PEACE RALLY BY BENGAL CHRISTIAN COUNCIL ON 20TH JANUARY 2023

RAJKUMAR DAS

 The contribution of the Church towards nation building is undeniably varied and immense. Its role in the fields of education, health service for all, with special attention to mother and child health care, aiderly care, service to the differently able care for the homeless and destitute women's empowerment, youth empowerment and human resource development is certainly

commendable

More than two centuries ago Christian missionaries first established their educational instinations in the cities and distant rural areasof the country to spread the light of education among the masses-both men and women. This also included the education and support of the indigenous people and subaltern communities-the Adivasis and Tribals Several of those institutions are still catering to all sections of society producing scores of extremely successful alumni working in India and across the world. They have been educated with great care and solicitude in the hallowed portals of those iconic seats of learning which impart quality education and discipline coupled with strong moral and emical values

Yesterday on account of the dedicated service of the Chirch in the field of education and printing and publication, the literacy rateespecially in the South and North East India is very high in comparison with the national average The social face of the Christian faith is strikingly visible through the Church and Church run organizations/agencies like hospitals and dispensaries, orphanages and destitute homes Although Indian Christians form a minority community in the country their contribution in the field of health care and social service is enormous and exemplary. Not only do they run hospitals for patients suffering from diseases like Leprosy. Tuberculosis HIV/AIDS etc but the various Christian missions and Churches run Care and Support Centers to provide free shotter, education and health care to the children and immediate families of these patients and finally rehabilitate them in society. Saint Mother Teresa's selfless and dedicated service to the poor and destitute in India for over half a century is an outstanding example of the Church's identification with some of the serious problems of Indian society of our times

Statistics reveals that 85 percent of the health care institutions, run by the Church are in the villages. This is the real aim of the Church's life and mission-to be at the service of the last, the least and the lost Currently it is playing a leading role in working independently and networking with Government agencies in rescuing the victims of human trafficking, offering them legal assistance, providing them shelter in care homes with skill training and bringing them back into the mainstream of society with respectable jobs and steady incomes to live lives of dignity and confidence.

The Church pays no heed to caste, creed or religion and through its service to all sections of the people of this country has helped to

lay the foundations for a wider and deeper fraternity based on love, justice, forgiveness and solidarity

Under the Leadership and guidance of The Rt. Revd. Dr. Paritosh Canning, Bengal Christian Council and Bishop of Calcutta is making an all out effort to reach out to all the sections of the society with special emphasis on Women's Empowerment by encouraging self-sufficiency skill training, rehabilitation, especially for trafficking victims/survivors

For the Youth-Education, Career counseling, Income generating programme, to equip organizing games and sports for them on a regular basis to foster unity, fraternity and discipline.

as Entrepreneurs & job creators:

For the Elderly- To make sure that needy elderly people are properly looked after facilitating their creative involvement, regular

health careFor the underprivileged and downtrodden-Help them access benefits from numerous Government welfare schemes and counseling

Adivasis-Education, skill training, help them preserve their rich cultural heritage

Migrant labours and victims of pandemic induced lockdown - counseling and help them in mainstreaming

We need your prayers and encouragement.