Friday, February 29, 2008
From fatal bankruptcy to natal buoyancy - the revival of Indian Railways..
From fatal bankruptcy to natal buoyancy, that is how the splendid and massive economic revival of the Indian Railways has been characterised by the press and media in the country. A juggernaut which was considered as good as dead, rose from the ashes to reassert itself, generating profits of Rs 25,000 crores in the past year.
It was during the time of Vajpayee and his cronies who came to power misusing the religious sentiments of the pious, that their railway minister Nitish Kumar came up with the Rakesh Mohan report that the Indian Ralways was doomed for disaster and total bankruptcy, needing 65,000 crores in ten years just to keep it's head above water..
Just two years after those religious bigots were bolted out from Delhi, Lalu Yadav, the down-to-earth railway minister did the impossible in the country. He turned round the Indian railways.. When Rakesh Mohan committee had recommended that 65,000 crores of money from your and my taxes would be needed to maintain the inefficiency of the incapable ministers and the religious fanatics, who were burning trains, especially at Godhra, (read the Justice Banerjee commission report), Lalu Yadav threw his report in the dustbin did the impossible. Rakesh Mohan, who predicted that Indian Railways was doomed for disaster, the usual bureaucratic style, was promoted by the government and sent to Bombay as the deputy governer of the Reserve Bank of India. Poor sarkari babu, he must be ashamed of his low quality work which turned out totally wrong and useless, !!.
The Indian Railways will even put the top private sector industries in the country to shame. Reliance for instance, generates a thousand crore profits slitting the throat of the average man !!
For four years Lalu has managed to hold the railways fare and freight rates steady, even reducing it by a nominal 1 rupee last year. This has been a great inflation buster for the country, because an inefficient railways will be forced to raise the fares and it would directly affect the transportation costs of the economy, fuelling inflation in turn. He not only managed to hold the fares, especially when the oil prices in the world market were soaring high, he dug into it's inefficiencies, corrected them, provided the leadership for the workforce and created cash surpluses of thousands of crores, about 25,000 crores this year. In all during the four years he has generated for the country revenues worth rs.60,000 crores. He has not only proved Rakesh Mohan and his political mentors completely wrong, he has earned for the country the same amount in less than quarter the time they would have helped squander the same for the country, in the name of good governance and maintaining public utilities !!
Definitely lot of lessons for the bureaucrats and other political leaders to learn, not to mention of the business school professors and students in the country.
--
Kind regards,
George Easaw
Bishop Julius Mar Alvares
An article on Fr. Julius Mar Alvarez
George Kurian, Goa
October 29, 2004
Alvares is neither a Syrian nor a Malayalee name. From this itself one will say that he cannot be a Bishop of Maiankara Orthodox Church. Very few people know that one Fr. Alvares, a Goan has joined the Maiankara Orthodox Syrian Church in 1887 and consecrated as a Bishop in 1889 with the name Alvares Mar Julius.
One who visits the St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church Ribander (Goa) will see a beautiful 'Kabar' wherein the Holy Relies of the late lamented Bishop, Alvares Mar Julius isintered. This is the only church outside Kerala wherein a Bishop is laid in rest. A lot of people fully believe in his intercession and the prayers are well answered. This makes the Goa church as a pilgrimage centre.
Fr. Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares was born on 29-04-1836 in an aristocratic Roman Catholic Family in Varhapuri (now Verna) about 25 km from panaji the capital city of Goa. As a very devout and pious boy he might have decided to work in His wine yard. On completion of school education he joined the famous seminary at Rachol (Goa). Thereafter he was at Bombay and ordained as a priest in1862. He continued to work in Bomay for another ve years and then returned to Goa. That was a turning point in his life. The period 1867 to 1887 changed the ordinary Roman Catholic priesthood in him. Then the church and the clergy were fully controlled by the Portuguese Government. By that time Fr. Alvares came to be known as a journalist and writer, Social worker, Educationist, Freedom ghter, Philanthropist, and over and above a rm believer in the true Christianity. Through his periodicals "A Cruz", and "A Verdade", (The truth) and later "The Times of Goa" and "Progress de Goa", the pamphlets like "Antioch and Rome", "Universal supremacy in the church of Christ", "Directions to the treatment of cholera", etc he educated the people, argued for the downtrodden and fought for the freedom of the church.
Though born and brought up and ordained as priest of the Catholic Church, he could not withstand the harassment meted out to him by the ecclesiastical and civil powers. He was against the false devotion and religious exhibitionism. A certain section of the Catholic Community lead by Fr. Alvares never consented to the agreement between the Pope and Portuguese G. over n m e n t regarding administration of the church in India. They resisted the e orts of the Pope to suppress them. They formed the independent Catholic Missions.
In pursuit of nding out the true Christianity he went to Trayancore and contacted the then Malankara Metropolitan Mar Joseph Dioriysius (Pulikottil Thirumeni) who irected him to Mar Gregorios of Parumala. Fr. Alvares was profoundly impressed by these great and pious Personalities. He was very much convinced that the faiths, beliefs, principles, heritage,customs and traditions of the Orthodox Church were correct and far better than that of the Catholic Church.Probably he disagreed with the Catholic Church and embraced the Orthodox Syrian Church in 1887, hence he, was excommunicated by his mother church. Due to his pious life he was elevated to the Episcopal status on 29-7-1889 as Metropolitan of Goa, India and Ceylon by Mar Joseph Dionyius, Mar Gregorios of Parumala, Paulose Mar Ivanios and Kadvil Mar Athanosious.
Bishop Alvares stood to his last breath for his faith in the Church which he embraced. For this he su ered too much. He was persecuted by the Catholic Church and the political rulers.Cases were fabricated against him and he was arrested on false allegations, stiripped o his espiscopal vestments and taken to the lock up only with his underwear. He was forced to live in lthy room without any amenities and proper food. Though he was acquitted, he was deprived of the Episcopal insignia. As a Metropolitan he spent a number of years in Canara (Costal Karnataka) and Ceylon. About 5000 people in Brahmavar (Canara dist.) joined the Orthodox Syrian Church. His last ten years was in his home state only. Though he was not physically strong at that age his spirit for social service was very high.He was a poor man then but patriotism was aming and the love for the poor was burning in his heart. Practically his life was dedicated to such a cause. Then he was running a home for the poor. Infact his He was a poor man then but patriotism was aming and the love for the poor was burning in his heart.... Then he was running a home for the poor. Infact his house in Fontainhas (Panaji) had become a heaven for the poor including some 'bhangis'.... There was nobody to support him.
The Orthodox Church which he joined was no where near him. In fact it did not care as to where the Bishop Alvares was working, how he was, and whether he was alive or not? He
was forced to beg to support himself and the poor who he had taken under his care. In a black cassock with a flowing beard, a bowl in one hand and a big stu in another to support
him, he used to roam the streets of Panaji to collect donations from his well wishers. His last days were in Ribander hospital at the mercy of a charitable institution, ghting against
dysentery at that old age. He breathed his last on 23rd Sept. 1923. Since he was a journalist, social worker, philanthropist etc. he had a number of friends. They could not support him very much openly, for they too would be branded as traitors.
But for his funeral each one of them assembled just like the 'Joseph of Arimathea', The citizen committee woke to give a very big funeral for this Patriot and Saint. His body was kept in state in the Muncipal hall for 24 hours to enable the people to pay their homage. The then Chief Justice took the lead though Bishop Alvres Mar Julius was considered as an enemy to the government and the Roman Catholic Church, the Governor General sent his representative. Thousands of people, especially so many poor paid their last respects. Funeral speeches were made by high dignitaries. A big funeral procession winding all the main roads of Panaji was taken and the body was laid to rest in the 'themmadikuzhi' of St. Inez (Panaji) cemetery.After four years (23.9.1927) his bones were collected by his friends and admirers, kept them in a lead box, buried in the same place, laid a marble slab with the inscription 'Padre Alvares- A great Humanitarian Missionary and a Great Patriot' and erected a big cross there. Then for forty long years nobody visited the grave. Nobody knew where he was buried.
But a jewel could not be hidden for long. His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasios, the then Metropolitan of Outside Kerala Diocese (Later H.H. Baselios Mar Thomas Mathews I. Catholicos of the East) during his visit to Goa in 1967, after a lot enquiries found out the tomb. As per his and the Panaji parishner's wishes a small church by His Grace Philipose Mar Thiophilos, the then diocesan Metropolitan of Bombay on 05-10-1979. When the St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church was reconstructed in the same place, the holy relics was shifted to the present sephulchre which was specially made on the side of the madbaha by the Catholicose of the East His Holiness Baselios MarThoma Mathews II on 6-10-2001.The St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church Ribander-Panaji celebrates his shradhaperunal every year in September during the week falling 23rd, to honour this Apostle of Charity. A lot people are blessed through his intercession and so many visit his kabar with prayers and o ertory, seeking blessing and favors.
P.S:
This is a very touching article and our hearts are stirred. It is because of such thirumenis our tradition of honoring bishops and priests continues as a legacy. Though our church has not canonised Mar Alvarez, we hope he will be soon declared saint. That should'nt prevent us from saying Julius Mar Alvarez Thirumeni , intercede for us , sinners now and at all times even at the hour of our death .
--
Kind regards,
George Easaw
George Kurian, Goa
October 29, 2004
Alvares is neither a Syrian nor a Malayalee name. From this itself one will say that he cannot be a Bishop of Maiankara Orthodox Church. Very few people know that one Fr. Alvares, a Goan has joined the Maiankara Orthodox Syrian Church in 1887 and consecrated as a Bishop in 1889 with the name Alvares Mar Julius.
One who visits the St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church Ribander (Goa) will see a beautiful 'Kabar' wherein the Holy Relies of the late lamented Bishop, Alvares Mar Julius isintered. This is the only church outside Kerala wherein a Bishop is laid in rest. A lot of people fully believe in his intercession and the prayers are well answered. This makes the Goa church as a pilgrimage centre.
Fr. Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares was born on 29-04-1836 in an aristocratic Roman Catholic Family in Varhapuri (now Verna) about 25 km from panaji the capital city of Goa. As a very devout and pious boy he might have decided to work in His wine yard. On completion of school education he joined the famous seminary at Rachol (Goa). Thereafter he was at Bombay and ordained as a priest in1862. He continued to work in Bomay for another ve years and then returned to Goa. That was a turning point in his life. The period 1867 to 1887 changed the ordinary Roman Catholic priesthood in him. Then the church and the clergy were fully controlled by the Portuguese Government. By that time Fr. Alvares came to be known as a journalist and writer, Social worker, Educationist, Freedom ghter, Philanthropist, and over and above a rm believer in the true Christianity. Through his periodicals "A Cruz", and "A Verdade", (The truth) and later "The Times of Goa" and "Progress de Goa", the pamphlets like "Antioch and Rome", "Universal supremacy in the church of Christ", "Directions to the treatment of cholera", etc he educated the people, argued for the downtrodden and fought for the freedom of the church.
Though born and brought up and ordained as priest of the Catholic Church, he could not withstand the harassment meted out to him by the ecclesiastical and civil powers. He was against the false devotion and religious exhibitionism. A certain section of the Catholic Community lead by Fr. Alvares never consented to the agreement between the Pope and Portuguese G. over n m e n t regarding administration of the church in India. They resisted the e orts of the Pope to suppress them. They formed the independent Catholic Missions.
In pursuit of nding out the true Christianity he went to Trayancore and contacted the then Malankara Metropolitan Mar Joseph Dioriysius (Pulikottil Thirumeni) who irected him to Mar Gregorios of Parumala. Fr. Alvares was profoundly impressed by these great and pious Personalities. He was very much convinced that the faiths, beliefs, principles, heritage,customs and traditions of the Orthodox Church were correct and far better than that of the Catholic Church.Probably he disagreed with the Catholic Church and embraced the Orthodox Syrian Church in 1887, hence he, was excommunicated by his mother church. Due to his pious life he was elevated to the Episcopal status on 29-7-1889 as Metropolitan of Goa, India and Ceylon by Mar Joseph Dionyius, Mar Gregorios of Parumala, Paulose Mar Ivanios and Kadvil Mar Athanosious.
Bishop Alvares stood to his last breath for his faith in the Church which he embraced. For this he su ered too much. He was persecuted by the Catholic Church and the political rulers.Cases were fabricated against him and he was arrested on false allegations, stiripped o his espiscopal vestments and taken to the lock up only with his underwear. He was forced to live in lthy room without any amenities and proper food. Though he was acquitted, he was deprived of the Episcopal insignia. As a Metropolitan he spent a number of years in Canara (Costal Karnataka) and Ceylon. About 5000 people in Brahmavar (Canara dist.) joined the Orthodox Syrian Church. His last ten years was in his home state only. Though he was not physically strong at that age his spirit for social service was very high.He was a poor man then but patriotism was aming and the love for the poor was burning in his heart. Practically his life was dedicated to such a cause. Then he was running a home for the poor. Infact his He was a poor man then but patriotism was aming and the love for the poor was burning in his heart.... Then he was running a home for the poor. Infact his house in Fontainhas (Panaji) had become a heaven for the poor including some 'bhangis'.... There was nobody to support him.
The Orthodox Church which he joined was no where near him. In fact it did not care as to where the Bishop Alvares was working, how he was, and whether he was alive or not? He
was forced to beg to support himself and the poor who he had taken under his care. In a black cassock with a flowing beard, a bowl in one hand and a big stu in another to support
him, he used to roam the streets of Panaji to collect donations from his well wishers. His last days were in Ribander hospital at the mercy of a charitable institution, ghting against
dysentery at that old age. He breathed his last on 23rd Sept. 1923. Since he was a journalist, social worker, philanthropist etc. he had a number of friends. They could not support him very much openly, for they too would be branded as traitors.
But for his funeral each one of them assembled just like the 'Joseph of Arimathea', The citizen committee woke to give a very big funeral for this Patriot and Saint. His body was kept in state in the Muncipal hall for 24 hours to enable the people to pay their homage. The then Chief Justice took the lead though Bishop Alvres Mar Julius was considered as an enemy to the government and the Roman Catholic Church, the Governor General sent his representative. Thousands of people, especially so many poor paid their last respects. Funeral speeches were made by high dignitaries. A big funeral procession winding all the main roads of Panaji was taken and the body was laid to rest in the 'themmadikuzhi' of St. Inez (Panaji) cemetery.After four years (23.9.1927) his bones were collected by his friends and admirers, kept them in a lead box, buried in the same place, laid a marble slab with the inscription 'Padre Alvares- A great Humanitarian Missionary and a Great Patriot' and erected a big cross there. Then for forty long years nobody visited the grave. Nobody knew where he was buried.
But a jewel could not be hidden for long. His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasios, the then Metropolitan of Outside Kerala Diocese (Later H.H. Baselios Mar Thomas Mathews I. Catholicos of the East) during his visit to Goa in 1967, after a lot enquiries found out the tomb. As per his and the Panaji parishner's wishes a small church by His Grace Philipose Mar Thiophilos, the then diocesan Metropolitan of Bombay on 05-10-1979. When the St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church was reconstructed in the same place, the holy relics was shifted to the present sephulchre which was specially made on the side of the madbaha by the Catholicose of the East His Holiness Baselios MarThoma Mathews II on 6-10-2001.The St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church Ribander-Panaji celebrates his shradhaperunal every year in September during the week falling 23rd, to honour this Apostle of Charity. A lot people are blessed through his intercession and so many visit his kabar with prayers and o ertory, seeking blessing and favors.
P.S:
This is a very touching article and our hearts are stirred. It is because of such thirumenis our tradition of honoring bishops and priests continues as a legacy. Though our church has not canonised Mar Alvarez, we hope he will be soon declared saint. That should'nt prevent us from saying Julius Mar Alvarez Thirumeni , intercede for us , sinners now and at all times even at the hour of our death .
--
Kind regards,
George Easaw
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Lalu Yadav and his magic wand..
On Tuesday, 26 Feb, Lalu Prasad Yadav will deliver the railway budget.
Continuing with his sheer detemination to silence his critics, Lalu is this time too expected to give the nation a ralway budget which will be very popular, making the common man happy. No fare increases, reduction for upper classes, more trains an so on.. The Ralways is expected to conitnue it's profitable running with last year profits / excess reserves running to Rs.21,500 crores +. ( almost US $ 4.5 billion) This is no joke for the fourth year !! It requires terrific will power and sense of purpose to be able to deliver such profits on a public utility and the only public utility at that. The state road transport corporations, state electricity boards, the state public works departments have all become dens of corruption and inefficiency.
Lalu will continue to be remembered as a leader of the masses, terribly misunderstood by the people of differing political thoughts who are always looking for the first opportunity to smear dirt at him. The great thing with him, is that nobody in the history of the indian railways, did ever initiate an operation of this scale in the country, and finally succeed !! There lies his greatness..
The nation needs more people like him !!
george.
Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
XSEED, XIME voluntary blood donation camp 22 Feb 2008.
The social service wing of XIME, XSEED, organised a voluntary blood donation camp with the help of St Johns Hospital on 22 Feb 08. Almost 70 + students donated blood, which is almost 35 %. A good score..
Kind regards,
George Easaw
Wurzburg-xime basketball 20 Feb 2008
It was a great sight seeing our students playing with the students (XIME A team) from Uty of Applied Sciences, Wurzburg on 20 Feb 2008 in the XIME basket ball court. A game played with great competitive spirit. XIME won 49-32. Prof Sponholtz and myself were the representatives from the faculty side.
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Kind regards,
George Easaw
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Talk in XIME by Dr Ravindra, Advisor, Infosys..
On the morning of 19 Feb 2008, we had a special speaker talking to the German students in XIME. None other than Dr M P Ravindra, former Advisor to Infosys. Dr Ravindra was frank and brimming with confidence the way he was speaking. Reeling statistics and figures, he pointed out that India has a share of 35 % of Knowledge Process Outsourcing in the world now and by 2011 it will become 71 %.
That was very comforting for Indians, but very discomforting for Germans and the rest of the world. Accept it or not, India is taking on the world by it's horns. Being silent for over 300 years, we were observing to what limits the colonial powers could dominate the world. Now it is known that they have blown out of steam. Patience, an eastern virtue is starting to payoff now !!( those are my words..)
Thank you Sir, the talk was very informative and motivating. Looking forward to hear more from you.
--
Kind regards,
George Easaw
That was very comforting for Indians, but very discomforting for Germans and the rest of the world. Accept it or not, India is taking on the world by it's horns. Being silent for over 300 years, we were observing to what limits the colonial powers could dominate the world. Now it is known that they have blown out of steam. Patience, an eastern virtue is starting to payoff now !!( those are my words..)
Thank you Sir, the talk was very informative and motivating. Looking forward to hear more from you.
--
Kind regards,
George Easaw
Monday, February 18, 2008
Snap taken by Sunil Nicklaus..
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Kind regards,
George Easaw
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