Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (RD/SP)
Mumbai, Jan 14: Governor of Maharashtra S C Jamir said that the Christians in India could play a pivotal role in restoring peace, harmony and unity in the country under the prevailing turbulent scenario. For this purpose, they must awaken their conscience and assert their faith in the doctrines of Christianity, he advised.
"Our greatest and most affective weapon should be love, compassion and faith in the living God", he said.
Governor Jamir was speaking at a peace meeting organized by the 'Fellowship of Bishops in Mumbai' at YMCA International here on Monday January 12.
Archbishop of Bombay Oswald Cardinal Gracias and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Archbishop of Bombay metropolitan Gee Varghese Mar Coorilos, Bishop of Kalyan diocese Mar Thomas Elavanal, National Commission for Minorities deputy chairman Michael Pinto, media personality Roger Pereira, Dr D Y Patil University vice chancellor Prof James Thomas and many other eminent personalities were present on the occasion.
Governor Jamir said that in the past, the entire country would respond in unison whenever there was a crisis in one part of the country or the other. Leaders of those days were truly leaders of India. Parliament in those days always debated national agenda wherein people from all political parties would participate. He regretted that this feeling of fellowship and camaraderie towards the fellow countrymen has deteriorated over the decades. In this connection, Jamir pointed out that the north East in general and Nagaland in particular had been the victim of worst kind of terrorism for more than the last three decades and yet there was little or no response either from the people from other parts of the country or the Christian fraternity in India.
Mentioning that naxalism was the outcry of the hungry people, Jamir said the problem arose because the tribals were uprooted from their homes and no arrangements were made for their proper rehabilitation. The governor said that a lasting peace could be established by adopting humanitarian and compassionate approach towards the problems like naxalism, insurgency, etc.
A two-minute silence was observed to pay homage to the persons who died in the recent terrorists attack in the metro.