North East Catholic Research Forum

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Youth: A Time to be Educated

Opinion | People's Edit | Capt. Eddie Viegas |

“‘Tis Education that forms the common mind: Just as the twig is bent, the tree’s inclined.” (Alexander Pope) Indeed, if you ask any of the youngster in schools or colleges, “What is education?” You will get a plethora of replies ranging from getting a.....

Shifting Sands & Stands

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

On Tuesday 4th November two events occurred that seemed like undermining our very foundations. One gets such a feeling while standing on the seashore when the tide is running out. As the water recedes one feels that the ground (sand) under one’s feet is s.....

Electors’ confusion regarding filling up SIR Enumeration

Opinion | Articles | Isaac Harold Gomes |

At a time when the country is facing several tenacious problems namely volatile geopolitics in our neighbouring countries, very high US Tariff and Special Intensive Revision (SIR), it’s ironic that the shifting of stray dogs to safe shelters has made the .....

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

Current Updates | 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.....

A reflection on the All Souls Day

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang |

There are three major reasons that helped me grow in Faith after coming to Shillong. All Souls Day is one of them. In the past, I always found it odd to see people love having their photos taken on the tombs and in the graveyard. Stories and talks related.....

Does God play Games?

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

Last night (30th October) my wife and I sat to watch the last two hours of the semi-final match between India and Australia in the ICC Women’s One Day World Cup. It is headlines today. Australia was defeated after 7 years, that too despite piling on a mas.....

Impending SIR in West Bengal and its nitty gritty

Opinion | Articles | Isaac Harold Gomes |

According to Anandabazar.com (24.10.2025), the Election Commission of India (ECI) is on the verge of finalising its preparations for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Voters’ List of West Bengal which goes to polls (Assembly Elections) in 2026......

Kings or No Kings

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

Both Kings and No Kings are in the news for very different reasons. First there is King Charles III of England who just visited Pope Leo in the Vatican and held a joint prayer service with him. The other is the No King rally in the USA on 18th October whe.....

Film Fanaticism is Cultural Obsession for Youth

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

The following news sent shock waves all over the country: “On September 27, 2025 at least 41 people were killed and around 100 others were injured in a crowd crush during a political rally in Karur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The rally was hosted by the .....

Called 'To Mission'

Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash |

‘The Mission’, is a 1986 British period drama film, about the experiences of a Jesuit missionary in 18th-century South America. The film is a rather complex one, though compelling and spiritually stirring. In essence, it is about the stand, which the Span.....

Christianity and the Contemporary Naga Society

Opinion | Articles | Jonas Yanthan |

Religion has tremendous impact on people and ultimately the society. The truth is believers act and behave in the way each individual or society believes. We know that bad theology and shallow belief system can turn believers into mediocre or fanatic peop.....

An MSMHC Nun from Mizoram did the North East Proud

Current Updates | 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.....

Religions are Commercialized

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

Just recently I hired an autorickshaw in Bengaluru. While traveling in the autorickshaw I noticed a printed caption above the driver’s seat. It read: “Price the Lord”. My mind said that there is a typo. The word “Praise” has been wrongly spelt as “Price”......

The Capacity of Human Brain to Retain Data on Social Contacts

Opinion | Articles | Isaac Harold Gomes |

Picture of Human Brain

We humans are social creatures and therefore we need ‘social bonds’ to survive on earth. However, our brains have their limits to sustain countless contacts. According to researchers our brains can effectively store a maximum of 150 relationships in our .....

Editorial

Stooping Beyond a Limit

When Himanta Biswa Sarma exited his parent party, the Indian National Congress, in 2015 and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, not too many eyebrows were raised since such leapfrogging from one political party to the other was nothing new in Indian politi.....

The Culture of othering is an unhealthy trend

A German Lutheran pastor, Martin Niemöller, was against the Communist ideology and also against Semitism. His distaste for them made him a natural ally and supporter of Rudolf Hitler. When Hitler ultimately assumed power and insisted on the supremacy of t.....

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.....

Previous Articles

Called 'To Mission'

Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash

‘The Mission’, is a 1986 British period drama film, about the experiences of a Jesuit missionary in 18th-century South America. The film is a rather complex one, though compelling and spiritually stirring. In essence, it is about the stand, which the Span.....

A Culture of Life in the Families

Opinion | Articles | Samuel D. Baite

Introduction In the world we live there exist two opposite cultures about life – ‘the culture of life’ and ‘the culture of death’, the latter growing fast and destroying the former. The culture of life believes that human life at all stages from concepti.....

Archdiocese of Imphal bids Tearful Farewell to Rev. Fr. Albert Khartu

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

The Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Imphal bid emotional Farewell to late Rev. Fr. Albert Khartu, by partaking in Requiem Mass, with Most Rev. Dominic Lumon, DD, Archbishop of Imphal, as the main Celebrant at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Mantripuk.....

Hundred Years of FMA Presence in Northern India Provinces

Opinion | Articles | Penny Rose Chinir

The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice = FMA) founded by St John Bosco with co-foundress St Maria Domenica Mazzarello at Mornese, Italy is also known as Salesian Sisters of St John Bosco or simply FMA. The FMA province of M.....

Why Pope Francis couldn’t visit India

Opinion | Articles | Leivon Albert Lamkang

His presence here could have been a moment of healing and recognition. It would have signalled that religious pluralism is not just tolerated in India—it is honoured. In diplomacy, sometimes what doesn’t happen is as telling as what does. The recent news.....

Grand Parents Rejoice

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai

Though a creature of the day, I am not particularly enthused by various “Days” like Father’s, Mother’s, Doctor’s, Constipation etc. I suspect that in the era of greeting cards (now extinct) they were invented by manufacturers like Archies, to promote thei.....

The Season of Lent

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang

Ash Wednesday marks the onset of the Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and abstinence. Ash Wednesday is so called because of the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of the faithful, marked with the shape of a cross, which serve as a reminder of the call.....

Bishop Hemrom Takes Over Dibrugarh Diocese

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

With Holy Father Pope Francis, having accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Joseph Aind, SDB (75) from pastoral governance of the Diocese of Dibrugarh, Most Rev. Albert Hemrom (51), who was the Coadjutor Bishop, has taken over as Bishop of Dibrugarh with .....

Execution of Pro-democracy Activists in Myanmar: Why Delhi is Unable to go Beyond Expressing Concern?

Opinion | Articles | Pamreihor Khashimwo

India expressed ‘deep concern’ over the detention of top Myanmar and the military takeover in February 2021. Since then Myanmar’s position in the world has declined significantly. The military junta’s execution of four political activists on July 25, 2022.....

A Brief History of Roman Catholic Church in Mizoram

Opinion | Articles | Luke Sangkima

In the history of Christianity in North East India, Mizoram is one state where the faith entered very late on its soil as compared to other neighboring states. In this region, the advent of Christianity followed the British flag, except in the Ao area of .....

ICF Writes to the President of India

Current Updates | Editorial Pick | Editorial team

Hon’ble Smt Draupadi Murmu, PRESIDENT OF INDIA Rashtrapati Bhawan New Delhi presidentofindia@rb.nic.in 31st December 2025 Respected Rashtrapatiji, Sub: Christmas attacks on Christians Namaskar! I respectfully place before you some of the.....

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.....

Opinion

Ignorance, Intelligence, and Wisdom

Articles | Chhotebhai |

We are about to enter the holy season of Lent. By now “good Christians” will have decided what to give up for the next forty days. Most of these “sacrifices” are linked to food and drink. Several will abstain from non-vegetarian food. This year Lent wi.....

Catholic Education, Indigenous Primacy, and the Courage of This Moment

Articles | James Pochury |

A reflection for the Church in Northeast India The recent unease surrounding curricular changes in a Catholic school in Dimapur — particularly the introduction of AI-related initiatives — has stirred discussion across our region. Some parents have felt.....

I feel very Lonely: A Deafening Sentiment Parents Refuse to Hear

Articles | Peter F Borges |

A Lonely Child

“I am very, very alone.” “Mummy, Papa, sorry.” These are not just words. These are last conversations that children never got to have. These are sentences that should force every parent to stop mid-breath. Because children do not die leaving apologies.....

Stooping Beyond a Limit

Editorial | John S. Shilshi |

When Himanta Biswa Sarma exited his parent party, the Indian National Congress, in 2015 and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, not too many eyebrows were raised since such leapfrogging from one political party to the other was nothing new in Indian politi.....

Kanpur Christians Set example for Christian unity in Trouble times

Articles | Chhotebhai |

Representatives of different churches during 8-day Octave

The Christian community in Kanpur celebrated the Christian Unity Octave (CUO) from 18th to 26th January 2026 with devotion and dedication. For the first time all 8 days of the Octave were booked; three by Catholic churches, two each by the CNI and Methodi.....

As Thick as Thieves

Articles | Chhotebhai |

There are some common English sayings like – “As thick as thieves”, “Birds of a feather flock together” and “Fools seldom differ”. By now an intelligent reader like you would have guessed where this is going. It’s pointing to Trumpeting Trump and his cote.....

Current Updates

ICF Writes to the President of India

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Hon’ble Smt Draupadi Murmu, PRESIDENT OF INDIA Rashtrapati Bhawan New Delhi presidentofindia@rb.nic.in 31st December 2025 Respected Rashtrapatiji, Sub: Christmas attacks on Christians Namaskar! I respectfully place before you some of the.....

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.....

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