EMN
DIMAPUR, APRIL 28
Vice President M Hamid Ansari has lauded the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) for undertaking activism against oppression and injustice ‘in all its forms’ and for working for the uplift of the deprived and marginalised sections such as the dalit, tribal people, women and the physically-challenged.
Excerpts from the Press Information Bureau said that the NCCI was a truly representative organization of protestant and orthodox churches in the country, as it brings together the churches and other Christian organizations for mutual consultation, assistance and action in all matters related to life and witness. The constituent members of the NCCI are commemorating 100 years of service. The vice preside was honouring the church at the Vice president’s secretariat in Delhi on Friday, April 25.
The vice president released the commemorative postage stamp on the Centenary of the National Council of Churches in India.
Ahmed Ansari said that since the NCCI’s inception a century ago, inspired by Jesus Christ’s eternal message of love, compassion, forgiveness and selfless service, it has made invaluable contributions towards the noble task of nation building. It has faithfully served our Christian compatriots and the society at large.
According to the vice president, the NCCI has undertaken concrete programmes and projects in critical areas, such as education, healthcare, natural disaster relief and rehabilitation and ecological degradation. It has focussed on adult and vocational education; providing productive employment for the youth, through setting up industrial cooperatives and implementing cottage industry projects such as tanneries, poultry farming, mat-weaving, brush-making.
“As the National Council of Churches, it addresses concerns related to oppression and injustice in all its forms. Recognising the realities of our society, it is particularly engaged in the task of upliftment and empowerment of the deprived and marginalised sections of our society, such as the dalits, tribal, women and the physically challenged,” Ansari stated during the programme.
“The NCCI has also acted against the rising trend of religious extremism and communalism by encouraging responsible evangelism and inter-faith dialogue and harmony. By nurturing better understanding among different Christian traditions in the country, it continues to be a facilitator of inter-church togetherness”.
The Vice President opined that “it would be appropriate to say that the NCCI has been an important vehicle for promoting the overall well-being of our society and country.” It has set an example for others to follow by its spiritual and people-oriented work.
The release of the Centenary Commemoration Postage Stamp today is a befitting tribute to the organisation and its work, he said. “I am confident that today’s function would also provide an impetus for the NCCI and its members to continue their good work in the future,” Ansari added.
The head of state lauded the NCCI for serving the people “on the basis of their needs and without any consideration to their creed, race or political belief.”
