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ROBERT JOHN KENNEDY: 'Kerala to launch massive anti-liquor campaign'

ROBERT JOHN KENNEDY: 'Kerala to launch massive anti-liquor campaign': 'Kerala to launch massive anti-liquor campaign' The Congress' anti-liquor steps comes at a time when the state recorded a...

'Kerala to launch massive anti-liquor campaign'

The Congress' anti-liquor steps comes at a time when the state recorded a record turnover of Rs.9,300 crore in sales of liquor and beer last fiscal, up from Rs.8,818 crore during 2012-13.

Thiruvananthapuram:  Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Tuesday promised to launch a widespread anti-liquor/smoking/drug abuse campaign in the state, a Congress leader said.

State party chief V.M.Sudheeran however said the government was not planning to impose prohibition in the state.

Addressing the media Tuesday night after the party's state executive meeting, Sudheeran said speaker after speaker emphasised that whatever gains the state has made in several social indicators is being spoilt by the state leading the country in per capital liquor consumption and also widespread use of other forms of intoxication materials.

"Chandy assured the meeting that very soon a joint task force comprising of the various key ministries - home, local self government, health, youth welfare, excise and social empowerment -would be set up and if necessary fresh laws will also be enacted to see how this menace can be tackled.

"The various non-governmental agencies who are involved in this work would also be invited to strengthen the awareness campaign besides the local bodies also will be playing an important role in this campaign," said Sudheeran.

He however ruled out bringing in total prohibition in the state.

"In 1996, the then chief minister A.K.Antony went ahead with the bold step of banning arrack and in 2004, Chandy also took steps to see that the number of toddy shops be cut down. All these are the Congress' policy of taking the route of what the Father of the Nation wanted," added Sudheeran.

The Congress' anti-liquor steps comes at a time when the state recorded a record turnover of Rs.9,300 crore in sales of liquor and beer last fiscal, up from Rs.8,818 crore during 2012-13.

By Wednesday, a broad consensus would be reached to finalise the new liquor policy of the state and also all eyes are on whether a decision would be arrived to reopen 418 bars, which was closed down last month, after they were found to be maintained improperly.

IANS

ROBERT JOHN KENNEDY: Teresian Carmelites dispatch first group to U.S

ROBERT JOHN KENNEDY: Teresian Carmelites dispatch first group to U.S: Teresian Carmelites dispatch first group to U.S . The sisters have come in to replace School Sisters of Notre Dame, whose numbers at t...

Teresian Carmelites dispatch first group to U.S.

The sisters have come in to replace School Sisters of Notre Dame, whose numbers at the school were declining.

Washington:  A group of four Teresian Carmelites from Kerala are quickly adjusting to their new life in the Diocese of Bismarck, N.D., helping out in the Catholic Indian Mission and teaching at St. Bernard Mission School in Fort Yates.

They are the first time members of their congregation have lived and served in the Western Hemisphere. Their order, founded in 1866, is based in Kerala.

"It's a great encouragement to the Catholic people that we're able to have religious women in the diocese who are active in the apostolate of Catholic school education," Bishop David D. Kagan of Bismarck told Catholic News Service.

The sisters have come in to replace School Sisters of Notre Dame, whose numbers at the school were declining. Father Biju Chitteth, a Keralite priest in western North Dakota, connected with the Mother Liza of the Congregation of Teresian Carmelites connected hem with Bishop Kagan.

St. Bernard Mission School, which was established more than 100 years ago and has always been staffed by religious sisters, strives to help its students "have better lives without taking away their identity," Benedictine Father Basil Atwell of the Church of St. Peter said.

Even though they speak English, the Teresian Carmelites have had to adapt to the people's Lakota dialect. But this language barrier has not hindered their effect on the students.

"(They are) a great example to the young people, especially the young women," Bishop Kagan said of the sisters.

He said young women have already requested to sit down and ask them about their life and customs.

"I'm very grateful to God and to the Teresian Carmelites for answering a rather urgent plea," Bishop Kagan said. "We were uncertain we would be able to have sisters (on such short notice)."

Source: catholicsentinel

ROBERT JOHN KENNEDY: Priest principal's election letter turns controver...

ROBERT JOHN KENNEDY: Priest principal's election letter turns controver...: Priest principal's election letter turns controversial Father Frazer Mascarenhas of Mumbai's St. Xavier's college emailed ...

Priest principal's election letter turns controversial

Father Frazer Mascarenhas of Mumbai's St. Xavier's college emailed the letter on Tuesday, two days ahead of polling.

Mumbai:  The principal of the St Xavier's college in Mumbai has sent an e-mail to his students urging them to vote judicially, which has turned controversial with a section of media interpreting it as anti-Modi campaign.

The letter of Father Frazer Mascarenhas did not name Narendra Modi but criticized the "Gujarat model" of governance and advised students to”choose well!"

His letter said that "all the Human Development Index indicators and the cultural polarization of the population show that Gujarat has had a terrible experience in the last 10 years."

The letter was emailed to students and was also uploaded on the college website on Tuesday, two days ahead of voting for the national election.

The article highlights what he believes the poor state of health, education and other indicators in the state Mr. Modi has ruled since 2001.

"So what lessons does a reflection on the approaching elections teach us? The prospect of an alliance of a corporate capital and communal forces coming to power constitutes a real threat to the future of our secular democracy," he said.

Father Mascarenhas, facing criticism from the academic community for what they call an attempt to influence young voters, said, "The Election Commission has written to all principals to encourage students to vote. It's a common practice for principals to advice students to go out and vote. While encouraging them to vote, the principal has given them certain criteria that they could consider and make their choice."

The St Xavier's letter has ignited a fiery debate on social media.

"Actions of the Principal of Mumbai's St Xavier’s confirms they are incapable of producing students who can think independently. Students of Mumbai's St Xavier’s exposed to risk they may be penalized if they say something that does not fit into Principal's Political Box," tweeted Anil Kohli.

"Perhaps students can sue St Xavier's principal for imposing his political ideology on students," commented Nilay Shastri.

Father Mascarenhas has also got his share of supporters. "Whatever be his political leanings, this principal is one fine and well learned man," tweets Taj.

Nigel Britto writes, "Whatever you think of St Xavier's principal Fr Frazer's letter his last para is spot on."

Source: ndtv