Journals
Contents
Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1. (May 2017)
Christianity and Indian Culture
ISSN: 0976-1861
Section: Contents
Contents
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | Section: Contents
CHRISTIANITY AND INDIAN CULTURE
ISSN 0976-1861 | May 2017 | Vol. VIII, No.1 |
CONTENTS | |
Guest Editorial | |
Christianity and Indian Culture T. K. Oommen | iii |
Impact of Christian Education on Indian Culture Elena Philip & Anjali Dsouza | 1 |
The Christian Culture: Wheel of Human Development Ved Pal Singh Deswal | 11 |
Localization of the Gospel, Cultural Revivals and Zo Christianity: Colonial Encounter and the Zo Hnahthlak Anup Shekhar Chakraborty | 19 |
Jesuits’ Involvement in Grassroots Struggle for Justice and Equality in Tamil Nadu Arockiasamy Xavier | 39 |
Are Christians more developed and Happier? An Indian Perspective Chirodip Majumdar | 53 |
Conversion, Industrial Development and Social Engineering: Basel Mission in Malabar during the Nineteenth Century Jayaprakash Raghaviah | 59 |
Christianity, Women Empowerment and Tribal Welfare: The Role of Missionaries in India Panchanan Das & Anindita Sengupta | 71 |
Impact of the Scottish Mission in the Development of Kalimpong Alina Pradhan | 81 |
Native Assistants as counter Hegemonic Voice - An Archival Study Daniel Manoharan Solomon | 91 |
Indian Aesthetics and Christian Art of Jyoti Sahi Lawrence S. Fernandes | 105 |
Impact of Christian Missionaries on Lepcha Culture Denis Lepcha | 113 |
Religion, Spirituality and Social Work Practice: The Christian Perspective Pankaj Kumar Das | 119 |
Book Reviews | |
Pope Francis: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation: Amoris Laetitia By Anirban Ghosh | 131 |
Peter Lourdes: The Clash: of Transcendental Meditation and Counselling Psychology By Susweta Acharya Dutta | 135 |
Acknowledgment
Salesian College Publication thanks Indian Council of Philosophical Research, New Delhi for granting permission to publish the papers of the Seminar on the said theme held in August 2013.
Editorial
Guest Editorial
T.K. Oommen
T.K. Oommen is arguably India’s most prominent sociologist. His intellectual contribution to the nation has won him a host of awards, including Padma Bhushan for services in higher education in 2008. He was visiting Professor to several universities and institutes including the University of California; the Australian National University; the Institute of Advanced Studies, Hungary; and the Scandinavian Institute of Advanced Studies, Sweden. He is Professor Emeritus at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, and is Chairman, Shumacher Centre, New Delhi, where he is involved with rural development, employment generation and livelihood projects.
Editorial
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.iii-v | Page: iii-v| Section: Editorial
GUEST EDITORIAL
Christianity and Indian Culture
T.K. Oommen is arguably India’s most prominent sociologist. His intellectual contribution to the nation has won him a host of awards, including Padma Bhushan for services in higher education in 2008. He was visiting Professor to several universities and institutes including the University of California; the Australian National University; the Institute of Advanced Studies, Hungary; and the Scandinavian Institute of Advanced Studies, Sweden. He is Professor Emeritus at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, and is Chairman, Shumacher Centre, New Delhi, where he is involved with rural development, employment generation and livelihood projects.
The contributions of Christians to the fields of education, health and empowerment of the deprived and marginalised groups particularly Scheduled Castes (Dalits) Scheduled Tribes (Adivasis) and women is widely acknowledged although the Christians count less than three per cent of the total population of India. This issue of the Salesion Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities through a collection research papers and two book reviews provide concrete evidence to affirm the signal contributions made by the Christian minority in India.
The chapters are both conceptual-theoretical as well as empirical with reference to particular social categories and/or focussing on specific regions and social categories or covering the whole of India. Ancient India was justly famous for production and dissemination of knowledge but this activity was the privilege of the tiny Brahmin community. With the advent of western colonialism and the establishing of educational institutions by Christian missionaries education became accessible to a section of the traditionally underprivileged groups. The real challenge faced by Christian educators was to overcome the stigmatisation of Indian knowledge system by colonial administrators and to introduce an education system which upheld ‘modern’ values. The papers by Elena Philip and Anjali D’souza as well as Vedpal Singh Deswal demonstrate this.
The consequences of Christianizing adivasis is a widely discussed theme in India. The papers by Anup Shekhar Chakraborty on the Mizos, on Lepchas and Bhutias by Alina Pradhan and by Denis Lepcha on Lepchas focus on this theme. Their analyses clearly demonstrate that while Christianization did benefit the adivasis in terms of moderns education and health the process resulted in their collective alienation from traditional cultures. A systematic effort to modernize tribals causing minimum injury to their cultures could have averted this.
While the religion of Adivasis could be designated as ‘primal vision’, the Dalits were/are an inextricable part of sophisticated Hinduism, to whom an inferior social position was allotted according to the Doctrines of Hindu theology. Therefore, for the empowerment of Dalits one has to advocate justice abandoning the traditional doctrine of charity and this is precisely what the Jesuits who worked among Dalits in Tamilnadu did as demonstrated by M. Arockiasamy Xavier. But to brake the strangehold of caste system in Indian society the association between caste and occupation should be broken. This is possible, at least partly, by promoting industrial development as demonstrated by Jayaprakash Raghaviah through the activities of Basel Mission in Malabar during the 19th century.
Can one claim that missionary activities did bring about changes in the material conditions of traditionally under-privileged groups in Indian society? A comparative analysis attempted by Panchanan Das and Anindita Sengupta demonstrate that the Christian are better off in terms of consumption expenditure as compared with Hindus and Muslims as per data provided in National Sample Surveys. And yet, internal differentiation among Christians persist. Thus the Scheduled Tribe Christians are more deprived as compared with other categories of Christians.
Having concluded that Christian missionary work contributed to the improvement of educations, health and even material condition of the traditionally deprived in India such as Adivasis, Dalits and women can one postulate that Christians are happier as a community as compared with others? This issue is addressed by Chirodip Majumdar with special reference to Goa and Kerala and concludes that Christians in those states are more developed and hence ‘probably happier’. It is good that the statement is equivocal because there is no uncontested evidence that ‘development’ and ‘happiness’ always go together.
While several of the papers are based on empirical data, the paper by Daniel Manoharan Solomon, analyses the contribution of ‘native assistants’ employed by missionaries drawn from archival data. Invoking the notion of cultural hegemony by Antonio Gramsci, it is suggested that the native assistants – catechists, school masters or medical evangelists – could provide counter hegemonic influence on behalf of the subalterns at the grassroots. Taking into account the prevailing restrictions on inter-sexual interactions exclusive schools for girl students were opened. Thus education was provided to all irrespective caste, gender, and class. The contributions of Church Mission Society (CMS) and London Mission Society (LMS) to abolish everyday practices which were degrading and taxes which crippled the subalterns in the border areas of Tamil and Malayalam speaking regions are discussed at length in this paper.
Two papers attempt to analyse Christian contributions with special reference to art and social work education. The paper by Lawrence S.Fernandes entitled ‘Indian Aesthetics and Christian Art of Jyoti Sahi’ is a case study which illuminates Christian contribution to Indian Art. In India art is perceived as yoga but it may begin as an erotic play (kama) and desire for personal fame (artha) which gradually becomes an instrument of serving society (dharma) and finally in achieving liberation (moksha). Jyoti Sahi the Christian, who is theologizing with a brush’ tries to pursue his art blending traditional Indian and Christian values.
The chapter entitled ‘Religion, Spirituality and Social Work Practice: The Christian Perspective’ by Pankaj Kumar Das attempts to trace the values shared by the profession of social work and Christianity. This confluence was largely possible because in establishing and nurturing several of the social work training institutions the leadership came mainly from Christians – Indian and foreign. The values of social work profession such as compassion, care, service and social justice can be traced to Bible.
This issue of the journal closes with two reviews; one on the ‘joy of love’ by Pope Francis and the other book which discusses possible clash between Transcendtal Meditation (TM) and Counselling Psychology (CP) by Peter Lourdes. Given the breakdown of the institutions of marriage and family in a fast globalising world, Pope Francis highlights the relevance of Christian values and practices in stabilizing these vital institutions. TM is widely cognized as a technique developed by Indian Saints and CP is a tool developed by western psychologists.
Peter Lourdes suggests that it is possible to reconcile the two tools thereby indicating that the East and the West can creatively co-operate for the benefit of human welfare.
The editors of this issue of the Salesian journal amply deserve our gratitude for bringing together these papers which highlight the much discussed contributions of Christian minority in India with clinching evidence.
Articles
Impact of Christian Education on Indian Culture
Elena Philip & Anjali Dsouza
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.1-10
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.1-10 | Page: 1-10,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.1-10 | Page: 01-10 | Section: Article
Impact of Christian Education on Indian Culture
Elena Philip is an assistant Professor and Head, Department of Economics, St. Aloysius College, (Autonomous) Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh having a teaching experience of more than 35 years. The area of specialization are: Micro and Macro Economics, Monetary Economics, Public Finance, Economics of Development and Growth and Indian Economics. She has completed a number of Research Projects sponsored by UGC and presented many research papers at National and International Seminars. To her credit, she has published three books and many research papers. She is a registered Research Guide in Pure and Applied Economics and presently guides 6 research Scholars.
Anjali Dsouza is an assistant professor and Head, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, St. Aloysius College, (Autonomous) Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh having a teaching experience of more than 25years. The areas of specialization are: Kinetics and water Analysis. She has completed a number of Research Projects sponsored by UGC and has presented many research papers at National and International Seminars. She has edited two books and published many research papers.
Abstract
India’s culture is extensive, profound and mysterious and has made immeasurable contributions to the progress of the world and civilization. There have been several articulations and re-articulations of the Christian identity in Education. Christian institutions in India have sought to impart liberal education, relating the knowledge of science and technology, to knowledge of humanities, reinforcing it with the values of Christ’s teachings as a source of meaning for life furthering the process of learning and building a society that transcends caste and creed. This paper intends to evaluate the rich contributions of Christian institutions, especially in the areas of education and social life in India, which has been recognized and appreciated not only within the church, but even by the secular society and the state. This paper is also an attempt to discuss and analyse the education imparted by Christian institutions and its impact and relationship realized in the renewal of personal and community life as the ultimate goal. It aims to look at the path the Christian institutions have tread, assess the present and look forward to the future.
Keywords: Core Ethical Values, Quality and Excellence, Knowledge Economy, Character Building,
Life Skills.
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
The Christian Culture: Wheel of Indian Development
Ved Pal Singh Deswal
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.11-18
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.11-18 | Page: 11-18,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.11-18 | Page: 11-18 | Section: Article
The Christian Culture: Wheel of Indian Development
Ved Pal Singh Deswal pursued L.L.B and completed L.L.M (Criminal Law) from M.D University Rohtak in 2003. He was awarded Ph. D in law in 2010. Currently he is an assistant professor in the faculty of Law, M.D. University Rohtak. More than 35 research articles have been published in National as well as International Journals and he has attended more than 70 National and International Conferences, Seminars and Workshops.
Abstract
Human development is at the heart of Christian culture. Individually and collectively, authentic human development always leads to social actions that seek a fair balance between self-interest and the common good of the society. There are various parameters which speak about the path of human development embodied in Christianity. They are equity, freedom, social progress, economic conditions, efficiency in working conditions, sustainability, human security, peace and the principle of stewardship. In pursuance of the principles of Christianity, we are grateful for the gift of creation and we must therefore work towards ensuring that we raise the moral issues in our actions for ensuring the protection of above mentioned issues in the form of principles of human development. The stability and success of any country may be secured if we are able to spread the principles of Christian culture in the form of ethical norms guiding human activities.
Keywords: Development, Principles, Equity, Sustainability and Stewardship.
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Localisation of the Gospel, Cultural Revivals and Zo Christianity: Colonial Encounter and the Zo Hnahthlak
Anup Shekhar Chakraborty
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.19-38
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.19-38 | Page: 19-38,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal For Humanities and Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.19-38 | Page: 19-38 | Section: Article
Localisation of the Gospel, Cultural Revivals and Zo Christianity: Colonial Encounter and the Zo Hnahthlak
Anup Shekhar Chakraborty is head & Assistant professor at the Department of Political Science, St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. He is an alumnus of St. Xavier’s College Kolkata and the University of Kolkata. He was the recipient of Canada International Development Research Centre, Digital Empowerment Foundation and India Development Foundation ‘India Social Science Research Award 2009’. He was the C.R Parekh Fellow (2011-2012) at Asia Research Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science. He has to his credits several publications in renowned Journals and co-edited Politics of Culture, Identity and Protest in North- east India. His forthcoming book is Politics of Autonomy & Ethnic Cocooning in Mizoram.
Abstract
Colonial encounter initiated a two-way trajectory among the Zo hnahthlak (Zo/Mizo people): one it threw open the process of Proselytization, Education, Medicine and an alien style of life and belief system; second it threw open the process of the assimilation of the chauvinistic traditional Zo practices into the Judeo-Christian, Victorian influences popularly referred as the ‘Localization of the Gospel’. Among many things the paper first attempts to engage in locating the commonalities and differences in the outlook of Christianity and the traditional Zo way of life. Second, it attempts to chart the spread of Christianity and the many revivals in the Lushai/Mizo Hills. Third, it attempts to accentuate the marked indigenization and emergence of Zo Christianity and practices such as ‘spontaneous dancing and singing’ (‘HlimRui’), spiritual healings etc. Fourth, it attempts to chart the contestations over the idea of Zo Christianity and the shifts and faults underling cultural revivalism and mushrooming of ‘faith healers’, self-styled free churches among the Zo hnahthlak
Keywords: Localization, Cultural Revivals, Spiritual Healings, Education, Medicine.
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Jesuits’ Involvement in Grassroots Struggle for Justice and Equality in Tamil Nadu
Arockiasamy Xavier
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.39-52
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.39-52 | Page: 39-52,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.39-52 | Page: 39-52 | Section: Article
Jesuits’ Involvement in Grassroot Struggle for Justice and Equality in Tamil Nadu
M. Arockiasamy Xavier SJ, Vice Principal and Head of the Department of History, St. Joseph’s college Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, has authored 8 volumes and published 28 research papers and edited a festschrift volume. He has completed a Major Research Project funded by the UGC. He serves as an editor of Indian Historical Studies, a biannual journal. He was elected twice an Executive Committee Member in South Indian History Congress. He has been associated with several subaltern movements working for the empowerment of the marginalized.
Abstract
Even as evangelization was the goal of the Jesuits’ mission, they have been catalysts for the empowerment of the marginalized. With the changing world the Jesuits have been discovering at each new encounter, means to adapt and harness their resources to address issues of subaltern people. When they realized that it was the inhuman caste system marginalize the Dalits more and more, their immediate historical duty was to associate themselves with the downtrodden in their long struggle for their legitimate and equal place in society and rightful claim as a community and as citizens in the country. Thus, the Jesuits responded promptly and creatively to the signs of the times shifting their mission paradigm from ‘charity’ to ‘justice.’ In Tamil Nadu the Jesuits ventured into the organized attempts like PALMERA (People’s Action and Liberation Movement in East Ramnad Area), IDEAS (Institute of Development, Education Action and Studies) at Madurai, PEAK (People’s Education and Action in Kodaikanal hills), KARISAL (Kamaraj district Rural Institute for Social Action and Leadership) at Sivakasi, Social Watch in Chennai, Pathai (Dalit Human Rights Centre) at Chengalpattu, DACA, (Doctor Ambedkar Cultural Academy) at Madurai, and other similar initiatives in the most backward areas of the state. Their involvement along with likeminded civil society groups accelerated the struggle of the downtrodden Dalits for equality and justice. Ultimately these initiatives attempted to translate the ideals and values of the Indian constitution into action.
Keywords: Marginalization, Empowerment, Liberation, Equality, Justice
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Are Christians more Developed and Happier? - An Indian Perspective
Chirodip Majumdar
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.53-58
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.53-58 | Page: 53-58,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May, 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.53-58 | Page: 53-58 | Section: Article
Are Christians more Developed and Happier? - An Indian Perspective
Chirodip Majumdar works in Rabindra Mahavidyallaya, Champadanga, Hooghly, West Bengal, India as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics. He completed his master degree in Economics from Calcutta University, Calcutta. He went on to obtain a Ph.D in Environmental Economics from Jadavpur University, Calcutta. He has published in national and international journals that include Indian Economic Review, Environmental Journal of Water Resources Development. He is currently involved in research in happiness Economics.
Abstract
Happiness is a subjective measure of overall quality of life. The Economists tradition is to have information about the subjective measure by asking an individual about her level of happiness. The self-reported happiness is thought to be a proxy measure of the individual utility. There are several factors that affect individual well-being. Income, employment, health, religiousness, marriage, level of education and job satisfaction are few important determinants. Macroeconomic variables like unemployment rate, poverty rate, literacy rate, life expectancy, inflation rate and crime rate affect happiness. This article tours through the literature and observes the relationship between religion and happiness and finds that Christians are a happy community. The economic development of two states of India, Goa and Kerala, is observed and it is found that Christians in these two states are more developed and hence probably happier. The influence of Christianity has also helped other communities and the state in overall to develop.
Key Words: Christianity, Happiness, Human Development, Wellbeing, Goa & Kerala
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Conversion, Industrial Development and Social Engineering: Basel Mission in Malabar During the Nineteenth Century
Jayaprakash Raghaviah
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.59-70
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.59-70 | Page: 59-70,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.59-70 | Page: 59-70 | Section: Article
Conversion, Industrial Development and Social Engineering: Basel Mission in Malabar During the Nineteenth Century
Jayaprakash Raghaviah studied at Malabar Christian College, Calicut (BA Economics), Madras Christian College, Chennai and Jawaharlal Nehru University, (M Phil Applied Economics). He worked in Department of Economics at St. Agnes College Mangalore, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and later was appointed as associate professor at Indian institute of Bank Management, Guwahati and Financial Institute of Management Thrissur. He later moved to Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, and he is presently the manager, Malabar Christian College, Calicut. His area of interest include economics and social history, studies in technology and culture and religious ideologies and praxis. He has authored books and has a large number of articles to his credit.
Abstract
All missionary activities have posed a challenge to traditional cultures. The exact manner in which these interfaces and challenges took place differs from place to place as well as the world vision of the missionary organizations concerned. Basel Evangelical Missionary Society, a Protestant missionary organization, was established at Basel, Switzerland. This society which started working in the western coast of India from 1834 onwards was unique in many aspects. Inspired by the Pietist and Calvinist theologies, this missionary organization combined its religious activities with industrial activities to such an extent that the industrial activities were seen as essentially religious activities. Operating in Malabar district which was known to carry caste rigidities and exclusions to grotesque levels, Basel Mission used industrial activities to challenge not only the caste system but also a whole set of belief systems and religious practices that supported it. The praxis of Christianity introduced by the Basel Mission resulted in social engineering. It created a class of converts who had disowned their previous caste affiliations, acquired new industrial skills and developed a new way of looking at life and work. This paper examines how specifically the activities of Basel Mission demonstrated to a traditional feudal society an altogether new way of looking at life and work.
Keywords: Basel Mission, Industrial Activities, Conversion, Social Engineering, Malabar
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Christianity, Women Empowerment and Tribal Welfare: The Role of Missionaries in India
Panchanan Das & Anindita Sengupta
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.71-80
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.71-80 | Page: 71-80,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.71-80 | Page: 71-80 | Section: Article
Christianity, Women Empowerment and Tribal Welfare – The Role of
Missionaries in India
Panchanan Das is under West Bengal Education Service as Associate professor of Economics in Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration, Kolkata. His research monograph, Output, employment and productivity growth in Indian manufacturing – a comparative study of west Bengal and Gujarat, has been published by LAP (Lambard Academic Publishing) Germany. His works have appeared in such academic journals as Economic and Political weekly, Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Journal of Income and Wealth etc. He was major contributor to West Bengal development report -2008, published by academic foundation, New Delhi. He has prepared the study report on Midterm appraisal of XIth Plan in West Bengal.
Anindita Sengupta, Assistant Professor of Economics is with Hooghly Women’s college, West Bengal, India. She has been working on rural economy, labour market behaviour, migration and gender discrimination in the less developed world. She has published articles in referred journals like Arth Beekshan, Indian Journal of Political Science, Journal of Economic and Social development etc. she has published her doctoral work, Migration of labour in West Bengal Districts: 1191-2001-Nature and Changes of Short Distance Migration during the First Decade of Reform from LAP.
Abstract
Christianity, as other religions, has a distinct source of humanism. Christian missionaries are working sincerely in different parts of the country in developing economic conditions of the socially excluded and the poor. Many people from the untouchables, outcastes and lower caste groups in India were converted to Christianity. This conversion brought about social awakening of the oppressed groups in the country. Christianity provided opportunities of education, new occupations and a life with personal dignity and social acceptance for many. Dalits are socially excluded, in majority of Indian religions, having unequal access to labour markets and social protection mechanisms through formal and informal institutions, lower access to health and education, and lower returns to education and assets. They are more likely to be poor and socially excluded. This study seeks to find out whether Christianity has really lifted these people from distress, enlightened them, liberated them and brought about an upward social movement for them. Our study shows that the average consumption expenditure on both food and non-food items for all households was higher in Christians as compared to Hindus and Muslims in rural as well as in urban areas in 2009-10. However, scheduled tribes are the most deprived people, in any parameter of development, even among the Christians.
Keywords: Equity, Living Standard, Human Development, Religion, Tribal Welfare
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Impact of the Scottish Mission in the Development of Kalimpong
Alina Pradhan
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.81-90
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.81-90 | Page: 81-90,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.81-90 | Page: 81-90| Section: Article
Impact of the Scottish Mission in the Development of Kalimpong
Alina Pradhan is an assistant Professor of Political Science in Darjeeling Government College. She has obtained her M.A, M.Phil and Ph.D degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Her areas of interest include the study of ethnic groups, cultures and religion in South Asia, women and children and the role and contribution of women in peace and conflict resolution.
Abstract
The Scottish Mission advent into India has had a profound impact in the Eastern Himalayan region and Kalimpong in Darjeeling District in particular. Its main objective was to evangelize Tibet but when it failed to do so, the Scottish missionaries laid their sights nearer. Kalimpong geographically situated in the Eastern Himalayan area was thus looked upon as the ideal place for them to start their mission. In due course of time, Kalimpong came to exemplify the Scottish way of existence in all aspects of daily life, not only uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the natives like the Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalis, but have made landmark innovations in all sectors. No doubt, to spread the Christian faith was one of their objectives but they also took upon themselves the “white man’s burden” to free the natives from their age-old beliefs and superstitions. They have also been instrumental in bringing development in the educational, health and cultural fields as well.
Keywords: Scottish Mission, Kalimpong, Eastern Himalaya, Teaching, Healing
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Native Assistants as Counter Hegemonic Voice – An Archival Study
Daniel Manoharan Solomon
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.91-104
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.91-104 | Page: 91-104,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.91-104 | Page: 91-104 | Section: Article
Native Assistants as Counter Hegemonic Voice – An Archival Study
Daniel Manoharan Solomon is a research scholar and guest teacher in the department of Christian Studies, University of Madras. The researcher has earned master degrees in History, Divinity, Philosophy and Comparative religion and the degree of master of philosophy (MPhil) in Christian studies. The researcher is presently involved in in an archival study of the Ecclesiastical Department documents to earn his degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He has also studied the archival- microfilm records of missionary societies and the records of the Tanjore Collectorate, titled “Miscellaneous Letters between the Rajah of Tanjore and Schwartz”. The researcher from his archival studies has published articles and presented papers in national and international conferences.
Abstract
The missionaries from the early eighteenth century toiled tirelessly for the uplift of the marginalized in India. The tools of the missionaries, such as education, health care, freedom from the oppression of slavery and tax, uplift of women, were in combat with the forces that worked against egalitarian and harmonious society. Antonio Gramsci developed the theory of ‘cultural hegemony’. The term ‘cultural hegemony’ describes the domination in a culturally diverse society by the ruling class over the subalterns. The ruling class manipulates the culture of the society – customs, beliefs, practices, values, etc., so that the manipulated culture imposed by the ruling class becomes the accepted cultural norm. The missionaries initially trained the native assistants to be catechists, school-masters and medical evangelists, who served the society. Since the native assistants were accustomed to the culture, beliefs, customs and practices, they were able to influence the natives towards social transformation that would emancipate them from the ‘cultural hegemony’ that oppressed them. This paper attempts to expose the ‘counter-hegemonic’ influence of the native assistants with the tenets of Christianity on the dominant ‘cultural hegemony’ garbed with Indian Culture that oppresses the subalterns, prevailing for ages in the terrain of Indian society.
Keywords: Missionaries, Native Assistants, Cultural Hegemony, Counter Hegemony, Subaltern Emancipation.
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Indian Aesthetics and Christian Art of Jyoti Sahi
Lawrence S. Fernandes
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.105-112
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.105-112 | Page: 105-112,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.105-112 | Page: 105-112 | Section: Article
Indian Aesthetics and Christian Art of Jyoti Sahi
Lawrence S. Fernandes is the Director of Satya Nilayam Research Institute for Philosophy and Sanskrit (recognized by the University of Madras), an associate professor of Philosophy at Loyola College, Chennai and is the visiting professor at the Department of Christian Studies, University of Madras. He did his M. Phil and Ph.D.at the University of Madras and his post-doctoral studies in Dublin, Ireland. He also has given 117 television programs in the serial ‘streams of Grace’. Organized seminars and presented papers at national and international forums. His specialization is religion culture and society, popular religiosity, sociology and philosophy of religion, interculturality and civil society.
Abstract
Aesthetics is the science of the beautiful. Indian Christian Aesthetics is of recent origin. Christian painters in their own way have contributed in no less measure to the Indian cultural ethos. Among them one of the most celebrated and renowned painter, thinker, and writer is Jyoti Sahi. Jyoti Sahi (b.1944) is one of the most productive Christian artists today known in India and abroad. He himself describes his work as ‘theologizing with a brush’; through his painting and writings he has opened a new horizon of Indian Aesthetics. Jyoti Sahi feels that what Christianity has to offer is a new vision, a new sense that every person, no matter what his or her status in society, has to participate in the creative work of God, and in this process, discover the self, the mission and God. Christian art for Jyoti Sahi is the festival of joy which brings the community together to celebrate. Art has a prophetic function too. The task of the artist is ultimately to communicate with the people, to express their inner self, their laughter and tears. Through his pen and the brush, he has opened a new vista in the Indian arena of aesthetics.
Keywords: Aesthetics, Painting, Art, Indian Ecclesiology, Sadhana, Inculturation
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Impact of Christian Missionaries on Lepcha Culture
Denis Lepcha
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.113-118
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.113-118 | Page: 113-118,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.113-118 | Page: 113-118 | Section: Article
Impact of Christian Missionaries on Lepcha Culture
Denis Lepcha, who has done M.A., B.Ed., M. Phil., is a freelance writer in Nepali Daily, on various issues of indigenous people especially Lepchas of Darjeeling and Sikkim. He has presented papers in national seminars organized by ICPR Delhi and Sahitaya Academy Delhi. He has authored five books in Nepali. Presently he is the advisor to the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association and chief advisor to the Proposed Lepcha Development Council in Darjeeling District.
Abstract
Lepchas are the autochthon race of the district of Sikkim and Darjeeling. The Christian missionaries on their expeditions for spreading Christianity first made their contact with the Lepchas; and the Lepchas in particular found the new religion accessible. This article is an attempt to understand the impact of the missionaries on Lepcha culture. It tries to examine whether the use of non-Lepcha language in preaching Gospel, government language policy to promote non-Lepcha language in official work, and rising non-Lepchas demography were some of the compelling forces that alienated Lepchas from their original culture. The modern education initiated by the Christian missionaries transformed Lepchas to adapt the idea of self-sustainability and made them resilient when they were demographically outnumbered. Just like every process has its pros and cons, Christianization of Lepchas made them better in many sense but it also took away some of their uniqueness. Government policy on socio-economic development has contributed greatly on cultural alienation of Lepchas. Due to the demographic change in the Lepcha land they were forced to adopt a new culture as a survival strategy.
Keywords: Lepchas, Alienation, Similarities, Christianization, Scripture.
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Religion, Spirituality and Social Work Practice: The Christian Perspective
Pankaj Kumar Das
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.119-130
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.119-130 | Page: 119-130,
Section: Article
Abstract
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.119-130 | Page: 119-130 | Section: Article
Religion, Spirituality and Social Work Practice: The Christian Perspective
Pankaj Kumar Das is an Assistant Professor at Yashwantrao Chavan School of Social Work, Satara, Maharashtra. He specializes in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work. His research and teaching interests are in the field of religion, spirituality and social work ethics. His views on Religion, spirituality and Social Work ethics have been published in the book “lifting the Spirit, Uplifting the Body” in 2013. He has designed a logo of social work profession, which is widely discussed during the international conference on changing faces of social work profession in the new millennium held at Karnataka University, Dharward in February, 2013. He has served as Project Director of Operation Equip India at Hubli Karnataka during 2008-2010. He is also the founder President of an organization called “Action for Social Action.”
Abstract
Majority of Indians identify themselves with religion and some sort of spirituality. People confronted with concerns such as trauma, illness, loss or bereavement, substance abuse or violence, are likely to seek solace in spiritual and religious beliefs and support systems. An important component of social work practice is the assessment of the client’s needs. Social work strives to take the clients from where they are, utilizing their strengths to an improved quality of their life. Serving needy people, social work incorporates interventions that take to account the biological, psychological, sociological and economical aspects. The importance of religion and spirituality in the lives of people, demands that social work practitioners develop the ability to incorporate clients’ religion and spiritual beliefs also into the process of giving assistance. Any model of generalist practice that does not incorporate a conception of the social workers role, responsibility and resources relative to beneficiary’s religious and spiritual interests does not address the totality of the beneficiary’s capacity. It will inevitably fail to help the beneficiary reach the full potential. It is a fact that, though when major religions of the world appeared, the concept and practice of social work, as it’s understood in modern times, did not exist. However, the religious ideologies of Christianity did set up many approaches and practices which clearly overlap with this ‘helping profession’. This paper makes an effort to substantiate the above mentioned theoretical assumptions about nreligion, spirituality and social work practice from a Christian perspective.
Keywords: Spirituality, Religion, Professional Social Work, Christianity, Social Work Practice
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Book Reviews
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation: Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of love by Pope Francis, Trivandum, Carmel International Publishing House, 2016, 288 pages, Rs 90.00.
Anirban Ghosh
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.131-134
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.131-134 | Page: 131-134,
Section: Book Reviews
Book Review
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.131-134 | Page: 131-134 | Section: Book Reviews
BOOK REVIEWS
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation: Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of love by Pope Francis, Trivandum, Carmel International Publishing House, 2016, 288 pages, Rs 90.00.
Anirban Ghosh is a an Assistant Professor in the Department of Business Administration, Salesian College, Siliguri Campus. He has done his MBA (Finance) from the University of North Bengal. He has over ten years of Industry experience in the Banking and Insurance Sector.
The result of the two Synods on family convened by Pope Francis in 2014 and 2015 brought into existence Amoris Laetitia or The Joy of Love. It is considered a ‘multifacted gem’; a precious polyhedron, that requires utmost preservation. The Holy Father emphasises that the document addresses issues in many different ways and says: “I do not recommend a rushed reading of the text.” The reader must read it “patiently and carefully.”
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
The Clash: of Transcendental Meditation and Counselling Psychology by Peter Lourdes, Siliguri, Salesian College Publication, 2016, x + 205 pages, Rs 500.00, ISBN: 9789382216148.
Susweta Acharya Dutta
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.135-137
Cite : Salesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.135-137 | Page: 135-137,
Section: Book Reviews
Book Review
Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, (May 2017)
ISSN: 0976-1861 | DOI: 10.51818/SJHSS.8.2017.135-137 | Page: 135-137 | Section: Book Reviews
BOOK REVIEWS
The Clash: of Transcendental Meditation and Counselling Psychology by Peter Lourdes, Siliguri, Salesian College Publication, 2016, x + 205 pages, Rs 500.00, ISBN: 9789382216148.
Susweta Acharya Dutta is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Psychology at Salesian College, Siliguri. She has completed her Masters in Applied Psychology from Raja Bazar Science College, University of Calcutta; specialising in Organisational and Environmental Psychology. She was the University First class First (Gold medallist) in the year of her Post Graduation and also the recipient of AN Banerjee Memorial Award for being the University topper in Applied Psychology. Currently she is the Co-ordinator of the Women’s Cell in the Siliguri campus of the college.
The Clash: Of Transcendental Meditation and Counselling Psychology is the abridged version of the PhD dissertation of author Peter Lourdes in the year 1978 that found its way into this book, 37 years later. In the words of the author, although the contents of this book may not appeal to the common masses, but it doesn’t fail to arouse interest among professionals of Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology or even Philosophy. The author, being a trained psychotherapist, understands the need and importance of various techniques outside the realm of ‘traditional psychology’ in the treatment of clients with various psychological/emotional problems. Therein comes the relation between Transcendental Meditation (TM), a form of meditation where the person practising it repeats a ‘mantra’ (say “OM”) continuously, to relax the mind; and Counselling Psychology, a branch of psychology that essentially deals with manifold techniques of advising patients/clients with various psychological problems. Thus, the book explores the challenges faced by Counselling Psychology, when it tries to adopt TM as a modality of treatment; it is about ‘the clash’ between the conventional ideas of counselling and the Science of Creative Intelligence (SCI) on which TM is based; and all-in-all it is about the dilemma and ‘the clash’ of the ideas between TM and Counselling Psychology and the successful resolution of that clash.
License : Salesian Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International