There are over 300,000 young people from the subcontinent studying in the United States, a number almost double that of ten years ago. What drives them towards the US are the shortcomings of a university system that is still uncompetitive also because it is excessively centralised. Thus in contrast with their government (and to avoid competition from Europe) some US universities are starting new partnerships to open campuses in India.
The state government wants to arm only indigenous people for self-defence. For BJP Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, such a step is justified on security grounds, while the opposition sees the attempt to provide weapons to some communities as exacerbating tensions with Bengali Muslims.
A particularly brutal case of rape ending in the death of the victim raises serious questions about the conditions of disadvantaged groups. Ambedkar's grandson: ‘The big parties say nothing because she did not belong to a higher caste.’ Sr. Dorothy Fernandes to AsiaNews: ‘The increase in gang rape is a sign of a sick society.’
A celebration presided over by the apostolic nuncio in India has confirmed the supernatural nature of the appearance of the face of Christ on a host 12 years ago. A sign for the Syro-Malabar Church, which has long been wounded by the liturgical dispute. Abp. Girelli: ‘May the Eucharist be a sign of communion with God and of unity among the faithful, not of discord.’
The nun was accompanying some girls to Chhatisgarh for study purposes in preparation for religious life. They were attacked by a group of Bajrang Dal militants despite all being Christians since birth. Stopped by the railway police, they were freed thanks to the intervention of three lawyers. Mgr Sual Singh tells AsiaNews: ‘Freedom of movement guaranteed by the constitution has been violated.’
The place of worship commemorates the death of Mathew Navak during the dramatic anti-Christian violence of 2008. For the faithful, the sacrifice of the young teacher is still alive. Bishop Barwa: ‘The criminals had a plan to eliminate Christians from the region, but they failed.’
