Secular Citizen Vol.22 No.45 dated 11th November 2013

11 November 2013

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Christian Philosophers Debate Pope's Twitter Account Developmental Issues Reaches 10 Million Followers

Rome: Pope Francis has passed 10 million followers across nine different language accounts on the popular social media network Twitter, where users publish messages of 140 characters or fewer.

On Oct. 27, Pope Francis tweeted, “Dear Followers I understand there are now over 10 million of you! I thank you with all my heart and ask you to continue praying for me.”

As of Oct. 29, the papal Twitter accounts had a total of 10,070,848 followers. The most popular account is the Spanish-language one, with more than 4 million followers.

The English-language account comes in second, with 3.1 million followers.

Papal Twitter accounts have also been established in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese and most recently, Polish.

In July, Pope Francis was named “the most influential world leader on Twitter” according to a global communications report by Switzerland-based public relation and communications firm Burson-Marsteller.

The report found that Pope Francis’ Spanish-language tweets were re-tweeted an average of 11,116 times.

His English-language tweets were re-tweeted by an average of 8,219 followers.

His closest competitor by this measure was U.S. President Barack Obama, whose tweets were re-tweeted on average 2,309 times.

The Pope is also the second most-followed world leader on Twitter, after President Obama, who has 39 million followers.

Source: Catholic News Agency

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Nagpur: Development that is conceived and practiced today is equivocal, complex, ambiguous and paradoxical process having deep-rooted political bases and consequences, says a group of Christian philosophers.

The member of the Association of Christian Philosophers of India (ACPI) deliberated on the Dynamics of Development: Negations and Negotiations during the 38th Annual Research Seminar at St. Charles Seminary in Nagpur.

The ACPI members noted “the stark and shocking realities” of human rights violations both at the national and international arena.

The meeting observed that there have been forceful displacement, coercive migration, exile and loss of land, resulting in uprootedness from one’s life-world and culture.

“We acknowledge the marginalization of women in the course of historical development including that of the knowledge production of human beings. This challenges us to be sensitive to gender issues, affirming that women and men are different and equal partners in our collective human search for significance and self-actualization,” the ACPI said in a statement.

The members noted that there is a need to. We realize the need to respond to scientific and technological developments and to their enhancing as well as devastating consequences, since they affect every dimension of our life.

“Such technological progress demands that both individually and collectively, we need to widen our moral and spiritual consciousness,” the statement said.

The meeting noted that development should be based on an integral understanding of the human person, thus upholding the freedom and dignity of humans by responsibly appropriating the findings of economics and geopolitics.

Source: press statement

11 November 2013

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Puzzles, Paradoxes and Problems

Contents

pg. 3 - Puzzles, Paradoxes and Problems pg. 4 - Waste to Energy pg. 6 - Reader's Views pg 8 - Doctor Good Graft pg 11 - Pope Francis to Create First Cardinals Next February pg 14 - Song and Music In My Life pg 16 - Build New Habits pg 17 - Writing Is A Form Of Expression pg 18 - Handle Insult And Maintain Compassion pg 19 - Inspiration pg 20 - Matrimonials pg 21 - Matrimonials pg 22 - Housing Loan Terminology Decoded

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Cover : Waste to Energy (Article on pg. 4)

11 November 2013

Bangkok: Pope Francis has nominated all the hot button issues that get Catholic tongues wagging: a pastoral response to divorced and remarried Catholics, homosexuality, the place of women in the Church, the excessively centralized nature of management in the Church, liturgical adaptation to pastoral circumstances, wealth and triumphalism as the too frequent Fr Michael Kelly face of the Church to the world, and others too.

He has also begun a process for addressing at least one of them by convening an Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in 2014 on how to address what is probably the issue that sees most adults part company with the Catholic community in the Western world: divorce and remarriage.

Considering themselves unacceptable to the Church because they failed in what is the biggest risk they can take in their lives, the divorced and remarried often see the Church’s attitude as one that punishes the victims of this failure.

But the convening of this extraordinary synod is only the tip of an iceberg that he has indicated he wants addressed as pope. As Bishop of Rome, what the cardinals want him to accomplish is now clear: reform of the Vatican and the creation of a pattern of Church governance that is both decentralized and participatory.

The current pope’s ambitions to open up discussion in the Church go some way to addressing the comments made last October by one of three surviving theological advisors at Vatican II, made on the 50th anniversary of its opening in 1962. Fr Ladislas Orsy, together with Pope Benedict and the controversial Swiss theologian Hans Kung, are the three remaining “periti” from Vatican II who attended its sessions as theological supports to bishops from different dioceses.

Orsy was interviewed on the subject of what remains to be done after Vatican II and the first thing he nominated was the need to remedy Vatican II’s biggest shortcoming. Long on excellent ideas, the council was short on frameworks and structures for implementing them. And what frameworks and structures it did create were quickly dismantled or neutralized by the Vatican Curia.

This has meant, as has been pointed out in reports after the first meeting of the Council of Cardinals advising Pope Francis on reform of the Vatican and its processes, that the Synod of Bishops that meets every three years is a fig leaf (Contd.. on p. 4)

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Waste to Energy

ndia is all set to convert its trash to treasure as it gears up, albeit a bit slowly, to strengthen its waste-toenergy sector and boost recycling and reuse - with one expert estimating the annual earnings from biofuel alone at Rs.50,000 crore.

Aiding India's transition to green technology are a host of European and American consultants with economically viable and eco-friendly solutions.

"There will be three-fold benefits in terms of environment protection, economy and optimising use of space," Amiya Kumar Sahu, president of the National Solid Waste Association of India, said at the recently concluded India's Trade Fair Association for water, sewage, refuse and recycling (IFAT) in Mumbai.

IFAT India hosted more than 100 exhibitors with 56 percent participation

Waste-to-energy or energy-from-waste is the process of creating energy in the form of electricity or heat from the incineration or processing of organic waste material. Most waste-to-energy processes produce energy directly through combustion, or produce a combustible fuel commodity, such as methane, methanol, ethanol or synthetic fuels.

The most common technology implemented for waste-to-energy processes is incineration. Organic waste material is processed through a gassifier to produce renewable energy. Other technologies implemented include scientific dumpsite closure, biomethanation, Gasification and RDF (refuse derived fuel). from abroad, including European nations like Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands and representatives from the US. Cappozzo Filippo, owner of the Italian recycling solution provider EcoStar Recycling Technologies - that is in use in seven Indian states - pointed

Puzzles, Paradoxes and Problems

(Contd.. from p. 1)

of consultation where speeches are choreographed by the Vatican and the Curia is left to write up what was agreed by the participating bishops, much to their disbelief when the document actually appears.

Under the new pope’s reforms, head office may be updated in line with the council that concluded half a century ago. But the challenge that lies ahead in addressing the other hot button topics won’t be resolved as speedily. There are inherent problems for a Church still anchored in the processes of a monarchical and aristocratic age for its governance.

To their credit, Vatican offices have already begun consultation with high level lay organizations concerned with the role of women in the Church and suggestions about including women in significant and decisive roles in the administration of the Vatican are advancing. This will allow the Vatican to catch up with what is common practice in many parts of the Church where women lead many of its major services in health, welfare and education.

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But when it comes to addressing and resolving contentious issues, the structures for their consideration in a fair and informed way simply don’t exist. The sad truth is that the Catholic Church’s governance has so isolated itself from the world that it has simply missed many of the main developments in what can be called “best practice� in leadership and governance.

Synods won’t do that. They are made up exclusively of bishops who are all, by and large, elderly men. That is hardly a helpful way to tap the wisdom of the Church or hear the voices that need to be heard on the wide array of issues in the Church needing to be addressed.

What alternatives exist? It took the peoples of Europe, North and South America hundreds of years to develop structures and a process of participatory government that work and provide a release valve for tensions that can plunge populations into turmoil. Countries and societies in many parts of Africa and Asia are only slowly learning what they need to know for their peoples to survive and thrive as nations and

out India's advantageous position in terms of procuring state-of-the art environmental engineering technology.

"You need not invest so much in research and development...you can benefit by directly getting the best available systems. You are starting at the

communities.

In the Church, the models of parliamentary democracy or representative government now common in many parts of the world do not fit with the complexity and uniqueness of the Church community. An institution of divine origin cannot be reduced to having the democratic mean decide its destiny.

It would be crass and a formula for disaster to assume that democracy, as such, is all the Church needs.

All the same, the Church is the people of God and Pope Francis has said for many years that the sense of faith of the people is the sure rock of authentic belief. If that is to be accepted, something other than top down direction, discipline and censure of miscreants who question the wisdom declared by authority will have to be found.

Whatever happens, one thing is clear with this Pontificate – the Church is in for a shake up. And how it happens and what results are as much in the hands of the Holy Spirit as anyone’s.

Fr Michael Kelly is the executive director of ucanews.com

11 November 2013

Waste-to-Energy plants in Mumbai

highest level in terms of technology...no going through trial and error. Besides most of India's waste treatment is not designed for municipal solid waste (MSW)," Filippo pointed out.

Atul Narayan Vaidya, senior principal scientist with the solid and hazardous waste management unit of Nagpur's National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) agreed.

"It's not that indigenous technologies are not there, but most of them are of the old-school variety and cannot be applied to MSW which is the primary waste in our country. The foreign companies have been doing this for years and are superior," Vaidya told.

As per a World Bank report, India generates 110,000 tonnes of MSW per day and the numbers are only increasing.

This translates into a potent revenue source, said Ranabir Das, chief executive, Cogen Systems, which represents the US-based Green Power Inc (GPI) in India.

The company has developed a technique for converting MSW into clean fossil-free fuel (a type of synthetic diesel) and operates not by selling technology but builds plants for investors or municipal waste processors.

"This amount of MSW is equivalent to 30 million litres of diesel fuel per day. Therefore, per year it will be 10,000 million litres approximately. In rupee terms, at around Rs.50 per litre, gross

11 November 2013

India is all set to convert its trash to treasure as it gears up, albeit a bit slowly, to strengthen its waste-to-energy sector and boost recycling and reuse - with one expert estimating the annual earnings from biofuel alone at Rs.50,000 crore. earnings in sale of fuel to the central government would be approximately Rs.50,000 crores per year."

Although the Indian government has recognised the waste-to-energy sector as a renewable technology and has allocated nearly Rs.200 crore ($44.5 million), it's still in the nascent stage but things are slowly picking up, Sahu pointed out.

"What countries like Germany did 10 to 20 years ago we are doing now.

There is enormous potential in waste being converted to power to fulfil the energy deficit. Advanced technology from abroad has a big role to play in taking it forward in India. The Indian government also needs to push it more," he added.

Dumping of garbage in landfills pollutes the air and results in the run-off of toxic materials into the groundwater.

Instead of letting it sit, occupy precious space and wreak health havoc, the waste can be converted to biogas for fuel and energy in special plants like those built by Vahl's company.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed to set up at least 10 waste-to-energy plants to process 8,000 metric tonnes of garbage generated every day in the city. Each plant will require five to six acres to process at least 1,000 metric tonnes of garbage. Some processing plants will be set up at the existing dumping grounds in Deonar, Mulund and Kanjurmarg while land in Mahim-Dharavi will process the island city’s waste.

In Deonar, 60 hectares will be converted into a green hillock after scientifically treating waste and ensuring outlets for gas, which will then be flared at the Gorai dumping ground.

Of the remaining 65 hectares, 20 will be used for the plants to process the waste and around 10 hectares as a landfill for the inert material generated from the plant. In Kanjurmarg, 65 hectares will be used for the plant and in Mulund it will be 10 hectares.

A VIEW Religion - A big business in India In India it is estimated that people spend more than Rs. 40,000 crore every year on temples, pilgrimages and religious rituals. Over 2 crore people serve in these religious places free of cost; in a way they are bonded labourers of the industry of religion. It is said that Indian religious heads possess property that is worth as equal as all the government buildings of this country.

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Catholics in Goa are Culturally Hindu, says CM of Goa When I joined a Marine Engineering College in Mumbai more than 50 years ago, the Christian Cadets and especially the Goan Cadets, were referred to as Pau Whallas. It was meant to be a derogatory statement. The North Indians longed for their rotties and parathas, the South Indians for their rice and idillies and even the Maharastrians felt it was better to eat Bhel and Pani puries.

Things over the last 50 years have changed to the extent, that all those Cadets who are still alive and visit Mumbai, admit that the Pau has now conquered Mumbai and the most popular snack today is, the vada Pau, Pau Burgee, Pau Bajee and many other snake where the common factor is the most maligned Pau. What the Goa C.M. has not admitted is that most foreigners and Indians who visit Goa, love the new open peaceful culture that presently exists in Goa, which is a blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures. It has become, on per capita basis, the richest state in India, because people have learnt not only to accept different religious beliefs, but also participate in different cultural activities and enjoy them. They work hard, but they have their noon siesta.

They live in harmony and happiness, in generally a green and clean environment. Their beaches are the cleanest in the country. There are temples, churches and mosques spread around the territory, but importantly the number of pubs, bars and casinos are more. This is where you can get, may be the cheapest alcohol in the Country, a vast variety - including their unique brew - the Fenny. There are no restrictions on the type of food one eats. Dances and beach parties are held without too much of a threat of disruption and intimidation. Women walk around in colorful skirts, dresses, saris and jeans, and some men even dress like hippies.

They love football and not cricket.

We as a nation have over centuries shown, how as people we have

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assimilated different religions, different cultures, different languages and different food habits. There is no other nation in this world that can boost of such tolerance and diversity. This trait in us has made us a very likable nation.Again language of each state has a bearing on the culture of the state. Hence you will find culture of Goa, different than that of Andhra or Punjab. Fortunately with new technologies and more travel, interaction of people round the world is growing, brining in more respect and with it tolerance for each others cultures.

May be the rest of the country, especially Gujarat and Delhi, can learn a thing or two more from Goa, on peaceful and happy co-existence. Let us not distort this by stating culturally all of us are Hindus. Let us more than anything else be not turned into a highly communalized nation.

—Eric D'Sa ( not a Goan but an admirer of Goa)

Child Marriage and Slavery The Times of India, 14th Oct 2013, in a most pathetic caption declared: “India lets down child brides again”. It is disappointing and criminal that India without assigning any reason has refused to sign this first ever UN-led global resolution against early and forced marriage of children which 107 countries have endorsed.

India has a dubious record of having the highest absolute number of child brides —24 million. This repre-

sents 40% of the world’s 60% million child marriages. Also India has 50% of the world’s modern slaves (14million) – TOI, 18th Oct 2013. Modern slavery includes traditional slaves, those in bondage, forced labour or forced marriage, kids sold and victims of trafficking.

Child marriage and slavery endangers the survival and well-being of girls by exposing them to sexual violence, marital rape, unplanned and frequent pregnancies, and abortions.

Further, they are denied educational opportunities, are isolated from society, and face a life-time of economic dependence.

The remedy lies in abolishing child marriage until 18years, providing girls constitutional and legal protection against atrocities, guaranteeing them employment opportunities, and opening up all avenues for their total emancipation.

Let us activate and awaken the girl child from her enforced slavery and slumber as our good Lord Jesus miraculously demonstrated: “Talitha koum”—Little girl arise! (Mark 5:41).

Yours in Christ Who “emptied Himself taking the form of a ‘slave’” (Philppines 2:7).

—Dr Trevor Colaso Bandra(W), Mumbai 400050.

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11 November 2013

Respected Cardinal Gracias, I refer to a report in the Hindustan Times dt 22/10/13 captioned "Its Congress over BJP for Jamiat Leader, Cardinal". The newsreport refers to you as one of the Pope's chosen 8 advisors. the report states that you recently met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and praised her policies, signs that minorities still view the grand old party favourably" The report futher states that you "met Sonia Gandhi" and appreciated the key role played by her in caring for the poor and downtrodden. He pledged support for the Congress -led UPA Government's welfare programmes".

This is a very distrubing report as you are the CBCI President, and in the Pope's inner circle. I do not know why you called on Sonia Gandhi and whether what is reported is correct. If the report is correct then you have erred greviously in a politically surcharged atmosphere, by pledging the Catholic community's support to a particular political party.

This is not the business of religious leaders. If the report is correct then you owe an apology to the community. If, however , the report is incorrect then you need to issue an urgent clarification denying the newsreport.

As past National President of the All India Catholic Union (AICU) I wish to state that politics is the specific sphere of the laity, as clearly expressed in Vatican II documents. The CBCI should actively support the AICU and its affiliated Catholic Associations, instead of trying to don all hats itself.

We are only too well aware that most political parties seek the support of caste and religious groupings, some blatantly and others covertly.

Unfortunatley your meeting with a political party chief, in a highly charged political atmosphere, that is assuming larger communal overtones, is not helping the cause of secularism in India. The newsreport in question has already clubbed you with a Muslim religious leader. This is just what the BJP is working for to cry "Foul".

I therefore humbly request you, as CBCI President, to please refrain from political statements, and leave political affairs to the laity.

Yours respectfully, Chhotebhai President Kanpur Catholic Association Former National President, AICU

11 November 2013

Over 600 Priests, Nuns Gather For Faith Convention

Mangalore: Over 600 priests and nuns of Mangalore diocese gathered to celebrate their faith experience during the

Konkani The newly formed ‘Konkani Kruti Samiti’ to act as an umbrella organization in the interest of Konkani language attempts to impose one script over all others. This policy is in the bargain harmful and destructive. If implemented Konkani will not survive nor flourish and Konkani unity will never be achieved for sure.

Dr Alok Rai, who is considered an authority on the ‘Hindi-Urdu Controversy’, traces similar controversy of the 19th century and explains how a controversy which began with the demand for a script (Nagari), developed into a language demand (Hindi) and further became a political demand splitting two communities apart (Hindu and Muslim) and culminated in the creation of two nations (India and Pakistan). He says Konkani has lot of lessons to learn from this.

Script is not an issue. But when it is made an issue, it becomes the weapon for a struggle. Such lust for unity often results in the cause of disunity. Script never dies automatically, it is always killed.

Thus it can be certainly concluded that handful of people representing the Devanagari script slogan ‘One Language, One Script, One Literature, One Samaz’ is fascist and dangerous and instead of uniting Konkanis, it is further dividing us.

—Augustine Coelho

Year of Faith, which was inaugurated in Oct. 2012 on the occasion of golden jubilee of second Vatican Council.

While around 500 were the religious nuns from different Congregations who have their houses in the diocese, more than 150 religious and diocesan priests participated in the Faith Convention held at Rosario Cathedral yesterday.

“Faith should be our ultimate and only priority in life. Our lives are animated, moved and illumined by the gift of faith which is living experience to every believer,” said Bishop Thomas Dabre of Pune.

He said that faith is the greatest treasure given to us by God which makes our life simple, committed and Christ oriented.

“We need to experience this faith within us before sharing it with others.

It is a relationship with God and one another. It should be fostered in its quality which will make our life unique and special. Pope Francis is one such example before us,” he added.

Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore said that before sharing and strengthening the faith of others, we need to experience its depth in ourselves.

“It is with this intention, a separate faith convention for priests and religious was suggested,” he added.

Source: bellevision.com

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Doctor Good Graft ...She was counted among the ten game changers of India; one whose work was dramatically changing peoples’ lives...

chhotebhai

G

Dr Astrid with some of her Awards Photo credits: Shailesh Andrade, Mumbai

raft, or bribery, has been India’s bane. The graft that I am writ ing about is a boon to India’s suffering millions. It is called allograft, and its pioneer in India is Dr Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, the Head of the Tissue Bank at the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Mumbai. Simply put, allograft is a process by which tissue from another human being is applied or implanted in the patient in need of it. This is different from an autograft, where the patient’s own bone or skin tissue is used.

The availability of autografts is limited. For example, in a child who is still growing, it would be clinically improper to take its own good bone tissue, to apply it somewhere else. Besides adding a surgical procedure, it is also traumatic for the child, and could even affect the future growth of its good bones. Similarly, if a patient has severe burns or ulcers, it would again be inadvisable to take some skin from the patient to apply it to the affected area.

On the other hand, some surgeons have experimented with biological tissues from pigs and cows (even heart valves), but they have a high degree of rejection by the human body’s immunological system. There are also religious inhibitions to such grafts. Synthetic tissues, or even metal prosthetics like hip or knee joints, are good to a degree. But they too degenerate through wear and tear, resulting in another replacement or replenishment.

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Here is where Doctor Good Graft steps in, to literally stem the breach in the human anatomy – be it a gap in the bones caused by accident or infection, or covering large tracts of burnt skin. A couple of months ago India Today, a leading weekly magazine, carried a story on Dr Astrid’s work. She was counted among the ten game changers of India; one whose work was dramatically changing peoples’ lives. Having read the story I decided to interview the game changer in her laboratory at TMH. This petite doctor (a Ph D in medicine) has an appetite for big things.

She has transformed the lives of thousands of suffering patients through her research and its clinical applications.

Going beyond borders, she was also the President of the Asia Pacific Association of Surgical Tissue Banks.

What is it about allografts that make them a game changer and a lifesaver? Autografts, synthetic or metal surgical implants (prosthetics) have their limitations; besides being painful, expensive and time consuming. The converse is true for allografts. They are cheap, quick and long lasting, as human tissue has the innate power to regenerate itself.

This raises two questions. From where does one get these allografts, and how safe are they? They are obtained from various sources – cadavers, amputated limbs or other surgical discards, within a particular time frame

of death or surgery. Permission of the patient or next of kin is obtained for literally “recycling the body parts” as Dr Astrid observes with an infectious smile. Infection, ooh! That is eradicated by sterilization, radiation and other processes, to render the allografts completely safe for use on another person.

Bone tissue is a wonder worker for filling gaps in a bone after fracture, or holes caused by cysts, even in the jawbones. Dentists, infact, are among the major users of bone tissue. Since it regenerates naturally it serves as a platform or framework for natural bone to grow around it and thereby plug the gap. There are even cases of patients with bone cancer, who after an allograft, are walking again and living normal lives.

Doctor Good Graft has another goodie in her kitty – amnion, another of nature’s wonders. The amniotic membrane is the inner lining of the sac that protects and envelops a baby while in its mother’s womb. After delivery or surgery it is either ejected or removed.

This membrane is then clinically sterilized, processed and freeze dried. It is a gossamer-like membrane, like the wings of a dragonfly. In the case of severe burns, diabetic ulcers or bedsores it is not always possible to do a skin graft. But an amnion dressing can be easily applied. The beauty is that the surgeon can monitor the healing process because of the transparency of

11 November 2013

the membrane. He doesn’t have to apply or remove bandages that could even damage the delicately healing wound. And wonder of wonders, having done its work the amnion just dries up and falls off naturally, like a snake’s skin. Nature’s wonders and scientific achievements never cease.

This amniotic tissue can also be used for healing of skin reactions caused by radiation in cancer treatment. Since it is paper thin it assumes the body’s contours, and is even used on that most delicate organ of the human body, the eye.

Yet the work of this great game changer is relatively unknown outside the scientific fraternity. Even the widely circulated India Today story did not fuel interest in this scientific advancement; despite its painless benefits, cheaper process and faster healing.

Hence I felt the need to make this story better known.

Incidentally, Astrid’s husband, Dr Kalpesh Gajiwala is himself a renowned plastic surgeon in Mumbai. He too has pioneered the use of tissue from his wife’s bank! It is not an issue with this couple, as together they strive to make this world a better place through wholeness, healing and the alleviation of suffering.

A coin must have two sides to be legal tender. So too with this activist for gender. Besides being a topnotch scientist she is also a feminist theologian.

Her resume of church related activities, and positions held in the Catholic Church, runs into several pages. As a writer she has also received awards from The Examiner (Mumbai) and The New Leader (Chennai). Interviewing Astrid at TMH, I was able to go beyond the gossamer membrane (to get under the skin, in investigative journalism parlance), from the scientist to the feminist!

Sharing her thoughts on several burning or contentious issues she said that she did not find any incompatibility between faith and science. The latter was still fathoming the human body in a voyage of discovery. But scientists should not try to play God. Science, by virtue of its immense potential, cannot be left unbridled. It must have a purpose, and a code of ethics. Today any

11 November 2013

form of research on human beings, and even animals for that matter, has to be approved by an ethics committee; just like an industrial project requires environmental clearance.

For Astrid her work was an expression of her deep Christian faith. It was improving the quality of peoples’ lives, a fulfillment of what Jesus envisaged, in his reply to John The Baptist: “Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, those suffering from virulent skin diseases are cleansed” (Lk 7:22).

On being queried if scientists or theologians could determine the exact moment when human life begins, she admitted that it was a nebulous state, with no scientifically precise answer.

Life and death still had many unanswered questions. Though science and faith are not contradictory, if they both strive for truth, there could still be nebulous grey areas of conflict, especially where the biological sciences are concerned.

Contraception and abortion are some such areas. Astrid’s attention was drawn to the Catholic Church’s Canon Law that states, “A person who actually procures an abortion incurs a latae sententiae ex-communication” (Can 1398), that is one “that is automatically incurred on committing an offence, without intervention of a judge”. The reply was fast and furious. “Men don’t understand motherhood or conception. They make moral exceptions to justify war, which is also the taking of life. This is because both the theologians and the Generals are men. They understand the business of war, but they don’t understand motherhood”. If there can be situational ethics for war, then why not for abortion? Though in principle one is against abortion, there could be exceptional or mitigating circumstances where culpability is limited, she said. A cogent argument. It is along the same lines that Astrid debunked the Church’s unilateral rejection of any form of artificial contraception, which she felt was a better option, than having to resort to abortion.

Since Astrid is on several Church bodies and advisory committees she was asked about her experience in

them. Was the hierarchy willing to listen to the voice of the laity? She had mixed reactions. A lot depended on one’s personal approach. It was like tight rope walking. One had to keep one’s balance. “If the hierarchy perceivers you as an opponent they will ostracize you, but if you are seen as one working for the good of the church they will listen to you”, she opined. She herself has been part of a feminist collective working on women’s issues.

They act as a support group to each other, and do have an impact on the church.

She disagreed with the common perception that only those “who tow the party line” get appointed to church bodies. Her own experience was that she had often asked uncomfortable questions, but she still got called. She has just worked on a redressal mechanism for sexual abuse by church personnel, and a code of conduct. It has been submitted to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. It remains to be seen if the bishops heed the advice of their women appointees.

This, despite another common perception, that our bishops are far more comfortable interacting with women, rather than male lay leaders.

At this point Astrid felt that this may be because the bishops perceive women as more servile and subservient. As for another contentious issue, the ordination of women, Astrid said that she had actually lost interest, especially because of how priesthood is lived today – more institutional than people oriented.

She felt that a woman’s priorities are different – be it family, birth, or life.

Women have much to contribute to the church, because they are more person, or relationship oriented, not structured like men. “It is a challenge to be a Christian, and even more as a woman in the church. But women shall not be found wanting” she affirmed.

Visiting Doctor Good Graft at her Tissue Bank at TMH was an enlightening and fascinating experience. Dr Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, the scientist, or the feminist, is in a league of her own.

Wonder if her Tissue Bank could clone some of her own tissue, for the rest of us mortals to bank on? Indeed graft, allograft, is a boon for the country’s suffering millions.

9

October Is Time For Saint Jude

A

s the month of October draws near, the faithful around the country think of one destination namely Jhansi. Jhansi is popularly known for its Rani Lakshi Bai who fought with valour against the British and became a martyr. The diocese of Jhansi joins the Universal Church in celebrating yet another martyrdom, the faith-witnessing death of Saint Jude Thaddeus on the 28th of October.

People flock to Jhansi which is the oldest shrine in the country dedicated to Saint Jude. The people of God thrive to thank God and join in to celebrate the sacrifice of one of the 12 apostles of Christ. This devotion to Saint Jude is believed to have been brought to Jhansi by its first shepherd, Rt. Rev. F.X. Fench.

Customarily Jhansi prepares itself months ahead to celebrate the feast of its patron, who is also the patron of desparate cases. The celebrations took off with the flaghoisting and the starting of novena on October 19, 2013. The main celebrat on the flaghoisting day was the newly ordained bishop of Jhansi, Most Rev. Peter Parapullil. The liturgy for the entire novena was planned ahead. This year’s theme for the liturgy was the seven sacraments.

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Each day, the presiding celebrant preached splendidly on the given theme and inspired the devotees to get into a deeper relationship with the almighty. There were three Eucharistic banquets each day: English, Marathi and Hindi. Church decorations, singing and prayer of the faithful reflected the theme of the day. People were served free food (Bhandara) three times a day during the whole novena.

The final three days of the novena (triduum) had a well known preacher, Rev. Fr. K.V. George from Meerut Diocese enriching and enlightening the hearts and minds of the faithful.

October 25 onwards, the evenings became more colourful and vibrant with singing, music, dance, skit and other cultural varieties. On October 25, Jhansi Rani communications organized group singing competitons for the parishes of Jhansi diocese.

While the Shrine parish bagged the first prize both in English and Hindi group singing, the second was earned

by Sacred Heart Parish and St. Peter’s, Talbehat respectively. Prizes of the Diocesan Bible festival were also distributed by Bishop Peter and Bishop-Emeritus Frederick. On this occasion, Dr. Priya Alphonso from

Mumbai gave a beautiful insights on healthy and natural living.

Evening programme of the 26th had faith-realted items from different parishes of Jhansi. The eve of the feast day witnessed the arrival of papal representative in the person of His Excellency Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal. A small audio studio belonging to the diocesan communication department was blessed and inaugurated by the nuncio at 4 in the evening. The nuncio presided over the evening programme and appreciated each of the items presented.

As the feast day drew near, the number of the faithful also increased.

The feast day saw faithful flocking and thousands of people from near and far joined the celebrations. The earliest mass was at 5:30 in the morning and the last item was the procession in the evening at 5. The day beheld masses, prayers, laying on of hands, prayering over, etc. The festal mass was officiated

by His Excellency Salvatore Pennacchio. On behalf of Pope Francis, he blessed the people of Jhansi and appreciated its rich cultural and historal heritage. He also acknowledged the special graces and blessings experienced by people through the powerful mediation of St. Jude. The apostolic mass elevated to great heights with beautiful singing, meaningful decoratoin and active participation of the faithful. The relic of St. Jude carried around in the evening with devotees leading the procession with lighted candles, singing devotional bhajans and reciting the rosary. Many miraculous moments were experienced and narrated by the devotees. Some of them were documented by the media personnel from Shalom TV. Bishop-Emeritus Frederick D’Souza thanked everyone involved in the festal celerations at the end of the day.

—Fr. Kanthraj, Jhansi Rani Communications

11 November 2013

Pope Francis Little Boy Takes The Stage And Steals The Pope's Show To Create First Cardinals Next February

Pope Francis will create his first cardinals during a consistory on the feast of the Chair of St Peter next year.

Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman said that the Pope is expected to use the occasion, which falls on February 22, “to have a meeting with the cardinals for consultations” immediately before the ceremony, as retired Pope Benedict XVI did in the run-up to his consistories. No specific dates were given for that meeting.

Father Lombardi told reporters today that also in mid-February, the pope will have members of the governing council of the Synod of Bishops meet in preparation for the extraordinary session on the family in October 2014 and to have his Council of Cardi-

nals, the group of eight advisers, hold what will be their third gathering.

The spokesman said that the Pope wanted to hold a consistory for the creation of new cardinals during the same time period as the cardinals’ other meetings “to facilitate all these appointments.”

The group of eight cardinals will probably meet February 17 and 18, Father Lombardi said, to continue their work on helping the Pope reform the Roman Curia. The group met on Octo-

11 November 2013

Vatican City: This adorable little boy was on top of the world when he made friends with Pope Francis by wandering up onto the stage during the Pontiff's address to a crowd of families.

He hung out for a while, making sure that all was going well with his new buddy's speech. Pope Francis was grateful for the help too.Though some cardinals came to try to return him to his seat on the steps, he couldn't be parted from Papa Francesco, clinging to his robes in a tight hug.

ber 1 and scheduled its second meeting at the Vatican for early December.

The synod council will meet on Feb 24, Father Lombardi said, to discuss the extraordinary synod the Pope convoked for October next year, to discuss the “pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelisation.”

The annual meeting of the Council of Cardinals for the Study of the Organizational and Economic Problems of the Holy See also will be held in February, as it is every year.

When the February 22 consistory date arrives, Pope Francis could create at least 14 new cardinals.

As of today, there were 201 cardinals, 109 of whom were under age 80 and therefore eligible to vote in a conclave. Three more cardinals turn 80 before February 22 and another will turn 80 less than a month later.

The technical limit on the number of voting-age cardinals is 120. That means that if the Pope respects that ceiling, he could name 14 new ones.

Blessed John Paul II sometimes set aside the 120 limit, swelling the ranks to as many as 135 under-80 cardinals.

The all-time record number of all cardinals was set in 2012 under Pope Benedict when the College of Cardinals reached 213 members.

Pope Francis’ first consistory also will offer clues about how he intends to use the College of Cardinals during his papacy, which, he has already shown, he sees as an instrumental advisory body.

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11 November 2013

11 November 2013

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is coming out with a Which will be out on 18th December 2013 Special articles from writers and contributors are welcome for publication in this special number.

All those who wish to contribute special articles for the Christmas Issue are requested to

submit, so as to reach us by 1st of December 2013.

You may send them by email to : secular@vsnl.com or secular@sezariworld.com

by Post / courier to: The Secular Citizen, 99, Perin Nariman Street, 1st Floor, Fort, Mumbai 400001.

The issue also covers Christmas greeting ads., details given below

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11 November 2013

Song And Music In My Life

E

xcitement ran high in our colony. “A Grand Night for Singing” was being held in town. Even a bus was being arranged to take the seniors for the event. My nephew, who is with the choir, The Chamber Singers, was playing the sax. I decided to attend. Frankly, I don’t know the difference between a sax, a trumpet and a cello.

As I saw the choir march on to the stage I recalled my time with the church choir. The ladies in the choir outnumbered the men two to one.

The females, I am associated with, don’t fail to remind me that females out perform the males in these and most other areas. From the pulpit we were exhorted that we should actively participate in the services. There was no better way than to be part of the choir. Not knowing how to read music I sang “By Ear”. This sadly was not appreciated by the choir master. When he gave a break for the summer vacation he hoped to see everyone back in June “Except Francis Lobo”.

Being a positive thinker my enthusiasm to sing the praises of the Lord were not curbed by such actions and I took an active part from the pews often to the embarrassment of my family. Once the priest said let’s sing the hymn “What a friend we have in Jesus”. I had sung two lines when I suddenly realized that there were people, who apparently didn’t share this sentiment, and were staring at me — The rest of the congregation hadn’t started singing yet. I then realized what was meant when the congregation was described as the “Frozen Chosen”.

Music stimulates other functions and helps us perform better. My wife, taking a cue from some TV show, tried to exercise and lose weight to the sound of music. I hum to myself when I prepare my tax returns — maybe to drown my sorrows. My children would

11 November 2013

Francis Lobo

play loud music to help them study and remember better — or so they claimed. I know that this was a camouflage to prevent us from checking if they were sleeping or reading some story book. Military marches are composed to ensure discipline and that legs move as expected. But there are people like me whom nature has made differently and who move to a different rhythm — my right leg moves when my left should be doing so to the great embarrassment of the school and college teams in which I marched.

On one occasion the boy at the back tried to kick my legs into rhythm and himself stumbled and fell to the amusement of the crowd. I have seen movies where soldiers sing on the night before battle. I asked why. I was told “They are warming up before entering the Cold War”.

I have stopped trying to remember the words or even to understand them. For this I am grateful to my father, a holy man, who once heard me singing a lewd love song. “Do you know what the words mean?” “No”

was my reply. “Then don’t sing it”. “ But I like the tune”. “ Then hum the tune but don’t say the words”.

Music is a good wake up call.

The modern mobile has catchy alarm signals. Music, as a good way to start the day, has become a sacred ritual.

I know the time of the morning by the sounds that float in from the neighborhood. When my children were young “ With the rising of dawn, the music is On, And it stays on loud till they are Gone.”

However, laws have been passed to spell out when music must stop at night. It is sad that everyone doesn’t appreciate sound and laughter. I am pained when I hear parties being brought to an abrupt end by the stern voice of the law.

I am fascinated as I watch the TV serials teaching us how wild life survive and multiply through sounds and singing. I pray that humans would learn the finer points of living together from the Animal World.

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Build New Habits Building new habits is one of the most challenging and most rewarding processes we’ll experience in our lives.

The tips below are specifically about starting new (and hopefully healthy) habits, but you can also adapt them to support you in breaking existing unhealthy habits.

1. Find your motivation Habits are far more likely to succeed if they are based on intrinsic motivation, rather than extrinsic motivation. Entire books have been written about this complex topic so, in a nutshell, the difference between the two is that intrinsic motivation is internal, while extrinsic motivation is external. For example, perhaps you want to create a new exercise habit. An intrinsic motivation for doing this might be wanting to be healthy (an internal motivation that just concerns yourself). An extrinsic motivation might be wanting to lose weight so that other people will perceive you as more attractive (an external motivation that is based on the perceptions and judgments of others).

To give yourself the best chance of creating a sustainable habit, take a good, long look at your motives before you even start working on this new activity.

2. Start small The easiest way to sabotage a new habit is by taking the ‘all or nothing’ approach and going from 0 to 100 in the first few days. Starting small and increasing the frequency and intensity of the habit will make it far easier to sustain in the long-term than leaping right in.

3. Be compassionate, not critical If you only pay attention to one tip in the entire post, this is it: Internal criticism is the kryptonite of building new habits and you’ll find it much easier to create a sustainable habit if you’re on your own side. That doesn’t necessarily

16

mean getting rid of the inner critic (in my experience, that’s not a realistic goal), but being mindful of it.

When we’re mindful of our inner critics, we hear what they say but we’re not controlled by what they say. Maintaining this distance can take some practise (and you might find yourself with ample opportunity to do just that while building your new habit!). At the same time as maintaining distance from your inner critic, take the opportunity to strengthen your internal ‘nurturing’ voice—the voice that tells you your best is enough and supports and encourages you on your journey.

4. Enlist support Feel free to ask trusted friends and family for any help and support they can give you while you’re building your new habit. External support is especially helpful when you’re building habits that require lifestyle changes, such as changing your diet or your exercise habits. If you are around other people who have a similar lifestyle to you, asking them to support you in making your lifestyle habit changes by, for example, not bringing sugary foods into the house, will make it easier for you to maintain a new habit.

Next Sheriff of Mumbai’ – Nov.4, 2013 With reference to the above article, I congratulate you on projecting this disciplined, incorrupt Dr. Leo Rebello, worthy of occupying the highest position in our polity.

Incidentally, The Archdiocese of Bombay comprises of 11 deaneries with 122 parishes. The Catholic population is about five hundred and twenty five thousand and seventeen (525,017) laity. Each Parish has a Civic & Political Cell (CPC).

While Jesus chose the murderer Saul to propagate his Message as the Charismatic St.Paul, can we not support Dr.Leo Rebello?

Noted writer Hartmut Hohensee once compared our general apathy to lapsing into "a sort of paralysis, just hoping winter will pass and the flowers will begin to grow eventually".

This is a humble request to the CPCs not to function as fixed deposit vote banks or bay leaves in the political stew.

‘Arise for this matter is your responsibility.’ (Ezra 10:4) —Denis Khan

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11 November 2013

Writing Is A Form Of Expression

I

was twelve years old bombarding the Sunday Statesman, Calcutta with my fairy tales. I wrote my stories on sheets of foolscape paper and in a literary ritual never failing a single week in putting my manuscripts in the Box Reply letter box outside the front gate of the newspaper office. My rejection slips kept growing and I recall stapling them together for a notepad on the reverse side.

I can still recollect that sultry afternoon. It would become a special day for me. Around two o’clock the local postman put a letter in my hand with a knowing smirk on his chubby face. “It’s from the Statesman, “ he blurted, adding, “ not a rejection slip – too thick.” I grabbed the brown envelope and without much ado I sized people. opened it. A simple two-line “ I read Hans Christian letter from the editor invited Anderson, the Grimm Brothme to meet him the next day ers and Aesops in the free in his office. time I get, sir. If they could The following day. In do it, I can.” I replied bracold sweat and with shaking Melvyn Brown zenly, very serious. knees I marched up to the The editor cleared his second floor and knocked on the ma- throat and said : “ I asked you to meet hogany door. “Come in,” boomed a me because I feel you can be a good base voice. I walked in only to confront writer.” I felt shock waves run down my the smiling face of a young man happy spine. Then, he went on to say : “ you to meet me. At once he put me at ease, have a style of your own.” I was so made me sit in a giant chair opposite pleased, the rejection slips over the his wide desk. His first question made past months meant nothing to me. This me swallow hard before I replied. “ was a happy moment in my life as a What makes you feel you can write youngster. I was truly the ‘ Ugly Duckstories for children ?” He fitted the ling ‘ from Anderson’s tale. Then came image of an editor which I had in mind. the unexpected…..

He was amused, seeing my small frame “ I have accepted, “ the editor in the centre of a chair designed for big- smiled, “ your story, The Magic Seeds.

It will be published next Sunday.” I had become a writer who see the print of his first by- line.

Then onwards, it took me over thirty years of determined writing, getting published in newspapers, journals, magazines, weeklies and newsletters across the country. At one point I collected a few of my fairy tales for a book, Dragons and Dreams. I started to branch out to writing articles, poems, psalms, serials and short stories on human interest themes. My work turned voluminous very early. I wrote

11 November 2013

six books on the history, heritage and culture of the Anglo-Indian community.

I came to be known as the ‘Chronicler’ of the race and that , by the BBC (London). I did a Storython (non-stop storytelling, created on-the-spot with a ‘beginning, middle and end’ . The Storython was sponsored by the JS (Junior Statesman). I created a world record of three hours forty-four minutes. No one has since broken my record.

The First collected volume of my early literary works has been digitally photo-graphed by Jadavpur University, Kolkata, in their School of Cultural Texts and Records. A Second volume is now under preparation. I have two published books on my liturgical writings and a book of thirteen selected posters designed and text written by me for The Year of Faith 2012-2013.

The urge to write is a hidden feeling, a vocation. Write, and go on writing. Read your creative works to family and friends. Who knows, you might find a Mentor who will lead you on to publishing success. The road may be a struggle, take it with a pinch of salt – and never stop writing. Believe in yourself.

P.s/ You can join me at Writers’ Haven only on Thursday at 6p.m. at 3 Elliott road, Calcutta 16 or online : melvynbrown21@gmail.com

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Handle Insult And Maintain Compassion The Buddha explained how to handle insult and maintain compassion.

One day Buddha was walking through a village. A very angry and rude young man came up and began insulting him. “You have no right teaching others, he shouted.” You are as stupid as everyone else. You are nothing but a fake.”

Buddha was not upset by these insults. Instead he asked the young man “Tell me, if you buy a gift for someone, and that person does not take it, to whom does the gift belong?”

The man was surprised to be asked such a strange question and answered, “It would belong to me, because I bought the gift.”

The Buddha smiled and said, “That is correct. And it is exactly the same with your anger. If you become angry with me and I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you. You are then the only one who becomes unhappy, not me. All you have done is hurt yourself.”

“If you want to stop hurting yourself, you must get rid of your anger and become loving instead. When you hate others, you yourself become unhappy. But when you love others, everyone is happy.”

The young man listened closely to these wise words of the Buddha.

“You are right, o Enlightened One, “he said. “Please teach me the path of love. I wish to become your follower.”

The Buddha answered kindly, “Of course. I teach anyone who truly wants to learn. Come with me.”

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Great facts for your life 1: The greatest enemy in life is: The Ego… 2: The greatest deceit in life is: This is Mine …

3: The greatest failure in life is: Narcissism …

4: The greatest acid in life is: Envy & Jealousy…

5: The greatest error in life is to lose Self-control …

6: The greatest crime in life is betrayal of Parents …

7: The greatest deplorable in life is pathetic Self- pity…

8: The greatest success in life is correcting own failure…

9: The greatest bankruptcy in life is lewd immoral conduct…

10: The greatest wealth in life is health and understanding …

11: The greatest debts in life is clinging and lack of purity…

12: The greatest gift in life is Patience, Tolerance & Forgiveness…

13: The greatest shortcoming in life is lack of present Awareness !

14: The greatest soothing relief in life is Generosity & kind Charity !

PATIENCE What is true patience and how can we develop it? Patience is imperturbability in the face of harm and hardship. Responding to these difficulties with anger is extremely destructive because it creates unpleasant consequences and destroys positive energy. There is no austere practice to equal the practice of patience, which calms the turbulence of the disturbing emotions. It is cultivated in meditation and implemented in everyday life.

There are three main kinds of patience: the patience of taking no account of those who inflict harm, the patience of willingly accepting adversity and the patience of gaining certainty with regard to the teachings. Their opposites are animosity, discouragement and reluctance to engage with the teachings.

Laughter

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11 November 2013

Argue Like A Winner

Inspiration!

True Love is Acceptance Remember Nobody’s PERFECT but we can find PERFECTNESS in anybody.

A

man and his girlfriend were fast table, they decided that they would married. All of their friends go over their lists. “I’ll start,” offered and family came to see the the wife. She took out her list. It had lovely ceremony. The bride was many items on it enough to fill 3 gorgeous in her white wedding gown pages, in fact. As she started reading and the groom was very dashing in the list of the little annoyances, she his black suit. Everyone could tell noticed that tears were starting to that the love they had for each other appear in her husband’s eyes. “What’s was true. wrong?” she asked. “Nothing” the A few months later, the wife husband replied, “keep reading your came to the husband with a pro- lists.”The wife continued to read until posal: she had read all “I read in a “Happiness is part of who three pages to magazine, a her husband. we are. Joy is the feeling” She neatly while ago, -- Tony DeLiso, Legacy: The Power Within about how we placed her list can strengthen on the table our marriage.” and folded her she offered. “Each of us will write a hands over top of it. list of the things that we find a bit “Now, you read your list and annoying with the other person. then we’ll talk about the things on Then, we can talk about how we can both of our lists.” She said happily. fix them together and make our lives Quietly the husband handed over his happier together.” page to her. It was blank.

The husband agreed, so each He Said , “I am sorry . I don’t of them went to a separate room in have anything on my list. You are the house and thought of the things perfect the way that you are. You are that annoyed them about the other. lovely and wonderful and I wouldn’t They thought about this question for want to try and change anything about the rest of the day and wrote down you.” The wife, touched by his honwhat they came up with. esty and the depth of his love for her The next morning, at the break- hugged him and wept.

11 November 2013

W

hether you avoid confron tation or go in like a pros ecution lawyer, try these tips to boost your persuasive powers: *

*

*

* *

*

Avoid bad moods. If the other person is in a foul temper you won't get your message across.

Just listen for now and find out their grievance.

Put yourself in their shoes - arguing with your bosses is bound to make them feel their authority is being undermined. Express yourself in a way they will be attuned to.

If you can plan in advance, write down your three main points.

But get the most important across first - you may not get any further.

Don't pile on criticism. Raise one issue at a time, constructively.

Instead of stating your opinions, try asking questions. You'll show interest - while directing the discussion where you want it to go.

Use sympathetic body language. Subtly adopt the same stance as the other person and mimic their gestures. It'll put them more at ease.

DO YOU KNOW? The original historical meaning of the word cartoon is a full-size drawing made on paper as a study for a further artwork.

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45 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. BA Pursving M.A., working as a C.S.E. (MNC), Seeks a suitable match.

Contact Email: clintjude2002@yahoo.co.in OR 9819394473 (Regd. No. 5894) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 65 kgs, light Wheatish Complexion, Edn. M.M.S. in H.R. working as a Sr. H.R. Officer. Email : contactmissmiriam@gmail.com OR 9819985128 (Regd. No. 5893) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 42 years looks much younger to his age, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 59 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. XIIth std., having own business. Contact : 9767630415 / 9175186730 (Regd.

No. 5892) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 33 years, Ht. 5’ 8”, Wt. 70 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Microsoft Engineer in Bangalore. Well settled, having own house in Bangalore. Seeks a educated Mangalorean girl from good family background.

Contact Email : lorettag58@gmail.com OR 9323949129 / 9867848489 (Regd.

No. 5880) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Bachelor, aged 27 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 58 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working for Multinational Bank. Seeks a Goan Roman Catholic graduate working girl. Contact Email: miltonintouch3@gmail.com OR 0251-2680461 (Regd. No. 5877) 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 11 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 : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 25 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 54 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.A., working as a Financial Analyst in MNC. Seeks a suitable match.

Contact email : natasha_serrao19@yahoo.com OR 9619522154 / 9969114346 (Regd. No. 5988) Poona : Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 32 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 55 kgs, Fair Complexion, Beautiful, Edn. B.A., B.Ed., PG D.P.M. working as a HR Executive. Contact email : pravdoll@gmail.com OR 9765411451 / 9881201988 (Regd. No. 5987) HARYANA : Goan Roman Catholic Divorcee, aged 41 years, Ht. 5’ 1”, Wt. 56 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MBA, working as a Sr. HR Consultant. Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : d.dsouza@metso.com OR 9899501960 (Regd. No. 5986) MUMBAI : Anglo Indian Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 33 years, Ht. 5’, Wt. 53 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. Graduate, working as a Web Designer in MUSCAT. Seeks a well settled bachelor. Contact email : newimage23@yahoo.com / parsjudy@gmail.com OR 0096895852514 / 9820300874 (Regd. No. 5971) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 25 years, Ht. 5’ 3”, Wt. 60 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working as a Sales Co-ordinator. Contact email :

Royal Christian Family Helps In Choosing The Right Life-Partner

Serving Since 32 Years 11 November 2013

avonquadros@ymail.com OR 9969741361 (Regd. No. 5970) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 25 years, Ht. 156 cms., Wt. 56 kgs, Fair Complexion, beautiful, Edn. T.Y.B.A., working a CabinCrew. Contact Mob.: 9320385208 (Regd. No. 5967) DUBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 29 years, Ht. 5’ 1”, Wt. 55 kgs, Wheatish Complexion, Edn. MA., HR, working in Dubai well settled.

Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : rubybelgal@yahoo.in OR 9822487408 / 0832-2444390 (Regd.

No. 5966) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 25 years, Ht. 5’ 2”, Wt. 45 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., working for Travel Agency.

Seeks a tall, graduate Mangalorean boy below 29 years. Contact email : reynalmarina@gmail.com OR 9773669764 (Regd. No. 5965) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 32 years, Ht. 5’ 4”, Wt. 60 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. B.Com., Sr. Stylist (Hair & Makeup). Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : dyllisd@gmail.com OR 9167560077 / 9930689139 (Regd. No. 5964) MUMBAI : RC Mangalorean Spinster, M.Com/MBA (Finance) 27 / 5’2”, talented, with strong family values & from respectable family, working for a bank in Mumbai. Seeks well qualified boy upto 32, reply with recent photo & full details to email: smileangel378@yahoo.com OR 9920424282 (Regd. No. 5962) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 231/2 years, Ht. 5, Wt, 55 kgs, Wheatish complexion, Edn. C.A., working for MNC, Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : suzancarvalho89@gmail.com OR 9322295449 / 9769861559 (Regd. No. 5961) MUMBAI : Mangalorean Roman Catholic Spinster, 37 years, Ht. 5 ’ 2”, Wt, 58 kgs, Wheatish complexion, looks much younger to her age, good

looking, smart, Edn. M.A. M.Com., working as a Senior Journalist. Seeks a well educated and well settled bachelor.

Contact email : divinemother86@gmail.com OR 9833065385 (Regd. No. 5959) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, 29 years, Ht. 5 ’ 5”, Wt, 70 kgs, Wheatish complexion, smart, B.Com., LL.B., Legal Professional, smart. Seeks a well educated, financially stable, well settled abpve 6’ 6”.

Contact email : marilyndsousa21@gmail.com / janedoe051@gmail.com OR 9819890592. (Regd. No. 5958) BANGALORE : Anglo Indian Roman Catholic Spinster, 26 years, B.E., workaing as a Software Engineer, Ht. 5’ 6”, Wt. 67 kgs, good looking, fair, coming from a decent family, seeks a humble, god-fearing, doctor, engineer or well settled bachelor from India or abroad.

Contact email : pereira.eustace@larsentoubro.com OR 09845665529 (Red. No. 5956) DUBAI : Roman Catholic 26 years, graduate working in UAE, Seeks alliance from Roman Catholic based in UAE. Email details to : joypeace62@gmail.com (Regd. No. 5955) MUMBAI : Goan Roman Catholic Spinster, aged 38 years, Ht. 5’ 7”, Wt. 55 kgs, Fair Complexion, Edn. 7th Std., working as a Tel. Operator.

Seeks a suitable match. Contact email : cynthiacolasco@rocketmail.com OR 7738181127 (Regd. No. 5954)

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

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Housing Loan Terminology Decoded apartment from a builder and it is under construction, the home loan company will not release all the payment at one go. The money will be released in stages.

For instance, after the completion of the first floor, 20% of the payment will be made, on the completion of the last floor, 40% and so on and so forth. Hence payment is construction linked and disbursed accordingly.

hen you are in the process of getting a loan to buy your dream home, financial institutions or banks usually use a number of technical terms which may sound new to you. The terminology might confuse you, if you do not know what it stands for.

This article provides a list of technical terms used by banks for home loan:

Advance disbursement facility

Margin

When you borrow, the home loan company or the bank will not lend you the entire amount. It will lend you 80% to 90% amount of the cost of your home.

You will have to pay the balance 20% to 10%. The balance amount which you pay from your porket is called the down payment or margin money.

Resale

This is the term used when you are buying a home from someone who already owns it and is selling it. Hence, it is called resale. It indicates you are not buying a brand new home straight from the builder or buying one currently under construction.

Credit appraisal

on the request of a builder. Banks / FI's have the technical know-how, so their assessment will be a comprehensive one. It also takes into consideration things like the track record of the builder among several other things.

If everything is in order, the builder will get a stamp of approval. Also, the bank / FI will view the builder's ability and track record to complete the construction on time. However, this does not mean the home finance company is going to take any action or waive any charges if the construction is delayed. All it means is that the property falls within the legal purview and the builder has a good track record.

A home loan company or banks will consider a number of parameters before it sanctions a loan to you. They will check your savings, income, age, qualifications, nature of work and work experience, etc. They will also verify how many loans you are currently servicing.

Taking all these factors into account, lenders will determine whether you are eligible for a loan or not and also what should be the amount to be lent to you.

This process is known as credit appraisal.

Equated monthly installments

Repayment tenure

• The principal (the actual loan amount).

• The repayment period (the number of

Repayment tenure is the tenure for the number of year for which the loan gets sanctioned.

Pre-approved property

Before purchasing any property, the home buyer needs to ensure that the builder possesses the requisite approvals. It means that the titles and the documents of the property have been examined by a bank / financial institution (FI)

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An EMI is the amount of money you will have to pay every month in order to repay your loan. An EMI is an unequal combination of your loan amount (principal) and the rate of interest. The EMI remains constant throughout the repayment period. Let's say you have a fiveyear loan with an EMI of Rs 4,400. You will have to pay this amount for the next 60 months to the home loan company.

To arrive at the EMI, the home loan financier will look at:

years you will take to repay the loan).

• The rate of interest.

• How the rate of interest is computed

(monthly reducing, quarterly reducing or annual reducing basis).

Partial disbursement

A partial disbursement is made in stages (not at one go as in the case of full disbursement). When purchasing an

If the house is still under construction, then a partial disbursement is made.

However, in some cases, the home loan company may be willing to make the entire payment even if the construction is not complete. This is known as an advance disbursement and will occur only in both these instances: • If the buyer requests the home loan

company to do so.

• If the home loan company is fairly

convinced the builder will complete the construction on time.

Pre-EMI interest

In the case of part disbursement of the loan, monthly interest is payable only on the disbursed amount. This interest is called pre-EMI interest and is payable monthly till the final disbursement is made, after which the EMIs would commence.

Offer Letter

Once the loan is sanctioned, you will get an offer letter stating a number of details.

• Loan amount • Rate of interest • Fixed/ flexible rate of interest • Tenure of the loan • EMI amount • If offered under a special scheme,

details of the scheme

• Any other conditions of the loan

This letter does not mean the loan is yours. It only means the home loan company has agreed to consider you as one of its customers. It will then look into the various property and legal documents as well as value the property you are buying. The loan will only be disbursed once these formalities are complete.

11 November 2013

Mar Thoma Bishop seeks houses for all Pathanamthitta: Metropolitan, Philipose Mar Chrysostum of the Mar Thoma Church has called upon Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to initiative project to provide houses for the houseless in the state.

Chandy was on a visit to the bishop’s House on the banks of the Pampa at Maramon on Sunday. Continuing the “Zero Landless” project, aimed at providing land to all landless people, the government should launch another scheme aimed at making Kerala a “zero houseless” state, Mar Chrysostum said.

The Metropolitan said financial assistance should be delivered to the houseless through local self-government institutions, avoiding middlemen.

The chief minister released a teleserial on the Metropolitan, Mar Chrysostum Speaking, by Mathew Koshy Punnackadu, former Principal of Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara.

He said the senior bishop's criticism laced with humor had a strengthening effect on society and people seldom questioned it.

Joseph Mar Barnabas Metropolitan; P.T. Thomas, Mar Thoma Church secretary; Peelipose Thomas, former Planning Board member; Royce Mallasserry, Principal, St Thomas College, Kozhencherry; and Prof.

Punnackadu were present.

Jhansi Rani Communication Studio

Royal Christian Family 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 !!

His Excellency Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, blessed and inaugurated Rani Communication Studio at Jhansi on 25 October 2013 at St. Jude Shrine, Jhansi (Report on p.10)

11 November 2013

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

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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.

11 November 2013

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

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In an Easy to use tube with Nozzle Availabe at

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Mobile : 09664310422

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 11 November 2013 Printers: The Secular Citizen, Fort, Mumbai 400001. Editor : Philip Myaboo

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