Re-enact Muziris voyages, KHA tells Navy K.A. MARTIN & S. ANANDAN  (THE HINDU 21/I/12) Defence Ministry told to take the lead in rebuilding such a vessel at Beypore The Kerala History Association (KHA) headed by jurist V.R. Krishna Iyer has urged the Indian Navy to join hands with the Departments of Cultural Affairs and Tourism to re-enact the voyages of ancient trade vessels from the ancient port of Muziris to the Red Sea around 2000 years ago. In a key resolution, passed early this month, the association asked the Union Defence Ministry to take the lead in rebuilding such a cargo vessel at Beypore, a historical boatbuilding hub in northern Kerala renowned for its esoteric technology adept at building ‘urus' [cargo sail yachts] using locally available timber and coir. The association felt that recreating a cargo vessel that plied the seas from Muziris to link ports in the Red Sea on the Egyptian and the Yemeni coasts would highlight the strong historical links between the two important regions of the world besides bringing to the world's attention their cultural exchanges. Historian K.N. Panikkar endorsed the idea when he told The Hindu on Friday that it would be good if the Navy undertook such a mission. He recalled that such efforts had been made in other parts of the world, including in the recreation of journeys along the old Silk Route. It must have taken 40 days to reach Muziris from Egypt by sea in the olden times, said George Menacherry, a church historian, who piloted the resolution at the association's meeting. He, however, added that the ‘Jewel of Muscat,' a replica of the late first-millennium trading vessel that sailed around the world jointly created by the Sultanate of Oman and the Government of Singapore, had shown that the journey would take just 27 days now. Approached for its comments, the Navy said although it had not received the proposal yet, it would study the merits of the project before taking a call on that. “While the Navy has always taken a keen interest in understanding, conserving, and contributing to build upon the rich maritime history that India boasts, collaboration in such ventures require decision at the highest-level,” said Navy sources. In the State, the Navy has earlier assisted the archaeological excavation team at Pattanam (where vestiges of Kerala's trade with the Mediterranean countries were exhumed) by sending its deep-sea divers to conduct underwater surveys. It sustains a chair on maritime history at Calicut University and the local chapter of the Maritime History Society is headed by the Southern Naval Command's Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST). When the ‘Jewel of Muscat', currently installed as a maritime history museum in Singapore after a historical sail along the ancient Middle East and the Far East, was constructed in Oman on the lines of a shipwrecked ninth-century cargo vessel, uru-builders of Beypore were called in to build it. Built without nails or screws and with planks sewn together using coconut fibres, the sail yacht was made by over a dozen carpenters and rope-makers from Beypore. “There was a time when the boatbuilding industry here had its hands full, building about 60 urus simultaneously. Even now, they build about six to seven urus for foreign customers who use them for tourism promotion. They recently constructed one for a French customer. Exponents of the esoteric technology of uru-making are not many now. But still there are a few and scores of workers are employed by them to carry out the job. They can create mock-ups of ancient ships as well,” said M.P. Padmanabhan, INTUC national leader and an authority on the subject.   HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE GOVT. SUBSIDY Andhra Pradesh Govt. Minority Welfare Dept. Scheme &  Govt. Order  High Court Verdict Setting aside objections to Pilgrimage Subsidy Letter to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Kerala Prof. George Menachery From Chev. Prof. George Menachery Chief Editor St. Thomas Christian Encyclopaedia of India Member Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Member Of the Governing Body Christian Chair, Calicut University Pallinada Ollur Kerala 680306 09846033713, 04872352468, 04872354398 kunjethy@gmail.com,kunjethy@yahoo.com www.indianchristianity.com,www.nazraney.com.www.menachery.org To Sri Oommen Chandy Honb'le Chief Minister of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram Respected Sir, We the representatives of the Nazraney Maha Kudumbayogam (Myself as President) had visited you at your residence and submitted a petition signed by the President, Secretary, Office Secretary, and Fr. K. M. George of the Pazhaya Seminary humbly requesting you to kindly grant a State subsidy to the Holy Land pilgrims from Kerala. At that time you had kindly consented to consider the the also the desire for setting up a St. Thomas University, to make arrangements for the protection and conservation of ancient Christian monuments, and to consider the Holy LandPilgrimage subsidy. However when you asked for details of such subsidies granted by other South Indian States we were unable to provide the details during such a short interview. I am herewith sending the copy of the AP Government Order granting Holy Land Pilgrimage Subsidy to the tune of Rs. 20,000/- per pilgrim.The detailed GO also lays down conditions for tour operators and parameters for the aselection of pilgrims. In the first year AP Govt. had set aside an amount of Rs. Two Crores for the purpose to subsidise the pilgrimage of 1000 pilgrims. This and the other exemplary schemes of the AP Minorities Development Finance Department are also enclosed.whichcould perhaps be followed by your honourable Goverment also. Also enclosed is the Court Judgement of the AP High Court setting aside all objections raised by interested parties against the granting of the said subsidy. We had also met in Trivandrum other ministers and legislators, including Sarvasri K. M. Mani, T.M. Jacob, P.J.Joseph, K.C. Joseph, Abdl Rabb, and the MLAs C.F.Thomas, Mons Joseph, Ravindranath, M. P. Vincent and C. who all expressed their support and goodwill for all these efforts, and many had also asked for copies of the AP GO which I was able to procure from the AP Ministry in Hyderabad recently. Awaiting your government,s kind and favorable response and action, Yours faithfully, Prof. George Menachery. Copy to: Hon'bleMinister Sri K. M. Mani Sri Abdul Rubb Sri. T. M. Jacob Sri P. J. Joseph Sri K. C. Joseph Copies also to Sri P. C.George C. F. Thomas Mons Joseph Prof. Ravindranath M. P. Vincent & Other Hon’ble Minsters and Legislators we could not meet on that occasion. Copy of letters recd. From AP with copies of AP GO on Subsidy to Holy Land Pilgrims and High Court Order setting aside all objections to proceeding with the Holy Land Pilgrimage Subsidies and also Summary of Schemes of the AP Govt. Minorities Welfare Finance Corporation and AP Govt Minorities Welfare Department. Dear Prof.George Menachary, Just a short note to send you the attached GO concerning the Holy Land Pilgrimage for Christians of Andhra Pradesh. All the best for your efforts to get similar benefits to the Christians in Kerala. With warmest regards, Dr.Jetti A.Oliver JAO/kbm Dear Prof. George Menachery, Hope you had a safe travel back home. This note is to send you the attached copy of the judgment of the AP High Court lifting the ban on pilgrimage of Christians to the Holy Land duly sponsored by the Minority Welfare Department of the Govt. of A.P0. Attached also are a few paper clippings as desired. With warmest regards, Dr.Jetti A.Oliver JAO/kbm Download  Affidavit - High Court Hyderabad Download  Abstract Govt of Andhrapradesh Download  News - paper Copy of the petition personally handed over to your good selves at the Chief Minister’s residence, Trivandrum by the Mar Thoma Nazraney Maha Kudumbayogam: Petition made by the delegates empowered by the extraordinary conference of the St. Thomas Maha Kudumbayogam and invited scholars held at Kuruvilangad on 3rd July, 2011 to the Hon’bleChief Minister of Kerala Sri Oommen Chandy Esq.:, Thiruvananthapuram. Hon’ble Chief Minister, Sir, We the delegates of the St. Thomas Maha Kudumbayogam and representatives of the scholars and cultural activists of the various Nazraney Christian Denominations take this opportunity to bring to your attention the incomparable record of service rendered by these Thomas Christian Communities to the people of Kerala in the fields of culture, education, and social service and to request you and your respected Government to kindly take the initiative to implement and realise the following : 1. To establish a University in the name of St. Thomas the Apostle of Christ who was the founder of the Christian Faith adhered to by the lakhs and lakhs of members of the Syro Malabar Church, the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Jacobite Syrian Church, the Mar Thoma Church, the Syro Malankara Church, the Chaldean Church and many other Churches and denominations of Kerala, on the pattern of the Sri Sankara Sanskrit University of Kalady or the Mahathma Gandhi University of Kottayam. 2. To allow a pilgrim grant and/or subsidy to all Christians of Kerala, irrespective of sect or denomination or rite desirous of making a Pilgrimage to the places associated with Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament and the Venerable Fathers of the Old Testament in the Holy Land to promote spirituality and true religious fervour. 3. To instruct the Departments of Archaeology and Tourism to protect, conserve, and popularise all the different Jewish and Christian Monuments in the State, including the Megalithic monuments.. Yours faithfully, 1. Rev. Dr. K.M. George., Old Seminary, Kottayam 2. Chev. Prof. George Menachery, Historian, Trhrissur, President 3.Abram Ben Hur, General Secretary, St. Thomas Maha Kudumba Yogam, Archadeacon Centre, Pakalomattom P. O., Kuruvilangad, Kottayam. 4.Jacob Thomas Edassery, Kuravilangad. 5.Prof. Dr. Tarsis Joseph, Kuravilangad. CHURCH HISTORY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA      15th TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE AND PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS Hyderabad 2011 Inauguration of the 15th Triennial Conference of CHAI, the Church History Association of India at Jeevan Jyothi CRI Andhra Pradesh Centre by the Cultural Secretary of the Govt. of AP Dr. Chellappa IAS presided over by Dr. Sen IPS DGP and Bishop Rajaratnam of Medak. In the picture (l to r) are Prof. George Menachery (Secretary General CHAI), Dr. Oberland Snaitang (President),  Dr. George Oommen (Dehra Dun), Dr. Jos Kalappura (Patna), Dr. Francis Thonippara (President DVK, Bangalore) and Prof. Agnes DeSa (Bombay Jt. Secretary) (6th Oct)     Inauguration of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of CHAI  the Church History Association of India at the Jubilee Hall of the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh by Sri Francisco Sardhanha, former speaker and Chief Minister of Goa and at present MP and Chairman of the Plarliamentary Estimates Committee by releasing the 1000 page Platinum Jubilee Volume of CHAI "Christian Heritage of India". Others  in the picture are Sebastian Edathikkavil cmi (Treasurer), Dr. Oliver A. Jetti (Allahabad University and President of the Organising Committee), Ms. Christine MLA, Swami Aravinda (President of the State Hare Krishna Movement), Prof. George Menachery (Secretary General), Dr. Oberland Snaitang (President CHAI), Dr. "Cardinal" Thomas Edmunds (Vice-President), and Dr. Charles Dias MP (Chai Member and Office Bearer). Download - "India's Christian Heritage" - The Dust Jacket   CHURCH HISTORY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA      15th TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE AND PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS “INDIAN CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL STUDIES: YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW”                                        6TH – 9TH OCTOBER, 2011 – JEEVAN JYOTHI, BEGUMBET, HYDERABAD-500016                                                                                Prof. George Menachery                                                                              Secretary General, CHAI                                                                   The Church History Association of India CHAI Platinum Jubilee and 15th Triennial  The Platinum Jubilee Celebrations and 15th Triennial Conference of  the Church History Association of India (CHAI) will  be held from October 6 to 9, 2011 (i.e. from the Vijayadashami Thursday to the following Sunday) at HYDERABAD,  A.P. at Jeevan Jyothi, Begumpet, Hyderabad. Begumpet is about 4kms from Secunderabad railway station and 6kms from Hyderabad(Nampally) railway station. Bangalore train terminates at Kacheguda railway station which is about 10kms from the venue.Prepaid taxis are available at the Airport.Registration fee for Delegates / Participants is Rs.300/- Boarding and lodging will be provided at no extra cost. The half day city tour also will be financed by the organisers. Conference Theme:  Indian  Christian Historical and Cultural Studies -Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow  1. CHAI is pleased to invite Scholarly Papers related to the above theme, adhering uniformly to any of the standard style sheets, from CHAI members and other scholars. The duration of the paper will be 20 minutes followed by discussion which will not exceed 10 minutes. Title of paper to be sent before the 10th of August 2011; Synopsis to be received by 20th August 2011; and the complete paper to be received before 31st August, 2011 and in any case not later than the 10th of September 2011by e-mail (preferably in MS Word or Adobe Pagemaker) in addition to a hard copy by post or courier addressed to the Secretary General Prof. George Menachery, Pallinada, Ollur, Kerala, 680306; kunjethy@gmail.com, kunjethy@yahoo.com. For other particulars contact the Secretary General 0091 9846033713, +91 487 2352468, +91 487 2354398 or other National office-bearers. 2. The last date for receiving entries for the CHAI Platinum Jubilee All India Essay Competition on the theme"Preservation of Christian Monuments and Landmarks in India" (1000 to 1500 words) is 31st August 2011. Separate competitions are being held for a) Seminarians, b) University and College Students, and c) the General Public. In each category there will be three prizes of Rs. 8000/-, 5000/-, and 2000/-.For further details contact the Convener Dr. Varghese Perayilvarghesepera@yahoo.co.in 09447359139, Prof. Agnes De Sa, ahdesa@rediffmail.com 09967801723, or the Rev. Jeremiah ACTC Hyderabad prjapadam@gmail.com 09247463467 or the General Secretary 09846033713. 3. The Platinum Jubilee Commemoration Volume containing 75 scholarly papers on India's Christian Heritage is in the press. For details contact the chief editors Dr. Oberland Snaitang 09856642859 or Prof. George Menachery 09846033713.  4. Objects of historical, artistic, archaeological...significance are invited for the Christian Historico-Cultural Exhibition to be held at the venue on the theme Indian Christian Heritage of the South, West, North, East, and North-East. Contact the local organising committee: Dr. Oliver 04027002498, Rev. Jeremiah 09247463467 or the CHAI Southern India Branch Secretary cum Treasurer Dr. Manasseh 09848123927. 5. Useful numbers for details regarding registration of delegates and participants, accommodation, travel details, local taxi and auto fares, bus routes, other directions: Dr. Oliver 04027002498, Rev. Jeremiah 09247463467 or the CHAI Southern India Branch Secretary cum Treasurer Dr. Manasseh 09848123927 or the General Secretary 09846033713, 09400494398.  CHAI members are cordially invited to participate. Other interested scholars also may kindly contact the organisers. -Prof. George Menachery, General Secretary, CHAI Pallinada, OLLUR, Thrissur Dt., pin 680 306; Ph. Nos. 0091-98460 33713, 0487-2352468, 0487-2354398, 09400494398. Email : kunjethy@gmail.com, kunjethy@yahoo.com CHAI website : www.chai-online.net

CARDINAL VITHAYATHIL LAID TO REST KAKKANAD, 12 Apr, 2011, 10:30 Hrs (UCAN) Tens of thousands of mourners bid a tearful farewell to Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, head of the Syro-Malabar Church (SMC) April 10. The 84-year-old cardinal, who died of a heart attack on April 1 in Kochi, Kerala, was interred with full state honors at the city’s St. Mary’s Basilica Cathedral. Archbishop Cyril Vasil, secretary of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, represented Pope Benedict XVII at the funeral. Bishops from the other two Latin and Syro-Malankara Catholic rites, other Christian denominations, priests and Religious, also attended the funeral. Nitin Gadkari, president of the Hindu right wing Bharatiya Janata Party, federal minister Vayalar Ravi, Congress leader Oscar Fernandes, several state ministers and other senior politicians were also present. The ceremonies started at 3:30 p.m. with a requiem Mass led by Bishop Bosco Puthur, the interim administrator of the SMC. The cardinal’s body was then taken out in a procession around the parish before his return to the cathedral for the funeral Mass and his interment in the sanctum of the basilica. The cardinal’s last journey started the day before from Little Flower Hospital, Angamaly when his body was taken to St. Thomas Mount, Kakkanad, headquarters of the SMC, 40km away, and then to the basilica where people paid their respects. During the funeral orations, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India President Cardinal Oswald Gracious said Cardinal Vithayathil was a man full of faith, peace and devotion. “We have to carry forward his vision by following his footsteps.” Condolence messages from Indian President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were also read out.
Pope John Paul II’s final resting place ready VATICAN CITY, 13 Apr, 2011, 10:50 Hrs (CatholicNewsAgency) The final resting place of Pope John Paul II has now been prepared. In a private ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica April 8, the remains of Pope Innocent XI were moved from the altar in the Chapel of St. Sebastian to make way for the soon-to-be beatified Pope John Paul. Pope John Paul is presently buried in the crypt below the basilica’s high altar. His body will be transferred following his beatification on May 1. “This is the place where Blessed John Paul II will go because it is a particularly suitable chapel,” Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, said in remarks to journalists. “It’s quite near to the entrance of the basilica and just next to (Michelangelo’s) Pieta.” Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the senior Italian cleric in charge of St. Peter’s, presided over the brief ceremony to move the body of Pope Innocent. The service included a candle-lit procession during which the names of all the popes who’ve become saints were intoned. The remains of the 17th century pope were transferred to the basilica’s Altar of the Transfiguration. The altar sits to the left of the high altar, which is overshadowed by a marble statue of St. Andrew the Apostle. Meanwhile, the altar of St. Sebastian has been restored with work being undertaken to improve its lighting and audio systems. The translation of Pope John Paul’s coffin will also take place in private. The public, however, will be able to venerate the newly beatified Pope beginning from the afternoon of May 1 onwards. “Beatification” is the second step in a three-stage process the Catholic Church has created for declaring a deceased person a saint. Beatification confers the title “Blessed.”

His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio in India, New Delhi