CONTRIBUTED CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Honorable president of India Smt Pratibha Patil said on Tuesday,12 th August,2010 that Major religions in India had contributed to the social, religious and cultural diversity of the land and strengthened the secular values cherished by the nation.
She was speaking after paying tribute to the first canonized woman saint of India, St.Alphonsa, at a solemn function organized as part of the valedictory of the year-long celebration of the birth centenary of St.Alphonsa of Bharanaganam.
The president recalled the extraordinary life of St. Alphonsa who was uncomplaining and spiritually strong in her extreme physical pain. She also reminded the faithful of extraordinary ability of St. Alphonsa to reach out to those in pain and console them through prayers” Prayer is a means to search for the divinity in each of us’ President said” The saint who accepted pain with a smile was fondly called’ smiling sister, by her students”
The contributions made by Christian churches in the field of education. Missionaries were responsible for the introduction of primary education. The church has also contributed to the development of higher education and the field of health, the celebrations would foster social harmony to which the Christian community had contributed immensely.
The president laid the foundation stone for the St. Alphonsa Hospice and palliative care centre and launched a welfare scheme for the needy and financially backward patients suffering from cancer, renal ailments and heart diseases.
Prof.JohnKurakar
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