Shraddhanjali to Mother Teresa in Ahmedabad (September 5th 2013)

Shraddhanjali to Mother Teresa in Ahmedabad

In the heart of the Ahmedabad city situated in a strategic location is the Mother Teresa Chowk, it is in the vicinity of the Bhadra temple, the Jamma Masjid and the CNI Victoria Garden Church. It is an area around which small peddlers earn their livelihood and beggars and those who have no roof over their heads come to lay their weary limbs.

Today, September 5^th 2013, on her 16^th death anniversary, people from all walks of life once again gathered here to remember and pay homage to Mother Teresa, the beloved Saint of the poorest of the poor, the destitute and the unwanted.

Bishop Thomas Macwan of Ahmedabad felt that it was important that in a world torn apart by hate and division, we remember Mother Teresa, who put into practice the words of Jesus to serve the least of ones sisters and brothers with love.

Sr. Marie-James, a Missionary of Charity in a stirring eulogy of Mother Teresa challenged everyone to imitate Mother Teresa and to serve not one’s own but those who are neglected and ostracized by society.

Mr. Piyush Desai, the Chairman and Managing Director of the Gujarati Processors and Packers Ltd (Wagh Bakri Tea Group) in an emotion-packed speech told the gathering that each one of us must do our bit like Mother Teresa to make our world more human for all.

Hymns and other bhajans were rendered by the staff of St. Xavier’s Social Service Society and the Missionaries of Charity throughout the Shraddhanjali and particularly as the large gathering offered floral tributes to the bronze statue of Mother Teresa that adorns the Mother Teresa Chowk.

5^th September, 2013

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

Phone : 91  79   27455913,  66522333 Fax : 91  79  27489018
Email: sjprashant@gmail.com     www.humanrightsindia.in

Revision of Electoral Rolls in Gujarat (from September 6th to October 5th, 2013)

 Prashant  A  Centre  for  Human  Rights, Justice  and  Peace

                      Post   Box   No.   4050,    Navrangpura,   Ahmedabad  380 009,    Gujarat,    India

                              Tel. :    +91 (079)  66522333,   2745 5913 .    Fax :   +91 (079)  2748 9018

                       Mobile:  9824034536.e-mail : sjprashant@gmail.com .  www.humanrightsindia.in

5^th September, 2013

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Greetings from Prashant!

General Elections in the country are expected to be held anytime between January and early May 2014. 

The Election Commission (EC) is about to begin another ‘Revision of the Electoral Rolls’, all over Gujarat.  This will begin from tomorrow (September 6^th 2013) and will last for one month upto October 5^th 2013.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat Ms. Anita Karwal “names of the voters, who will turn 18 before January 1, 2014, will be included in the revised voters list.”

Further, mere possession of the Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) does not enable a voter to cast his / her vote in the elections. It is absolutely necessary to be registered on the rolls as a voter.

Names of fresh applicants will reflect on the Electoral Rolls on or after January 6^th, 2014 and these applicants will also receive the EPIC sometime after that date.

We therefore urge one and all, in the interest of democracy to ensure that your name, the names of the people you work with (specially the poor in the villages and the slums) are registered on the Electoral Rolls during this month.  If there are any changes to be made regarding your name, address etc, kindly do that too! Please check first ONLINE if your name is on the Electoral Rolls.

By September 10^th, we will be revising our handout “Citizens’ responsibilities and the forthcoming elections in Gujarat”. Do make sure that you receive a copy of it and also do share it with others.

In the meantime, we request that you to visit the website of the Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat www.ceo.gujarat.gov.in wherein you will find complete details of the process regarding the revision of the Electoral Rolls.

Please get back to us by email (sjprashant@gmail.com) if you have any query or if you need any specific help regarding the revision of the Electoral Rolls.

With warm wishes,

Fr. Cedric Prakash sj

Director

An Interview with Fr Adolfo Nicolas Jesuit Superior General about Syria and peace(040913) in sjweb

Print this issue   Archive: news after March 2009 Vol. XVII, No. 19 04 September 2013 Father General Interview with Father General about Syria and peace Q.  The Holy Father has gone out of the way to speak for Peace in Syria, which is now under threat of a new attack by the United States and France. What do you think in this regard? R.  It is not customary for me to make comments on situations that have to do with international or political situations. But in the present case we are dealing with a Humanitarian situation that exceeds all the limits that would ordinarily keep me silent. I have to confess that I cannot understand who gave the United States or France the right to act against a Country in a way that will certainly increase the suffering of the citizens of that country, who, by the way, have already suffered beyond measure. Violence and violent action, like what is being planned, have to always be the last resort and administered in such a way that only the guilty are affected. In the case of a Country this is evidently impossible to control and, thus, it seems to me totally unjustified. We, Jesuits, support 100% the Holy Father and wish with all our hearts that the threatened attack on Syria does not take place. Q.  But, hasn´t the world a responsibility to do something against those who abuse power against their own people, like a Government using chemical weapons in a conflict? R.  We have right here three different problems that it is important to state clearly. The first is that all abuse of power is to be condemned and rejected. And, with all respect for the people of the United States, I think that a military intervention like the one being planned is itself an abuse of power. The US has to stop acting and reacting like the big boy of the neighborhood of the world. This leads inevitably to abuse, harassment and bullying of the weaker members of the community. The second is that if there has been use of chemical weapons we still have to probe in a way that is clear to the whole world that one party in the conflict and not the other has used them. It is not enough that some members of the punishing Government make a statement of conviction. They have to convince the world, so that the world can trust in them. This confidence does not happen today, and many have already started speculation about the ulterior motives that the USA may have in the projected intervention. And the third, that the means considered adequate to punish the abuse do not harm the very Victims of the original abuse, once it has been proved to exist. Past experience teaches us that this is practically impossible (even if we call the victims "collateral damage") and the results increase the suffering of the ordinary innocent and poor people. We all know that the great concern of the Wise Elders and Religious Founders of all traditions and cultures was "how to reduce human suffering?"  It is very worrying that in the name of justice we plan an attack that will increase the suffering of the victims. Q.  Aren´t you particularly harsh on the United States? R. I do not think so. I have no prejudice regarding this great Country and I have a few American Jesuits working with me whose opinions and services I value very highly. I have never entertained any negative feelings against the United States, a Country that I admire on many counts, including commitment, spirituality and thought. What disturbs me most now is that precisely this country I respect so much is at the point of doing such a terrible mistake. And something similar goes for France. A Country that has been a real leader in esprit, intelligence, and that has made gigantic contributions to Civility and Culture is now tempted to bring us back to barbarism, in open contradiction of what France has been a symbol of for many past generations: That two such Countries would come together for such an outrageous measure is part of the world´s anger. We are not afraid of the attack; we are afraid of the barbarism to which we are being lead Q.  But why speak out now? R. Because the danger is now. Because the Holy Father has taken a measure that is extraordinary to indicate the urgency of the moment. To indicate that the 7th of September is a day of Fasting for the sake of Peace is an extraordinary measure and we want to join him in it. Remember that at one point in the Gospel, when the disciples of Jesus could not liberate a young man from an evil spirit, Jesus told them: "This kind of spirits cannot be driven away if not by prayer and fasting" I find it extremely upsetting that a Country that considers itself, at least nominally, Christian, could not imagine other ways of acting that would not be "military", and, instead, contribute to bring Humanity back to the law of the jungle.

 
 
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Shraddhanjali to MOTHER TERESA- September 5th 2013 ,9.30 am Mother Teresa Chowk, Bhadra , Ahmedabad

                                    

    SHRADDHANJALI

TO

MOTHER  TERESA

AT

MOTHER  TERESA  CHOWK

BEHIND  IP  MISSION  SCHOOL

NEAR  ITALIAN  BAKERY,    BHADRA

AHMEDABAD   380 001

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER   5th   2013, 9.30 am.

September 5th is the death anniversary and the Feast Day of Blessed Mother Teresa who died in 1997. 

During her life-time Mother Teresa was universally regarded as the “Saint of the poorest of the poor” and she epitomized in a very special way the values of compassion, love, understanding and reaching out to those despised and marginalized by society.

It is also symbolic that she died on “Teachers Day”- because she was able to teach people,from all over the world, the values of which she was an embodiment.

On 19th October 2003, the late Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Teresa. This is a step before she is proclaimed a Saint.  Today, she is therefore known as Blessed Teresa of Kolkata. Her feast day is therefore celebrated by the Catholic Church on September, 5^th every year.

On September 5th, 2005, in a major decision, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, under the leadership of the then Mayor, (late) Hon. Aneesa Begum Mirza (may her Soul Rest in Peace), dedicated a garden with a bronze statue to the memory of this great person.   The dedication ceremony was performed  by His Holiness Maheshwardasji Maharajshri the Mahant of the Jagannath Temple, in the presence of several dignitaries of the city. 

In Ahmedabad, her Sisters, the Missionaries of Charity, run two homes: in Shanti Nilaya (nr. Bhavsar Hostel), there are more than 200 male inmates picked up as dying and destitute from Ahmedabad. In Shishu Bhavan, (Nava Vadaj), the Sisters look after abandoned children and orphans meant for adoption in Gujarat.On August 26th(the birth anniversary of Mother Teresa) this year, an extension of the Shishu Bhavan was inaugurated

This year, we will once again gather together on Thursday, September 5th at 9.30 am to pay our homage to Mother Teresa, together with several other citizens of this city at the Mother Teresa Chowk

We invite you, your family, friends and colleagues,to join us for this Shraddhanjali. 

Do share this communication with others too.

Thankyou!

Fr. Cedric Prakash sj

Statement on the letter released by jailed officer Vanzara

 Statement on the letter released by jailed officer Vanzara

Now that jailed Gujarat police officer Vanzara himself has spilled the beans -and come out with several 'aspects' of the encounter killings in Gujarat- it is high time that the Judiciary take suo moto control over this matter and ensure that the so-called "powerful" people of Gujarat are brought to book immediately!

Too many years have been wasted allowing these criminals to run amok..

By his own words Vanzara does not deny his own guilt...but that he  and his colleagues were acting on "orders" !

He very strongly states -

"I am of the firm opinion that the place of  this government,instead of being in Gandhinagar,should either be in Taloja Central Prison at Navi Mumbai or in Sabarmati Central Prison at Ahmedabad"

The bottom line is that, slowly but surely TRUTH and JUSTICE will triumph in Gujarat!

Fr Cedric Prakash

Fr. Cedric Prakash sj
PRASHANT   (A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)
Hill Nagar, Near Kamdhenu Hall, Drive-in Road, Ahmedabad - 380052,
Tel :079-27455913/66522333

Fax:079-27489018

"NO" TO WAR IN SYRIA; "NO" TO VIOLENCE ANYWHERE!

“NO” TO WAR IN SYRIA;

 “NO” TO VIOLENCE ANYWHERE!

-Fr. Cedric Prakash sj*

The United States is on the verge of striking Syria militarily because of the latter’s use of chemical weapons (a deadly nerve gas called ‘Sarin’) against their own people on August 21^st which has apparently killed more than one thousand four hundred.

If President Bashar al-Assad has actually used this gas, it surely deserves all-round condemnation. The people of Syria have been suffering against his dictatorial regime and he has certainly used every trick in the book to quell a popular peoples’ movement which insists that he gives up the reins of power immediately.

Inspite of the growing evidence that Syria (like Iran and North Korea) has no hesitation in going against international norms which forbids the use of chemical weapons, another war in the Middle East will not only have deadly repercussions in that area of conflict but in fact all over the world. It is therefore imperative at this moment, that the United States and other countries, exercise utmost restraint so that the conflict does not escalate into a full blown war.

Besides, war and violence is no answer to what is happening in many parts of the world and particularly in countries like Egypt. Violence only begets violence and all are aware that the innocent, the poor and the marginalized have always to face the worst brunt of these man-made catastrophes.

In a message to the world on Sunday September 1^st 2013, his Holiness Pope Francis said, "Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to make add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected.

There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming.”

Further, in a fervent appeal to the whole world, Pope Francis has invited all Catholics, all fellow Christians, all followers of other religion and all men and women of good will to observe Saturday 7^th September, as a day of fast and prayer for peace in Syria, in the Middle East and throughout the world.

This is surely an important first step!  We also need a dialogue which is transparent and the courage to address endemic issues in a pragmatic manner. Above all, in more ways than one, all of us are called to say a loud “NO” to war and in fact to violence of any kind and anywhere.

2^nd September, 2013

(* Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ is the Director of PRASHANT, the Ahmedabad-based Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)

Address: PRASHANT, Hill Nagar, Near Kamdhenu Hall, Drive-in Road, Ahmedabad – 380 052

Phone: 79 27455913, 66522333 Fax:  79 27489018
Email: sjprashant@gmail.com     www.humanrightsindia.in

Pope Francis Speaks and Prays for PEACE (September 1st 2013)

                Pope Francis Speaks and Prays for PEACE
                            (September 1st 2013)

Pope Francis has called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, in the entire Mideast region, and throughout the whole world to be held this coming Saturday, September 7th, 2013. The Pope made the announcement during the course of remarks ahead of the traditional Angelus prayer today Sunday 1st September 2013 ..This is what the Pope said:

"Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to make add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected.

There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming.

I appeal strongly for peace, an appeal which arises from the deep within me. How much suffering, how much devastation, how much pain has the use of arms carried in its wake in that martyred country, especially among civilians and the unarmed! I think of many children will not see the light of the future! With utmost firmness I condemn the use of chemical weapons: I tell you that those terrible images from recent days are burned into my mind and heart. There is a judgment of God and of history upon our actions which are inescapable! Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake. War begets war, violence begets violence.

With all my strength, I ask each party in this conflict to listen to the voice of their own conscience, not to close themselves in solely on their own interests, but rather to look at each other as brothers and decisively and courageously to follow the path of encounter and negotiation, and so overcome blind conflict. With similar vigour I exhort the international community to make every effort to promote clear proposals for peace in that country without further delay, a peace based on dialogue and negotiation, for the good of the entire Syrian people.

May no effort be spared in guaranteeing humanitarian assistance to those wounded by this terrible conflict, in particular those forced to flee and the many refugees in nearby countries. May humanitarian workers, charged with the task of alleviating the sufferings of these people, be granted access so as to provide the necessary aid.
What can we do to make peace in the world? As Pope John said, it pertains to each individual to establish new relationships in human society under the mastery and guidance of justice and love (cf. John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, [11 April 1963]: AAS 55, [1963], 301-302).

All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace. I make a forceful and urgent call to the entire Catholic Church, and also to every Christian of other confessions, as well as to followers of every religion and to those brothers and sisters who do not believe: peace is a good which overcomes every barrier, because it belongs all of humanity!

I repeat forcefully: it is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace.

May the plea for peace rise up and touch the heart of everyone so that they may lay down their weapons and be let themselves be led by the desire for peace.

To this end, brothers and sisters, I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.

On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 19:00 until 24:00, we will gather in prayer and in a spirit of penance, invoking God’s great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of conflict and violence around the world. Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace! I ask all the local churches, in addition to fasting, that they gather to pray for this intention.

Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mat, Queen of Peace, pray for us!"

Text from pagehttp://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/09/01/pope:_angelus_appeal_for_peace_(full_text)/en1-724673
of the Vatican Radio website

 

Angelus Domini

www.youtube.com

From St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis presides at the recitation of the Angelus

Concluding Arguments in the Zakia Jafri Protest Petition (August 29th 2013)

Press Release

29.08.2013

Senior Counsel Sanjay Parikh for Zakia Jafri and Citizens for Justice & Peace made the Concluding Arguments in the Zakia Jafri Protest Petition before the 11th Metropolitan Magistrate's Court today.
Part A of the Arguments (attached) are on the Legal Aspects of Conspiracy and Abetment.
Part B is on the Factual Aspects of How the Conspiracy by A-1 Narendra Modi was constructed and implemented to ensure Mass Reprisal Killings of innocent Muslims after the Godhra Tragedy on 27.2.2002.





Trustees:
Taizoon Khorakiwala         Nandan Maluste              Teesta Setalvad
I.M. Kadri                           Cyrus Guzder                  Javed Akhtar            
Alyque Padamsee             Anil Dharker                     Ghulam Pesh Imam 
Rahul Bose                        Javed Anand                   Cedric Prakash

_________________________________________________________________________

Nirant, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu, Mumbai – 400 049. Ph: 2660 2288 email: cjpindia@gmail.com,  teesteesta@gmail.com

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Attachment(s) from PRASHANT

2 of 2 File(s)

 130829 LEGAL NOTE PART A.doc

 130828 Part B FACTUAL.doc

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