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KOHIMA — Reflecting on the events during 2023, Rev. Fr. Dr. Joe Mariadhas, director of Shalom Rehabilitation Centre, Chümoukedima, expressed pain to witness turmoil and chaos around the world, while he looked forward to a peaceful world with the dawn of a new year.
In an interaction with Eastern Mirror, he said, "Lives have been lost in fights and wars" and added that the divide between the rich and the poor has grown wider and wider.
Fr. Mariadhas highlighted the rising problem of unemployment, escalating substance abuse and other social issues saying, "The growth in unemployment is on the increase while substance abuse and other associated social issues are threatening the fabric of families and society at large."
He also observed that people have lost hope in themselves with the rising cases of various illnesses despite improvement in healthcare facilities.
However, he pointed out some positive signs of growth and development, acknowledging that simultaneously there are threats to individuals and society, hindering progress towards a better living. While recognising positive signs of growth and development, Fr. Mariadhas emphasised the need to wake up to the demands for wellness of body, mind and spirit.
Having served at the rehabilitation centre for nearly a decade, Fr. Mariadhas said, "Wellness, mental health that is accompanied by good physical health is the need of the hour." He called upon each one to start a better life with the dawn of a new year.
“In this changing and chaotic world, the mad rush for success has driven away the human spirits of brotherhood and oneness from our communities that we enjoyed as a community,” he said.
The priest drew attention to the disappearance of satisfaction, fulfillment, and happiness from personal and professional lives saying, "Satisfaction, fulfillment, and happiness have disappeared from personal lives of people as well as in our professional lives leading our children to pretention and farce."
Despite the challenges ahead in 2024, he called for standing up for truth, sincerity, and commitment in all walks of life.
"The year that is ahead of us is going to be very challenging... there will be demands to stand for truth, sincerity and commitment in walks of life."
He also emphasised how life has become more mechanised, overshadowing genuine feelings. He stated that with the introduction of artificial intelligence, the originality and creativity of human being have given way to laziness and boredom.
Highlighting the climatic changes affecting the normal seasons of life, Fr. Mariadhas, who also served as the counselor at St. Joseph's College (Autonomous), Jakhama, urged to remain vigil to prevent the loss of life's joys. He also reminded everyone to look forward with hope for the best in the current circumstances.
Anticipating a challenging year ahead, he asserted, "The year ahead is going to be very challenging with demands to stand for truth, sincerity, and commitment in all walks of life."
"Every one of us is called to be sensitive to our own needs and the needs of others," expressed the former principal of Loyola Higher Secondary School Kiphire, and emphasised the importance of families providing mutual security.
"We live our life once, let us live it joyfully filled with happiness, health, and prosperity," he advocated.
"The world has many good things to offer us, let us use them to build our society," he reminded adding, "There are opportunities in every sphere of life and let us seize them to the best of our abilities."
Concluding it as a prayer for the year 2024, he extended best wishes for a new year.
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