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Articles by Lancy Lobo
"Welfare" Schemes: Allurements, Appeasement, and Coercion during Elections
Several states in India have brought anti-conversion laws, euphemistically known as "freedom of religion" laws and bills to discourage conversions from one religion to another through allurements, appeasement, force, coercion, and so on. However, state after state, the centre uses allurements, appeasement, force, coercion and so on to convert people into vote banks, especially during elections. Many schemes in the name of welfare are let loose during elections to lure voters.
India's Dalit Women: Silent Battles Against Sexual and Caste Abuse
The relationship between sexual violence and caste in India exposes ingrained social injustices that have persisted for decades despite the country's independence. Even though equality before the law is guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, people from marginalised communities—especially Dalits—often experience a very different reality. In India, caste has a significant influence on sexual violence and is not just a problem for one gender.
Essence from the Past: Hope for the Future
On this Independence Day (2024), the NDA government called for the third edition of Har Ghar Tiranga (Tricolour in every house). This event first began in 2022 by the BJP government.
Development Indices and Olympic Medals
NEW DELHI, Aug. 26 -- India has won 41 Olympic medals in 124 years, while China won 88 in the last 16 days of the 2024 Olympics. Is there any correlation between Olympic medals and a country's development? Yes! There is a strong correlation between development, medals, and sports! A cursory glance at the medals tally shows that highly developed countries have many medals.
The Rouge Media and a Few Good Men: Lest We Forget!
Wherever in the netherworld he prowls, Joseph Goebbels must certainly be awed by the masterful practitioners of his art in the mainstream Indian media.
Privatisation of the IAS
A government is run by bureaucracy, a body of professional officials with permanent tenure governed by the principle of hierarchy and neutrality. They are the backbone, called 'a steel frame', of Public Administration. They constitute the permanent executive vis-à-vis the temporary political executive, which provides continuity to the administration. In the Government of India, the bureaucracy refers to the Civil Services, made up of All India Personnel and Central Civil Services.
Your Slip is Showing
Let me begin with a frank admission. Since my school days, I have hated English grammar. On the other hand, my wife is a grammarian, knowing Wren and Martin's grammar like the back of her hand. She compensates for my many inadequacies. The word "slip" is both a noun and a verb. The grammarian tells me that a noun is the name of a person, place or thing. A verb is some kind of action. Here's a classic example of the word in both forms in a single sentence.
Stoking 'Remembrance' Fires...!
What about having a 'Forgiveness Day'? What's that, you ask, what d'you mean by such? Well, since this government seems to be blessing us with days to remember atrocities and injuries, what about a day to forgive and forget each other for the same? Not just you and me, but religious communities and nations forgiving each other for previous fights, wars and acts of bloodshed. Think it's impossible?
Confronting Silence: The Call to Repair Society's Conscience
The Hema Committee report has elicited different responses from different quarters. While some have taken to it positively, others have resorted to the blame game and even downright denial. The report, which details rampant sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and inhuman treatment of women, has exposed the issues that plague the Malayalam film industry.
Surge in Heinous Crimes Against Women
Three cases of brutal rape and murder of three women in three states of India were reported in the first three weeks of August. Although these three cases got wide publicity in the media, there were also many unreported cases. Most prominent among the three cases is the rape and murder of the 31-year-old post-graduate trainee doctor at the RG Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
Development Indices and Olympic Medals
India has won 41 Olympic medals in 124 years, while China won 88 in the last 16 days of the 2024 Olympics. Is there any correlation between Olympic medals and a country's development? Yes! There is a strong correlation between development, medals, and sports! A cursory glance at the medals tally shows that highly developed countries have many medals. In that order, America, China, Japan, Australia, France, Netherlands, Great Britain, South Korea, and Italy have stood on top of the table.
A Culture of Suppression, Silence, Complicity and Inaction: What the Hema Committee Report Implies
The Malayalam film industry, a unique part of the Indian cinematic tradition, has recently come under intense scrutiny following the release of the Hema Committee report. This report has unveiled issues of sexual abuse, gender discrimination, and inhuman treatment of women that were being covered up. It has again sparked discussions about the pervasive influence of powerful men in suppressing women in God's own country.
Hema Committee Report: Mollywood's Ugly Underbelly
The Free Press Journal is a Mumbai-based daily newspaper founded by a Malayali, S. Sadanand. At one time, the staff cartoonist was the founder of the Shiv Sena, the late Bal Thackeray. Three years before starting the paper, Sadanand founded India's first Indian-owned news agency, Free Press of India Agency. Sadanand would have turned in his grave after reading the headline of the paper's lead story a week ago.
Christian Youth and Political Participation
NEW DELHI, Oct. 23 -- People often proudly proclaim, "I'm not interested in politics." In other words, this statement often translates to "I'm not concerned about my quality of life, my well-being, my job, my freedom, or my future." However, caring about how our country is governed, essentially caring about politics, is a crucial step towards shaping our nation's future. An informed voter becomes aware of the challenges our nation faces and seeks ways to make positive changes as an individual.
Christian Youth and Political Participation
People often proudly proclaim, "I'm not interested in politics." In other words, this statement often translates to "I'm not concerned about my quality of life, my well-being, my job, my freedom, or my future.” However, caring about how our country is governed, essentially caring about politics, is a crucial step towards shaping our nation's future. An informed voter becomes aware of the challenges our nation faces and seeks ways to make positive changes as an individual.
A Journey in Solidarity
Delimitation, Census poor excuses to defer women’s reservation: Congress #BreakingNews #LatestNews Manipur clashes: Report on status of recovery of arms has been filed, state govt tells SC #BreakingNews #LatestNews ‘Sanatan Dharma’ remark: Plea seeks FIR against Udhayanidhi Stalin; SC seeks response from minister, Tamil Nadu govt #BreakingNews #LatestNews Women’s reservation Bill gets Parliament seal #BreakingNews #LatestNews (The following is an edited version of a Report prepared by a team...
Fool Me Once, Shame on You; Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me!
The BJP, which till now apparently had no worthwhile agenda to encash during the ensuing crucial 2024 elections, must have shouted “EUREKA” soon after Udhaiyanidhi Stalin, the Sports Development and Youth Welfare Minister of Tamil Nadu, gave a scathing remark on Sanatan Dharma. His anger was aimed perhaps more at the fact that Sanatan Dharma promotes untouchability than at its denigration.
Reservation Sans Entry
Their seats are reserved. But, they have neither got the tickets nor they are aware of the timing of the journey. They are in the dark, holding on to the hope given to them -- one day they will be able to travel, using the reservation made in their name. Yes, that is the fate of the Women’s Reservation Bill, titled Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023, passed by the two Houses of Parliament.
A Stick to Beat Christians With
Last week a list of hate-mongering anchors of television channels of a particular ideology was put out by the Opposition parties, to be boycotted by secular, liberal, citizens. One of the few credible anchors remaining in Television channels, Rajdeep Sardesai, was anchoring a discussion on Sanatan Dharma controversy on India Today channel recently. The first two speakers stressed that Udayanidhi Stalin was not against Sanatan Dharma but against the caste system legitimized by the former.
Journalists are called to speak the truth to the powerless against the powers that be: Justice Devan Ramachandran
Journalists are called to speak truth to the powerless against the powers that be, said Hon. Justice Devan Ramachandran of the Kerala High Court while inaugurating the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) in John Barrett Nagar (Ashirbhavan Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese of Verapoly) in Ernakulam on Friday, September 22.
Press freedom is sacrosanct, says Justice Sunil Thomas at ICPA Award function
Freedom of the Press is the most sacrosanct and is recognised by the judiciary, said Justice Sunil Thomas of the Kerala High Court while inaugurating the Award Ceremony of the Indian Catholic Press Association at the Louis Vyppisserry Hall in Ashirbhavan, Ernakulam, on Saturday, September 23rd.
Pitfalls in Justice Delivery
Posted On: 2023-04-17 Posted By: Lancy Lobo Others Indian Currents Magazines NEW DELHI, April 17 -- On April 4, 2023, "India Justice Report" (IJR) was released based on data of States and Union Territories of India. It was based on four pillars of justice delivery mechanisms, viz., Police, judiciary, Prisons and Legal Aid. The States were classified as large states, middle-sized states and small states. The data was all from government sources. It carried a comparison of years 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Pitfalls in Justice Delivery
On April 4, 2023, “India Justice Report” (IJR) was released based on data of States and Union Territories of India. It was based on four pillars of justice delivery mechanisms, viz., Police, judiciary, Prisons and Legal Aid. The States were classified as large states, middle-sized states and small states. The data was all from government sources. It carried a comparison of years 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Communalization of Tribals
In the past in Gujarat, Hindu-Muslim riots have taken place in towns in Adivasi areas, without involving the Adivasis, as for example in places like Virpur, Bardoli, Sanjeli, Randikpur, Modasa, Khedbrahma, Lunawada, and Meghraj. But communal riots in Gujarat involving Adivasis directly is a phenomenon that started in 1990. In 1997, the Christians in Dangs district were subjected to atrocities and burning of churches by outsiders provoking the local non-Christian tribals.
Some Thoughts on Yatras
The mainstream media has kept a brutal silence over the Bharat Jodo Yatra of Rahul Gandhi. However, the social media has been consistently reporting the movement, dynamics, and response of the people at different points of the Yatra. I was inclined to participate when the Yatra reached Delhi. One could register for the yatra which I did. With few Jesuits we went to India Gate where it was passing by. Along the route there were posters of the yatra, Rahul Gandhi in different attires.
Twisted Views on Conversions
Ashwini Upadhyaya has filed a suit in the Supreme Court alleging Amazon has funded money to Baptist church in North-East for conversions; it further says that conversions all over the country are a threat to national security. Obviously, given the RSS ideology of Hindu Rashtra, the danger to it comes from conversions, affecting their numerical superiority.
Betrayal of Constitutional Vision
As we celebrate the Constitution Day on November 26 to mark the adoption of the Constitution of India on this day in 1949, it is another opportunity to reflect on the status of the Statute today, not so much our commitment to it but the departures from its vision, ideals and values. Are we in sync with the original version and vision of ‘equality, fraternity and justice for all’ or are we drifting away from it?
Managing Urban Floods
A Case Study of Vadodara As cities and regions around the world are getting incorporated into the globalisation and urbanisation processes, they simultaneously exhibit characteristics that are more diverse and complex due to the relations of their local and regional bases. It holds for many Indian cities, which are restructuring themselves under the process of urbanisation, but with their unique regional–cultural aspects or dimensions.
The Fallacy of Religious Conversions
In India, nationalism has been increasingly tied to religious demography. However, in recent years it has been observed that hysteria is being created that the Hindu population is going down and by 2050 the Muslims will outnumber the Hindus.
Arrest of priest on false charges, says Meerut diocese
IC Correspondent 25 Apr 2022 Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) 25 April 2022: The arrest of Fr. Albert, the Parish Priest of Lalyana Catholic Church in Bhagpat district of Uttar Pradesh Parish, under POCSO is apparently a false case, said the PRO of the Meerut Catholic diocese under whose jurisdiction comes the church.
Sri Lankan Crisis: Result of Flawed Policies
In a webinar organised by SJES (South Asian Conference), the ground reality in Sri Lanka vividly came to light. The existing economic crisis was sharply brought into focus with the rise in prices, rise in inflation levels, lack of essential commodities like gas, fuel, electricity and medicines on the one hand, and on the other, loss of jobs, income, and so on. Those who have money, have no way to procure the above items, and those who have no money are literally on the street.
Fanning Communal Flames
It is time that we read and re-read the poem ‘The Second Coming’ by William Butler Yeats, penned in 1919 and first published in The Dial in January 1920. The title of the famous poem could be quite deceptive, and to the uninitiated, this could be a poem on a less talked about Christian theme, but it is in fact a detailed account of what our nation is going through, or could be deemed a true picture of the global scenario.
This is It - The Hindu Rashtra
“Is this the dawn we were looking for?” Faiz Ahmed Faiz As an entertainment sport, the mayhem of war is infinitely more captivating than the unspectacular misery of economic deprivation and hunger, which explains the media’s unwavering focus on the war in Ukraine and the grudging attention to the suffering of the people of Sri Lanka.
Combating Climate Change: NOW OR NEVER
The writing on the wall is crystal clear that climate change needs to be addressed in the right earnest, rather seriously. Yes, the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued the most serious warning. The assessment based on inputs from scientists in 67 countries cautions that the world will experience multiple climate hazards even if global warming is contained to 1.5 degrees Celsius in the coming two decades.
Courage and Grace Under Pressure
Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s counsel for negotiating the burden of old age is simply to have an honourable pact with solitude. At a personal level, the forced incarceration brought on by the pandemic coupled with the inexorable isolation of the geriatric, and to top it all, the sense of desolate hopelessness engendered by the recent election results that are a resounding endorsement of a majoritarian tyranny have combined to provide the perfectly arid setting to act on Marquez’s prescription.
Mother’s Legacy
With the change of guard at Mother House in Kolkata, a new lease of life is injected into the Missionaries of Charity, the worldwide religious congregation, involved in serving the poorest of the poor. A new team with a new mandate, under the leadership of the first Indian Superior General of the congregation, Sr Mary Joseph Michael, 68, is set to continue the great legacy left behind by Mother Teresa.
Religious Conversions in India
In India, nationalism has been increasingly tied to religious demography. However, in recent years, it has been observed that hysteria is being created that the Hindu population is going down and, by 2050, the Muslims will outnumber the Hindus. Its implication is that in a “one man, one vote” electoral system, the Muslims will capture power and Hindus will be reduced to a minority, thereby facing the threat of being treated as second-class citizens.
SRI LANKA: No Short Cuts
The global economic contraction due to COVID-19 was 3.1 per cent in 2020 according to the International Monetary Fund. Employing one in every ten people worldwide, tourism, one of the most important economic sectors, provides livelihoods to millions of people. For several small countries, primarily, their economies are heavily dependent on tourism. Notably, when the global pandemic novel corona virus struck two years back, causing death and suffering it also adversely affected the tourism sector.
Ability of the Differently-abled
April 2 is World Autism Acceptance Day. This event aims to highlight the hurdles that people with autism face every day. It is a growing health issue which needs more understanding. It is an occasion to celebrate the unique talents, achievements and accomplishments of those living with autism and to think of their rights, and more particularly the need for their inclusion in education and in the workplace.
‘Francis Effect’ is already Evident: Cardinal Gracias
The following is the text of the interview with Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay, a member of the Council of Cardinals (C9) since it was created by Pope Francis at the beginning of his pontificate. IC: What are your comments on Predicate Evangelium? Cardinal Oswald Gracias: Predicate Evangelium is a Document of Pope Francis.
Subverting Democracy
After BJP’s coming to power at the Centre, India is referred to as "electoral autocracy" and a "populist democracy". Baba Saheb Ambedkar warned us on November 25, 1949, of the need to give up the grammar of anarchy, to avoid hero-worship, and to work towards a social – not just a political – democracy. Hero-worship for him was a sure way to the degradation of democratic institutions, and would eventually lead to dictatorship.
TIME TO ACT: No Room for Complacency
The recent oral observation made by a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court as reported in the media “When we see a newspaper report of someone dying due to bad roads, we feel guilty” ought to prick the conscience of those who are responsible for such deaths. Not long ago the Kerala High Court, while hearing an accident case, maintained, “A young man has lost his life on the road. The pillar of a family has been lost. We bow our heads in shame.
An Educator and Social Activist
The inter-religious dialogue we speak about is more effective at the dialogue of life, rather than at the level of doctrinal tenets, beliefs and liturgies. Indeed, we need more of inter-religious dialogues especially of life and work in a multi-religious country like India.
Motive for Philanthropy: Empathetic Innovation
There are many organizations in India and in the world involved in philanthropy. The root meaning of philanthropy, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “love for mankind”.
Exodus from BJP, A Sign of Negligence: Supriya Shrinate, AICC Spokesperson
Mass exodus of ministers and BJP MLAs in Uttar Pradesh is a sign of frustration and negligence the leaders have been facing in the Yogi Adityanath team for the past several years. Supriya Shrinate, the journalist-turned AICC spokesperson, shares her viewpoint over the telephone with Manoj Varghese of Indian Currents on the present poll scenario in UP.
80-20 divide: Figment of imagination
The Pareto Principle, named after economist Vilfredo Pareto, can be applied to many fields like industrial production. Also called the 80-20 principle, it means that 80 percent of consequences come from 20 percent of the causes, asserting an unequal relationship between inputs and outputs. Pareto derived the principle from his finding that 80 percent of the land in Italy was owned by 20 percent of the population.
Child Marriage: Snuffing out Dreams
There are scores of children out there who are forced to get married at a tender age and suffer the rough life of a wife, a mother, and a daughter-in-law, to say the least. Why is it so? Why does a female child have to bear the brunt of a torturous married life at such a tender age?
Wake-up Call: Be A Communicating Church
St. Paul was in chains under a house arrest when he was composing the epistle to the Ephesians. As he was writing the final words of the epistle, he was certain that, sooner than later he would be appearing before the Roman courts. For a split second, Paul might have been intimidated, recalling the fate of persecuted Christians ranging from John the Baptist to Stephen the deacon. And his fears precipitated him to make a request of prayers to the ‘saints,’ the community of Christians he addresses.
A Political Genocide
In 2013 as he prepared to launch himself from the Chief Minister’s chair in Gujarat to the Prime Ministership of India, Mr Narendra Modi decided to outmanoeuvre party seniors and opposition ideologues by targeting Muslims as the main enemy and projecting himself as the only saviour of the nation and of the Hindu faith. His gamble paid off. The election campaign was savage, blisteringly abusive, deeply polarising. But successful. Mr Modi won with a good majority. The die was cast for the future.
Changing Political Landscape
Though the nation has to wait for two more years to see a possible change in the present incumbent in New Delhi and witness a new wave of change and hope, there is a small opportunity, not insignificant in any way, in the forthcoming polls in five states, which might have a bigger say in the general elections in 2024.
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