Paradise of Birds

India is a home for many species of birds’ local as well as migrant birds. Bird sanctuaries in India are therefore a hot spot for personality lovers and birdwatchers like me. I have shot these pictures in Ranganthittu Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, India. It is situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, includes of groups of six islets as well. The isolated islets and the abundance of aquatic insects during the monsoon make Ranganathittu a favorite abode for birds. i have found it is a delightful place to visit. What make is inviting is that it is an important Asian nesting and breeding ground for migratory birds from all across the earth.

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Obama Vs Osama

It has been a year since Al-Qaeda’s leader Osama Bin laden was killed by the elite Special Forces. It is a defining moment of the world, especially to USA. U.S.A government charged that Osama headed an international terrorist network called ‘Al Qaeda’ an Arabic word meaning ‘the base.’ By eliminating Osama, Obama claimed that he had brought justice to the victims of terror. But there is a need to know that Is Al-Qaeda finished or hat it simply mutated.

The loss of founder and leader of Al-Qaeda has discarded its ability to bring out more terrorist activists which they claim that ‘Jihad’, means holy war. Because what gave substance to Al-Qaeda’s global ambition was the person of Bin Laden. He was a unique figure whom his successors are incapable of replacing. And the key idea of radicalizing and mobilizing its ideology across Islamic has failed. That is more evident in Middle East uprising as theywere democracy not for radical Jihad. In addition, since al-Qaeda took its place on the world stage, a process of assessment has been going on. In spite of Muslim anger over both Iraq, Afghanistan and Yeman, that assessment, never truly positive, has become more and more negative as Al-Qaeda has alienated people by its indiscriminate killing.

War on terrorism can be justified. However, military techniques may bring momentary advantage. Development aid can shift attitudes. Intelligence can abort particular attacks. However the real change has been more fundamental than what we think. There is a significant necessity to search out a permanent solution to tackle the so called ‘holy war,’ terrorism.

The global pattern of War on Terrorism emerges rapidly against Al-Qaeda. Military action has evidently marginalized Al-Queda in Iraq, Pakistan and in troubled Afghanistan, although its offshoots and associates in North Africa and the Yemen are stronger and may still be growing. However, its ability to conduct long-range operations in the Eastern and non-Eastern countries has been reduced by good intelligence and measured such as the continual tracking of its communications.

The cause of terrorism is not just because of an individual or a group of people who have wrong ideology, but it is mostly because of mistake of foreign policies of different countries in the world. When developed countries trying to play a hero role to their country people, it indirectly affects developing countries. However I cannot also neglect the fact that religion and racism are other root causes of terrorism.

Well, I am not an anti-American, however, I should write about the controversial story behind Osama. It claims that during in the 1970s, when the Russia was the biggest threat to America and radical Islam was not as a concern of the USA’s, the USA began funding and training Islamic militants to fight their Russian enemies in Afghanistan.[1] Because of the failure in the foreign policy of America, its own trainee turned against the trainer, America. What happened in the rest of the history we all know. In addition, fairly recently, it seemed like there was a family feud – passed down from the Crusades or the like-going on between the Husseins and the Bushs for much of two decades.

Can terrorism be eliminated by Military action? Never. For instance, Haqqani network is emerging, that is still strong. Can terrorist ever achieve their dream by killing innocent people? oh Never. Evidently, Osama and Obama have failed. I remember Gandhiji words “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Terrorism and war will destroy the humanity from the face of the earth if we fail to stop. I don’t know how much it is possible but I conclude this article by a saying of Jesus, that is

                “Love your enemies”

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[1] http://newsone.com/1205745/cia-osama-bin-laden-al-qaeda/

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Nexalism – the Unforgotten War in India

Hostage crisis is the word repeatedly occurred in Indian media as Nexals are showing their militant face by kidnapping government officials. For instance, the abduction of Sukma district collector in Chhattisgarh state in India. According to media yesterday they released the statement to justify the abduction of IAF officer – Alex Paul Menon. Their statement goes like this “these people need to understand the reality on the ground and the manner in which the people are suffering state’s repression and the role of district collector in it.” But in practical ground, this militant activity of Nexals caused chaos in that region. The sudden rush of nexalism was brooded by corruption in a democratic government. Though democracy gives liberty, sometimes it causes chaos in society.

Though  socialist system collapsed in USSR, still socialism has its impact in Indian society in the form of Nexals/Moaists. The Nexals are considered far-left radical communists, supportive of Maoist political sentiment and ideology.   To have a comprehensive idea on Nexals, we need to understand the tribal tradition first. The distinctiveness of tribal tradition lies in affirming the centrality of land or space as the foundation for understanding the tribal people’s culture, identity, personhood and religious ethos.

The recent fighting scenario and Naxals aggressive behavior shows that they will not give up their guns. It is theoretically problematic to assert the existence of Naxels as they stand for their principles to bring the deliverance from the oppressed community. Maoists are not cowards enacting dramas. They have been fighting for the cause of oppressed for last 30 to 40 years. The boldness and reckless are indirectly stimulated by the oppression of the local government and the corrupted politicians.

The lack of knowledge of our political leaders in tribal issues has been proved by the recent Union Budget. The union budget has set aside a mammoth amount of over Rs.40,000 crores/ $ 8 billion to battle Naxals and other separatists in the North Eastern States, who posed a serious challenge to the nation’s internal security.  This step shows the total ignorance to tackle the problems of Nexals. Can these deployments stop the Nexalism, never. It may provide temporary solution but not the permanent one.

Clearly, Gandhi had visualized the menace we are facing today. Indian political leaders should aware of the Mahatma Gandhi’s warning. Father of our nation had warned 68 years ago about inevitable armed revolutions in Indian if the gulf between the rich and the hungry continued to persist. The remarks of the civil society may be dismissed as “unnecessary romanticism of violence,” but can we afford to overlook the warning of the father of the nation.

Gandhiji and his methodologies are still very much relevant in relation to resolving state-people conflicts and especially when the present political system has no clue to an appropriate political starter for such conflict resolution except using forces. Today the mainstream politics need to learn the relevance and art of political mobilization of common and deprived people from Gandhiji’s historic experiences. Therefore we need to recall what were the views of other legendary leaders of India bout the social and political conflicts which would emerge in independent India. In 1931, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar in his famous speech in the Round Table Conference in London mentioned about the duality on Indian society and that of the political classes, which would create more inequality and hence violence. It is not always a bad idea to trace the roots of present day problem in the historical experiences of the legends of India.

Naxalism and insurgency would automatically disappear if development and equality are ensured to all citizens of the country. The most stupid thing to do is to try to crush the oppressed through deploying para-military.

There are plenty of the ways for tackling the problem. One of the way to solve problems is through talks. Nexalism started due to the pauperization and exploitation of the peasantry in a filthy feudal system in the countryside. Nexals must be talked into giving up the gun by fulfilling their legitimate demands of development of all section of society.

Further, one of the root causes of Nexalism is low or no development of the affected areas. In one sense, poverty makes crime. So the natural solution is bringing development mainly in the form of education, employment and infrastructure. Sustainable employment will be permanent solutions for the eradication of Nexalism in India which will lead to education, development and patriotism.

Violence only breeds more violence and tears apart the society. Government and Nexals should realize that violence cannot bring peace or development. The stupid self-serving politicians and bureaucrats in the central and state governments and leaders of Nexals have to realize this. Till then this frightening scenario will not be over. We have to unify India by fighting against corruption, have transparency and find innovative ways to promote the deserving under privileged.

I will be posting few more articles about my experiences in the Nexal heartlands and in North East India.

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Nagaland - an Amazing Creation of God

Nagaland is one of the seven sister states in North Eastern India bounded by Myanmar in the East; Assam in the West; Arunachal Pradesh and a part of Assam in the North with Manipur in the south. It offers rich incomparable traditional and cultural heritage.

Hornbill is considered as festivals of festival. These unique pictures are from Hornbill festival of 2010.

Naga

The inhabitants of Nagaland India are called ‘Naga’ which has incepted from ‘Nanga’ means naked. It is also because the Nagas are known for avowed for their sparseness of clothes.

The tribes dwelling in the rural pockets of Nagaland preserve their own age-old customs and rituals. Known for their friendly demeanor and hard-working nature, the people of Nagaland have a significant contribution towards the socio-cultural development of the state. 

Culture

Colorful life and culture are an integral part of the 16 officially recognized Naga tribes of Nagaland. These 16 tribes are different and unique in their customs and traditions. These customs and traditions are future translated into festivals which revolve around their agricultural cycle. Songs and dances form the soul of these festivals through which their oral history has been passed down the generations. 

Language

The tribes of Nagaland are separately marked by indigenous customs, traditions, language and dresses. The tribes of Nagaland have their own distinctive language. The unique thing is in remote parts of Nagaland, each and every village has its own dialect which cannot be understood by neighboring villagers.

Religion
Nagaland is still a predominately rural region but it has one odd characteristic, unlike most of the sub-continent it is majority Christian- the census of 2001 estimated that Nagaland was 90% Christian. 

This Christianisation proceeded over the last century- at the end of the 19th Century there were according to census data an insignificantly small number of Christians living within Nagaland. Most of the Naga churches belong to Baptist denomination. according to my understanding church has more power than the state.

Ornaments

Fundamentally both the sexes of Naga tribe are fond of wearing and adorning themselves with colorful ornaments. In the past, Naga soldiers wore a miniature trophy masks as a pendant in a chain or necklace symbolizing their valor as headhunters. Naga hand crafts have an aesthetic quality.

Hospitality
Based on my personal experience, Nagas are straight forward people, honest, hardworking, and with a high standard of integrity. a striking character of the Naga tribes is their hospitality and cheerfulness. once i was provided rich which was preserved 30 years ago.

Naga people possess a unique air of strength, self reliance, freedom and independence. Simultaneously, they have also safeguarded in indissoluble connection and loyalty towards their land, tribe and kin. They combine a sincere warm-heartedness towards their friends and an unyielding toughness in their fight against enemies, which is embodied in the fierce drum beat of war.

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Communicating Christological terms to Hindus and Muslims in India

 INTRODUCTION:

The purpose of this article is to explore the relationship between context and communication of gospel in India, more specifically, the role of context in utterance interpretation.  Using different names – Christological terms convey the different meaning to people according to their religious back group as their world views are determined by their religious ideology. Christological terms emphasis the uniqueness of Christ, the necessity of the church, and the obligation to proclaim the gospel to the whole world. We must emphasize that apologetics within inter religious contexts is a difficult and sensitive matter that must be conducted with wisdom, tact and genuine respect for religious others.

Jesus Christ is the center of Christian life and is the substance of Christ faith. Every Christology is a quest to grasp the content and explain the meaning of the mystery of Jesus Christ, to discover and articulate how God is related to humanity and how humanity is related to God in Jesus Christ. In this context of ongoing life in India where Christians live and work together with neighbors of other faiths, where a deep seated theological tolerance coexists with social intolerance. Any attempt to formulate such a Christology should take into account a fact that acceptance of a sense of mystery and the other the rejection not an exclusive attitude where ultimate matters are concerned.

In today’s pluralistic context, the question of the uniqueness of Christ is constantly being challenged, often from unbiblical presuppositions. However, we should not diminish the value of Christian dogmas, as well as we should make sure that our doctrines should not be hindrance to them to know the love of God.

USING SON OF GOD:

To call Jesus Christ by title the ‘Son of God’ does not mean for Rammohan Roy that He is God. [1] If we describe Jesus as the Son of God, to Hindus, who are majority in India, may understand this term from the perspectives of family concept of Hindu Gods. Consequently, it would confer the erroneous picture that Jesus in one of the member of the God’s family.

Nevertheless it is our responsibility that, we should offer the gospel that Jesus is equal to God and He is one of God head and He called as son of God. Through Him, we can access our God as our own father.  They all are one in substance and differ in functions.

USING THE TERM LORD:

The term Lord is very much similar to the Indian context. Because Indians are bound with the concept of master, jamintar – land lords, Panchait prathan – head of village.

Moreover, this term Lord are known with it s negative connotation, because more of these land lords known for their brutality, injustice, oppression on the low class or caste people. In addition, this term also may convey a wrong picture of imperialism as the Indian were ruled by the British.

It shows the necessity of Jesus as Lord in a proper way without giving any negative annotation.

USING THE TERM CHRIST AS AVATARA;

In terms of using Christ as avatara, Hindus may understand that Jesus as one of Avatara of Vishu who always take human avatara to destroy the evil doers and to establish righteousness. But Jesus came to save the sinners. But we should help the other religious people to distinguish to clear difference between avatara and the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

SON OF GOD IN ISLAM:

Muslims believe that God is one, that there are no gods except the God. And they do believe that Jesus is one of the nabi. To the Muslim, the term Son of God is shirk, blasphemy of the worst kind. 

But Jesus is more than a prophet. He is the Messiah ( John 1:14). Jesus, the Messiah is also the Son of God. Bible, the written Word of God affirms that “last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” Heb 1:1-2. Jesus Christ is not simple human – ‘nabi’, but He is truly human and truly Divine. This is the core and kernel of the Christian faith.[2] Subsequently, Quran rejects the Sonship of Christ ( Qur’an 2:116, , 161 / 6: 102 -104/ 10:68 / ). It alleges that the Divine realm is free from human imperfection. Attributing a Son of God is attributing imperfection to the Divine realm. God neither can have a son who is human not become a human himself. A son or a daughter is born as a fruit of the conjugal lobe of a man and woman. [3] Therefore, when Christians use the term in reference to Jesus, they immediately assume that the Christians are committing blasphemy by stating that God has participated in some sort of sexual union with another god – a goddess wife. [4] 

If we sum up, the following of the reasons for Quaranic rejection of the Sonship of Christ:

Ø  “God begets not, nor is he begotten” (Quran 112:3).

Ø  Sonship is nothing but giving God partners and giving up the very idea of monotheism.

Ø  The Transcendent God cannot have a mortal son through sexual relations with a mortal consort.[5]

However it is needed to know that the idea of God in flesh is, also, often expressed in the Injil by the use of the term “Son” on its own, or the term “Son of Man.”

According to my personal experience with my Muslim brothers, it would not be perfect, if you start your conversation with Christ. Instead if you start with God or creation and finish your conversation with Christ, it will pave the way to understand the Christ as Second person of God head. Otherwise it will cause dilemma and religious arguments.

Christ: the redeemer of humanity:

Jesus, the risen one from the dead, has the power to liberate from sin and death of this universe. Jesus is Lord, savior and redeemer through his resurrection: it transforms his exemplary life and his death into a power which can liberate the chains of sin and death, and makes it possible of people to enter into the life of the Son of God.[6]

Significantly, Muslims reject the idea of redemption. For Muslims God is abundantly forgiving. He forgives the repentant sinner. Human repentance and god’s forgiveness are intimately connected.  God’s forgiveness goes even before human repentance. Their understanding human sinfulness and God’s forgiveness do not leave any space for a redeemer. Consequently, they find no reason to see Jesus as redeemer.

Moreover, they do not accept the death of Jesus on the cross. Because, Muslims brothers and sisters believe that God saved him miraculously, because, Cod cannot surrender his own envoy to his enemies.

To the Christian, and according to the Bible, Jesus is the one who alone saves human being from their sins. Because of the totally depravity of the human beings, we cannot earn our way to heaven, perform enough good works to please God, or ever be "sincere enough" in repentance to somehow obtain forgiveness from God.  However God love us though we are sinners. The ultimate love of Ultimate being was showed on cross through the sacrifice of His begotten Son for the redemption of His creation. 

CONCLUSION:

There is always a danger in communicating gospel to the people of other faiths. Therefore when we use this kind of terms, we should know the world views of our audience. Otherwise we will cause negative impact unintentionally. Consequently we will be the hindrance for them to know the love of Christ. Therefore let us make sure that let our communication may bring the proper understanding on God, Jesus Christ. In addition, I vehemently believe that there is no salvation outside the Christ. So our approach on Jesus Christ should be based on the Bible as much as possible.

As we are called to the show the love of God, in fulfilling the commission of God, there is plenty of room for diligence and alertness, but no room for laziness or privilege (Titus 1:5-9). Let us be always extra careful about our communications to our fellow brother and sisters who are yet to experience the love of God.

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[1] Mathew Vekathanam, Indian Christology, Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, 2004, 363.

[2] Victor Edwin SJ, Prophesy: Christian – Muslim Perspectives, Salaam, October 2007, vol 28, no.4. 189.

[3]  Victor Edwin SJ, Prophesy: Christian – Muslim Perspectives, Salaam, October 2007, vol 28, no.4. 189.

[4]  http://www.carm.org/islam/obj_Jesus_son.htm

[5] http://www.carm.org/islam/obj_Jesus_son.htm

[6] Victor Edwin SJ, Prophesy : Christian – Muslim Perspectives, Salaam, October 2007, vol 28, no.4. 193.

As he referred Christian w. troll, S.J., Muslims ask, Christian Answer, 28

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Christian spirituality

Christian spirituality is self-awareness with a deeper openness to find out the supernatural oneness of God’s incarnation within each and every believer. It is an individual reformation in a personal dealing with God in a way that Scripture commends. It seeks deeper understanding about the very existence of the human race as they were created to praise and have holiest fellowship with the Ultimate being who longs to have fellowship with His pinnacle of creation.

 It is not superficial holiness which significantly exists because of the lack of biblical insight, theological profundity and charismatic chaos. Consequently the contemporary Christianity has forgotten to remember that the core of Christian spirituality is experiencing Christ likeness in the life of profound Christian according to Romans 12:1, 2.

Christian spirituality is not just following the set of written rules but it is having an intimate relationship with that transcendent Infinite Being. The passionate love which is spectacularly expressed in Song of Songs can be considered as the very fountain of Christian spirituality. It is started by the work of the Holy Spirit in every elected one as He is the very cause of regeneration in our depraved condition. Therefore I conclude that Christian spirituality is nothing but cooperating with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to express the intimate love which we have on our creator.

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