjprashant@gmail. com     www.humanrightsindi a.in

                                                                                                     EASTER SEASON 2010




The INTERNET now has a personality. YOURS! See your Yahoo! Homepage.

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Recent Activity:

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Thursday, April 01, 2010

Re: [jesuitscorrespondence] Easter Greetings 2010 [1 Attachment]

A PEACEFUL, JOYFUL AND LIBERATING EASTER TO ALL JESUITS OF THE PROVINCE FROM FR. S. AMALRAJ SJ AND THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY. MAY THE RISEN LORD GIVE US RENEWED VIGOUR TO SERVE THE LORD AND HIS PEOPLE.
 
S. AMALRAJ SJ


From: Prashant <cedricprakash@yahoo.co.in>
To: jesuits correspondence <jesuitscorrespondence@yahoogroups.com>; westjust peace <westjustpeace@yahoogroups.com>; socom- westernregion <socom-westernregion@yahoogroups.com>; wesjesam@yahoogroups.com; gujchristi <gujchristi@yahoogroups.com>; jesagujarat@yahoogroups.com; jesawest@yahoogroups.com
Cc: gujaratmediaclub.prashant@blogger.com
Sent: Thu, 1 April, 2010 1:31:05 PM
Subject: [jesuitscorrespondence] Easter Greetings 2010 [1 Attachment]

 
[Attachment(s) from Prashant included below]

May these HOLY DAYS remind us of

 

SERVICE………..

In humility and with love-

As Jesus washes the feet of His disciples!

 

SACRIFICE………..

In selflessness and unconditionally-

As Jesus dies on the cross!

 

SOLIDARITY………..

With victims of violence and injustice-

As Jesus lies in the tomb!

 

STRENGTH………….

In the pursuit of Truth, Justice, Peace -

As Jesus rises from the dead!

 

May the BLESSINGS of this EASTER SEASON

 Be with you, your community, your family,

 Your colleagues and other collaborators

 

With warm wishes and prayers,

Fr Cedric Prakash and ALL at

.- - - - - - -     - - - - - - - -    - - - - - - -   - - - - -
PRASHANT   (A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)
Street Address : Hill Nagar, Near Kamdhenu Hall, Drive-in Road , Ahmedabad - 380052, Gujarat , India
Postal Address : P B 4050, Navrangpura PO, Ahmedabad - 380 009, Gujarat , India

 Phone : 91  79   27455913,  66522333      Fax : 91  79  27489018                                                                                          

Email: sjprashant@gmail. com     www.humanrightsindi a.in

                                                                                                     EASTER SEASON 2010

__._,_.___

Attachment(s) from Prashant

1 of 1 File(s)

Recent Activity:
    .

    __,_._,___


    The INTERNET now has a personality. YOURS! See your Yahoo! Homepage.

    Easter Greetings 2010

    May these HOLY DAYS remind us of
    May these HOLY DAYS remind us of

     

    SERVICE………..

    In humility and with love-

    As Jesus washes the feet of His disciples!

     

    SACRIFICE………..

    In selflessness and unconditionally-

    As Jesus dies on the cross!

     

    SOLIDARITY………..

    With victims of violence and injustice-

    As Jesus lies in the tomb!

     

    STRENGTH………….

    In the pursuit of Truth, Justice, Peace -

    As Jesus rises from the dead!

     

    May the BLESSINGS of this EASTER SEASON

     Be with you, your community, your family,

     Your colleagues and other collaborators

     

    With warm wishes and prayers,

    Fr Cedric Prakash and ALL at

    .- - - - - - -     - - - - - - - -    - - - - - - -   - - - - -
    PRASHANT   (A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)
    Street Address : Hill Nagar, Near Kamdhenu Hall, Drive-in Road, Ahmedabad - 380052, Gujarat, India
    Postal Address : P B 4050, Navrangpura PO, Ahmedabad - 380 009, Gujarat, India

     Phone : 91  79   27455913,  66522333      Fax : 91  79  27489018                                                                                          

    Email: sjprashant@gmail.com     www.humanrightsindia.in

                                                                                                         EASTER SEASON 2010