North East Catholic Research Forum

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Criminalising ‘Conversions’!

Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash |

On 1 July 2024, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad High Court in a bizarre comment said, “if this process (religious conversion) is allowed to be carried out, the majority population of this country would be in minority one day, and such religi.....

In Their Shadow

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

Has the dust begun to settle or the temperature begun to rise, despite the advancing monsoon? This weather barometer is political not climatic. With the elections over, the Union Cabinet in place, the Speaker also elected and proceedings in the Lok Sa.....

The Hug of a Humbug!

Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash |

Few will not remember Judas Iscariot and the role he played in the betrayal of Jesus! For those who don’t know or don’t remember, these passages from Sacred Scripture will help put things in perspective: And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I .....

The Journey to my Vocation - Part I

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang |

In the Footprint of Christ

While preparing for my Diaconate Ordination, I had ample time to recall about my vocation, my life... There is an inner urge to share something about my vocation with you all. I guess, it might help some people… My vocation is like any vocation that bega.....

Politics without Principle

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

Many years back Mahatma Gandhi spoke about seven crimes. One of them is “Politics without principle”. We need to appreciate Gandhiji for brilliantly analysing the political scenario of his time as well as the future. After more than two-month-long electio.....

Statement of Concerned Catholics

Current Updates | Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

On Thursday 4 April 2024, Pope Francis in a very incisive message to the participants in the First Colloquium between the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in the Vatican said, “We n.....

Voting, A Christian Duty

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

It’s that time of year when we head to the hustings for the great Indian tamasha, the Lok Sabha elections 2024. The present regime at the Centre is so confident of a third term in office that it has invited representatives from various world political par.....

Mantra for a stress-free life is ‘Just to leave it’

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

We have been boasting of our science, technology, military and weapon power. Every country has been spending enormous amount of money for procuring arms, weapons and nuclear power. Our human pride, our imagined self-importance, status and money power, the.....

Under Attack from Hindutva Forces, 'Convent' Schools Fight for Survival

Opinion | Articles | John Dayal |

Well into the liberalised economic order, matrimonial advertisements in north Indian newspapers had parents of eligible men seeking brides who were fair, accomplished, homely and ‘convent educated’. The last qualification was an omnibus one, ensuring that.....

Let us be the Change that we want to see

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang |

Christian Churches have played an important role in bringing people together from different walks of life as one people, as one Christian family. It is in the name of Jesus that we are able to acknowledge one another as our own brothers and sisters. It is.....

Step in to the World of Journalism and Mass Media

Education | College | NECARF Rep |

Niscort Media College

For those who aspire for the world of Mass media.....

Are we building an Indian Church or a Roman Church in India?

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

Bishop Saupin

I am raising this question mainly in the backdrop of the recent installations of bishops and an Archbishop in some of the north Indian dioceses, especially in the tribal belt. It is indeed an "eye-soaring" experience when I look at the clergy with the Rom.....

Dogs & Gods of War

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

This is an alarmist headline. It is meant to be. It is inspired in part by the novel “Dogs of War” written 70 years ago by Fredrick Forsythe. But this article is not fiction, for truth is stranger than fiction. Polytheist religions have Gods of War. M.....

Electoral Bonds: Intimidate, Induce and Collect

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

As per the Supreme Court’s order, the Election Commission uploaded the list of the donors of electoral bonds. Many political analysts and journalists studied the list and revealed the truth that most of the donors purchased electoral bonds for two major r.....

Editorial

Persecutions in the land of Tagore, Vivekananda, and Gandhi

India is fortunate to have given birth to three outstanding sons, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, and Mahatma Gandhi, who inspired generations not only in India but across the world. Apart from their liberal thinking, their thoughts on religious f.....

The determination was written on every Indian player’s face

On the intervening night of November 2nd and 3rd, the Indian women’s cricket team created history by winning the ICC Women’s World Cup for the first time at the DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai. They defeated South Africa, a team dubbed by many cricketing.....

Zubeen Garg unites people even in his death

Many ordinary people who are not connected to music and art might not have even heard of Zubeen Garg, despite being an iconic artist and a person who cared for others. However, after his unfortunate and untimely demise on September 19, 2025, social media.....

How serious are educational Institutions about the mental health of young people?

During the monsoon session of the Parliament in July 2025, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar informed the house that student suicide cases accounted for 7.6 per cent of all suicide cases reported across India in 2022, showing a slight.....

Religious Persecutions in the Land of Vivekananda and Gandhi

The dictionary meaning of ‘persecution’ reads as ‘unfair or cruel treatment based on race, religion, or political belief’. Therefore, persecution can occur through racial discrimination or political exploitation and is not necessarily limited to the relig.....

From a Murderer to a Pilgrim of Faith

Prior to June 27, 2025, not many people in this country and elsewhere would have heard of Chengu@Sudharsan@Chandu Hansda, who at the age of 13 turned into a murderer when he joined the mob that brutally burnt alive an Australian missionary, Graham Stewart.....

Ominous Signs and the Catholic response

India is a country that boasts staggering diversity—a colourful mix few in the world have the privilege of sharing. Since independence and the enactment of the constitution, freedom, liberty, and equality before the law has always been our treasured right.....

The New Pope and His Message

This time, 1.39 billion Catholics across the globe were fortunate to see the white smoke come out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on the second day as Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected by the cardinal conclave in the fourth round of voting, one less than .....

The Pope didn’t Sulk or Shun

The Vatican News released a video of Pope Francis extending Easter greetings to a multitude of people at St. Peter’s Square in Rome, which was one day before his final journey to the eternal world. A close look at that video reveals that the Holy Father w.....

The CBCI blinks yet again

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), regarded as a father figure by an estimated 23 million Catholics in this country, has yet again shown lack of wisdom while taking decision on crucial matters. While the organization may like to downplay som.....

Persecution as an Opportunity

The history of the church is replete with stories of persecution; the crucifixion of Christ itself being the greatest of all. Rome, where the Vatican, the supreme seat of the Pontiff, stands today, in fact was one of the foremost places where Christian pe.....

Weaving a Christian Relationship

His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, in his book, Toward A True Kinship of Faith, wrote, “I have boundless respect for my Buddhist faith, but to see it within the context of its brother and sister religions has afforded me a vision of the grandeur and exten.....

Previous Articles

Digital learning in today’s World

Opinion | Articles | Joseph M Thohrii

The 21st century is an era of digital transformation, a change that would remain in our activities of learning and pursuit of knowledge. The digital transformation brings unparallel change to the growth of communication and development. It is believed tha.....

The spectral presence of Christians in Indian politics

Opinion | Articles | John Dayal

There are hardly any Christian MPs and MLAs in India other than those elected on a political party ticket from Kerala, Andhra, Telangana, West Bengal, Karnataka, Goa, Orissa and the tiny-population north east states of Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunac.....

U Sier Lapalang and His Beloved Mother: A Khasi Folk Tale

Current Updates | Culture | Philip Lyngdoh

In the days of long ago, when the Sun and the Moon were still young and the trees and stones still speak the language of the humans, at the foot of the hills beyond the Khasi country, lay the placid plains of the Ri Dkhar (Bangla plains). Rivers and strea.....

A Tribute to a Pioneer Nun

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang

Our family joined the Catholic Church in 1988, when Lt. Rev. Sr. Blessilia was serving as the Superior of Tuensang Convent. My mother was serious about our new-found faith. She was quick to pick up the prayers and songs. We had evening rosary service ever.....

The Blame Game Continues

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai

The Blame Game Continues A highly respected and erudite clergyman from Kerala sends me his articles. Of late he has made three claims: 1. The Jews killed Jesus 2. Priests have always manipulated people to commit violent acts, justified in the nam.....

Government onslaught on Christians: The Church in India has a Task cut out

Opinion | Articles | John Dayal

Supreme Court order on Sept 26 seeking a government response to a petition that pleaded for strict action against “religious conversion through fraud and intimidation” will not translate immediately into a national law against conversions to Christianity .....

History of Manipur

Opinion | Articles | Irene Salam

Manipur can boast of having a recorded history from 33 A.D. when Pakhangba ascended the throne of Manipur. On the other hand, there is no concrete chronology of the pre-historic culture of N.E. India, except for some sites in Tripura. A few ceramic wares .....

Entrepreneurs: The Wealthy Unemployed

Opinion | People's Edit | Kh.Siile Anthony

An entrepreneur is a person who can take calculative risks with innovative ideas for profit. To be an entrepreneur is a dream that many professionals aspire, but those with real guts achieve it. Getting entrepreneurship ideas is not a hard thing but to co.....

The North East Catholic Community of Delhi Gets a Website

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

Keeping with the tradition of raising the bars of improvements and achievements under every successive President, the North East Catholic Community of Delhi (NECCOD), recently came up with their website – www.neccod.org featuring several user-friendly m.....

Corporate Greed is not Nation building

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan

Today two industrialists have become the talk among the social media, both in India and in abroad. One person is Mr. N.R. Narayana Murthy of Infosys and the other person is Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan of Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Months after Infosys co-founder N.....

Taw Tebin, and Pekhi Nabum, Re-elected APCA Leaders

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

Two prominent Catholic leaders of Arunachal Pradesh - Mr. Taw Tebin and Mr Pekhi Nabum, were re-elected as President and General Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association (APCA) on November 28, 2021. Following their re-elections to the position,.....

Current Updates

Attacks aginst Christians increased by 500% since 2014: Rights Groups

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Attacks Against Christians Increased by 500% Since 2014: Rights Groups New Delhi: On November 4, Christian rights activists assembled at the Press Club of India to release a report about an alarming and sustained annual surge in incidents of violence a.....

An MSMHC Nun from Mizoram did the North East Proud

NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Sr Rose Paite

October 14, 2025: Sr Rose Paite, an MSMHC nun from Mizoram, received the prestigious National Award from the Catholic Mental Health Ministry (CMHM) at the World Mental Health Day Conference in Kerala. The prestigious award was handed over to the recipie.....

Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez’s address

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Synodality: Why No, and Why Yes Some have hoped that our new pope would ease up a little on this matter of synodality. Instead, Pope Leo has expressed a strong desire to continue along the path of synodality. For example: “Synodality becomes a mindset, .....

North East Catholic Community of Delhi puts up a Glittering show

NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Mr Lalduhoma and Archbishop Anil J T Couto, with other dignataries

The North East Catholic Committee of Delhi (NECCOD) accorded a warm welcome to their new members who had joined them in the Delhi NCR region with spiritual and a social gathering worthy of the colours mix of the region they come from. This was the 33rd oc.....

NEIRBC Gets a new Education Commission Team

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Guwahati, June 25, 2025 – The Northeast Bishops Council’s Commission for Education has appointed a new leadership team, with Fr. Dr. Paul Pudussery, a Holy Cross priest, taking the helm. This transition marks the third leadership handover since the commis.....

Francis’s Bottle Craft: Miniature Homes in Glasses

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

The Miniature Artist of Sikkim

In a quiet corner of Sikkim’s Lingzey, Gairigaon, an artist has been creating entire worlds inside bottles—one intricate house at a time. Meet Mr Francis Rai, the man behind Francis Bottle Crafts, whose passion for miniature architecture has turned into b.....

Opinion

Persecutions in the land of Tagore, Vivekananda, and Gandhi

Editorial | John S. Shilshi |

India is fortunate to have given birth to three outstanding sons, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, and Mahatma Gandhi, who inspired generations not only in India but across the world. Apart from their liberal thinking, their thoughts on religious f.....

A Conspiracy to Disempower Christian Adivasis

Articles | John Dayal |

The organisers had instructions for speakers to not criticise the top political leaders, the government or the ruling party in the "National Christian Convention" at the New Delhi's Jantar Mantar protest site, but that did not stop Dalit and other speaker.....

Reclaim the Constituion

Articles | Cedric Prakash |

On 26 November, the nation will once again observe ‘Constitution Day’! There will be the usual plethora of speeches (ad nauseam!) of ‘how important the Constitution is for all of us’, ‘why it is important to safeguard it’, the fact that we have the best C.....

A reality check on SIR-driven Reverse-migration and the Internal disquiet

Articles | Isaac Harold Gomes |

Homeward Bangladeshis at the Indo-Bangladesh border

Since my last report of 10th November on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), an unprecedented reverse migration into Bangladesh has begun through Hakimpur, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India-Bangladesh check-post. On 23.11.2025 Anandabazar.com rep.....

The spectral presence of Christians in Indian politics

Articles | John Dayal |

There are hardly any Christian MPs and MLAs in India other than those elected on a political party ticket from Kerala, Andhra, Telangana, West Bengal, Karnataka, Goa, Orissa and the tiny-population north east states of Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunac.....

The Yellow Card

Articles | Chhotebhai |

There are two reasons why I remember the Yellow Card. The first dates back to boarding school more than 60 years ago. We had monthly tests for which we got cards – Gold for excellence, Blue for good work, Yellow for average marks and Pink for failure. Dur.....

Education

Job Fair in Don Bosco Kohima

College | NECARF Rep |

Job Fair Notice

For kind attention of young boys and girls who are interested in getting recruited in different Comnpaies......

Step in to the World of Journalism and Mass Media

College | NECARF Rep |

Niscort Media College

For those who aspire for the world of Mass media.....

Avail Early Bird Discount in Media Studies

College | NECARF Rep |

Admission Notice

NISCORT, one of the Premier Media Colleges in the National Capital area, announces admission for several graduate and post-graduate level courses in Media studies. Interested students may visit www.niscort.com for details......

NISCORT Announces three different courses in Journalism and Mass Communication

College | NECARF Rep |

aa

For those Interested in Journalism studies, the above affordable courses comes as a boon.....

NICORT Media College Announces Short Courses in Media fields

College | NECARF Rep |

Annoucment

NICORT Media College Announces Short Courses in Media fields.....

For those interested to make a Career in Mass Media and Journalism, NISCORT provides the opportunity

College | NECARF Rep |

NISCORT opens Admissions for Course in Mass Media and Journalism

NISCORT opens Admissions for Course in Mass Media and Journalism.....

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