ASIA/INDIA - “Voice of Life”: new Catholic weekly in Kerala

Kochi (Fides Service) - Jeevanaadam or Voice of Life is the title of a new Catholic weekly in the local Malayalam language launched in Kerala. According to editor Fr. Feranandez the publication aims to promote cultural and social development of people in rural areas.
The priest said there exist many development programmes funded by the government or private enterprises but effective results are slow in coming. There is a need for cooperation in the field of education and media to raise awareness and inform people on the theme of personal responsibility in the process of socio-economic progress.
The weekly is printed in collaboration with a number of dioceses and sponsored by the Catholic Bishops of Kerala. At the launching ceremony in Kochi Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil of Verapoly said the purpose of the publication was to “promote respect for the rights and dignity of the poor and marginalised people”.
Present at the ceremony besides local civil authorities also Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil Major Archbishop of Kerala's large community of Syro-Malabar Rite Catholics. The Cardinal said he hoped Jeevanaadam would be a means of evangelisation and a defender of the rights of Dalit and lower caste people.
(Agenzia Fides 6/12/2005 righe 24 parole 249)