Archive for 2011

Prayer for the Solemnity of Mary

From Pax Christi:


Glory to you, God our Creator ...
Breathe into us new life, new meaning.

Glory to you, God our Savior ...
Lead us in the way of peace and justice.

Glory to you, healing Spirit ...
Transform us to empower others.


Mary, wellspring of peace ... Be our guide.
Model of strength...
Model of gentleness...
Model of trust...
Model of courage...
Model of patience...
Model of risk...
Model of openness...
Model of perseverance...


Mother of the liberator ... Pray for us.
Mother of the homeless...
Mother of the dying...
Mother of the nonviolent...
Mother of widowed mothers...
Mother of unwed mothers...
Mother of a political prisoner...
Mother of the condemned...
Mother of the executed criminal...


Oppressed woman ... Lead us to life.
Liberator of the oppressed...
Marginalized woman...
Comforter of the afflicted...
Cause of our joy...
Sign of contradiction...
Breaker of bondage...
Political refugee...
Seeker of sanctuary...
First disciple...
Sharer in Christ's passion...
Seeker of God's will...
Witness to Christ's resurrection...


Woman of mercy ... Empower us.
Woman of faith...
Woman of contemplation...
Woman of vision...
Woman of wisdom and understanding...
Woman of grace and truth...
Woman, pregnant with hope...
Woman, centered in God...


Mary, Queen of Peace, we entrust our lives to you. Shelter us from war, hatred and oppression. Teach us to live in peace, to educate ourselves for peace. Inspire us to act justly, to revere all God has made. Root peace firmly in our hearts and in our world. Amen.

 
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs090/1011223557022/archive/1109017704597.html

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The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has approved 10 "Mega Food Parks".


       The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has approved 10 Mega Food Parks in Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand, Assam, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bihar and Tripura. In-principle approval has been accorded to 5 projects and Expression of Interest (EoI) issued for another 15 projects.
The Mega Food Parks Scheme (MFPS), a flagship programme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) aims at accelerating the growth of food processing industry in the country through facilitating establishment of strong food processing infrastructure backed by an efficient supply chain.  The scheme provides for a capital grant of 50 percent of the project cost in difficult and ITDP notified areas(with a ceiling of Rs 50 crores). The grant is utilized towards creation of common infrastructure in the park. A Mega Food Park takes about 30-36 months to be completed.
Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure
Eight out of ten cold chain projects approved by MFPI have started commercial operation. Substantive value addition, reduction in wastage and enhancement in farmers’ income is evident from concurrent evaluation of these projects. 39 projects have been approved in 2011. The approved projects envisage a total investment of about Rs. 850 crore. 
These 49 projects would create cold chain capacity of over 2.30 lakh MT. 
            The cold chain scheme was approved in 2008 with an objective to provide integrated and complete cold chain, value addition and preservation infrastructure facilities without any break, for perishables from the farm gate to the consumer. The assistance under the scheme includes financial assistance (grant-in-aid) of 50%  of the total cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works in general areas and 75% for NE region and difficult areas subject to a maximum of Rs 10 crore.
Taking note of the high demand and the gap in the requirement of cold storage, processing, preservation and cold logistics facilities in India, “creation & management of cold chain infrastructure for agriculture” has been recently identified as a thrust area by the Prime Minister.
Modernization of abattoirs
In the year 2011, two projects at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra and Dimapurin Nagaland have been completed. Ten projects for modernization of abattoirs are at various stages of progress.   A proposal for up-scaling the scheme is under consideration.
Technology Upgradation/Establishment/ Modernization of Food Processing Industries
            A sum of Rs. 488 crore is likely to be spent by March 2012 on the scheme for technology upgradation and modernization of food processing industries. This scheme is adding huge processing capacity to the food processing industry which in turn has resulted in significant reduction of wastages.
New ‘Mission on Food Processing’ on the anvil
            The Working Group on Food Processing for the XII Plan has recommended a new centrally sponsored scheme in the form of National Mission on Food Processing proposed with seven components. Four components, namely, (i) Technology up-gradation / setting up / modernization of food processing industries, (ii) HRD, (iii) Modernization of Abattoirs and (iv) Promotional Activities are being implemented in 11th Plan as Central Sector Schemes which will form part of the National Mission on Food Processing. Three new activities, namely, (i) Modernization of Meat Shops, (ii) Cold Chain, Value Addition & Preservation Infrastructure for non-horticulture produce, and (iii) Creation of on-farm PPC/CCs are proposed as new components. Planning Commission has given in-principle approval. 
Launching of National Mission on Food Processing is likely to have greater involvement of State Governments and all stakeholders resulting fast growth of the food processing sector.

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Christmas Prayer

From the Franciscan Mission Service blog:


Prayers for Christmas: More of God, Less of Us

John the Baptist spent his life announcing the coming of Christ. When Jesus was beginning his public ministry, John said "He must increase; I must decrease" (John 3:30). John had done his job in baptizing with water, and it was now time to step aside for the one who would baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit.

Today's prayer from returned missioner Jean Lecthenberg reminds us of the need to seek and accept the life-giving gifts God has for us (peace, acceptance, kindness...) and turn away from solutions that are temporary, and often hurtful, as we prepare the way for Jesus this Advent.

“For Christmas and the new year I pray for:
More peace, less violence
More acceptance, less judging
More kindness, less pettiness  
More beauty, less crassness
More giving, less acquiring
More love.”   

From 2007 to 2009, Jean and her husband Lee served in Bolivia where she taught English at the Universidad Academica Campesina in Carmen Pampa. The rural Catholic university provides an education to students who would have otherwise not have gone to school. These students return home with their degrees and experience in nursing, education, agronomy, veterinary sciences and ecotourism and to help and contribute to their communities.  Jean also taught reading to children in first through fourth grades with reading difficulties. 

In conjunction, she established a children's library and worked with others to collect books. Read about and see great photos from Jean and Lee's mission experience on their blog, Jean and Lee in Bolivia.

Support FMS this Christmas by purchasing a commemorative print of one of Lee's paintings. Each one is numbered and signed. 


http://franciscanmissionservice.blogspot.com/2011/12/prayers-for-christmas-more-of-god-less.html

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Advent Community Acticity - Joy Amid Struggle in Volunteering

During Advent and the Christmas season, Biblical texts and Christmas cards encourage us to be joyful.

“The seers and listeners, the contemplatives of every age, will be prepared to recognize joy and to recognize its possibility everywhere…We must not be afraid to announce it to refugees, slum dwellers, saddened prisoners, angry prophets.  Now and then we must even announce it to ourselves.  In this prison of now, in this cynical and sophisticated age, Christians must believe in joy.”
     - Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM

 With Advent and Christmas approaching, consider the following:
  •   Where do you find joy in your work as a volunteer?
  •  To what extent do the people you work with (clients, schoolchildren, etc.) have joy?  What insights about joy have you learned from them?
Moses was called to free God’s oppressed people (Exodus 3:4-9), releasing them from their prison.  Fr. Rohr exhorts believers to believe in joy despite the shackles of the “prison of now.”   Often people living in poverty or struggle are limited or defined by their present situation – their “prison of now.”


During this time of preparation, are there attitudes, feelings, or situations that you need to be free from?  How can you free yourself and seek joy?


What struggles are happening among the people you work with?  In what ways do you see God working despite these struggles?


In your workplace, how can your actions and attitude help set the people you work with free from being defined by the present?


The Psalms call us to “sing to God a new song; skillfully play with joyful chant” (Psalm 33:3).  Together with your community and the people with whom you work, prepare a new song to sing, one that helps free others from situations lacking joy and hope.  This Christmas and into the new year, your presence, and the joy you radiate, can truly be a gift to others.  


http://pallotticenter.org/index.php?m=ca

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Bird species reported from India which are listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN Red List version


Details of bird species reported from India which are listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN Red List version 
S. No.
Common Name
Scientific Name
Family
Status
1
White-rumped Vulture
Gyps bengalensis
Accipitridae
CR
2
Indian Vulture
Gyps indicus
Accipitridae
CR
3
Slender-billed Vulture
Gyps tenuirostris
Accipitridae
CR
4
Red-headed Vulture
Sarcogyps calvus
Accipitridae
CR
5
Pink-headed Duck
Rhodonessa caryophyllacea
Anatidae
CR
6
White-bellied Heron
Ardea insignis
Ardeidae
CR
7
Sociable Lapwing
Vanellus gregarius
Charadriidae
CR
8
Christmas Frigatebird
Fregata andrewsi
Fregatidae
CR
9
Jerdon's Courser
Rhinoptilus bitorquatus
Glareolidae
CR
10
Siberian Crane
Grus leucogeranus
Gruidae
CR
11
Bengal Florican
Houbaropsis bengalensis
Otididae
CR
12
Himalayan Quail
Ophrysia superciliosa
Phasianidae
CR
13
Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Eurynorhynchus pygmeus
Scolopacidae
CR
14
Forest Owlet
Heteroglaux blewitti
Strigidae
CR

CR: Critically Endangered.

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Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Reflection

From Pax Christi:


By Arturo Chávez, Ph.D.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Zech 2:14-17 or Rev 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10ab | Lk 1:26-38 or 1:39-47
“Blessed is she who trusted that God’s words to her would be fulfilled…” (Luke 1:45)

Today we celebrate one of the holiest days of the year for Americans throughout North, Central, and South America. The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Mother of the ONE Church in America, is a story of how God acted in a people’s history to bring light in a time of great darkness. The earliest account of the Guadalupe story states that “when it was night,” a great sign appeared in this part of the world: “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon at her feet” (Revelation 12:1).

This gentle, pregnant woman came with a message of hope, a vision of unity from the God of “What is Near and Together.” Speaking to the powerful through a humble and wise Indian man, she offered all her children the opportunity to build together a Church where the homeless are welcomed, the sorrowful comforted, the sick healed, and the voiceless empowered. The imprint of her lovely brown face on the strands of Juan Diego’s garment still calls to the Church in America to weave together the many races and cultural groups of the continent into a “new creation.”

The message of the Virgin of Guadalupe is the same one she sang over two thousand years ago in her beautiful Magnificat. “God,” she says, “has looked upon my lowliness and from this day all generations shall call me blessed!” (Luke 1:48). Mary, the poor, young woman from Nazareth, knew what it meant to count for nothing in this world. She, like Juan Diego, lived her earthly life as a member of a conquered people living under occupation. Yet even in the face of a seemingly hopeless reality, Mary could envision a new reality — God’s Reign dawning upon the world from inside her womb.

This reign, Mary proclaimed, will be a complete revolution — not of swords and violence — a total change in the social order as we know it now. The poor will be lifted up and partake in a sumptuous banquet, while those who are rich in their greed and pride will fall on their faces and go away empty. This is not the cruel payback of an angry god; rather, it is a compassionate way of bringing empowerment and healing to the disinherited, and an opportunity for conversion for those who will learn in no other way.

  • Our Lady’s temple is yet to be built. Can we begin to envision it? Design the plan for it? Provide the labor for it?
  • How can we offer ourselves — in the words of St. Paul — “as living stones” for the creation of the ONE Church in America and in the world?




This reflection is from Awakening the Prophet Within: Reflections for Advent 2006, by Dr. Arturo Chavez. This year’s booklet by Diane Lopez Hughes is still available and can be ordered online here. Dr. Chavez is the President of the Mexican American Catholic College in San Antonio and former National Council member of Pax Christi USA. 




http://paxchristiusa.org/2011/12/12/advent-2011-reflection-for-the-feast-of-our-lady-of-guadalupe-december-12/

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Prayer for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Father,

you prepared the Virgin Mary

to be the worthy mother of your Son.
You let her share beforehand
in the salvation Christ would bring by his death,
and kept her sinless
from the first moment of her conception.

Help us by her prayers
to live in your presence without sin.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen


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UN Women Report


UN Women Report
The report titled, “Progress of the World’s Women: In Pursuit of Justice 2011-12” was launched by UN Women on 7 July 2011. The Report offers a comprehensive global review of women’s rights around the world. By focusing on the issue of women’s access to justice, or lack thereof, it highlights the many ways in which injustice against women still continues- in a home or the work place, in politics and in justice systems. The Report has both positive examples from across the world of progress in women’s access to justice as well as areas where more action is needed. The Report does not mention about “Khap” Panchayats. The Minister of Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath revealed this in Rajya Sabha recently in written reply to a question. 

The Minister further stated that as Khap Panchayat is a gathering of the members of particular caste or clan of the village or from a group of neighbouring villages and are informal bodies, they don’t have legal status. 

As per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects and, as such, the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crime, lies with the respective State Government/Union Territory Administration. Existing provisions of the IPC cover crimes such as murder and, therefore, provisions for punishment to people who abet crime. Further, MHA has sent detailed advisory to all State Governments/Union Territory Administrations advising them to take appropriate measures in cases of crimes against women including the violation of women’s rights by so-called ‘Honour Killings’. 

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National Mineral Policy


National Mineral Policy



The National Mineral Policy, 2008, seeks to address areas of serious concern in mining sector relating inter-alia to:
(i)                 making the regulatory mechanism more conducive to technology and investment flows by ensuring greater transparency in allocation of mineral concessions, seamlessness and security of tenure in the concession processes,
(ii)               strengthening the role of Geological Survey of India, Indian Bureau of Mines, and State Directorates of Mining and Geology,
(iii)             developing and enforcing a Sustainable Development Framework ensuring stakeholder rights to the indigenous population and that the mining activity takes place along with suitable measures for restoration of the ecological balance,
(iv)             discourage and prevent sub-optimal and unscientific mining by promoting zero-waste mining,
(v)               developing new concession instruments to attract high technology for incentivizing exploration of large areas, and
(vi)             developing a cluster approach to mining of small deposits in a scientific and efficient manner.

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OVL showed keen interest in participating in the Sakhalin-3

OVL showed keen interest in participating in the Sakhalin-3 and other fields. It was pointed out that the Company is in close talks with Gazprom to jointly develop projects to produce LNG, gas pipelines, its transportation and marketing. Indian side suggested swapping LNG imports of Japan from Qatar with the LNG that could be available from Russian sources like Sakhalin. Indian side also proposed participation of PLL in the projects along with OVL. 

PLL informed that they would be soon finalizing the agreement for sourcing LNG from Russia under the pact arrived at with Gazprom. The Heads of Agreement for supply of about 2.5 million tones of LNG were signed recently at Singapore. The LNG is proposed to be sourced from Shtokman field. PLL further showed interest in importing more LNG as the demand in India was growing rapidly

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Trade Deficit with China


Trade Deficit with China
The trade deficit of India with China was US$ 23.864 billion in 2010-11. 

The matter relating to growing trade deficit was taken up with the Chinese side by India during the Eighth Session of India-China Joint Group on Economic Relations, Trade Science and Technology (JEG) held on 19th January, 2010 in Beijing. Following specific requests to increase imports from India were made to the Chinese side during 8th Session of the JEG: 

i. Greater import of IT and ITES by China from India. 

ii. Removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to the import of power plant equipment from India. 

iii. Removal of restrictions on import of Basmati Rice, fruits and vegetables by China. 

iv. Landing rights for Indian TV channels in China. 

v. Import of more Indian films by China. 

vi. Removal of procedural bottlenecks, including time consuming licensing procedures being faced by Indian drugs and pharmaceuticals. 

As an outcome of 8th JEG a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dated 19th January 19, 2010, on extension of Trade and Economic Cooperation was signed between India and China. The MoU recognizes that a balanced trade is conducive to long term, sustainable and harmonious development of economic cooperation between the two countries. As per Para I of the MoU, “Both sides agree to give special attention to improving the trade situation to ensure greater value addition in their bilateral trade and promote the introduction of additional goods and services in their markets. While the Indian side will take conscious initiatives to promote its goods in China, the Chinese side will strive to import as much of its requirement of value added goods from India as possible”. 

There is increase in export of some value added goods to China as compared to the previous year. Under investment in both manufacturing and value-addition in India has led to severe mismatch between demand and supply in India and creation of a market for imports of manufactured and value-added goods from China. 

The Government of India has addressed the issue of growing trade deficit at the highest level. Indian exporters are encouraged to participate in major trade fairs in China to show-case Indian products in the Chinese market and increase engagement with Chinese companies. Participation of Indian exporters in trade fairs aims to promote Indian products amongst Chinese importers. With a view to reducing trade deficit, efforts are also being made to diversify the trade basket with emphasis on manufactured goods. We are also pursuing market access issues to tackle non-tariff barriers in the Chinese market at different fora. Business to Business relations are encouraged through schemes such as Market Access Initiative (MAI)/Market Development Assistance (MDA). Apart from these measures the Government of India is alive to the challenges of import surges and various unfair trade practices through available safeguard measures under WTO. 

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Action Against Import of Hazardous Wastes


Action Against Import of Hazardous Wastes
The import of hazardous wastes including e-waste, plastic scrap, clinical and related wastes into India is subject to the provisions of Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Tran boundary Movement) Rules. As per the Rules, import of recyclable wastes, such as plastic scrap, e-waste, is permitted only for recycling or recovery or reuse. Import for clinical and related wastes (hazardous medical waste) listed at the entry A 4020 in Schedule VI of these Rules is prohibited into the country. 

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Promotion of Indian Culture


Promotion of Indian Culture
Cultural Education is an integral part of school education at all levels in the country. By organizing seminars, workshops, programmes and taking up projects, excursions, heritage walks, schools have been sensitizing children about rich and diverse heritage and taking concrete steps to further promote and preserve it. CBSE has also initiated following steps for this purpose.

• The Board has been conducting Heritage India Quiz since 2001 involving schools students to learn and appreciate the country’s history with special reference to the freedom struggle, the constitution and other aspects associated with different regions, life styles, traditions, customs etc.

• Schools have been advised to celebrate Heritage Day on 12th January 2011.

• Schools have been advised to organize SPIC MACAY events/workshops and avail the opportunity to bring great artists to the portals of their institutes.

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Advent Reflection from the Center for Action and Contemplation

From the Center for Action and Contemplation:

MARY, THE PREPARED ONE


“Mary, do not be afraid, you have won God’s favor,” declares the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:30).

The word favor doesn’t say anything about the recipient. Favor says something about the one who is doing the favoring. So it’s really not an evaluation of Mary. It’s saying something about God’s election of Mary. She is one who is the absolutely perfect receiver and refuses to play the “Lord, I am not worthy” card that had become normative in most biblical theophanies. She simply states, “Let it be done unto me” (Luke 1:38). She lets God do all the giving. Her job is to receive such perfect giving.

God does not love you because you are good; God loves you because God is good. God does not love you because you are good; you are good because God loves you.

Adapted from Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality, p. 178

Starter Prayer: The Almighty has done great things for me.


http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Daily-Meditation--Mary--the-Prepared-One----Dec--6--2011.html?soid=1103098668616&aid=GX9LySeTOfg

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"Getting to Zero" ::new report on AIDS


 "Getting to Zero" 
World AIDS Day this year is about Getting to Zero, Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths. Backed by the United Nations the "Getting to Zero" campaign runs until 2015 and builds on last year's successful World AIDS Day "Light for Rights" initiative encompassing a range of vital issues identified by key affected populations. "The potential for creative, connected and meaningful campaigning is really exciting,” says World AIDS Campaign Africa Director, Linda Mafu. "Our organization will focus on Zero AIDS Related Deaths, but the choice is there for others to pick a different zero or all three."

The World AIDS Campaign 2011 focus on "Zero AIDS Related Deaths" signifies a push towards greater access to treatment for all; a call for governments to act now. It’s a global campaign that spotlights how our fundamental right to health is intrinsically and inextricably linked to other basic rights – The right to food, to shelter, to freedom, to clean water and safety. The global HIV response is at a pivotal moment, where huge strides forward are at serious risk and current approaches are reaching their limits. Only one third of the 15 million people living with HIV in need of lifelong treatment are receiving it.
The decision to go with the millennium development related goal of Getting to Zerocomes after extensive discussions among people living with HIV, health activists, broader civil society and many others - more than a hundred organizations. The vision for this year's World AIDS Day and beyond may be inspirational but the journey towards its attainment is laid with concrete milestones.

Situation in India
According to NACO an estimated 2.2 million people in India were living with HIV/AIDS in the year 2010 (88.7% adults in 15-49 years, 7.5% aged 50 and above and 3.5% children below 15 years). The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the country is 0.34%. Women account for 39% of HIV burden in the country. 8 states have HIV prevalence greater than the national average. India has been successful in containing the overall prevalence of the epidemic. However, there is no room for complacency as the epidemic spreads from high risk groups to general populations, from men to women and from urban to rural areas.

 HIV/AIDS in the World of work

HIV/AIDS is a major threat to the world of work. It has shown maximum impact on the most productive segment of the labour force. In countries with high HIV prevalence rates, it has cut the supply of labour and slashed income of workers, adversely affected enterprise performance and national economies.

HIV/AIDS affects fundamental rights at work, particularly with respect to discrimination and stigmatization of workers and people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Stigma and discrimination at the workplace gets reflected in the form of loss of employment and livelihood opportunities in addition to ostracism and seclusion faced by workers either due to known or presumed HIV status.The threat of HIV to the Indian working population is evident from the fact that nearly 90% of the reported HIV infections are from the most productive age group of 15-49 years.

Focus Area within the National AIDS Control Programme

Expanding HIV/AIDS policy and programmes in the world of work is a key component under the mainstreaming strategy in the National AIDS Control Programme phase-III (2007-2012). The National AIDS Control Organization, realizing the need for focused efforts to mainstream HIV/AIDS in a sustained manner has established a dedicated mainstreaming cell which would be responsible for initiating and facilitating mainstreaming efforts with government, civil society organizations and businesses/industries.

It was observed that a national policy guideline on HIV/AIDS interventions in the world of work would be of immense value. The Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National AIDS Control Organizations, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, have jointly developed this policy document. These guidelines have come out of consultation with the employers‟ and workers‟ organizations, people living with HIV/AIDS, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNAIDS.
Key Strategies

a) Prevention of HIV transmission.
b) Provide education and training at all levels in workplaces, set up interventions for behavior change through peer educators, integrate HIV in the existing / to be initiatedprogrammes at workplaces like the training of the Human Resource Department, Welfare and OHS programmes, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives etc.
c) Set up interventions for unorganized/informal sector workers and migrant workers, based on vulnerability studies and risk assessment.
d) Enhance access to condoms, treatment of STIs, universal precaution and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
e) Widen scope of social security coverage to include HIV in employee and family assistance programmes, health insurance etc.
f) Undertake vulnerable studies/epidemiological surveillance at the workplace to gather data/information for taking informed policy and programmatic decisions.
g) Creating and ensuring an enabling environment to discourage stigma and              discrimination towards people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
h) Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in HIV/AIDS Prevention and care.

Eventually, effective steps are being taken globally to surmount the pandemic and definitely we will achieve our targets. But there are two interlinked factors regarding this win-win situation, firstly, political determination to check the rate of HIV infection and secondly, social awareness to remove stigma-discrimination which is the main hurdle in the path of HIV/AIDS control program. The combination of these two factors can bring success in respect of our efforts. Because HIV/AIDS is a universal challenge before us that is why we need to step up universally in the same proportion as well. In sum, it is our collective responsibility for the sake of saving the next generation from this pandemic.
The World AIDS Day is celebrated on 1st December every year.

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Analysis of Liturgical Changes

From the newest edition of Shared Visions:

In chapter 2 of their book Social Analysis: Linking Faith and Justice, Joe Holland and Peter Henriot, S.J. present three interpretative models of social change. They name them the traditional, liberal and radical models. Each has an underlying governing principle and highest value.

In the traditional model, the authoritarian principle is paramount, holding order and static resistance to change in high esteem. The liberal model is more managerial in its approach, emphasizing balance and evolutionary change. The radical model, meanwhile, is highly participative and values community. The authors do not shy away from articulating their own personal bias for the liberal model.

Holland and Henriot state that these models of change are operative within the Church just as they are within the socioeconomic and political arenas. The Church thrived while employing the traditional model in the 400 years between the Council of Trent (1545-1563) and the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). For the past fifty years, the liberal model has been the prevailing principle surrounding the reception of the changes of Vatican II, especially here in the United States. The radical model has found its widest acceptance to date in the Latin American Church of the late 20th century.

Holland and Henriot wrote their book in the early 1980s, but their analysis can easily be extended to consider the current liturgical changes coming to English-speaking Catholic parishes around the world on November 27, 2011 – the First Sunday of Advent. One major change that is coming with the start of the new liturgical year is an emphasis on a more literal translation of the words of the liturgy from the original Latin. You will notice that the language is more formal and much less colloquial as the shift is made from dynamic equivalence (where the aim is to express the general thought pattern of the original in clear English) to formal correspondence (which attempts to make more of a word for word translation from the Latin.)  Which of Holland and Henriot’s three models do you see most at work in such a change?

In considering the coming changes, much emphasis has been placed on the fact that Pope John Paul II called for the publication of a new Roman Missal and that the changes in the English Mass will put us more in line with our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters – among others – who have, for example, been saying “And With Your Spirit” rather than “And Also With You” in response to the priest’s greeting “The Lord Be With You” for generations.

Using this evidence as data, do you think the Church is in the midst of a transition from one model of social change to another?   If so, where do you see that change headed – from liberal to traditional?  Traditional to radical?  Radical to liberal?  Beyond the liturgy, what other evidence would you offer for such a change taking place in the Church?

Some of you serving this year in Latin America are experiencing the vibrancy of comunidades de base. Back in the early 1980s, the authors viewed these base communities as a shining example of the re-creation of Church envisioned there. Thirty years on, the proponents of these base communities have weathered some sharply worded rebukes for the political and economic policies they sometimes advocated along with their views on Church. Today, do you feel that these comunidades de base are on the margins of Church life or at the center of the Latin American Church? How does your answer compliment or contradict some of the evidence of a shift in models presented above?

The Pastoral Circle reminds us that our experience of these liturgical changes and the preceding analysis of them will not be complete without deep theological reflection and careful pastoral planning. The process reminds us that change is a constant of life. Why should our spiritual life be any less dynamic than that? Too fast for some and too long delayed for others, expect that this will not be the final word on changes in our liturgy. As Church leaders have proclaimed for generations, lex orandi, lex credendi – as the Church prays, so She believes.

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Steps to Address Crisis in Traditional Sectors


Government has announced a six fold strategy to offer financial support to handloom weavers..

Under the Scheme, weavers will be eligible to margin money assistance of Rs. 4200 to Rs. 5400 per head and interest subsidy of 3 percent on loans for a period of 3 years and Weavers Credit Cards will be issued to eligible individual weavers to enable them to access loans upto Rs. 2 lakh in a period of 3 years without any collateral security. Government has convened stakeholders meetings at Ministerial level to assess the slowdown in the industry.

The Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) and Cotton Yarn Advisory Board (CYAB) meetings held on 15th November 2011 assessed domestic mill consumption for 2011-12 at 210 lakh bales down from 240 lakh bales of cotton; and cotton yarn production down from 3900 million kgs to 3200 million kgs indicating the slowdown in textiles industry. Government is considering industry representations for a moratorium on loans for capital intensive requests and special relaxation in RBI’s prudential norms to avoid asset reclassification or additional provisioning to address the textile industry slowdown.

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Implementation of Crop Development Schemes in 11th Plan


Implementation of Crop Development Schemes in 11th Plan :
Foodgrain Production Reached at All Time High of 241.56 MT in 2010-11
As a consequence of implementation of the new schemes in the 11th Plan period along with other ongoing schemes, the production of foodgrains, wheat, pulses and rice, has increased considerably as compared to the end of tenth plan, as detailed below:

 The foodgrains production of 208.60 million tones at the end of 10th Plan (2005-06) reached to an all time high of 241.56 MT in the year 2010-11.

 Wheat production increased from 69.35 MT to 85.93 MT, an increase by 16.58 MT.

 Pulses production during the same period increased from 13.3 MT to 18.09 MT, an increase by 4.07 MT.

 Rice production increased from 91.79 MT during 2005-06 to 99.18 MT in 2008-09, an increase by 7.39 MT.

Major Centrally Sponsored Schemes launched during 11th plan period are:

(i) National Food Security Mission, with an outlay of Rs. 4883 crore during 11th Plan to enhance the production of rice, wheat and pulses by 10, 8 and 2 million tones, respectively by the end of XI Plan.

(ii) National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSHF) with an outlay of Rs.429.85 crore during 11th Plan period to promote balanced and judicious use of fertilizer in conjunction with organic manure on soil test basis.

(iii) National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture in 2010 to “create an environment conducive for raising farm productivity and income to global levels through provision of relevant information and services to the stakeholders”.

The components of these schemes will also be continued during 12th Plan. 

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Increase in Forest Covers of the Country


Increase in Forest Covers of the Country
There is increase in forest cover due to afforestation-reforestation in different states.The forest cover of the country is assessed by Forest Survey of India, Dehradun on biennial basis.  The data is published in state of Forest Report.  The last report was published in 2009 which is known as India State of Forest Report, 2009.  According to the India State of Forest Report 2009, there is an increase in the forest cover of the country from 690171 square km in 2005 to 690899 square km in 2007.  The details of forest cover in the country, state-wise is given in Annexure I.

            The Ministry of Environment and Forests is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Afforestation Programme (NAP) Scheme for regeneration of degraded forests and adjoining areas in the country.  The scheme is being implemented through a decentralized mechanism of State Forest Development Agency (SFDA) at State level, Forest Development Agency (FDA) at Forest Division level and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) at village level.  As on 31.10.2011, 800 FDA projects have been approved in 28 States in the country to treat an area of 18.32 lakh ha. sinceinception of the scheme in 2002.  The details of funds released and area approved during the current five year plan are given in Annexure II.

Annexure I


Forest Cover in States / UTs in India
(area in km2)
State/UT
Geographical Area
Forest Cover
% to GA
Change
 in
forest cover
Scrub
Very Dense Forest
Mod. Dense Forest
Open Forest
Total

Andhra Pradesh
275,069
820
24,757
19,525
45,102
16.40
-129
10,372
Arunachal Pradesh
83,743
20,858
31,556
14,939
67,353
80.43
-119
111
Assam
78,438
1,461
11,558
14,673
27,692
35.30
-66
179
Bihar
94163
231
3,248
3,325
6,804
7.23
-3
134
Chhattisgarh
135,191
4,162
35,038
16,670
55,870
41.33
-59
107
Delhi
1,483
7
50
120
177
11.94
0
1
Goa
3,702
511
624
1,016
2,151
58.10
-5
1
Gujarat
196,022
376
5,249
8,995
14,620
7.46
16
1,463
Haryana
44,212
27
463
1,104
1,594
3.61
-10
145
Himachal Pradesh
55,673
3,224
6,383
5,061
14,668
26.35
2
327
Jammu & Kashmir
222,236
4,298
8,977
9,411
22,686
10.21
-3
2,036
Jharkhand
79,714
2,590
9,899
10,405
22,894
28.72
172
683
Karnataka
191,791
1,777
20,181
14,232
36,190
18.87
-10
3,176
Kerala
38,863
1,443
9,410
6,471
17,324
44.58
40
58
Madhya Pradesh
308,245
6,647
35,007
36,046
77,700
25.21
-39
6,401
Maharashtra
307,713
8,739
20,834
21,077
50,650
16.46
-11
4,157
Manipur
22,327
701
5,474
11,105
17,280
77.40
328
1
Meghalaya
22,429
410
9,501
7,410
17,321
77.23
116
211
Mizoram
21,081
134
6,251
12,855
19,240
91.27
640
1
Nagaland
16,579
1,274
4,897
7,293
13,464
81.21
-201
2
Orissa
155,707
7,073
21,394
20,388
48,855
31.38
100
4,852
Punjab
50,362
0
733
931
1,664
3.30
4
20
Rajasthan
342,239
72
4,450
11,514
16,036
4.69
24
4,347
Sikkim
7,096
500
2,161
696
3,357
47.31
0
356
Tamil Nadu
130,058
2,926
10,216
10,196
23,338
17.94
24
1,206
Tripura
10,486
111
4,770
3,192
8,073
76.99
-100
75
Uttar Pradesh
240,928
1,626
4,563
8,152
14,341
5.95
-5
745
Uttarakhand
53,483
4,762
14,165
5,568
24,495
45.80
2
271
West Bengal
88,752
2,987
4,644
5,363
12,994
14.64
24
29
A&N Islands
8,249
3,762
2,405
495
6,662
80.76
-1
53
Chandigarh
114
1
10
6
17
14.91
0
1
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
491
0
114
97
211
42.97
-5
1
Daman & Diu
112
0
1
5
6
5.04
0
3
Lakshadweep
32
0
16
10
26
82.75
0
0
Puducherry
480
0
13
31
44
9.14
2
0
Grand Total
3,287,263
83,510
319,012
288,377
690,899
21.02
728
41,525


Annexure II

 ‘Increase in forest covers of the country’

S.No.
State
Total Release (incrore)
Total area (in ha.)
1.
Andhra Pradesh
50.62
34017
2.
Bihar
29.26
21813
3.
Chhattisgarh
135.80
69783
4.
Goa
0.00
0
5.
Gujarat
118.97
61270
6.
Haryana
83.95
26329
7.
Himachal Pradesh
24.69
16717
8.
Jammu and Kashmir
30.40
17655
9.
Jharkhand
80.67
56650
10.
Karnataka
69.95
44635
11.
Kerala
31.76
19364
12.
Madhya Pradesh
91.49
65827
13.
Maharashtra
96.27
57838
14.
Orissa
63.80
75695
15.
Punjab
12.20
9874
16.
Rajasthan
29.81
21000
17.
Tamil Nadu
36.59
18909
18.
Uttar Pradesh
127.20
76670
19.
Uttarakhand
33.10
31609
20.
West Bengal
26.10
20567
21.
Arunachal Pradesh
15.99
12030
22.
Assam
38.92
25650
23.
Manipur
43.10
22314
24.
Meghalaya
21.63
15645
25.
Mizoram
66.42
28320
26.
Nagaland
39.33
24690
27.
Sikkim
43.01
15399
28.
Tripura
26.22
22556

Grant Total
1467.25
912826

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