After completing his medical studies at a top medical college in Bengaluru, 30-year-old Dr. Akshya Montry chose to return to his home district of Gajapati in Odisha, one of India’s most remote and underdeveloped regions. Raised in a poor village family, he says his own life struggles helped him understand the suffering of the people he now serves.

Dr. Montry works at the Kashinagar Community Health Center, a government hospital that mainly serves tribal and Dalit communities. Starting his day early, he treats 50 to 100 patients daily, handling common illnesses, emergencies, and accident cases. He considers his work a blessing and tries to treat every patient with care and respect.

Dr. Montry says he owes his medical education to the support of the Catholic Church. When his family could not afford the high admission fees, Church leaders and benefactors stepped in to help him through scholarships, donations, and fee concessions. This support continued throughout his studies, making it possible for him to complete his degree.

Now, Dr. Montry wants to specialize further while also helping poor students achieve their dreams. Odisha faces a serious shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas. Government reports show that many medical posts remain vacant, affecting healthcare delivery in tribal districts.

Church leaders say such achievements are remarkable, especially after the anti-Christian violence that affected Odisha in 2007–2008, disrupting education for many families. Today, there are dozens of Catholic doctors and nurses from poor backgrounds serving across the state.

Dr. Montry believes education restores dignity and hope. By serving his own people, he hopes to give back to society and inspire other young students to serve the poor with compassion and commitment.

The heavy iron gates of a central prison in Bengaluru opened recently for an 85-year-old Catholic nun, Sister Adele Korah. A guard saluted her and said, “Your people have been waiting for you.” Smiling, she replied that she too was eager to see them. For more than 20 years, Sister Korah has been visiting prisons as a volunteer, bringing hope, comfort, and faith to inmates.

In October 2025, Sister Korah and several other nuns published books sharing their experiences with prisoners across India. Her book, My Journey With Brethren Behind Bars, tells stories of 27 prisoners whose lives were renewed through encouragement and inner change. Other nuns wrote similar books, sharing stories of repentance, healing, and second chances from prisons in Bhopal, Pune, and Bengaluru.

The books were released during a national prison ministry convention in Kerala, where the ministry began over four decades ago. Today, the prison ministry has about 8,000 volunteers, nearly half of them Catholic religious, mostly nuns. They offer spiritual guidance, counseling, legal help, education, and skill training to prisoners.

Many nuns described prison ministry as the deepest expression of their vocation. Some help prisoners get bail or learn new skills, while others use music, prayer, and simple presence to heal wounded hearts. Several also continue supporting former prisoners after their release.

Church leaders say the dedication of these women has transformed prisons into places of renewal and hope. Through quiet service, prayer, and sacrifice, the nuns help prisoners rediscover dignity, faith, and the courage to begin again—even behind locked gates.

Every year on January 26, India celebrates Republic Day with grand parades, cultural performances, and patriotic displays. In 2026, the country will mark 77 years since the Constitution came into force, turning India into a sovereign, secular republic. Across the nation, schools hold flag-hoisting ceremonies, families share sweets, and millions watch the parade from New Delhi.

The Constitution, adopted on January 26, 1950, promised equality, freedom, and justice for all citizens, regardless of caste, religion, or gender. It was shaped by leaders like B.R. Ambedkar, who warned that democracy would survive only if social and economic equality were achieved along with political freedom.

However, many observers note a growing gap between constitutional ideals and present realities. In recent years, concerns have been raised over arrests of political leaders, pressure on journalists, and legal action against students for protests. Critics say these actions challenge the Constitution’s guarantee of free speech and political rights.

Minority communities, especially Muslims, have also expressed fear and insecurity, pointing to laws and actions they feel undermine equality before the law. At the same time, economic inequality remains severe, with millions struggling in poverty despite constitutional promises of social justice. Dalits and tribal communities continue to face discrimination and displacement, while farmers’ protests highlight ongoing distress in rural areas.

The judiciary, seen as the guardian of the Constitution, has also faced criticism for delays in justice and weak enforcement of rights. Despite these challenges, India continues to hold regular elections, and civil society groups keep raising their voices.

Church leaders have strongly condemned the alleged assault and public humiliation of a Protestant pastor in Odisha, calling the incident a serious blow to India’s democratic and secular values. They have demanded swift and strict action against those responsible for attacks on Christians.

The incident took place on January 4 in Pajrang village of Dhenkanal district. According to church sources, a group of around 20 right-wing Hindu activists surrounded Pastor Bipin Bihari Nayak, accused him of religious conversion, and assaulted him with wooden sticks. He was reportedly garlanded with slippers, paraded through village lanes, and forced to drink water mixed with cow dung, all in public view.

The pastor suffered serious injuries, including hearing loss in one ear, and is now recovering at an undisclosed location. Family members said he is also facing severe mental trauma. His wife and two young daughters witnessed the attack. Following threats, the family was forced to leave their rented home, and other Christians in the area were warned to renounce their faith or face eviction.

Although a police complaint was filed, church members alleged there was initial delay in action. Police later said that four people were detained for questioning.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India strongly condemned the attack, calling it an inhuman act that violated personal dignity and religious freedom. The bishops expressed solidarity with the victim and urged authorities to ensure safety and justice for all citizens.

Church leaders and Christian groups have also expressed concern over a rise in attacks on Christians in Odisha in recent months. They appealed for peace, harmony, and respect for religious freedom, urging the government to take firm steps to prevent such incidents and protect minority communities.

Bishop Emeritus Dominic Kokkat of Gorakhpur, the first bishop from the Little Flower Congregation (CST), passed away on January 25 at the age of 93. He breathed his last at 10:58 am at Fatima Hospital, Gorakhpur, a healthcare institution he himself established in 1995. The bishop had been admitted to the hospital on December 14, 2025, with fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. Doctors later confirmed that he was suffering from severe pneumonia, with fluid accumulation around the lungs and complications affecting the heart and kidneys. His condition gradually worsened, and he remained under intensive care for over a month. He received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on December 21, 2025.

Remembering him, leaders of the Little Flower Congregation described Bishop Kokkat as a pastor deeply inspired by St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus. His life reflected simplicity, humility, and love expressed through daily acts of service. His episcopal ministry was marked by patient listening, gentle guidance, and total trust in God.

Bishop Kokkat was installed as the first bishop of Gorakhpur on October 4, 1984. His leadership strengthened missionary outreach in a challenging region through parishes, schools, clinics, and social service centres, bringing hope and dignity to the poor and marginalized. He also founded the Little Sisters of St. Thérèse to support missionary and pastoral work, especially among women and children. Bishop Kokkat retired in 2006. Born on February 23, 1932, in Vaikom, Kerala, in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, he joined the Little Flower Congregation in 1953 and was ordained a priest on October 4, 1960.