North East Catholic Research Forum

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Quarantined within a quarantine: A personal experience of Covid-induced confinement

Opinion | Articles | John S. Shilshi |

It was on the 15th of January 2022 that I began to feel unusually uneasy. There was an indescribable discomfort all over my body, which was triggered by a combination of dullness, weakness and absence of appetite or thirst. Just the thought of eating or d.....

Marching along with the Risen Lord

Opinion | Articles | Myron J Pereira |

Even a cursory reading of the Gospels leads us to encounter a Jesus who is always on the move. As an itinerant preacher who scarcely had a place to lay his head and whose message of healing was given to all — especially to the sick and the dispossessed —.....

Religious Row over Election of Naga Woman to Indian Parliament

Opinion | Articles | Nirendra Dev |

Religion is back in business in India's Nagaland state. The strongly perceived Christian identity of the indigenous Nagas is making headlines. Nagaland is a Christian and tribal-dominated province in the northeast where guerrillas are still seeking indepe.....

NECCOD huddled into a three Day Spiritual exercise

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

A Group Photo on the concluding day of the retreat

After being deprived of the opportunity to come together for social or spiritual get-together for two long years, members of the North East Catholic Community, Delhi (NECCOD), took full advantage of the relaxations allowed by the government following impr.....

The Loudness of Selective Silence

Opinion | Articles | John Dayal |

The Loudness of Selective Silence To me, as a reporter and human rights activist for more than half a century, a marker of individuals, groups and societies has been not their loud protestations in support of what they hold dear, but the loudness of th.....

Make Love Not War

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

Make Love Not War As teenagers in the 1960’s we were exposed to the anti-establishment pop culture of the Beatles, and the anti-war protests of the hippies. The latter’s war cry (sic) was “Make love not war”. As I write this the Russian invasion of.....

Women Today: A tribute on International Women’s Day

Opinion | People's Edit | Joseph M Thohrii |

“One Woman Can Change anything, Many women can change everything” -Tony Moririson In this 21st century, to be a woman in India is a challenge. Looking and studying the present scenario of women in India, she has to battle hard and fight an uncertain.....

Justice for women religious in the Catholic Church

Opinion | Articles | Virginia Saldanha |

The message of Pope Francis on the day of Consecrated Life has heartened a number of women religious in India. It is based on his prayer intention for the month of February: “Let us pray for religious sisters and consecrated women, thanking them for their.....

Fire Frightening Franco: A corollary to Somebody Raped Nobody

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

In my previous article I dwelt more on the judicial aspects of the judgement in the Franco Mulakkal rape case. The present one is based on the petition that I have submitted to Abp Anil Couto, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Delhi ecclesiastical region.....

Former Governor & Union Minister Margaret Alva writes to Prime Minister

Opinion | Articles | Editorial Team |

In the backdrop of increasing attacks on Christians and other minority groups in the country, a well-known Catholic leader, Mrs. Margaret Alva, had written a letter to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, pointing out that his silence is being construed as legi.....

Contributions of the Roman Catholic Church in Mizoram in 73 Years (1947- 2020)

Opinion | Articles | Luke Sangkima |

Introduction During December 10 – 12, 2021 the Diocese of Aizawl celebrated its Silver Jubilee. It should have been held exactly on February 7, 2021 but because of the Covid pandemic, the celebration was held on the dates noted above. The story goes lik.....

Indigenous Jesuits Priests Spearhead Mission in poverty-stricken Hazaribagh

Opinion | Articles | Bijay Kumar Minj |

Growing up as a child in the remote and dusty fields of Hazaribagh, Santhosh Minj had no inkling that one day he would lead the mission that Australian Jesuits started there. It is no mean achievement for someone born in an ethnic Oraon family in eastern.....

Facing our Barbaric Condition

Opinion | Articles | Victor Ferrao |

‘To write poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric’ writes Theodor Adorno. In the broadest sense to be barbaric means to be uncultured. Julia Kristeva tells us that the word originated in the context of Greek perception of other languages as inarticulate mumbl.....

Will Shishu Bhawan now be Renamed as Shishu Mandir?

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

Year 2022 dawned bleakly. Not just because of the resurgent Covid, but because of the.....

Editorial

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.....

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.....

Previous Articles

If Jesus re-visits the world

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan

These days there is a lot of discussion, debate and writings on the types of liturgies – which one to follow and which one not to follow – all quoting the life and sayings of Jesus of Nazareth and referring to various traditions of the church. In this con.....

Embracing True Christianity: A Call to Authentic and Prophetic Action

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang

Often people claim that they have abandoned their traditional religion and embraced Christianity. Many people think that it is a great victory. Yes, there are many good elements that exist in our society but there are also some social evils that eat into.....

Culture and Social Values

Opinion | Articles | Desmond L. Kharmawphlang

The underlined fundamental challenge facing every society is to create political, economic and social situations and systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment upon which life depends. To even begin to understand a.....

Unceasing Prayer

Opinion | People's Edit | Michael Lunminthang

Unceasing Prayer The COVID situation gave us different experiences which we might not have come across in normal circumstances. In spite of the unending fear around us, to my surprise, I find myself contemplating more on ‘Prayer’ in my little ways t.....

Unequal, Even in Death

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai

“So it is said We are all equal when dead. It is indeed the great equalizer; But only, and only when Subtle lies are the tranquilizer! Else, those who lie down in death, Are not equal yet”. If you are wondering which moron had muttered these immo.....

Ntheo Louis Yanthan: A Pastor, a Catechist and a Pioneer Catholic

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang

Lt. Catechist Ntheo Louis Yanthan of Lakhuti Village was a Baptist Pastor, who later embraced Catholic Faith and became one of the longest serving Catechist in the Diocese of Kohima, Nagaland. He served as a Baptist Pastor and Catholic Catechist for 35 (t.....

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.....

Conversion, Colonizer and the People

Opinion | Articles | Victor Ferrao

Conversion has come back to haunt us. How are we to understand the complex reality of conversion? Are we to simplify it by reducing it to spiritual conquests? Conversion viewed as a spiritual conquest is tainted by its political overtones. Our understan.....

Prayer and Fasting: A Powerful Medium of Spiritual Reflection

Opinion | Articles | Khansu Vialo Zingkhai

Come February 17 and we would be entering into the liturgical season of Lent. Lenten season is often referred to as a season of grace, a spiritual springtime, when we in preparation for the Great Feast of Easter are invited to enter into a deep spiritual .....

Destroying Secularism

Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash

On 28 January 2025, the well-known Calcutta daily ‘The Telegraph’ carried an article entitled ‘Rub your eyes: Hindu Rashtra Constitution to be unveiled at Mahakumbh on Basant Panchami’. The seemingly innocuous inside-page article, speaks volumes not only .....

NECARF Member Takes Charge as India's Ambassador to Ethiopia

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

Robert Shetkintong, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer of 2001 batch, has been appointed India's Ambassador to the Republic of Ethiopia, as per official communiqué issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on August 18, 2020. He is presently p.....

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 |

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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

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.....

The Culture of othering is an unhealthy trend

Editorial | John S. Shilshi |

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.....

History of Lakhuti Catholic Church: 1951 to 2026 (75th Anniversary Jubilee

Articles | Abraham Lotha |

The story of the Catholic Church in Lakhuti evolved from “dhorum khicho” (took religion) to “Catholic dhorum hansi yicho” (brought Catholic religion) to “Catholic kümcho” (became Catholic). This unfolded at the confluence of British colonial expansion in.....

Let there be CHRISTMAS

Articles | Cedric Prakash |

Let there be Christmas to help us realise that Joseph together with his young, pregnant wife had to trudge a long distance to get themselves registered in Bethlehem due to a Roman decree by Caesar Augustus, which required everyone to return to their ances.....

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.....

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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