NWICC discussion on Ecumenical Transparency, Accountability & Responsibility’

/0 Comments/in , /by

The North West India Council of Churches (NWICC) in collaboration with National Council Churches in India (NCCI) organised a seminar on 25th February 2017 themed upon ‘National Ecumenical Campaign for Transparency, Accountability & Responsibility’. Bishop Collin C. Theodore, Secretary, NWICC was hosting the seminar.

The two resource persons for the seminar Rev. Arvind Peter & Ms. Nirmala Fenn reflected upon the topic discussing the biblical nature of corruption in this modern world and deliberated on how to ‘be JUST’ IMG_20170225_145509

Chalo Nagpur March ! Women’s Action for Justice and Peace Against the Forces of Hatred, Inequality, Fascism and Dominance

/0 Comments/in , , /by

 ‘Nagpur Chalo March’  gathered more than 3000 women from different parts of India on 10th March 2017 in Indora Maidan, Nagpur. Women from Dalit, adivasi, bahujan and minority communities, women from different faiths disabled, queer women, transgender people, sex workers, nomadic tribeswomen, students and many others discriminated against on the basis of caste, class, religion, community, sexuality, gender, disability, occupation or age came together to raise their voices against the forces of communal, brahmanical, feudal, casteist, capitalist patriarchy on 10th of March 2017.

International Women’s Day on March 8th 2017 geared up women different parts of the world to protest against fascism, racism, discrimination, intolerance, hatred. Fascism is increasing in the world today which is fueling heinous crimes and breeding culture of violence. There are  countless cases of heinous gendered and sexual crimes by dominant castes upon Dalit girls and women of minority communities in India . Women’s and girls’ bodies have become battlefields where caste and communal wars of hatred are being fought . Rape has become an instrument to revenge, creating terror and shaming communities.

Read more

Maternity Leave Increases from 12 weeks to 26 Weeks in India

/0 Comments/in , /by

“Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030” was the IWD theme of UN. As the world commemorated IWD in India  on March 8, 2017, the Lok  Sabha, on 9th March, 2017, passed amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, increasing the period of maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, which is over six months.

With this, India has become the country with the third highest Maternity Leave,  Canada and Norway grant 50 weeks and 44 weeks respectively as paid maternity leave. The Rajya Sabha had passed it in August last year. (source: www.timesofindia.indatimes.com, accessed on 12 March 2017)

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka  Gandhi  said this was a major step towards empowering women. “I am very, very happy we have made history today. This will help thousands of women and produce much healthier children. We have been working on it for a long time,”she said.

The World Health Organization recommends that every child should be breastfed within an hour of birth and given only breast milk for their first six months of life. Breastfeeding should ideally continue up to the age of two, along with complementary food. In India, proper breastfeeding could reduce thousands of child deaths and episodes of diarrhoea and pneumonia annually.

Mrs Maneka Gandhi further states that “ After giving birth, a woman’s body needs to heal over a period of time. It is a very stressful time for the mother, who should be with the child. Moreover the Bill has its roots in malnutrition, as breast feeding the child is recommended which is not possible unless the mother is in physical proximity of the child.”

The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 protects the employment of a woman during the time of her maternity and entitles her to full paid absence from work to take care of her child. Among other things, the bill provides for 12 weeks of maternity leave to a woman who legally adopts a child under three months of age and a commissioning mother (defined as a biological mother) who uses her egg to have a surrogate child.

The bill also requires every establishment with 50 or more employees to provide creche facilities within a prescribed distance. The woman will be allowed four visits to the creche a day. This will include her interval for rest.It has also made a provision under which an employer can permit a woman to work from home, if the nature of work assigned permits.

Read more

International Women’s Day 2017- “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030

/0 Comments/in , /by

Click on the Link to Download IWD  Newsletter   IWD-2017NCCI Resource Material2

As the world commemorates International Women’s Day on 8th March 2017, the National Council of Churches invites churches, church leaders, Christian  organizations , and church run institutions to create and promote “women and family friendly” work places. India is the fourth dangerous country in the world for women to live in. India women face challenges and discrimination also in work place

The UN theme for IWD 2017 focuses on “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”. IWD provides us the opportunity to rethink, deliberate, discuss, implement policies, educate colleagues, communities, congregations and engage in spiritual formation for gender justice to create women and family friendly workplace.

The world of work is changing with significant implications for women. On one hand, we have globalization, technological and digital revolution and the opportunities they bring, and on the other hand, the growing informality of labour, unstable livelihoods and incomes, new fiscal and trade policies and environmental impacts—all of which must be addressed in the context of women’s economic empowerment.

PicsArt_02-27-01.20.01 (2)

Read more

NCCI Song Book and Mobile App Released

/0 Comments/in /by

NCCI SONG BOOK and Mobile App comprising traditional hymns, contemporary and ecumenical songs from various regions in India were released in the course of NCCI’s Executive Committee Meeting on February 14, 2017 at UELCI, Chennai, by Rt. Rev. Dr. P. C. Singh, President of National Council of Churches in India and in the presence of NCCI Treasurer, Rev. Dr. A. G. Augustine Jeyakumar, NCCI Vice Presidents, Mrs. Aleyamma Thomas and Mr. Liju Jacob Kuriakose, and NCCI General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad.

Releasing the Song Book, Rt. Rev. Dr. P. C. Singh congratulated NCCI’s Commission on Communication and said he is ‘happy to release this song book for the Glory of God and to the blessing of people’. He wishes and prays for this to be ‘yet another channel of God’s love and blessing in the form of hope, victory and fortitude that these songs inspire us for.’ He further noted that “It is an expression and celebration of ecumenical spirituality which seeks to understand, experience and communicate that which binds all creation in groaning and redemption, builds communities, and supports life in its fullness.”

Read more

Communication for Peace and Unity: Indian Traditional Games Celebration

/0 Comments/in /by

neelam

26th January 2017, NCCI Campus, Nagpur

 NCCI Commission on Communications in partnership with India Peace Centre (IPC) and Christian Service Agency (CSA) organized an event on ‘Indian non-formal Games ’ at NCCI Campus Nagpur on 26th January 2017. The theme of this unique event was ‘Communication for Peace and Unity’. The main focus of this event was to promote peace, friendship and unity through games and help break barriers of communication, encourage low cost gaming and socializing. There were participants from various churches along with some children who participated in the event.

IMG_7259This event started with registration. After registration, I was privileged to welcome  all the church leaders and participants. Rt. Rev. Paul Dupare (Bishop, Nagpur Diocese, CNI) inaugurated the event with a  word of prayer. Miss Simran, intern from IPC gave instructions to all participants regarding  rules of the games. There were so many traditional games like Gilli Danda, Lagori, spinning tops, playing with marbles, tyre race, skipping etc. All the persons present participated enthusiastically in the games .

The first round was ‘free practice and get together’ round. The participants from different churches and organizations had a time to interact with each other and practiced together. I noticed that even senior participants were fully involved in the games and enjoyed them thoroughly.

IMG_7290Rev. Caesar David conducted the challenge round. In this round, all participants played Gilli-danda, Lagori, Spinning the top, Marbles and skipping. There were 5 prizes for every sport: first, second, third and 2 consolation prizes.  (As one of our aims was to promote good health, health products like Corn flakes, Oats, Honey and Dates were given as  prizes.)

Mr. Kasta Dip led the evaluation session. All participants shared their thoughts and what they learnt from this event.  Rev. Arif Umer Saheb said the closing prayer after that all participated in a fellowship lunch.

The Indian traditional games event was successfully organized and participants from different churches and organizations appIMG_7439 - Copyreciated the concept of playing together for communication and peace-building processes. Playing games of yester years was a very emotional experience for many participants who played the games as kids. Reconnecting with their childhood evoked not only child-like happiness and appreciation of simple joys but also inspired child-like mutual trust and loving harmony.

This event helped us to understand the importance of sports in peace building in our society. Sports can bring people together towards a common goal, while promoting respect and community with others. By building relationships between different groups, conflict can be transformed. In addition, sports can be used to impart values of good sportsmanship, teamwork, respect and communication skills needed to reduce tensions and prevent conflict.

Neelam Gaikwad

Programme Assistant – NCCI Commission on Communications.

 

Ecumenical Youth Music Concert: Unity Octave (NCCI) 18th January 2017

/0 Comments/in , /by

unityThe Youth Commission of NCCI organized an Ecumenical Youth Music Concert at NCCI campus on 18th January, 2016 at 6 pm. The Ecumenical Youth Music Concert was part of the Unity Octave (Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, from 18th – 25th January 2017).The main focus of Ecumenical Youth Music Concert was to extend the ecumenical bond and bring unity among  Christians, especially youth, in spreading the message of peace and hope through music in the midst of turmoil and tragedies in our society. There were around 150 youth representing various Churches, and 12 Christian bands took part in the program. Miss. Bernadette, a volunteer intern of AISSA (All India Sunday School Association) hosted the program, Mr. V.Shitovi Sema, intern of Youth Commission – NCCI gave the welcome address and he also shared why Unity Octave is observed every year in the month of January. Dr. Avish Petras, a Professor of Baba Sahib Ambedkar College was the speaker. Basing his address on this year’s theme of Unity Octave ‘Reconciliation: The Love of Christ Compels Us’ (2 Cor. 5: 14 -20) he encouraged the youth to cultivate and nurture the  spirit of unity and reconciliation.

uniity1The concert was successfully organized by the organizing team of NCCI-Interns and AISSA-Interns. Some church leaders who were present in the concert appreciated the organizing team for making  efforts in bringing the churches in Nagpur together, and especially the youth by uniting them through music. Some of the church leaders even urged the organizing team to continue such programs where the churches can come together for a common cause.

The programme concluded with the vote of thanks given by Mr. Hrudhay Addurwar, intern of NCCI – Admin. Pastor Satyajit of Community Baptist Church said the closing prayer, after which all the people present, prayed the Lord’s Prayer together.

Report by organizing team

NCCI-Interns & AISSA-Interns

Arina Murrian , Jyotirmaya Tandi, Hrudhay Addurwar, Shitovi Sema, Bernadette, David Jadhav.

 

Invitation to Reflect Prayer in Action to End Human Trafficking & Sexual Slavery as Women’s Fellowships & Churches observe World Day of Prayer 2017 ( 3rd March)

/0 Comments/in /by

world-day-of-prayer-cover

For World Day of Prayer 2017 Resource Material Click on the Link :world-day-of-prayer-2017-book

All India Council of Christian Women of NCCI invites Women’s Fellowships and Churches to reflect prayer in action by observing World Day of Prayer on 3rd March 2017.  This year’s theme is

“ Am I Being Unfair to You?”

World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together on the first Friday of March each year to observe a common day of prayer. Through World Day of Prayer, we affirm our faith in Jesus Christ and engage with the whole world, are enriched by the faith experience of Christians of other countries and cultures, share the burdens of other people by praying with them and for them, and use our own talents in the service of God’s world. Prayer and action are inseparable and both have immeasurable influence in the world.

World Day of Prworld-day-of-prayer-cover-1ayer Resource Material or Prayer Book is prepared by Philippines  WPD  Committee and contextualized by AICCW . The resource material is being sent to National  Women’s Fellowship President or Secretary  and can be downloaded directly from NCCI website.

This year during WDP ,  AICCW invites women’s fellowships to pray for Philippines and also  engage in reflection  prayer and action to  End Human Trafficking and Sexual  Slavery . Read more

Interfaith Communities Affirm ‘Life Giving Agriculture’ is the Way of Life

/0 Comments/in /by

National Council of Churches in India

United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India& India Peace Centre

Interfaith Discussion on “Life-giving Agriculture”

26th December 2016, NCCI Campus, Nagpur, India.

img_0032

Thirty participants from major faiths including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism and Secular, Dalit and Gender ideologies participated in an Interfaith discussion on ‘Life Giving Agriculture’ (LGA) on the 26th December 2016 at NCCI Campus, commemorating the ‘National Farmers’ Day’.

The grave  agricultural  situation and in particular the incidence of farmer suicides in India were the backdrop of the discussion, which focused on how   faith communities and secular ideologues could contribute towards liberating the ‘agri-culture’ from the ‘agri-business’!

Rev. Christopher Rajkumar of NCCI in his introduction narrated how Monsanta and Bayer are taking over agriculture and converting  it into agribusiness, and also about the issue of GMOs. If, as was claimed , GMOs and Agri-business would bring more profits, why have alarming numbers of Indian farmers taken their lives over the last years in Vidarbha, Telangana, Karnataka, Punjab, Tamilnadu and elsewhere? In fact GM seeds and products are hazardous to health. Even the milk we drink, eggs and meat we eat are stuffed with GMOs and Chemicals since  cows, hens and goats are fed with GM and Chemically modified foods. Further he called the faith communities and civil society and peoples movements to come together for a collective campaign against the GMOs and Agri-business.

Read more

Dalit Liberation Sunday observed across India

/0 Comments/in /by

In today’s context where our Dalit brothers and sisters undergo experiences of  dehumanization and denial of basic human rights, violence and  death, the birth of Jesus gives a wake up call to the oppressing communities, to liberate their minds from the ideologies of discrimination, domination, exploitation and oppression.  The member churches of the National Council of Churches in India and Theological Colleges in India observed Dalit Liberation Sunday all across the country on Sunday, the 13th of November 2016 and also on following Sundays. The theme for the Dalit Liberation Sunday (DLS) was ‘Administer Justice Daily! Deliver the Oppressed!’(Jeremiah 21:12).

Observance of DLS-2016 in All Saints Cathedral Church, Nagpur

All Saints Cathedral Nagpur celebrated ‘Thanks Giving Sunday’ on 13th November 2016 and gave an opportunity to Ms. Ngalaton Ningsen- Intern of Commission on Tribals/Adivasis to lead the intercessory prayers giving full freedom to incorporate prayers from the DLS worship order prepared by NCCI.

Read more