GOOD SHEPHERD CLINIC BANKURA

Raja Moses: A dream for the poor people of Bankura was visualized on 15^th August, 2011 by the inauguration of a new Good Shepherd Clinic at Bankura.The Rt.Rev.Dr.P.K.Dutta, Bishop of Diocese of Durgapur, Mr. Suman Biswas Youth President of National Council of Churches in India(N.C.C.I) and Mrs.Rita Dutta,President of Durgapur Women’s Fellowship for Christian Service blessed and inaugurated the clinic on that day. The Diocese of Durgapur also distributed wheel chairs to some of the handicapped people of Bankura on this day.

Many respected dignities of the diocese along with a gathering of one hundred people were found in the inauguration programme.We thank our Almighty for giving us an opportunity to serve the poor people. We are for the people and their love is for us.

Wheel Chair Distributed to the Physically Challenged

Raja Mojes :-The Diocesan Womens Felloship for Christian Service of the Diocese of Durgapur, distributed Fifteen wheelchairs to the physically challenged childrens of ‘Durgapur Handicapped Happy Home’ on 24th August 2011. 

This is one of the programmes of Diocesan Women Fellowship for Christian Service, which has reached to the physically challenged peoples around the Durgapur. On 15th of August Ten wheelchairs were also distributed at Bankura

Vanamahotsava Celebrated in Bankura

Gargee Seth: - On 15th July Vanamotsav was celebrated in St. Michael's School, Bankura. There was a rally with students, teachers, forest staff, and dignitaries from D.F.O. Office to St. Michael's School, Bankura. The programme was attended by the Principal of St. Michael's School, Durgapur, D.F.O. S. Kulandaivel, Chairperson Mrs. Shampa Daripa, Mrs. Susmita Das (Executive member of Diocese of Durgapur), and Rev. Tarun Mandi. Mrs. Shampa Daripa said "One Tree One Life", D.F.O. said that "One sapling is one life. If we cut the sapling we are destroying life. Plants are our family".
They also planted trees on the school premises. A cultural programme was performed by the students and light refreshment was arranged for all.

Ecumenical Solidarity for HIV & AIDS (ESHA)

Rev. P. K. Nayak :-On 29th July 2011, a Clergy Retreat and the National Council of Churches in India, with the collaboration of Diocese of Durgapur,  jointly organized a special programme on “Ecumenical Solidarity for HIV & AIDS (ESHA). The inaugural service was marked by a special order of prayer service prepared and led by Rev. Swagata Das, the Presbyter-in-Charge of St. Michael’s Church, Durgapur, and was attended by one and all presbyters and The Bishop. The resource person Mr. Subhobrata Das, Coordinator, Arunadoy Hospice, Kolkata explained very vividly and in a simple manner that these days many people are affected by this problem. This has become the a red alert and matter of concern for the present society.   This horrible and terrible disease was first identified in America in 1981 and in India in particular at Chennai in 1984. HIV means ‘Human Immune-deficiency Virus’ and AIDS means ‘Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome’. To eradicate this disease we need to stand hand in hand and help one another to get better treatment, to encourage prevention,and to take precautions. This disease is mainly transmitted in the following manners: heterosexual and Homosexual acts, syringe and needles blood donation. Our responsibility is to identify and help to get his/her blood check up done in the I.C.D.C  free of cost and to make medicines available too. He or She should not hide this problem to tell the reliable person who can help. The people need to live a social and good moral life so that it can be prevented. If not they should use preventative methods to prevent and protect one self and society at large.

AIDS IS A SLEEPING LION

Supriti Das:-  AIDS – Accuried Immunity Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS is one of the most dangerous disease in the whole world. AIDS is seen as a sleeping Lion, which is not found often among people as the peocese for the cure of the this disease is rarely found in India, due to which it is hardly found. And because of this we (the people) feel safe. But this perspective is totally wrong as HIV itself is not a disease, rather a virus. Which enters the human body and spreads diseases in the body, such as cough, cold, fever, tuberculosis etc. which ultimately leads to the death of the person. These diseases act as symptom to AIDS.

We do not have the cure to this dangerous disease but there is a hope of stopping this from spreading among people by taking certain measurements. To spread this awareness among the Women Fellowship of Diocese of Durgapur, a one day seminar has held at the shanti Griha, Durgapur. Sister Sangeeta Gorai of Khristiya Seva Niketan, Sarenga being the mains speaker conducted the session of the seminar under the Nation Council of Churches in India. Many members of the Women Fellowship of Diocese of Durgapur came from different pastorates, they were a total of 34 (members).

Queries like – what is AIDS? How is it traced? How does it spread? How can it be prevented from spreading?, etc. was answered. Sister Gorai said that it is especially the women who can spread the awareness and take steps to prevent it.

Tribal and Adivasi Sunday observed at St. Michael’s Church, Durgapur

Rev. Swagata Das :- The National Council of Churches in India is the united expression of the Protestant and Orthodox Churches in India. It is a Common Platform for thought and action by bringing together the Churches and other Christian organizations for mutual consultataion, assistance and action in all matters related to life and witness. In the context of the frightening reality of the increasing violation of Human Rights and Dignity of Indigenious peoples, Tribal and Adivasi in India at present, the National Council of Churches in India is of the strong opinion that the Church can no longer remain a silent observer.

In this undestanding of the life situation of the Tribal and Adivasi communities “Life with Dignity and together with Nature” took place  during 7th to 9th August , in partnership with the Diocese of Durgapur, CNI at Shanti Griha. About 25 deligates from the Churches (Kerela, Tamilnadu, Jharkhand, Mizoram) and the Civil Society from the tribal and Adivasi concerns came together for this seminer deliberating on various issues.

The inauguration of this seminer was taken place on 7th August with a very meaningful inagural service at St. Michael’s Church, Durgapur where a special liturgy was followed with Holy Communion. The texts Psalm 72: 1-20 and  4: 18-19, which are best known for their concerns on justice, Shalom and dignity of the people and for the whole creation were chosen for this special service and the preacher was Rev. Swagata Das.

Amidst the vast issues, Dr. Hrangthan Chunggi, Executive Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India – Commission on Tribal and Adivasi, and Rev. Dr. P.B. M. Basaiawmoti, Vice-President, of the National Council of Churches in India were concentrated on the issues that affect the very existence of tribal and adivasi peoples- such as life with dignity together with nature. The other speakers contributed to the process of deeper thinking and exploration on 1. Response from Social Service and Movement for A Just –Mission for the tribal and Adivasi Communities in India; 2. Church’s response for A Just –Mission for the tribal and Adivasi Communities in India; 3. Theological Education and its impact to the local congregation for  A Just –Mission for the tribal and Adivasi Communities in India.  On 9th August 2011, the United nation International Indigenous day started with beautiful Eco-Friendly meditation by Dr. H. Chunggi and then the celebration of the day opened by  symbolic action. The indigenious people’s cultural group from Kerela, Santhals from the Durgapur Child Study and Development Centre, Mizoram and Tamilnadu came to bring out the rich cultural diversites, colors and heritage of the indigenious people of India and the librative motifs. The programme was ended with the encouraging words of the Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta and presentation of momentoes to the participants and to the deligates. The prospect of the whole programme has conveyed a new meaning of the Kingdom of God for the Tribal and Adivasi communities in Indiathat the Kingdom of God is liberation from the bondages of all kinds of oppressions experienced in this  world here and now. 

A NEW CHANCE IN LIFE

Raja Moses : Christians are called by Jesus to love the poor and care for children in need. In Matthew 18:5, Jesus tells us, “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”

To show Christ’s love in a lasting, meaningful way is the goal of the Interfaith Community Study Center,Bankura, one of the projects run by D.W.F.C.S, Diocese of Durgapur—a trusted Christian humanitarian organization. This project helps to provide children with access to life-changing essentials like nutritious food, healthcare, and educational opportunities — helping them reach their God-given potential.

SK-Rakesh is a young Muslim boy living in a slum village in Bankura, near the Interfaith Community and Study Center (IFCSC). His father was recently put into prison on charges of beating his wife. His mother Rakhi works as a maidservant in someone’s household, while also working to raise Rakesh and his older brother Juman. The family struggles to survive off of his mother’s small income of around Rs. 1,000 per month, or about 22 dollars. Rakesh often has to skip meals throughout the day. This year, his mother attempted to enroll him in the hostel in Durgapur, where he would receive 3 meals per day and attend school full time. His father, however, upon hearing that he had moved into the hostel, beat his wife severely and required that the boy return home, which he did immediately.

Since he began attending the after-school program at the IFCSC six months ago, this 5-year-old’s life has changed tremendously. He now receives a snack every day, and has been officially enrolled at a government school. He studies at the after school center and takes part in dance and tae kwon do lessons. Teachers at the center are aware of his family situation and help to watch over him. While his future is still unclear, his options are much broader thanks to his involvement in the IFC.