Aizawl: Mizoram Governor Vakkom B Purushothaman praised the role of Christian missionaries in development of education in India.
He was addressing the inaugural programme of the North East India Celebration of the Centenary of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) at the Synod Conference Centre here on Friday.
Christianity was introduced to India, according to works of scholars and Eastern Christian writings, by St Thomas the Apostle who visited Muziris in Kerala in 52 AD, establishing Christianity in India before some nations of Europe, the Governor said.
“Subsequent missionaries who came to India made positive contributions to society in various fields, including culture, education and health,” he said.
Purushothaman, who hails from Kerala, added, “I was also born in a backward community and there was no permission for backward communities to go to schools during the regime of the Maharajas. We were denied many fundamental rights during that period. It was the Christian missionaries who allowed us to study in their schools.”
He expressed happiness that NCCI, which represents over 14 million people, 30 member churches, 17 regional Christian councils, 17 All-India Christian organisations, seven related agencies and three autonomous bodies, has grown from strength to strength and this unity is no less an achievement in hundred years.
Addressing the gathering of ecumenical leaders, he said that we are privileged to be living in a country where the right to freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Indian Constitution and in a secular nation where all religions are equal and every citizen has the right to practice, profess and propagate his beliefs.
He said that even in ancient India religious tolerance was seen in the Hindu Upanishads, which preached ‘Sarva Dharma Samabhava’, meaning respect for all belief systems.
Saying that all religions speak of the virtue of love, justice, peace and charity, the Governor pointed out that in a world that is now growing increasingly violent with vested interests and a lack of concern for the deprived and unfortunate, it is important that respective faiths worldwide reaffirm the mission of propagating universal love and compassion and of striving for justice, peace and cooperation.
He said the NCCI is reflecting the concerns of the Churches for the community and the nation by serving as a common platform for mutual consultation and action.
He hoped it will continue its mission with renewed zeal and vigour. He added that missionaries who came to India made positive contributions to society in various fields including culture, education and health.
Talking on his observations about the tremendous contribution of the Church to society in Mizoram he said his recent experience of interaction with children of various orphanage homes in Aizawl was both an enriching and touching experience.
He said the Church has made a difference to the lives of these children by providing them compassion and care and a chance to live with dignity.
He expressed hope that the next three days will be enlightening and that the centenary celebration will motivate greater unity and cooperation in the concern of the Church for wider and deeper ecumenism for justice, peace, love and growth. (UNI)
