INDIA MAIL, 17 January 2003

GOSPEL ECHOING MISSIONARY SOCIETY: It is pathetic to see people die even of ailments such as Hepatitis, and Malaria, due to the lack of proper medical care in the hamlets of Bihar. Many victims are children. God burdened the hearts of GEMS leaders to start a medical mission in the villages of Bihar. At present the Society has a 50- bedded Hospital with a few, modern equipments and 4 satellite clinics, one each at Karvendiya, Gamaria, Baulia, Nimiyadi to cater the needs of the poor. GEMS is constructing a Nursing School and also a bigger hospital with 150 beds.

MISSIONS INDIA: Missions India medical team is working in the interior villages of Chattisgarh. The team has a clinic at a village and regularly visits the surrounding villages and provides medical help. They live with their domestic animals under the same roof and these uninhabitable huts have no windows. The survey of the team reveals that more than 95 percent of these villagers carry some disease. Malnutrition, regular consumption of intoxicants and closer proximity to animals make them vulnerable to various diseases.

EVANGELICAL TEACHERS FELLOWSHIP: ETF will have their Silver Jubilee Conference in October 2003 in Hyderabad. They are in need of an office building in Hyderabad. May ETF get FCRA.

INDIA OUTREACH MISSION has mission fields in Mahrashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. IOM conducted three Portable Bible Schools (PBS) at 3 places in Nagpur. In each PBS 20 lay leaders from different churches were trained so that they might help the local pastors and churches. PBS is a two-month layleaders’ tranining program.

KHATRI PEOPLE GROUP: The Khatri are a trading and business caste, which originated in Punjab. Their alternatie names are Katri, Chhatri, Khatki, Khakhahhatri, Khatia, Khakha, Khakhar, Khattri, and Vanza. Their population is 2,500,000. They live in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. There are Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs among them. They are one of the most advanced / progressive communities in India. Men and women marry within their community. The Khatri take their religion seriously. May the Khatri come to know the good news of Jesus Christ (Unreached Mega People, August 1999, p. 122,123)

INDIAN FOREIGN SERVICE: There are about 600 Indian Foreign Service officers serving in embassies and high commission of India around the world. (The Week, 19 January 2003, p.49)

ELDERS: There are 77 million aged people in India. Medically, people become aged once they turn 60. By 2025, the number of aged will increase to 177 million. (Sunday Express, 5 January 2003, p.13)

WINE DRINKERS: In Mumbai city drinking wines was barely 2 per cent of the liquor market in 1977, but today, it makes up ten percent. Holding a glass of wine apparently gives one a sense of sophistication. While Mumbai leads in the trend of wine drinking, Delhi comes second. The trend is also catching on in Bangalore, Chennai and Chandigarh. (The Week, 19 January 2003, p.60-62)

VARANASI: Countless residents of Varanasi share that the city has become a hideout for criminals. Police records show that in the last three years, 211 persons were done to death and 58 women raped. Varanasi has 163 hardcore criminals carrying rewards on their heads. Most cases of rape go unreported or even suppressed by higher officials to save the city’s reputation. More than 50,000 people bathe daily in the Ganaga, which border the entire length of the town unmindful of its dangerously high fecal coliform content. More than half a million tourists visit every year. Nearly 100,000 of them are from abroad. It burdens the infrastructure that is not enough to cope the 1.4 million residents. There is a belief that dying in Varanasi releases the Hindu soul from the never-ending cycle of death and rebirth. Not surprisingly there are even institutions catering specially to those who come to Varansi to await their earthly departure. Banarasi Pan is famous in this city. Shops selling saris of Varanasi have a total daily transaction of over 50 million rupees. There are 0.4 million weavers in and around the city. (The Week, 19 January 2003, p. 32-39)

MADHYA PRADESH PANCHAYAT AUCTIONS TRIBAL WOMEN: Two women were auctioned in a tribal panchayat during the second Bhil conference at Mandwa village in Khandwa district. (Asian Age, 8 January 2003)

COLD WAVE: The prolonged cold spell in northern, central and eastern regions of India has claimed 446 lives this winter. Dense fog has engulfed the region with road, rail and air traffic affected. (The New Indian Express, 15 January 2003, p.8)

Compiled by the IMA Research Team and mailed by INDIA MISSIONS ASSOCIATION, 673, East Main Road, Anna Nagar Western Extension, Chennai – 600 101. Phone: 044 – 6151940 / 6151941. Fax: 044- 6151942. E-mail: <> <>