Prevailing Reasons for Unstability in Syromalabar community

Syromalabar community as a whole in the State of Kerala is experiencing deterioration inthe reacent  decades. Some of the prevailing reasons are shared from my experience. There should be dialogue and collabration within the community to understand and overcome the situation. If we are not alert and take necessary steps the community will completely erode. Parents, children, youth, professionals  along with Political and Church leaders should come together and find out suitable solutions. Differences of all sorts have to be set aside and work together for a common cause.  

 

 

Sector	Issue	Reason
Family	Nuclear family, deterioration of traditional values	Individualism, societal influence
Human resource	Migration of youth in large scale	Professionalism, lack of indigenous job opportunities, Reservation policy followed by government, individualism
Social	Deteriorating social influence	Health sector, educational sector, bureaucratic sector
Economic	Low market value for plantation crop	Government policies not favourable,
Political	Lack of faith in Christian Political leadership	Corruption, nepotism, lack of inability to respond, lack of unity
Religious	Lack of Faith in Church Leadership	Lack of Morality, degradation in faith, lack of inspirational leadership, societal influence, social media

REMINISCENCE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

As India my motherland celebrates 77^th Independence Day (freedom from the clutches of British rule (1947), I would like to share the my concept of True Freedom as depicted in a Poem from Gitanjali by the great Indian Poet Rabindranath Tagore who in 1913 became the first non-European and the first lyricist to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Rabindranath Tagore (7 May 1861 – 8 August 1941) was a Bengali poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter. He reshaped Bengali literature and music as well as Indian art with Contextual Modernism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Author of the "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful" poetry of Gitanjali, he became in 1913 the first non-European and the first lyricist to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Tagore's poetic songs were viewed as spiritual and mercurial; however, his "elegant prose and magical poetry" remain largely unknown outside Bengal. He was a fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. Referred to as "the Bard of Bengal. 

 

 

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;

Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;

Where words come out from the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father,  

let my country awake.

Source: Rabindranath Tagore, "Gitanjali 35" from Gitanjali (Song Offerings): A Collection of Prose Translations Made by the Author from the Original Bengali, intro. by W. B. Yeats (London: MacMillan, 1913). Public domain. (MacMillan, 1913).
 

Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home" - In Capsule

Image is from:Laudato Si' – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home" is an Encyclical letter issued by Pope Francis on May 24, 2015. The document mainly address environmental issues, climate change, and the interconnectedness of social and ecological problems. It emphasizes the need for greater awareness, dialogue, and action to protect the environment and promote integral human development.

The key themes discussed in the encyclical in the background of environmental degradation include integral ecology, climate change consumerism and materialism, technological progress and water and biodiversity. Toward the end the discussion is on caring for creation, importance of dialogue and collaboration in overcoming the environmental crisis. Spiritual and ethical dimensions of environmental crisis are aldo discussed.

In the beginning pope calls for an integrated approach to ecological issues (Integral Ecology). The causes associated with ecological degradation are identified as - human induced climate change (greenhouse gas emissions), prevailing culture of consumerism and excessive materialism, potential negative impacts of unbridled technological development. Importance of clean water and preservation of bio diversity are highlighted. 

Recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental, social, economic, and cultural factors Pope Francis emphasizes that the well-being of people and the planet are interconnected and must be addressed together. Addressing the human induced climate change Pope emphasises on the moral imperative to take action to mitigate its impacts. He further calls for an international response and greater efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Pope identifies the prevailing culture of consumerism and excessive materialism, which contribute to environmental degradation and social inequality. Pope Francis encourages for a simpler and more sustainable way of life that values human relationships and the well-being of all. Ascertaining the benefits of technological advancements on one hand the document on the other hand criticise potential negative impacts of unbridled technological development that leads to environmental harm and social dislocation. Pope Francis Underling the importance of clean water access and the preservation of biodiversity, he also highlights the vulnerability of the poor, who are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and the scarcity of essential resources.

Towards the conclusion of the encyclical, the document urges individuals, communities, and governments to adopt a more responsible and sustainable approach to caring for creation. This includes renewable energy sources, responsible consumption, waste reduction, and sustainable agriculture practices. Further the document stresses the need for dialogue and collaboration between various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, scientists, religious leaders, and civil society, to address environmental challenges and work towards the common good. Pope Francis also attempt to connect the environmental crisis with ethical and spiritual principles, drawing from Catholic social teaching and emphases the moral duty to protect God's creation and care for the most vulnerable members of society.

In summary, "Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home" calls for a holistic and ethical response to environmental and social challenges, stressing the importance of solidarity, justice, and sustainability in our relationships with both the Earth and one another.