Secular Citizen Vol.22 No.44 dated 4 November 20`3

4 November 2013

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CHAI Members Pledge Their Eyes

Catholic Delegation Gathers In Seoul

M

inister for Home, K J George, led a group of 800 health workers belonging to the Catholic Health Association of India in pledging their eyes. He exhorted the 3500 units of CHAI to devote their lives for bringing health care to the rural masses at the concluding program of the CHAI 70th Anniversary celebration at the St John’s National Health Academy.

Archbishop of Bangalore, His Grace Bernard Moras challenged the health units of the Church to adhere to values and principles and ensure that affordable health care is provided to the poor people.

Fr Tomy Thomas, director general of CHAI presented its various programs for the future. A childrens’ health club and a social workers forum were inaugurated at the program.

Project Vision program led by Fr George Kannanthanam was launched to initiate movement to promote eye donations. All the 800 participants of the program pledged their eyes and also offered to work for this cause through their health centres.

CHAI presented awards to various people for their dedicated work for the health sector.

Court asks Jacobite, Orthodox factions to mediate

Kochi: The Kerala high court has directed the warring factions of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church to settle their disputes on entry into Kolenchery church through mediation.

The judgment came after a division bench comprising Justices Siri Jagan and K Ramakrishnan was considering a petition for police protection by Orthodox faction.

The court has asked representatives of both the Orthodox and Jacobite factions to attend a mediation meeting on November 1.

On October 4, the court had ruled in favor of the Orthodox faction on the right to conduct administration and prayers at the church.

In the petition, the Orthodox faction had alleged that the Jacobite faction was not allowing it to conduct prayers at the church despite the court's order.

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large Catholic delegation of ecumenical experts arrived in Seoul, South Korea at the weekend, en route for the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches to be held in Busan from October 30th to November 8th.

In the run-up to the event, the group is spending two days visiting the local Catholic community and meeting with leaders of other churches and non-Christian religions.

After being welcomed on Saturday by the nuncio to Korea, Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, members of the delegation took part in the midday Mass on Sunday at Seoul’s Myeongdong Cathedral, where they met with Archbishop Yeom Soo-jung and prayed in the crypt housing the relics of some of the first French missionaries, who were martyred in one of the many persecutions of the mid-19th century.

Later they visited the seminary in Seoul where some 270 young men are currently training for the priesthood and where they were greeted by the former archbishop of the city, Cardinal Cheong Jinsuk, who shared stories about his years in the seminary from 1954 to 1961. Recalling the extreme poverty of most Koreans at that time, the cardinal explained how the Church has had to adapt to the extraordinary development of the ‘60s and ‘70s that made his country into one of the fastest developing economies in the world.

He also spoke about the good relations the Catholic Church enjoys with the different Protestant Churches that make up around 18 percent of Korea’s population, noting proudly that in 1977 Korea became the first country to publish an ecumenical translation of the Bible in his native language.

Seminarians then showed the delegation around the library and chapel which holds the relics of the country’s first indigenous priest, Fr Kim Tae-gon who was persecuted and killed for his faith in 1846, aged just 26 years old.

4 November 2013

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‘Thought for the week’

Our business in life is not to get ahead of others but to get ahead of ourselves.

Contents

pg. 3 - Indian Politics And ... pg. 5 - Views on News pg. 6 - Needs Of The Christian Minority pg. 7 - Reader's Views pg 8 - Supporting The Aam Admi... pg 9 - For The Love Of Writing, Write pg 11 - About Marriage - And Beyond pg 11 - Marriage is not easy but it is beautiful, says Pope pg 14 - Christian - Hindu Couple .... pg 15 - ‘This Is My Body.... pg 16 - 100 Glorious Years of Pauline Charism pg 18 - How to Enjoy a Safe ... pg 19 - Inspiration pg 20 - Matrimonials pg 21 - Writing On Currency Notes Is A Punishable Offence ...

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Indian Politics And The Princes Of The Church

C

Cover : Marriage is not easy but it is

ardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, this week met with Congress Party chief Sonia Gandhi.

It is not the first time a Catholic archbishop has met the chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance which rules India. All four Indian cardinals have met her at one time or the other in courtesy calls, or to bring to her notice some Church issue they thought important enough for government action. John Dayal They of course also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his ministers sometimes.

Other bishops routinely meet chief ministers such as J Jayalalitha of Tamil Nadu or Sheila Dikshit of Delhi, again for mundane local issues, or to urge them to set right some irritant hindering the functioning of a school, or to press the cause of some aspirant to political or administrative office.

Heads of other religions also call on Gandhi and Singh and meet the heads of other political parties in a similar vein, so there is nothing unusual in the 'princes of the Church' contacting rulers of the realm.

But what drew attention in Indian newspapers, political circles and social media regarding Gracias’ meeting was the CBCI note which said the cardinal “appreciated the key role played by Sonia Gandhi” in getting the Food Security Bill passed into law by parliament.

Cardinal Gracias also discussed certain clauses in the Right to Education Act and some sections of the proposed National Land Reform Policy. No details were given, but the CBCI quoted Gracias saying, that the “Catholic Church will wholeheartedly support all efforts of the government, aimed at the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden.”

With general elections due any time before May 2014, and several state legislatures up for grabs in November and December, election fever is slowly gripping the country.

There are some who interpret the cardinal’s visit and remarks as pledging support to the Congress Party. More so since the popular view is that Christians have always supported it.

This is not entirely a myth, for the Congress is seen by Christians as among the few political groups that swear by secularism and is not wedded to one religion.

The Communist parties are also secular, but Christian leaders have been suspicious of them ever since the 1950s when Kerala’s first Communist government sought to meddle in the management of Church-owned educational institutions.

The controversy comes when lay voices challenge the right of the bishops and heads of churches – of all denominations – to speak on behalf of Christians

(Read on pg. 11)

(Contd.. on p. 4)

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4 November 2013

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(Contd.. from p. 3) on issues which are entirely temporal, and in fact political, and therefore within the rights of lay men and women. And specially when their words seem entirely partisan and commit the entire Christian community to a course of political action which may not, be desirable in the long run.

It does not help that the religious leadership is also seen as being politically naive.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains an anathema to Christians and Muslims across the country – despite the fact that in Goa some Catholics voted the local BJP into power because they had tired of a very corrupt local Congress leadership.

In Gujarat and Delhi, some Christians are now warming up to the BJP, saying that the party could shed its Hinducentric agenda once it is in power.

There are other political alternatives with a secular and pro-poor agenda.

But while church leaders want to tell political parties that they represent and speak for their communities, hardly anyone has ever taken any steps to educate and train their laity in political processes, ideologies and grassroots mobilization.

The result is that barring a few states, Christians are almost absent from local political processes. There is gross under representation in village, block, district and state elected administrative structures.

Gandhi would perhaps be better served if she talks with ordinary Christians in villages and towns. Then she will be really aware of the plight of tribal women, the anger of Dalit Christians who feel betrayed by her party and the youth who seek progress, jobs and scholarships for higher education, which their parents cannot afford, and for which the Church offers no help. She may even take some steps to reduce the disempowerment.

Aspirants for political office may still seek the bishops’ blessings to strengthen their application for a ticket to a state assembly or parliament seat, but ordinary Christians are increasingly making it clear they are not a pocket borough, or a vote bank, of any single party, and their religious leaders are not authorized to barter away their support.

John Dayal is the general secretary of the All India Christian Council and a member of the Indian government’s National Integration Council.

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Next Sheriff Of Mumbai

A

million dollar question, will Dr. Leo Rebello be the next Sheriff of Mumbai?

His supporters want him to be the next Sheriff of Mumbai but the strong lobbying that is going on with influence and money bag by several other candidates, what will happen to a person who is against such unethical ways?

Dr. Rebello's name was short listed first some 20 years ago. But Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was appointed instead.

Later, Dr. Pinto of Ryan International became the Sheriff.

Dr. Leo Rebello's name is also on the short list for appointment as the Member of Human Rights Commission for his multifarious activities in that field and because of his legal and drafting ability, vast social work and international experience.

Dr. Leo Rebello, is a world renowned Holistic Healer and Holistic Development Expert, Author, Pacifist, Educator, who many of you may know also made an attempt to contest the Indian Presidential election in 2012.

He has trained and treated over a million people since 1978 in 65 countries, written 42 books and been into activism for long. Details on his popular website: http://www.healthwisdom.org Some of the offices held by Dr. Leo: Over 18 years as Special Executive Magistrate. Two years on the Indian Film Censor Board. As World

Dr. Leo Rebello Peace Ambassador from January 2004 of International Association of Educators for World Peace, President of AIDS Alternativa International, President of Litigants Welfare Forum.

Dr. Leo Rebello is the recipient of several awards, namely, Maharashtra Ratna 1998, World Peace Ambassador Award 2004, Karmaveer Puraskar for lifetime commitment to social causes 2007, Samaaj Ratna Award 2011 and Limca book of world records holder Dr. Rebello promises to be the best bridge between the Common Man and the Govt.

We wish him all the very best and good luck.

Thanksgiving

Thanks to St. Anthony, Sacred Heart of Jesus & St. Jude for the special favour granted — Thomas A. D'Souza, Ambernath

4 November 2013

E- Indulgences How times change. There was a time, especially in the villages; one had to trudge some miles to reach a Church for Sunday Mass. Those days nobody in the village even had the luxury of owning a time piece. Elders would look at the stars and guess the time [fairly accurately] and leave home to reach in Church in time. Elders would chide the late comers publicly.

There were no evening Masses then.

The faithful, mostly illiterate, were very religious and spiritual. They believed in everything that the preacher said and abided by the instructions very religiously. They were simple people. Overnight fasting was real, without water. Mind you; people in villages eat before 8 pm, after reciting the family rosary, as soon as they came from the fields. There was no source of entertainment so they slept before 9 pm. Since people had their supper early in villages, on feast days it was about 11.00 in the morning before the Mass ended. Some even fainted.

Things have changed today. The strict rules have been relaxed or grossly diluted, perhaps keeping with the times. The majority of the new generation views religion differently.

Now they want answers to their probing questions on a variety of subjects relating to the beliefs of the Church.

They are not prepared to accept anything unless they are satisfied. Most are not afraid [of hell]. It is said that people who have faith do not need any explanation and those who do not have faith, no explanation will change their attitude.

Today, we are hearing of Indulgences through the electronic media [of course, they say ‘conditions apply’]. This new approach opens a new window for the faithful. In today’s fast moving life especially in cities, this may come as a blessing [pun not intended]. I wonder if in the years to come [and that may not be too far off] we may be able to have confessions through email or even follow the Holy Mass through internet / videos / television. Of course, for receiving the

4 November 2013

VIEWS on NEWS Holy Communion, one will have to continue going to the Church - thankfully. *****

Election Fever The election fever is gripping the main political parties the Congress and the BJP. Both view this mini election as a forerunner for the 2014 Maha-battle.

So far, Narendra Modi has been concentrating only on what Rahul Gandhi is saying – rather belittling him for whatever he utters. The young leader is immature and does not think of the backlash that his statements may invite. His latest comments, on the ISI [sourced from the Intelligence Bureau] and riots have invited sharp comments though RSS does not agree with Modi.

Rahul needs to be more selective in what he says – you cannot depend on sympathy factor [which has a shelf life] all the time and hope to win elections.

Narendra Modi, is a gifted speaker can speak ex-tempore at length. He can connect with his audience very easily. With his witty one-liners [belittling the UPA in general and the PM in particular] he can hold the crowd spell bound. His speeches though are not polished but this is what the masses want and love. He has said the Congress got 60 years and that his party should get 60 months. He forgets that they did get that in 1999, and in spite of the world economy being stable, nothing spectacular was achieved. India shining campaign was a huge disaster. If actually it was shining, surely they would have got another 60 months.

Modi has captured the imagination of the new generation and the party will go all out and tap this potential vote bank.

Narendra Modi seems to have a vision which he has not unfolded as yet. He is too vague. What sort of India he would like to see and how he hopes to do that is not spelt out. If you only keep on criticizing the UPA all the elections, you may not win elections. Incidentally, he has not been able to coin his own slogan. He

by Marshall Sequeira should have shown his ingenuity but instead preferred to borrow one from Obama “Yes, we can!” but that may not assure him an American Visa. *****

Italian Itch Subramaniam Swamy, a hardliner, has finally merged his outfit with the BJP. He sees a very prominent role for himself in the new dispensation and a cabinet post. He is a very shrewd politician. Being highly educated, he should have articulated progressive line in the national interest. His mindset is too narrow to accommodate such broader visions.

All his life he has been fighting his adversaries through PILs and perhaps spends more time in the courts than outside. If my memory serves me right, the Judiciary has, more than once, berated him for his endless PILs which waste the precious court time.

Thick-skinned that he is, such observations hardly affect him.

He comes out with weird statements; the latest one says Rahul Gandhi is an Italian. For an educated man of his caliber to say so shows how shallow his thinking is. He forgets that a son takes his father’s [Rajiv’s] nationality - an Indian to the core and served the country as a young Prime Minister only to be assassinated under tragic circumstances.

Swamy should know that a foreign national cannot be a Member of Parliament nor India allows dual citizenship. But that is Subramaniam Swamy for you. He is one of the jokers on the Indian political scene.

The other joker is languishing in jail.

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Needs Of The Christian Minority The 28 October 2013 issue of the Secular Citizen has two very significant items, one concerning the Christian community in particular [Cardinal Oswald Gracias’ meeting with Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the UPA] and the other concerning society in general [Jubel D’Cruz’s letter about timings for bursting firecrackers - there seems to be some mix-up/confusion in the timings he has cited].

A case in point is the timing of the Christmas night Mass.

As per Liturgical norms, there is provision for a MIDNIGHT MASS. However, today’s generation knows about working at midnight and through the wee hours but nothing about the unbeatable CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT MASS! All this under sound restriction rules [government? court? Whoever!!]

One needs to look at both issues from a wider perspective. A case in point is the timing of the Christmas night Mass.

As per Liturgical norms, there is provision for a MIDNIGHT MASS. However, today’s generation knows about working at midnight and through the wee given occasion. Whether it is dahi-handi hours but nothing about the unbeat- or navratri or ganeshotsav, politics plays able CHRISTMAS MIDa major role. And all this in NIGHT MASS! All this under the name of religion! There sound restriction rules [govare restrictions in place conernment? court? Whoever!!] cerning the location and timscrupulously observed by ings for firecracker activity, our parishes, some of which but these are observed enhave also had their amplifier tirely in the breach! Thus, if a seized for having crossed the heart patient kicks the bucket time limit by even a quarter with the loud explosion of of an hour, despite the fact

by Ladislaus L firecracker-bombs, so be it – that our religious services D’Souza he has no right to be alive, have never been a source of considering the importance disturbance, nuisance or hinof noise in any given festival. drance of any kind whatsoever to any Silent zones? Bah! Stop joking, dude! individual or community.

Look at the disparity between the dalits In contrast, look at the Muslims. Also a of the Christian minority and those of minority, they are allowed to have their the Hindu majority. The government loudspeakers yell out the muezzin’s continues to dither on the issue of equal call to prayer at all the oddest hours benefits to dalits of all communities and block roads, streets and pave- even as the Catholic Church continues ments for their namaaz on several oc- to serve ALL with distinction. Very casions. As for the Hindus, the less frankly, the reservation system supsaid the better! posed to have been introduced as a boon for the lower castes and classes Our Hindu brethren are by and large a seems to have proved the bane of peace loving community. It is some of society. As though that were not the rowdy elements and the filthy rich enough, some of our Catholics belongamong them who are responsible for ing to the East Indian Community have the unacceptable sound and air pollu- gone and obtained the ‘OBC’ tag, i.e. tion that takes place during most of OTHER BACKWARD COMMUNITY for their festivals, the government, the po- the entire East Indian community from lice and the organizers of most the government of Maharashtra, sarvajanik events virtually colluding to whereby they stand to gain certain extract mileage from any and every

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... disparity between the dalits of the Christian minority and those of the Hindu majority... benefits. Would any self respecting Goan Catholic do that in the State of Goa? Likewise, would any self-respecting Mangalorean Catholic do the same in the State of Karnataka? Every community has a segment that is in some way ‘backward’ from certain points of view. But consciously working towards literally having ourselves labelled “backward” en masse ought to be considered below one’s dignity, mindful of the fact that the East Indian community has had its members taking great strides in various spheres, not forgetting the Cardinal and bishops we’ve given to the Church.

The government may grant certain concessions to our so-called OBC Catholics, but would it grant the Christian Community as a whole the benefit of being allowed to observe its religious traditions, retaining their original flavour, whereby undue restrictions on various fronts, like time and sound, are lifted?

It is commendable that our Cardinal emphasized in the news item that the purpose of the meet with Gandhi was not sops but justice to the Christian community. The matters the Cardinal discussed with Sonia are not new. However, taking off from there, more can be done to have the authorities give us due justice, with the All India Catholic Union, the Bombay Catholic Sabha, the CSF and other relevant bodies in the dioceses affected confabulating on the numerous issues concerned and then collaborating with the ‘Bishop’s House’ in the respective dioceses to ensure parity and balance on every front, the matter being followed up on an urgent basis.

4 November 2013

Todays Major Issue: Suicide

Save Our Crosses The BMC has always been troubling the Catholic-Christian community with the issue of the demolition of the sacred symbol, the Cross that has been erected outside their homes. It is an inexplicable act, which the BMC should not put their hands into. They (the BMC) is just trying to divert their attention from other important issues that they failed to carry out like the repairing of potholed roads, old buildings, garbage, etc. Why is the ‘Cross’ issue always being raked up again and again? This appears to be a politically engineered move to floor the Christians down and humiliate and hurt their sentiments. We Christians have always been a soft target. We need to show our strength more forcefully, or whatever little is left of our ancestral legacy, will soon be taken away from us and our future generations will hold us responsible for our laxity.

— Jubel D’Cruz, Dombivili

Extend Skywalk To Ghatkopar Link Road On the outset, I would like to thank the concerned authorities for constructing skywalks at the railway station at Ghatkopar East and Ghatkopar West.

I request the concerned authorities for further extending the skywalks at Ghatkopar (Kurla end) to Ghatkopar (Thane end) both at Ghatkopar East and West. Similarly this skywalk could be extended to Ghatkopar Link Road, which will reduce the usage of private vehicles, auto-rickshaws and taxis for commuting to Ghatkopar Station. Similarly the concerned authorities should look into constructing a foot over bridge from Shri Gurudutta Mandir Road near Gaurishankar Wadi at Pantnagar in Ghatkopar to Ghatkopar West, which will help the people cross over without using crossing the railway tracks. This Skywalk could also be extended to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus via Vidyavihar Rai;way Station which will help the students commuting ofr walk-

4 November 2013

ing to the educational institutions at Kurla, Vidyavihar NSD neighbouring areas The construction of skywalk and footover bridge at Ghatkopar will curb accidents to a large extend.

—Cajetan Peter D'Souza

Train Reservation Ticket Waitlisted ?

Get A Special Seat If your railway ticket is waitlisted, there is a high chance of you getting a reserved seat on an extra train. Indian railways is trying a new system in which passengers who do not have a confirmed seat on a regular train, will be able to transfer the waitlisted ticket to a special train on the same route. This experiment was tested during diwali 2013. Last year seats on extra coaches attached to trains were allotted to last – minute ‘tatkal’ passengers but it was scrapped as for other reasons.

A regular train is one which is scheduled on the timetable while a ‘special or extra’ train is the one which is announced to tide over unprecedented passenger rush on the route.

Besides facilitating passengers, the new move will also mitigate chances of ticket touts making a dash to book tickets of special trains. Often agents get to know of special trains faster than regular passengers do. The modalities of this transfer sytem are still to be finalized.

—0liver Peter D’ Souza, Angelore

An issue that is causing alarm is the rising incidence of suicide, the largest segment of suicidees reportedly being in the teenage bracket, i.e. from 13 to 19 years. In a bid to stem the rot, THE TEENAGER TODAY (published by BETTER YOURSELF BOOKS) is organizing a special Panel Discussion as part of the annual TEEN OF THE YEAR [TOY] Pageant scheduled for 12-16 November 2013, as detailed below: Theme :MEDIA AND TEENAGE SUICIDE. Date:Thursday 14 November 2013. Time: 5.30 – 7.30 p.m. Venue :Alberione Hall, Saint Paul’s Media Complex, Opp Duruelo Convent, Bandra West The Panel Discussion will include interaction with the 21 finalists of the TOY Pageant and others in the audience made up people of all age groups.

The Panel, to be moderated by Miss Pearl D’Souza, a management resource person from Malad West, comprises the following: 1. Miss Chantelle Saldanha – 18 year-old FY BMM student [Lokhandwala Complex] 2. Mrs May D’Souza – TeacherParent [Orlem, Malad West] 3. Dr Chetna Shukla – DoctorPsychoanalyst [Andheri East] 4. Mr Roy Pereira – Media Professional [Bandra West] —Father Alfonso Elengikal, SP Coordinator: TEEN OF THE YEAR 2013

Thanks to Our Lady Of Perpetual Succor for the favours granted —R. A. Sequeira,Santacruz (E)

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Supporting The Aam Admi Party In Coming Elections In Delhi

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s a 'signed in' party member of Aam Admi Party, I am pleased to read the letter written by Fr. Michael G. about forth coming elections in November 2013, in Delhi. Since then, people who have been watching the TV news and reading articles in the news papers about the Delhi assembly elections, would have learnt that there has been a huge surge in the percentage of people in Delhi, who state that they will vote for the AAP. The percentage of people who are for AAP has gone up to as much as 32%, and has overtaken Eric the percentages of both the Congress and the BJP. If this trend continues, AAP will be able to win the majority seats in the Delhi Assembly and form the first AAP Government in India.

Why this surge when both the Congress and BJP are pouring in huge amounts of money to swing this elections to win back support? Recently in a Delhi office of a one of the largest Indian Company, as much as 25 Crores of unaccounted currency was found.

None in the office claim they know anything about it and the CEO of the Company states that he is also not aware how this amount of illegal money, was in their office in safe lockers. No one in the country who has heard about this money, has a doubt that this amount was to be passed on to friendly political parties, who have over the years supported their business, to help them win the present Assembly elections.

Under such circumstances how is the AAP showing such good results?

1. The people including those in Delhi are fed up with both the Congress and BJP parties, who have ruled Delhi for decades and are looking for a change. They until now had no real choice. On one side there is Congress which is tainted with one large corruption charge after another and on the other side a party such as BJP which has not shown any inclination for change, whenD'Sa ever they have been given a chance to rule.

BJP controls the Delhi corporation which is also corrupt.

2. Both the parties do not have internal party democracy. One has been ruled for decades by the family and the other by RSS. They selection of candidates to fight the election, is taken by the High Command or the Parliamentary Central Committee.

3. AAP have been the party which has offered them the required change not by just promises, but actual deeds.

4. They have as promised put up the 70 candidates for the assembly elections in Delhi, after the registered party workers from each constituency, have voted in the majority for the candidate. No one was thrust on the party workers, as a candidate from outside. No tainted candidate has been given a party ticket for the election.

5. The party has totally depended on money, that has been donated to them in an open and transparent way by people. The money has been received by the party generally by cheques and all those who have donated for the party, have been given receipts, irrespective of the amount. The party has agreed to submit to the Election Commission, the actual expenditure of each of

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their candidates and this will be kept below the limit set by the Election commission.

6. The party is not communal or caste based and have promised to be a secular party.

7. The party has promised to delegate power to the people by accepting the concept of Swaraj.

8. The Party is committed to the Jan Lokpal bill and suitable electoral reforms immediately if elected with a majority in Delhi. The other political parties have shelved the Lokpal bill.

The above has made AAP the new favorite with the Delhi electorate. A number of young people from all over the country have landed in Delhi to provide the required grass root support to the AAP party, as they truly believe success in Delhi will quickly generate a tsunami wave across the country during 2014. Hence, there is an urgent need for more volunteers to work for the APP and ensure the party obtains a majority in the coming elections in Delhi.

We need to now answer Fr. Michaels question whether he should go to Delhi to canvass for AAP? He should do so as an individual, more than a priest, as we need to keep religion away from politics. He should take with him if possible, a number of dedicated young men and women from Mumbai, who want to see a change in the way our Country is governed. The Country badly requires to eliminate corruption, but at the same time not land ourselves into a fascist hindutva rule.

The Secular Citizen should work for AAP.

JACK OF ALL STALL Reliable House for Religious Goods

Gloria Church Bldg., 263, Dr. Ambedkar Rd., Byculla, Mumbai - 400027 Tel.: 23725963, 23749358 Estd: 1951

Prop. B. D'Souza

4 November 2013

For The Love Of Writing, Write

F

irst of all writers are not born writers. They must learn and earn their success. It all begins when a writer feels a surge within to express ideas. Some do it on paper, the typewriter, the computer or laptop, and others use the voice-recorder. Ironically, they start by being the recipients of rejection slips and silence on their manuscripts from editors ( unless they enclose a self-addressed envelope with postage).

For the beginner writing is not the bed-of-roses most make it out to be.

Averse to being rejected time and again, many bounce back to a platform in the local tea shop doing ‘udda’ or moving in circles with other disappointed ‘might-have- been scribes. It seemed the only option, till someone blurts out the name of Rabindranath Tagore who won the Noble Prize for his writings.

The ‘surge’ within is once again pumping adrenalin into the blood stream. Out of the four youngsters gathered at the tea shop, one spoke about Jhumpa Lahiri, Salman Rushdi, Jane Austin and C.S. Lewis among others.

Two of the others voiced their views on the books available in libraries on the craft of writing. The fourth young man used a changed strategy : to return home and to try putting pen to paper.

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4 November 2013

Want to be a writer?

... For the beginner writing is not the bed-of-roses most make it out to be.... To nurture the art of writing needs a stubbornness and determination any normal person should possess...

At that moment it seemed the only practical bailout. He had been inspired to move on in spite of his failures.

To nurture the art of writing needs a stubbornness and determination any normal person should possess. Sometimes things worsen when close friends are not kind and consider writing a waste of time. Surprisingly, we do come across the thick-skinned novice who moves on regardless. The inner-flame propels a person to stick to his dreams.

Environment and circumstances can add to a climate of achievable progress to writers. It can help the budding author to overcome the straitjacket of self-pity and depression. A relative in the family could encourage the writer. Anyone who is prepared to listen or read the feature would be of great assistance to the person. We refer to such a person as the scribes ‘sounding-board’. A friend who also aspires to write and get published would

Melvyn Brown

be of immense encouragement. Both writers could interact and eventually produce good and mature works. The ounce of satisfaction to see the light of print is beyond explanation.

Not many years back the freelance scribbler would be sent a polite slip with the stereotyped words : ‘The Editor thanks you for your contribution and regrets his inability to use the same.

Your style is good, go on writing.’ There were happier days when the acceptance card would arrive and instantly overshadow the pain of many rejection slips. ‘ The Editor is pleased to inform you that your article, She faced the world without fear’ has been accepted for publication. Thank you’ Remuneration would follow a month later.

Those were the days of the typewriter, of manuscripts and the long waits for the postman to call with one of the two cards. Today, the jubilation tied to the tedious work of writing, re-writing, tearing of foolscape sheets of paper is over. The computer was invented.

The internet followed. The hopeful writer and the aspiring journalist, the film script writer, the author of non-fiction books, the publishers and travel-writers would now jump-the-gun of long delays and mow into the fields of instant decisions on the craft of their brain-children.

For the love of writing, write: there is nothing more enriching and satisfying. What are you waiting for ?

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Try our Fresh Pork Meat; Fresh Real Good Chicken; Cold Cuts; Ready to eat items; Goan Sausages; Goan, Mangalorean and East Indian variety of Masalas.

Note: We provide FREE HOME DELIVERY to our most valuable customers.

Phone : 2827 0498 Mobile: 99695 73121

9

SCADAMS Music Concert Santacruz Amateur Dramatic & Musical Society (SCADAMS) a r e the Pioneers in promoting the Arts continuously right from the 1930s.

They have successfully staged musicals such as Pirates of Penzance, St.Zita, Wanted One Body, Trial by Jury, The Black & White Minstrels, HMS Pinafore, The Gondoliers, the Upper Room, The Mikado, Patience, The Geisha amongst others.

SCADAMS are also responsible for providing our youth with the Platform to compete in singing and dance competitions every year.

SCADAMS is celebrating its platinum jubilee this year with a musical extravaganza titled “Show Business” on Saturday 16th November & Sunday 17th November, 2013 at 7pm in the Sacred Heart School Main Hall, Santacruz.

“Show Business” is arranged and Directed by Mimosa Almeida Pinto.

The show features songs from Broadway and other contemporary jazz standards. The singers will be accompanied by a live band and the performance enhanced by choreographed dances.

Invitations available at the Sacred Heart Parish Book stall: Saturdays – 6.30pm to 8pm Sundays - 8.45am to 11.30am and from 5.45pm to 7.30pm

Readymade Wedding Gowns, Christening Sets, First Holy Communion Dresses & All other Wedding Accessories and Thermocole Decoration, also Available at

White Rose Sharaf Manzil, 1st Floor, 650, J.S.S. Rd, 2nd Dhobitalao Lane, Mumbai 400002

Tel.: 2207 4223

Emails:davidprinters@gmail.com / bryan@vsnl.com

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Pope: Recognizing The Family, Founded On Marriage, As An Unreserved Gift Of Self

Vatican City : The family, founded on

marriage , in which " we give ourselves completely, unreservedly without calculation", asks to be recognized as a "community ", " more so today , when the prevailing tendency is for the protection of individual rights". This was Pope Francis request today as he received participants in the XXI plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family. The pontiff highlighted both the formative role that the family plays, and its care for the elderly and children, from a society with by not protecting them , "severs its roots and darkens its future" and, finally, as a "a very important part of evangelization. " The family will also be the topic of the next Extraordinary Synod of Bishops. For Pope Francis it is first and foremost a "community of life that has its own autonomous consistency". As Pope John Paul II wrote in Familiaris Consortio, "it is not the sum of the people who constitute it , but a "community of people". It 's the place where you learn to love, the natural center of human life. It is made up of faces, of people who love, who dialogue, who sacrifice themselves for others and defend life, especially the most fragile and weak. We could say, without exaggerating, that the family is the engine of the world and of history. Each of us forms his or her own personality within the family, growing up with a mother and father, brothers and sisters, breathing in the warmth of the home. The family is the place where we receive our name, it is the place of our affections, a space of intimacy, where we learned the art of dialogue and interpersonal communication. In the family the person becomes aware of their own dignity, and especially if they receive a Christian education, where they recognize the dignity of every human person, especially of the sick , weak, marginalized".

Secondly, "the family is based on marriage". "Through an act of gratu-

itous and faithful love Christian spouses testify that marriage is a sacrament, it is the basis on which the family is founded and makes the union of the spouses and their mutual self-giving more solid".

"In marriage, we give ourselves completely without calculation or reserves, sharing everything, gifts and sacrifices, trusting in God's Providence. This is the experience that young people can learn from their parents and grandparents. It is an experience of faith in God and of mutual trust, of profound freedom, of holiness, because holiness supposes the giving with fidelity and sacrifice every day of our life. " Pope Francis went on to highlight the "two stages of family life: childhood and old age. Children and the elderly are the two poles of life and also the most vulnerable, often the most forgotten . A society that abandons children and that marginalizes the elderly severs its roots and obscures its future.

Whenever a child is abandoned and an old person outcast, it is not just an act of injustice , but it also enshrines the failure of that society. Taking care of the children and the elderly is a choice for civilization . " The "good news " of the family, then , is " a very important part of evangelization, that Christians can communicate to all with the testimony of life, and already do, this is evident in secularized societies: truly Christian families recognize faithfulness, patience , openness to life , respect for the elderly ... the secret of all this is the presence of Jesus in the family. Therefore with respect and courage I propose to all the beauty of marriage and the family enlightened by the Gospel!

And for that reason we must be close to and care for families in need, those who are forced to leave their land, that are broken, that have no home or work, or are suffering for many reasons; spouses in crisis and those now separated. We want to be close to them all!".

(AsiaNews)

4 November 2013

About Marriage–And Beyond

Basic Church Teachings About Marriage Why does the church teach that marriage is a sacrament?

The sacraments make Christ present in our midst. Like the other sacraments, marriage is not just for the good of individuals, or the couple, but for the community as a whole. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage between two baptized persons is a sacrament.

The Old Testament prophets saw the marriage of a man and woman as a symbol of the covenant relationship between God and his people. The permanent and exclusive union between husband and wife mirrors the mutual commitment between God and his people.

The Letter to the Ephesians says that this union is a symbol of the relationship between Christ and the Church.

What is the difference between a valid and an invalid Catholic marriage?

Just as individual states have certain requirements for civil marriage (e.g., a marriage license, blood tests), the Catholic Church also has requirements before Catholics can be considered validly married in the eyes of the Church. A valid Catholic marriage results from four elements: (1) the spouses are free to marry; (2) they freely exchange their consent; (3) in consenting to marry, they have the intention to marry for life, to be faithful to one another and be open to children; and (4) their consent is given in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorized Church minister. Exceptions to the last requirement must be approved by church authority.

Why does a Catholic wedding have to take place in a church?

For Catholics, marriage is not just a social or family event, but a church event. For this reason, the Church prefers that marriages between Catholics, or between Catholics and other Christians, be celebrated in the parish church of one of the spouses. Only the local bishop can permit a marriage to be celebrated in another suitable place.

What is a Nuptial Mass and when can a couple have one?

A Nuptial Mass is a Mass which includes the celebration of the sacrament of marriage. It has special readings and prayers suitable to the Sacrament of Marriage. The Sacrament of Marriage between two baptized Catholics should normally be celebrated within Mass.

4 November 2013

Marriage is not easy but it is beautiful, says Pope The Catholic Church must help young people understand that marriage isn’t always easy, “but it is so beautiful,” Pope Francis has said.

Speaking today during a meeting with members of the Pontifical Council for the Family. ”There are problems in marriage: different points of view, jealousies, arguments, but tell young couples to never let the day end without making peace. The sacrament of matrimony is renewed in this act of peace.”

“This path is not easy, but it is so beautiful,” the pope said. “It’s beautiful. Tell them that.”

For the Church, he said, a family isn’t simply a group of individuals, but it is a community where people learn to love one another, share with and make sacrifices for each other and “defend life, especially of those who are more fragile and weak.”

The family as a special community must “be recognised as such, especially today when so much emphasis is placed on the safeguarding of individual rights,” he said. “We must defend the rights of this community that is the family.”

Defending the family also means defending the basic fact that it is a community founded on the marriage of a man and a woman, he said.

“Spousal and familial love clearly reveal that the vocation of the human person is to love one other person forever and that the trials, sacrifices and crises in the life of the couple or the family are stages for growth in goodness, truth and beauty,” he said.

As he has done on several occasions, Pope Francis also spoke about the special place in the family reserved for children and for the elderly, family members who are “the most vulnerable and often the most forgotten.”

“Any time a child is abandoned or an older person marginalized, it is not only an act of injustice, but marks the failure of that society,” he said. “Taking care of little ones and of the elderly is a mark of civility.”

Pope Francis, departing from his prepared text, told members of the council, “When I hear the confession of a young married man or woman, and they refer to their son or daughter, I ask, ‘How many children do you have?’ and they tell me.

Maybe they’re expecting another question after that, but I always ask, ‘And tell me, do you play with your children? Do you waste time with your children?’”

“The free gift of a parent’s time is so important,” he said.

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4 November 2013

4 November 2013

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Christian-Hindu couple write 'how-to' book on interfaith marriage Schaefer Riley, and “Being Both,” by Susan Katz Miller.

All are aimed at helping families navigate the joys and challenges of interfaith life. They may find a large audience as blended faith families have become commonplace in American culture.

About out one in four Americans

(27 percent) is either married to or lives with a partner of another faith, according to the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, published in 2008 by the Pew Research Center.

But until recently there have been few books on how to make interfaith marriage work.

So Trent decided to write her own, with the help of her husband, Fred Eaker.

It’s part love story, part how-to guide on interfaith communication.

Royal Christian Family United States: Growing up Baptist, J. Dana Trent heard plenty of warnings about interfaith romance.

Marrying the wrong person — known as being “unequally yoked” — could ruin your faith and your marriage.

But three years after marrying a former Hindu monk, Trent says she’s a better Christian than ever.

“I had become complacent in my Christianity,” said Trent, an ordained Baptist minister. “Now my religion and spirituality have become much more integrated in my life.”

Trent tells the story of her interfaith marriage in a new book “Saffron Cross: The Unlikely Story of How a Christian Minister Married a Hindu Monk.” Out this month from Nashville, Tenn.-based Fresh Air Books, “Saffron Cross” is part of a recent mini-boom of guides to interfaith marriage and family.

There’s also “Mixed-Up Love” from Jon M. Sweeney and Michal Woll, “’Til Faith Do Us Part” from Naomi

Heartful thanks to

The Holy Spirit for the favours granted —Richard Coutinho

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invites

BACHELORS & SPINSTERS for their forthcoming

GET-TOGETHER A grand gathering to get acquainted with boys and girls of matching age group who are in search of a suitable LifePartner of their choice with an ultimate view to matrimony.

Gain much required important information concerning marriage

Highlights K Participants bio-data circulated at least 15 days in advance among participants.

K Many choices for a Boy or Girl in his/her own age group K Marriage counselling and guidance by experts in the field.

K Cordial atmosphere K Free and independent way of choice + Volunteers to assist K A well planned introduction session.

K Boys-Girls of matching standard, status and education.

K Games and other activities to get to know with each other.

K Participants include good boys and girls K Each Get-together is limited to around 100 boys and 100 girls K Boys and girls from all over Mumbai and from other locations K Get-togethers will be held on Sundays or Holidays

Places are limited !

Book Your Seat Early !!

Royal Christian Family 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Near GPO., Fort, Mumbai 400001 Tel.: 022 - 22693578, 22654924 Email: secular@vsnl.com

4 November 2013

“THIS IS MY BODY… Ninette D'Souza

This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Lk 22 : 19 The Year of Faith from Oct 2012 – Nov 2013 was Pope Benedict the XVIth’s calling card to the world. It was meant to be the embodiment to some of the Church’s most challenging dictates. It called us to evangelize, to share the gospels, to study and discover the basics of our faith and with the help of the spirit of God to preserve full communion with others, its motivational theme being “One God forever in the Spirit.”

With this aim in mind, Canossa High School, Mahim hosted interschool Group Psalm singing and Solo Psalm Recitation Competitions last year. One of the great values of praying the Psalms is that they reflect and analyze the experiences we are called upon to face. They are an enactment of what most of us are going through or will go through in the walk of Faith. It is so easy to make the Psalms an expression of our own prayer if we think about it. In the enemies frequently mentioned by David, we can see our own spiritual enemies. The deep love for Jerusalem expressed by the psalmist we can take and apply to our love for God Himself.

During the year we also made arrangements to see that every child who attends the Religion Class and every Catechist got the chance to visit the seminary at Goregaon and experience the thrill of seeing the wonderful exhibition put up by Fr. Warner. We not only enjoyed seeing the exhibits but gained much knowledge too, as Fr. explained each one of them to us. When watching he videos Fr. stopped at important parts in order to make what we were watching more relevant and clear.

This year we carried on in the same vein and hosted an inter- school Dance Competition based on Psalms

4 November 2013

(for Stds V to VII) and on Parables (for Stds VIII to X). We are convinced that for all those involved with these endeavours there will open up means of communication with God, to love Him and be loved in return, that in knowing more about our faith we will be changed , we will be challenged; thus making us channels of Grace and Blessing to others. Hebrews 12: 28 says, “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken let us give thanks by which we offer an acceptable worship with reverence and awe.”

Keeping in mind that the Year of Faith would soon be drawing to a close it was decided that our Staff and Students should be made aware of the importance of, The Eucharist- The Source and Summit of our lives. Hence the students were given 2 sessions (of an hour or so each) by one of our own Teachers, a trained Catechist. She got the children to reflect on: the lack of reverence, dress code, attitude, reasons for coming, excuses made for not attending, punctuality, carrying and using a cell phone during Mass, amidst other points as preparation for understanding the Eucharist. During the 2nd session she took them through the order of the Mass explaining the importance of certain parts such as the consecrated altars, the Penitential Rite, the Acclamation, the Gloria, the

Responsorial Psalm, the Offertory, the Eucharistic Prayer, the Holy Holy, the Doxology as well as the Communion.

The children were given a brief summary of the liturgical year, the division of readings for daily and Sunday Mass, the gospels according to years A,B, C, as also the roles played by different people during the liturgy of the Mass (lectors, cantors, altar servers etc). She made the children aware of certain do’s and don’ts which were much appreciated especially by the older children. They were encouraged to take the PPT home and discuss it with their families. We are happy to say that some of them did.

We invited Fr. Clifton Lobo (St. Michael Parish, Mahim) to share his valuable inputs on the Eucharist with the Staff. It was truly an eye opener for many of us who are involved with the social façade of the faith and the piety of religious practices. With jokes, anecdotes, and a sharing of personal experiences, Fr. cleared many misconceptions about certain religious practices we follow. He gave us a brief summary of how the Sacraments represent 7 stages in our lives, the perfection of the number 7 and in his own inimitable way Fr. made us aware of some little known and other wrongly understood facets of our faith. The non-stop 2 and ½ hours session during which he made us understand the deep spiritual meaning of the different parts of the Eucharist and their link to the life of Jesus left us asking for more; more about our faith, more about ourselves. Fr. Clifton then celebrated the Eucharist for us.

He began with the ritual of the ‘Washing of the feet’ which he explained to us was a welcome to all believers to gather together as a community in the spirit of Jesus to celebrate the Paschal mystery. In order to understand the ‘Cup of Sanctification’ we had the ritual of eating a bitter herb (substituted by a stalk of Mint) dipped in vinegar during the Penitential Rite. As the Mass progressed (Contd.. on p. 16)

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100 Glorious Years of Pauline Charism PAULINE FAMILY (1914 – 2014)

T

he Pauline Family, founded by Blessed James Alberione, con sists of five religious congregations; Society of St Paul, Daughters of St Paul, Sister Disciples of the Divine Master, Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd, Sisters of the Queen of Apostles for vocations; four secular institutes aggregated to the Society of St Paul, namely, the Institute of Jesus the Priest, the Institute of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Institute of St Gabriel the Archangel and the Institute of the Holy family; Association of Pauline Co-operators, a group of lay people who believe in the value and ideal of the Pauline charism while

continuing to remain in their own states of life, and united in spirit and works of the Pauline Family.

Blessed James Alberione, Founder of the Pauline Family, was born on 4 April 1884, in a noble Christian family of poor peasants at San Lorenzo di Fossano in Cuneo, North Italy. Having completed his studies in Cherasco, at the age of sixteen he entered the diocesan Seminary of Alba. On the night between 31 December 1899 and 1 January 1900, the night dividing the two centuries, during the solemn night vigil in the Cathedral of Alba, he went through an

“THIS IS MY BODY… (Contd.. from p. 15) Fr. drew our attention to the different aspects of the Eucharist that he had explained earlier. We came away not just understanding more about what we do, what we say and what we mean through the different signs, symbols and rituals used at the Eucharist but with a deeper reverence for the Sacrament. He has left his PPT with us to take home and share with our own families.

For me personally the biggest eye opener was that; during the Mass, when the priest uses the phrase ‘My sisters and brothers’ he is not just inviting me and the others present around at that moment to participate in the greatest sacrificial memorial but is in fact linking me with all those who are doing the same at that very moment in different parts of the world albeit across different ‘time zones’ WOW!!!! The Eucharistic Celebration is a 24x7x365 phenomenon. How privileged are we to be chosen by God to be a part of this “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church”. Fr Clifton shared at the outset that His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias will be declaring the new litur-

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gical year as ‘The Year of the Eucharist’ and that we could commend ourselves on having made a head start. All we can say is “Thanks be to God” for inspiring us. We hope to have more such sessions for both Staff and Students. Our focus will now be on: knowledge of the Vestments and Vessels used at the Mass, a deeper understanding of the Sacraments of Baptism; Confirmation and Reconciliation, understanding how we are often breaking the Commandments knowingly and unknowingly with our ‘Chalta Hai’ attitude.

St. Magdalene, foundress of the Canossian Institute said, “ Let us lovingly accept all that happens to us as coming from the hands of a loving God.” This gives us the confidence to pray with the psalmist in Ps. 46, “God is our refuge and strength – a very present helper in trouble.” It is our humble prayer that through these endeavours our mustard sized faith will become a life long journey by which ‘We understand what we believe and Live what we believe.’

Ninette D’souza. TeacherCanossa High School, Mahim.

Fr. Michael Raj ssp intense spiritual experience and received a special light from the Blessed Sacrament and he felt obliged from deep within to do something for the people of the new century. It was at this moment he clearly perceived his future mission: to live and to give to the world Jesus Christ the Way, the Truth and the Life through the fastest and most effective means of social communication.

Pauline Charism Young Alberione was ordained a priest on 29 June 1907 and began his pastoral ministry as an assistant parish priest at Narzole. In 1912, he launched the parish news bulletin Vita Pastorale and on 12 September1913, he also assumed the responsibility of the diocesan weekly Gazzetta D’Alba. With this experience, and in obedience to the will of God, on 20 August 1914, he opened a small printing school with two young boys and a tiny printing machine. He called it the ‘Typographical School of the Little Worker” and that was the beginning of the Society of St Paul, the first Institute of the Pauline Family, under the patronage of St Paul, who said: “Owe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.” The specific charism of the Congregation is to bring the Gospel of Christ to the entire world through the modern means of Social Communication.

Eventually, he founded the other Congregations and Secular Institutes and today the Pauline Family is spread in all the five continents of the world with a membership of about ten thousand men and women. Every Congregation/ Institute within the Pauline Family has its autonomy and distinct purpose, but they are united in the same ideal of personal sanctity and the apostolate of mass media: to give Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life to the world.

In India, three Congregations of the Pauline Family are present in all the major cities of the country: Society of St Paul, Daughters of St Paul and Sister Disciples of the Divine Master. Blessed

4 November 2013

Alberione was fully convinced when he said, “for Paulines, our editorial offices, book centres, presses, communication centres, liturgical centres …. are our pulpits from where we proclaim the Word of God”. He constantly reminded his sons and daughters that through these powerful means, their mission is to reach the Word of God to all corners of the globe. His target was ‘a Bible for every family and a gospel for ever person’.

Pauline Spirituality Fr James Alberione gave the members of the Pauline Family a threefold devotion to enable them live a genuine and authentic life of consecration and mission: devotion to Jesus the Master, to Mary, Queen of the Apostles and to St Paul, the Apostle. The fact that the Church has recognized his holiness by declaring him Blessed is a confirmation that the path he showed is a sure way to holiness. For him prayer is the source of everything, the Eucharist is the principal source of nourishment for every Pauline: “Everything came from the Tabernacle, without the Tabernacle there is nothing and every Pauline is born from the Eucharist.”

Devotion to Jesus the Master: According to Blessed Alberione, this devotion sums up and completes all other devotions. It presents Jesus the Truth to believe in, Jesus the Way to follow, and Jesus the Life to share and to celebrate. Jesus, Way-Truth-Life, had a deep impression on Alberione especially in the early years of his life as a priest, which lasted all through his life.

Alberione followed this method wholeheartedly and with commitment, and left it as a legacy to his spiritual sons and daughters.

Devotion to Mary Queen of the Apostles Alberione learnt to love Mary deeply from his own mother Teresa who consecrated him to our Lady of Flowers, even before he was born. He was very sensitive to the presence of the Mother of God in the realm of his apostolic activities. For him, “she is the sanctifier of the apostles and she leads both the apostles and the faithful to heaven.” In her honour he built the

4 November 2013

magnificent Minor Basilica of Mary Queen of Apostles in Rome, in fulfillment of a special vow he had made to her.

Devotion to St Paul Alberione chose St Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, as the Patron and exemplar of the entire religious family he founded. He was literally conquered by the burning love of the Apostle for the Divine Master, a love which so filled his heart, which made him say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20) To the Paulines, he left this legacy saying: “All must consider St Paul the apostle as father, master, exemplar, and founder. In fact, through him the Pauline Family was born, by him it was nourished and raised and from him it has received the spirit.” In gratitude, he built a beautiful Church dedicated to St Paul the Apostle in Alba and he insisted that the Pauline houses in Rome be near to the Basilica of St Paul.

Hundred years of the Charism and Spirituality of Blessed James Alberione has led the entire Pauline Family to witness another new century, urging every Pauline to be faithful to the original spirit and inspiration while using the new media to proclaim the Word of God. Taking into account the changes in society, in culture, in the Church and in the field of Communication, the Pauline Family ‘strains forward’ with a renewed commitment to evangelize the world specially using the digital and social media.

The theme chosen for the centenary celebration is ‘to revive and relive the gifts received from God’. The year-

long centenary celebrations of the Pauline Family commenced on 20 August 2013, with a thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration and will conclude on 26 November 2014, the feast of Blessed James Alberione.

Some of the highlights of the celebrations planned for the year are: three pilgrimages from around the world to Rome and to the Bethlehem of the Pauline Family in Alba and the surrounding region of Piedmont, Italy. In India, the Society of St Paul is organizing a two-day International Seminar on Communication with the theme “Envisioning Media 2025” in February 2014, in collaboration with the CBCI Commission for Social Communication, in addition to many other programmes like: Bible Quiz, Essay and Art competitions, etc. at different levels.

Blessed James Alberione was a media activist, a thinker, a writer, an organizer and above all a holy man and a spiritual guide. Pope Paul VI called him “a marvel of our times.” He certainly lived in his time and responded to it, but also reached out to the future with vision, courage and hope.

In our fast-changing world, where media influences the life of all, positively and negatively, when the printed word gives way to iPad, iPod, iPhone, smart phone, notebook, tablet, etc., when everyone downloads everything from the computer, the Pauline family keeps before it the Alberionian vision for future: to adapt and absorb the new, latest and fastest means to remain effective communicators for the people of all times.

To meet the above challenges, the Society of St Paul has launched a Media Training Institute, St Pauls Institute of Communication Education, in Mumbai, to train and prepare communicators to use the media for their own formation, for healthy relaxation and for spiritual uplift. The Congregation has also taken up the task of conducting various seminars, symposiums, etc. on communication for different age groups and for people of all walks of life, while making all possible efforts to enter into the digital world. The motto for every Pauline during the Centenary year will be that of Blessed Alberione: “Forward! Always move forward!”

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How to Enjoy a Safe and Accident-Free Diwali 8. Put all burnt fireworks inside a metal container to safely dispose them off later. Do not leave them lying around. If any human or animal steps on a hot firework, it can cause them severe burns.

9. Light aerial display fireworks like rockets only on open grounds.

10. Keep fire extinguishers or buckets of water ready to deal with any accidental fire.

11. Make a note of emergency numbers to call in case of accidents.

12. Keep very young children and pets inside the house when lighting fireworks.

13. You should never try to light fireworks while holding them in your hands.

14. Do not keep burning candles near your firework store.

15. Do not try to light more than one firecracker at a time.

16. Do not point fireworks like rockets towards buildings as there is a possibility that it might enter a house and burn everything in it.

17. Do not light firecrackers in the middle of the road.

18. Do not carry fireworks in your pocket or inside a vehicle.

19. Do not try to make homemade firecrackers out of used fireworks.

They are extremely dangerous and unpredictable.

20. Do not bend over fireworks after lighting them to see if they have been ignited. They could suddenly explode causing grave injury to the person.

rial before you start setting off the Diwali is a festival of lights. It is fireworks. one of the biggest and joyous festivals 3.

Keep little children away from fireof the Hindu community. Not just Hincrackers. dus, but people of other communities too love celebrating it. The festival is 4. Ensure that there is an adult supervision when kids play with celebrated for five continufireworks. ous days, with the burning 5. Use agarbattis instead of crackers, distribution of of sparklers or a lighted sweets, and visits to homes matchstick or candle to of friends and relatives. light crackers.

Lakshmi, the goddess 6. Do not wear clothes of wealth, light, wisdom and that are loose or long. fortune is worshipped on this day. Houses are usu Jubel D'Cruz They may catch fire. Also, do not wear nylon or synally white-washed and new thetic fabrics clothes. Cotton clothes account books are opened. are the best.

But sadly, today people have forgotten the real meaning of Diwali. For 7. If a firecracker or a flower pot does not burn on the first try, do not try to them, Diwali is just another holiday like light it again. There is a possibility any other festival. Diwali must be celthat it might suddenly explode. ebrated in an environment-friendly manner. Just imagine if every household bursts crackers, then what impact it will have on the environment! Although it is difficult to get over the temptation of bursting crackers, better sense should prevail. Schools should For Weddings, Parties, Picnics & Other Occasions educate children on this.

Granada Bldg., Flat No.9, Garden Rose Colony, Near Naaz Hotel, While bursting crackers can be Opp. Phoenix City Market, L.B.S. Marg, Kamani, Kurla, Mumbai - 400 070 fun, you’ll need to be careful and take some safety measures so that you can O Email : isidore_02@rediffmail.com enjoy a safe and accident-free Diwali.

O Website : www.joycecaterers.com Here are some ways:

Joyce Caterers

1. Always light firecrackers outside the house.

2. Clear the area of all flammable mate-

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Contact : Isidore Rasquinha (Babu) & Leena Rasquinha Mob.: 9892211295 / 9821284418 Tel.: 2504 2147 / 6588 3186 4 November 2013

Inspiration!

O

Laughter

A Pond Full Of Milk

nce there was a king who told some of his workers to dig a pond.

Once the pond was dug, the king made an announcement to his people saying that one person from each household has to bring a glass of milk during the night and pour it into the pond.

So, the pond should be full of milk by the morning. After receiving the order, everyone went home. One man prepared to take the milk during the night. He thought that since everyone will bring milk, he could just hide a glass of water and pour inside the pond. Because it will be dark at night, no one will notice. So he quickly went and poured the water in the pond

and came back. In the morning, the king came to visit the pond and to his surprise the pond was only filled with water! What has happened is that everyone was thinking like the other man that "I don't have to put the milk, someone else will do it." Everything starts from you, if you don't do it, no one else will do it. So, change yourself to the way of God to serve Him and that will make the difference.

Half of your intelligence comes from your Parents

U

p to 40 per cent of a child's intelligence is passed down from the parents, according to a new study.

The finding from the largest ever genetic study of childhood intelligence adds yet more fuel to the debate over whether intelligence is a

DO YOU KNOW? Unique Identification Authority of India The unique identification Authority of India (UIDAI), is an Authority of the Government of India which is also known as Aadhar. Aadhar is a 12-digit Personal identification Number (PIN) issued to residents of India. Aadhar is mandatory to get subsidy on LPG or to receiv3ed other services in compliance with the interim order dated 23-Sept2013 of the supreme Court. The Aadhar Number mapped with the demographics and data of the Aadhar-holder is stored in CIDR database. The data is - photograph, ten finder-print, iris, date of birth, address and other details.

4 November 2013

product of nature or nurture.

Using genetic data and IQ scores of thousands of children from four countries, researchers from the University of Queensland found attempted to separate out the environmental effects.

They found that between 20 and 40 per cent of the variation in childhood IQ is due to genetic factors, less than the 40 to 50 per cent suggested by previous research.

Dr Beben Benyamin, from the University of Queensland, told ABC: 'This estimate from DNA information is lower than family studies, but it is consistent with the conclusion childhood intelligence is heritable.'

Dr Benyamin and his colleagues analysed DNA samples from 18,000 children aged six to 18 from Australia, the Netherlands, the UK and the U.S, along with their IQ scores.

They looked for any correlations between patterns of differences in the youngsters' DNA with patterns of differences in their IQ. Findings showed that a gene known as FNBP1L was significantly linked to childhood intelligence. The same gene had previously been shown to be the most significant gene in predicting adult intelligence.

Santa was busy removing a wheel from his auto. A man asks Santa why you are removing a wheel from your auto.

Santa: Can't you read the board.

Parking is only for two wheeler. ***** Sunny: Take my card.

Waiter: But sir, this is Ration Card.

Sunny: So what? You have written outside 'All cards accepted'. ***** A bird was disturbing Santa.

Finally Santa caught it and decided to kill it cruelly.

He took it to the top of a building and dropped it.

Jesus is‌ * The Son of God. * The Good Shepherd. * The Light of the world. * The true vine. * The Bread of Life. * King of the Universe. * The Prince of Peace. — Jubel D’Cruz, Dombivili

DO YOU KNOW? Scientist Alexander Graham Bell patented his first electric loudspeaker as part of his telephone in 1876

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MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 33 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt.69 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.E. (Mech.) working as a Mechanical Engineer.

Contact email.: avalon.inbox@yahoo.co.in OR 9890892847 (Regd. No. 5985) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 30 years, Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 59 kgs, Wheatish Com plexion, Edn. B.Com., D.C.A., working as an Accountant. Seeks a suitable match. Contcat email : fern_sunil@rediffmail.com OR 9029694973 (Regd. No. 5984) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 31 years, Ht. 5’ 11”, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Sc., I.T., & Dip. in Elect. Engg., working as an Assistant Manager (Technical) Only Child. Contact email : noel.pereira83@gmail.com OR 9820561856 (Regd. No. 5983) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 26 years, Ht. 5’ 11”, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., MBA, Seeks a Sales Director, Only Child. Seeks a humble, god fearing, kind, Ht. above 5’ 2”, age below 26 years. Contact email : natashadevelopers@aal.in (Regd.

No. 5981) U.S.A. : Universtiy Professor, USA, Fair Complexion, 5’ 7”, age 45 years, Protestant Bachelor, Seeks a well educated, fair complexioned girl below 40 years, Contact email mddav2009@yahoo.com OR 9869061597. (Regd. No. 5978) DUBAI : Mangalorean RC Divorcee, aged 42 years Ht. 5’11”, Wt. 82 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.E. (Mech.), Working as an Engineer. Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : proposal0313@gmail.com OR 7259846735 (Regd. No. 5482) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 28 years, Ht. 6’1”, Wt. 80 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn.HSC + Diploma in HM, working on the Ship as a Steward. Seeks a suitable match. Email :

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andrea2791@yahoo.co.in OR 9821540938 (Regd. No. 5838) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 35 years, Ht. 175 cms, Wt. 75 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., M.B.A., working as a Manager Bank. Seeks a suitable match.

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Contact : 9727718280 Email : collidingstar77@yahoo.com (Regd.

No. 5821) MUMBAI: Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 46 years, Ht. 5' 2”, Wt. 60 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. 10th Std., working as a A.C. Technician. Seeks a suitable match. (Regd.

No. 5817) 5809. MUMBAI: Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 36 years, Ht. 5' 6”, Wt. 70 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Undergraduate, Self-employed, having own bungalow type accommodation financially sound. Seeks a suit-

Members are requested to inform us when they are settled, so that publication of their details can be discontinued.

able Roman Catholic Spinster, simple, homely and having good family background age upto 32 years. Contact email : pintolazarus2012@gmail.com Tel.: 26480771 / 9223394713 (Regd.

No. 5809) MUMBAI: Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 37 years, Ht. 5.’ 6”, Wt. 64 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. Chartered Accountant, C.A. by profession. Seeks a well educated, good looking girl with good family background, Simple and Godfearing.

Email: shamalcoutinho@gmail.com OR Mob: 9833131001 (Regd. No. 5808) MUMBAI: Mangalorean Roman Catholic Divorcee, having one son 13 years and daughter 9 years, aged 38 years, looks much younger to his age, No Drinking, No Smoking, Ht. 168 cms, Wt.70kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Sc. (Navtical Science), woking as a Captain in Merchant Navy. Seeks a goodlooking, decent match. Email: souza36n@gmail.com OR Mob.: 9930012909 (Regd. No. 5807) BELGAUM: Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 49 years, Ht. 5.’ 10”, Wt. 62 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. 12th Std., Self employed. Seeks a simple, humble, godfearing homily girl preferable teacher or nurse. Contact Mob.: 9869222094 (Regd. No. 5806) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Divorcee, aged 36 years, Ht. 5.’ 7”, Wt. 70 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. HSC., well settled. Seeks a simple, humble, godfearing girl. Contact email : kennethmenezes@rediffmail.com OR Address your replies to : 9619089645 (Regd.

No. 5805) Regd. No. ROYAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.

To Place Your Matrimonial Advertisement Call: 2269 3578 OR 2265 4924 4 November 2013

MATRIMONIALS MUMBAI : Goan / East Indian Roman Catholic Spinster, 32 yrs, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wheatish Complexion, Simple, loving, caring, B.A., Working in M.N.C., Seeks a well educated and well settled bachelor, between 32 to 38. Contact : 9930874856 MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 37 years, Ht. 5’ 8”, Wt. 50 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.A., working as a LIC Officer. Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : v.lobo@rediffmail.com OR 9819050170 (Regd. No. 5982) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 30 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 63 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MSc. Nursing, working as a Nurse in Abudhabi - UAE. Seeks a well educated Mangalorean boy with good family values. Contact email: janydz_1484@yahoo.com OR 9930076741 (Regd. No. 5980) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 23 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 51 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Sc., PGD. Event Mgt., working as Manger-client servicing, good looking. Seeks a RC bachelor below 30 years, Ht. above 5’ 8”, Preferably working abroad. Contact email : olinda.r90gmail.com OR 9820340642 (Regd. No. 5979) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Jacobite Syrian Catholic Spinster, aged 31 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 62 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., MBA (Fin) working as a Customers Service. Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : joylyn.lewis@gmail.com OR 28954976 (Regd. No. 5891) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 26 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 46 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Customers Ser-

Royal Christian Family Helps In Choosing The Right Life-Partner

Serving Since 32 Years 4 November 2013

vice. Seeks a suitable match. Contact : 9820251612 (Regd. No. 5890) MUMBAI : Keralite Divorcee (Marriage null & void) aged 30 years, Ht. 155 cms, slim, fair, good looking, Edn. M.S.W. working as a Sociel Worker.

Seeks a suitable match. Contact Mob: 9819316338 (Regd. No. 5889) MUMBAI : Goan R.C. Spinster, 26 yrs., 5’ 2”, Wt. 55 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a EA to Director.

Contact email : madonnamanickam7@gmail.com OR 28963423 (Regd. No. 5888) U.K : Goan R. C. Spinster, 30 yrs., 5’ 4”, Wt. 50 kgs, Fair and goodlooking, Edn. B.Sc., M.Sc., M.B.A., studied in U.K. and working as a IT Analasist.

Contact email : maria.t.dsouza@gmail.com / mariatdsouza@yahoo.com OR 9096690309 / 91-95-27261969 (Regd.

No. 5887) MUMBAI : Goan R. C. Spinster, 25 yrs., 4’ 11”, Wt. 53 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., LL.B., Advocate by profession. Contact email : mario.carrasco@rediffmail.com OR 98205 07447 (Regd. No. 5886) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic parents staying at Vasai invite alliance for their spinster daughter, 26 yrs, 53 kg, 5’ 3” tall, simple, slim and good looking, holding a double post graduate degree in chemistry and working as a lecturer in an Engineering College. Alliance is sought from suitably qualified Mangalorean RC bachelors upto 30 yrs, with good family background kindly reply with details and a recent full size photograph to jasmineperiwinkle7@gmail.com or Contact 9421428286 between 4 - 9 pm.

(Regd. No. 5885) MUMBAI : Mangalorean R. C. Spinster, 33 yrs., 5’ 4”, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. HSC., working with MNC has an Executive Assistant to MD, Seeks a suitable well settled match. Contact : Email : cyrus_0679@yahoo.co.in OR 9820661181 (Regd. No. 5884)

NASIK : Goan R. C. Spinster, 25 yrs., 5’ 6”, Wt. 55 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., MBA, working as a Marketing Executive. Contact email : shawn.fernandes23@ yahoo.com OR 9860082311 (Regd. No. 5883) MUMBAI : Goan R. C. Spinster, 38 yrs., 5’, 3”, Wt. 55 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Crew Logistic. Contact Email : regiferr2@yahoo.com OR 9820059399 (Regd. No. 5882) MUMBAI : Goan R. C. Spinster, 36 yrs., 5’, Wt. 53 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. HSC, working as a Crew Logistic Contact : email : maria_g23@rediffmail.com OR 9819220429 (Regd. No. 5881) MUMBAI : Mangalorean R. C. Spinster, 36 yrs., 5’ 6”, Fair Complexion, Edn. Post Graduate, working for a Foreign Bank Seeks a suitable match.

Contact Email : replytosender2013@yahoo.com (Regd. No. 5879) MUMBAI : Mangalorean R. C. Spinster, 26 yrs., 5’ 4”, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.Sc., Micro, working as a Officer in Nationalised Bank. Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email : belindabarnz@gmail.com OR 9769485550 (Regd. No. 5878) UDUPI : Mangalorean R. C. Spinster, 27 yrs., 5’ 4”, Fair Complexion, Edn. BDS, Lecturer by profession. Seeks a suitable match. Contact Email : nerycornelio@gmail.com or 9448480469 (Regd. No. 5876)

Address your replies to :

Regd. No. ROYAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001.

To Place Your Matrimonial Advertisement Call: 2269 3578 OR 2265 4924 21

Writing On Currency Notes Is A Punishable Offence In India Writing anything on Indian currency notes is a punishable offence (under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act 1949) as per RBI guidelines. RBI and Banking Regulation Act have this clean note policy which doesn't allow any one to write or inscribe anything in the watermark window/area of our currency notes. Many people seem to be unaware of this and still keep on writing unwanted stuff on the currency notes.It is necessary to spread awareness about this among the citizens of India.

T

Writing on currency note is illegal

hough the clean note policy of Reserve Bank of India and Bank ing Regulation Act clearly restrict any writing or inscription on the watermark window of currency notes, people still write or print on notes due to unawareness.

A new trend of printing the name of bridegroom and bride on the watermark window of currency notes has begun in Varanasi. TOI got a currency note in the denomination of Rs 10 in the local market on which `Ajay sung Neetu' was printed in red colour on the watermark window. This currency was sufficient to reveal that the printing was done to distribute the currency notes during the marriage ceremony of Ajay and Neetu. However, it was not clear from where this couple or their family belonged.

But, the most interesting aspect in this episode was the replies from bankers and police. When the officials of the State Bank of India, Kutchehri branch were contacted to know whether the act of printing on currency notes was right or wrong, they surely admitted that it was illegal. However, they suggested to contact the police to know what action could be initiated in such matter. The police did not hesitate to admit that except registering the cases of fake currency printing and running in market, they had not dealt such cases.

Some lawyers like senior advocate Shrinath Tripathi were aware about the

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Any note with slogans and message of a political nature written across, it ceases to be a legal tender and the claim on such a note will be rejected under Rule 6(3) (iii) of Reserve Bank of India (Note Refund) Rules, 2009. Similarly, notes which are disfigured may also be rejected under Rule 6(3) (ii) of Reserve Bank of India (Note Refund) Rules, 2009 provision prescribed under Indian Penal Code Tripathi said that under section 489E of IPC this act was punishable.

On the other hand, when the RBIs guidelines and Banking Regulation Act were checked it was found that writing on the watermark window of bank notes is punishable under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. In order to give the citizens good quality currency notes, the RBI had already prepared a Clean Note Policy and in November 2001 issued instructions to all the banks not only to do away the stapling of note packets but also urged members of public not to write on the currency notes.

The RBI surely issued a clear guideline in this regard several years ago but still there are no takers of it. The

Because of writing on indian currency notes , Indian Govt loses Rs 2638 cr each year, so Please don't write anything on currency note as they can't be used for STD transactions e.g.: We can't find written Notes in ATM. When will we learn to value & respect our own currency? Have you seen a dollar bill or a Pound with anything written on it. bankers who were surprised to see the name of bride and groom printed on a currency note did not forget to reveal that they had seen currencies with political slogans and symbols of parties in past. But, they had nothing to say when asked what action was initiated in such matter. The printing of names of bride and groom on currency notes to distribute in marriage ceremony is considered as an alarming trend by the same bankers as it could be followed by others due to unawareness of the prescribed norms.

While some people are beginning a new trend of utilizing the watermark window to remain memorable for long, the common people are still forced to write their contact details on the same window of higher denomination notes (Rs 500 or Rs 1000) by the telecom and other service providers at the time of bill clearance. This custom is followed to trace the origin of the note if it turns out fake.

4 November 2013

4 November 2013

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RNI No. 56987/92

Published on every Monday & Posted on Monday & Tuesday of every week Posted at Mumbai Patrika Channel Sorting Office, Mumbai - 400001.

4 November 2013

Registered No. MH/MR/South-139/2012-14

Printed and Published by Lawrence Coelho at The Secular Citizen, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Harihar Nivas, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001. Tel.: 2269 3578, 2265 4924 4 November 2013 Printers: The Secular Citizen, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Editor : Philip Myaboo

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