Twenty-eight years ago, a frightened five-year-old boy was found alone at Shoranur railway station. He had no memory of his parents or a family to return to. Today, that same child, Father Vivek Martin, has become a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Jhansi. His life is a powerful story of compassion, education, faith and vocation.

The boy, then known as Annamalai, was found by Jesus Youth member Rexy D’Cruz. The child expressed a simple wish: he wanted to study. Moved by his situation, Rexy and a group of friends took responsibility for his care after completing the necessary legal procedures.

The friends opened their homes to children in difficult circumstances. Vivek spent several years with Patrick and his wife Manu. He studied well and became a school leader in Class 10.

After completing Class 10, Vivek expressed his desire to become a priest and join a seminary. He was initially asked to wait and complete his higher secondary education. After finishing school, he again expressed the same desire, and eventually entered the seminary of the Diocese of Jhansi.

Before entering the seminary, Vivek also served as an ambulance driver and caregiver at Sneha Theeram in Aluva, which works with people affected by HIV. This experience helped him understand suffering, compassion and service more deeply.

Bishop Wilfred Moras ordained him a priest on August 16. On August 24, Father Vivek celebrated his first Holy Mass at Infant Jesus Church, Thundathinkadavu, in the Archdiocese of Verapoly. His journey shows how one act of kindness can change a child’s entire future. The child once alone on a railway platform now stands at the altar, preparing to serve others

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that wearing the hijab is not an “essential religious practice” of Islam and upheld a school’s decision to enforce its dress code. The judgment came while hearing a petition filed by a Muslim student challenging restrictions on wearing the hijab at a private school in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

The student argued that wearing the hijab was connected to her religious faith and that the school should allow her to wear it. The school, however, maintained that its uniform policy applied equally to all students and that religious clothing could not be permitted when it conflicted with the prescribed dress code.

The court examined whether wearing the hijab was an essential part of Islamic religious practice and concluded that it did not meet that legal standard. The ruling therefore allowed the school to continue enforcing its uniform requirements.

The decision comes against the background of continuing debates in India about religious freedom, educational institutions and dress codes. Questions concerning religious clothing have attracted considerable public attention, particularly in schools and colleges.

The court’s ruling does not mean that wearing the hijab is prohibited throughout India. Rather, the judgment concerns the particular school dress-code dispute and the legal question of whether the practice is constitutionally protected as an essential religious practice in that context.

The case has again raised questions about how courts should balance individual religious expression with institutional rules. Supporters of the judgment stress the importance of common school uniforms, while critics argue that students should have greater freedom to express their religious identity. The ruling is likely to remain part of the wider national discussion on religious freedom and educational regulations.

A unique initiative led by Catholic Carmelite nuns is helping taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers in Kerala receive financial, emotional and social support. The initiative, known as Sarathi Helpline for Drivers, brings together drivers from different religious communities.

The program began in 2016 in Thiruvambady, Kozhikode district. It was started after a nun noticed the important but often overlooked role played by taxi drivers in society. Drivers frequently work long hours, earn irregular incomes and have limited social security.

One driver, Sudheesh V. Sreeram, experienced this difficulty when he became seriously ill after working as a driver for 25 years. Doctors advised him to undergo a pacemaker implantation, but he had no savings to meet the medical expenses. Members of Sarathi visited his home and helped him through an interest-free loan.

Today, Sarathi has more than 100 members in eight units in Kozhikode and Malappuram. The organization also has units in other parts of India. It encourages drivers to save money, support one another and live responsibly.

Members meet regularly, contribute small amounts to a common fund and help one another during emergencies. The program also provides counseling, awareness classes, family gatherings and other activities.

The initiative does not distinguish between Christians, Hindus and Muslims. Its main goal is the welfare of drivers and their families.

The nuns also encourage drivers to become more responsible citizens by participating in activities such as cleaning public spaces, visiting palliative-care centers and planting trees. For many members, the greatest benefit is not financial assistance but the feeling that someone will stand with them during difficult times

India’s education system is facing serious challenges, with a large number of government and government-aided schools reportedly closing in recent years. The issue has raised concerns about access to education, school infrastructure and the future of millions of children.

According to figures discussed in a recent report, around 84,000 government or government-aided schools have closed since 2018-19. This means an average of about 12,000 schools every year. Around 15 million students have reportedly left these schools during the same period.

Several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, have experienced significant declines. At the same time, states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Punjab and Gujarat have performed comparatively better in retaining students in government schools.

The condition of school buildings is another major concern. In Rajasthan, government data reportedly showed that hundreds of schools did not have their own buildings, while thousands lacked toilets or proper drinking-water facilities.

The condition became particularly serious after seven schoolchildren died in a building collapse in Jhalawar district. Following the tragedy, the Rajasthan High Court took suo motu notice of the condition of government school buildings. A state survey reportedly identified thousands of damaged school buildings and toilets.

The situation highlights the need for greater attention to public education. Schools require safe buildings, clean toilets, drinking water, adequate teachers and proper learning facilities. Education is not simply a government service. It is an investment in children and in the future of the country. The present situation calls for stronger public attention and urgent action to ensure that every child receives safe and quality education

Catholic dioceses in Bengal and Sikkim are planning to establish Migrant Resource Centers to support migrant workers across the region. The decision was taken during a two-day regional workshop held in Burdwan on August 24 and 25.

Around 50 participants from eight dioceses attended the workshop. They included priests, religious sisters, lay people and representatives of Church-based social organizations. The meeting focused on the theme of walking together with migrants and finding practical ways to protect their rights and dignity.

The proposed centers will help migrants understand their legal rights, access government welfare schemes and receive assistance during emergencies. Participants also discussed the problems faced by workers who leave their homes in search of employment in other parts of India.

The workshop highlighted the importance of awareness about labour laws, wages, working conditions and social security. Participants were also encouraged to help migrant workers register on the e-Shram portal of the Government of India.

The Church also plans to improve cooperation between dioceses. Migrants moving to a new place could receive a contact number of the local diocese so that they can seek help when facing difficulties.

The initiative is being supported by the CCBI Commission for Migrants. Bishop Paul Simmick of Bagdogra encouraged dioceses to establish resource centers and strengthen pastoral care for migrants and their families. The initiative follows the approach promoted by Pope Francis: welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants. The Church hopes that cooperation among dioceses, religious congregations, parishes and social organizations will make migrant workers feel safer and more supported wherever they live and work.

The Syro-Malabar Church has elected Father Thomas Animoottil as the new auxiliary bishop of the Archeparchy of Kottayam. The election was made by the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church with the prior assent of Pope Leo XIV. His appointment was officially announced on August 27, 2026.

Bishop-elect Thomas Animoottil is 64 years old and was born on January 13, 1962, in Payyavoor, Kerala. He completed his early education in Kerala and later pursued higher studies in Mysore. He entered St. Stanislaus Minor Seminary in Kottayam and continued his philosophical and theological studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Mangalore.

He was ordained a priest on April 13, 1989. Later, he obtained a licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome in 1993.

During his priestly ministry, Father Animoottil served in several important pastoral and administrative positions. He worked as parish priest of Pulinjal and also served as secretary to the eparchial bishop, eparchial chancellor, pastoral council secretary and vicar forane. Between 2003 and 2008, he carried out pastoral ministry in the United States.

Since 2025, he has been serving as pro-protosyncellus of the Archeparchy of Kottayam.

His election is expected to strengthen the pastoral and administrative ministry of the Archeparchy. The faithful of Kottayam and the wider Syro-Malabar community are now looking forward to his episcopal ministry and leadership.

Civil society organisations, human rights advocates, and Christian groups have expressed deep concern over the arrest of senior minority rights leader Arun Pannalal in Chhattisgarh. They have appealed to the authorities to ensure that due process of law is followed and that his legal rights are fully protected throughout the investigation.

According to the organisations, Arun Pannalal has worked for many years on issues related to religious freedom, minority rights, and social justice. His arrest has raised concerns among several groups, who believe that individuals working peacefully for constitutional rights should receive fair treatment under the law.

Various Christian organisations and civil society representatives have called for transparency in the legal process. They have urged the authorities to conduct the investigation impartially and in accordance with the Constitution. They also stressed that every citizen has the right to legal protection, fair investigation, and access to justice.

Church leaders encouraged the faithful to respond peacefully through prayer and lawful democratic means. They appealed for calm and requested that the matter be handled without creating tension among communities. Many also reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to promoting peace, dialogue, and respect for the rule of law.

The incident has renewed discussions about the importance of safeguarding constitutional freedoms, including the rights to freedom of religion, association, and peaceful advocacy. Human rights groups have called for continued vigilance to ensure that democratic values and civil liberties are protected for all citizens.

Community leaders expressed hope that the legal process will be conducted fairly and transparently, allowing justice to take its proper course while respecting the dignity and rights of every individual involved.

Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims from different parts of India observed a prayer protest to renew their demand for equal constitutional rights and social justice. Participants gathered peacefully to pray, reflect, and call for the removal of discrimination in access to government benefits available to other Scheduled Castes. They appealed to the government to extend equal treatment regardless of religious affiliation.

The organisers explained that many people who belong to Dalit communities continue to experience social and economic disadvantages even after embracing Christianity or Islam. They argued that changing one’s religion does not remove the effects of historical discrimination and therefore constitutional protections should be available without discrimination based on faith.

During the gathering, religious leaders led prayers for justice, peace, and equality. Participants carried messages promoting human dignity, unity, and constitutional values. They stressed that their protest was peaceful and intended to raise awareness through prayer rather than confrontation.

Community representatives also urged political leaders to address the issue through dialogue and appropriate legal measures. They expressed hope that policymakers would consider the long-standing concerns of Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims with fairness and compassion.

Church leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the rights and dignity of marginalized communities. They encouraged Catholics to continue praying and working for a society where every person is treated equally and with respect.

The prayer protest concluded with a call for greater solidarity among communities and a renewed commitment to peaceful efforts aimed at promoting justice, equality, and human dignity for all citizens.

The Salesians of Don Bosco have received a national award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to improving youth employability through logistics and supply chain training. The award highlights the congregation’s efforts to equip young people with practical skills that help them secure meaningful employment in one of India’s fastest-growing industries.

Through vocational training centres across the country, the Salesians have been offering professional courses that combine technical knowledge with personal development. Students receive training in warehouse management, inventory control, transportation, customer service, digital technology, workplace communication, and other essential skills required in the logistics sector.

Church leaders said the programme focuses especially on young people from economically weaker backgrounds. Many students who lacked opportunities for higher education have been able to find stable employment after completing the training. The initiative also helps young people develop confidence, discipline, teamwork, and leadership qualities that are valuable in the workplace.

Industry representatives praised the Salesians for creating programmes that meet the needs of employers while also promoting ethical values and social responsibility. The training centres work closely with companies to ensure that students are prepared for real workplace situations and emerging industry demands.

The congregation said the award recognises the dedication of trainers, staff members, and students who have worked together to build a successful model of skill development. They reaffirmed their commitment to empowering young people through education and vocational training.

Church leaders believe that providing employment opportunities for youth is an important part of the Church’s mission of promoting human dignity and social development. The programme continues to open new opportunities for thousands of young people across India as they prepare for a better future.

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker M. Appavu has expressed support for the Catholic March for Life, stating that human life begins at conception and deserves protection from its earliest stage. His remarks were made while addressing participants gathered for the pro-life event organised by the Catholic community.

The Speaker praised the organisers for promoting awareness about the dignity and value of human life. He said society has a shared responsibility to protect every human person, especially the unborn, children, the elderly, and those who are vulnerable. He emphasized that respect for life should be a common value that brings people together regardless of religion or social background.

Church leaders welcomed his participation and described it as a meaningful encouragement for those working to promote a culture that values every human life. They explained that the annual March for Life is intended not only to oppose abortion but also to encourage support for mothers, families, children, and people facing difficult situations.

Participants in the event prayed for greater respect for life and called for stronger support systems for women experiencing crisis pregnancies. They also encouraged educational programmes that promote human dignity, compassion, and responsible family life.

The organisers said the march is a peaceful public witness that invites society to reflect on the importance of protecting life at every stage. They stressed that caring for life includes supporting healthcare, education, family welfare, and social justice.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment from participants to continue promoting the sanctity of life through prayer, awareness programmes, and acts of charity. Church leaders thanked all those who joined the march and expressed hope that respect for life would continue to grow throughout society.