Finding JOY in Calcutta..

Posted on January 17, 2010
Filed Under Blogging, Religion | 11 Comments

check out the poem at the end ;-)

It has been a tiring first week of January 2010. Made a short trip to Kolkata aka “City of Joy” for one of the largest ecumenical youth gathering. When was the last time I visited Kolkata, oops are you ok with ‘Kolkata’? or should I use the anglicised name Calcutta? May be I should first ask your political identity, the taste goes accordingly :) Nonetheless, you still lose because the original name has its roots in Kalikata.

If I am not oblivion, the last time I visited the British Raj capital was four years back. That was a short mission journey, but was fraught with frustration, fear and flabbergasting incidents that came traversing in an alien land with full of deities, crowd, chaos and disorder. However, the outlook was different in my latest trip. I learned to see the beauty of push-and-pull crowd around me and the chaos which now seemed to me like the vibrancy or liveliness of this state. Did maturity play its role in helping me see good in bad? I dont know. I was more bold, cheerful and determined. In addition, what I failed to succeed and witness in my last trip was ocular and palpable now (hundreds of thirsty youths for Christ).

Frankly, I just enjoyed it. Mingled with the crowd, ate the hot-and-sweet street jalebis (was instructed not to), tried the tantalizing beef fried and what not. It indeed is a city of joy! But just that this joy might not seem as visible as expected, you cant see them in star hotels and clean streets, it is hidden right in the middle of that hubbub and topsy-turviness. May be a little bit of contemplation on self before the city should get you there ;-)

Oye Calcutta!!

Well, there was not much improvement in the infrastructure or any difference in the traffic congestion. Adding to that is the city’s poverty and pollution. But if you saw the buildings and thought why it is still so old-fashioned, you might not know that this state was the centre of our Indian independence movement. The British style buildings and brick walls talk histories! So dont complain on the infrastructure. I did visit the famous St Paul’s Church. Even attended the service and took some snaps (enlarge the pics to see the 1800 insculptures). However, I regret not making it to two very important places in my heart – 1) the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa) and 2) Serampore College (William Carey). Oh, I almost forgot. I visited the Bishops College. That was a superb experience. The principal of this college is a no-nonsense young man, and I just admire his theological proficiency and ongoing contributions in the ecumenical field. My acquaintance with him will surely be an unforgettable experience.

Now what about the event? It was awesome meeting young and old people full of energy for God. For me, personally, it helped me come out of my confined cocoon and get a broader picture of the Christian movement in India, to witness the growth of ecumenism and watch young Indians imbibing the spirit of Christ. I also got the opportunity to attend some classified consultations on mission in Asia, get acquainted with theological and ecumenical bigshots working in the mainstream bodies and study on the future of mission in India. One thing that I realised going to the meet was the need for networking/relationship. Sometimes your road seems so lonely, but when like-minded people with similar objectives work in the same endeavor, you not only find encouragement, but also the spirit to work fearlessly. It is not lack of money, luxury or comfort that balks many in their spiritual life, but it is the lack of encouragement/inspiration. Undoubtedly, you need constant support and encouragement always in your missional life. Among many lovely people I met in this meet was a Mizo lady, an ecumenical stalwart, whose acquaintance I would say has been the best thing for me in the year 2010. She is married to a Tamilian, and both are highly qualified theologians. Her supportive and invigorating conversation infused in me a new vigor for mission in India.

Now that am back to Delhi I am reminiscing those stirring experiences and lovely people I met in Calcutta. In this killing, chilling cold (4dc) when dozens are dying everyday (according to media updates), it is the refreshing warm breeze of Calcutta that is keeping me warm. May God give me more such opportunities to learn and be inspired for his mission. I am very much anticipating the Edingburgh 2010 conference. The last time in 1910 when a group of missionaries all over the world, including India converged there, they made histories! Who can forget Bishop VS Azariah who then challenged the foreign missionaries to stop their one-sided evangelism in India that creates animosity among groups. He called for indigenous efforts to make Christianity look less western and more acceptable. Here is a famous line of Azariah in that meet: “We need FRIENDS”. Will write more on that in my next post.  It is my prayer that I can be part of this 2010 history making! Here is the news section to keep yourself updated..dont be surprised if you find this Kolkata meet featuring there as well..

Adios ~ SAM

Comments

11 Responses to “Finding JOY in Calcutta..”

  1. Will on January 18th, 2010 12:53 pm

    Calcutta/Kolkata/Kolikata sounds like quite an interesting place to visit, especially if you are British. I’ve long wanted to visit India but my big dilemma is if I ever get to go where should I visit?

    There are so many places how could I choose the right ones and not miss something great?

    If and when I finally get to go I think I should pay Calcutta a visit.

    Anyway good to have you back blogging after what seemed like a long absence. Hope you had a good Christmas as well.

  2. Pastor Albert on January 18th, 2010 3:41 pm

    Wonderful to heard about young people praising God Sam. I will surely pray for that Edingbur 2010 Conference. This is historical, so will you be going to Europe? Will pray for this event, God Bless.

  3. Sam on January 18th, 2010 4:28 pm

    Hey Will, long time eh :) ..I was just very busy with some stuffs here…dint find time to talk with yaa :D …sorry..

    BTW dont worry..when you come, I will be your guide, and will make sure you are fully satisfied..if I dont..my Tamil bro there might kill me ;-)

    @ PA, I am praying about going as well…dont wanna miss this event..If you wanna support me, you are welcome ;-)

  4. Will on January 18th, 2010 4:43 pm

    Is the Edinburgh Conference actually in Edinburgh? I get a bit confused by these conferences sometimes.

    Like I heard this year will be the Lausanne Conference – but it’s not in Lausanne – I heard it will be in South Africa.

    It’s just named after the Lausanne Conference in the 1970′s or something.

    Is it the same for Edinburgh? Or is it actually in Edinburgh?

    It’s very confusing :(

  5. Sam on January 18th, 2010 4:47 pm

    yea Will it is in Edin..at the end of the blog article I gave a link to the news section of their website..you can get more details there..

  6. Pastor Albert on January 18th, 2010 5:46 pm

    Why not Sammy boy, I thought you never worry about money? HA HA

  7. Sam on January 18th, 2010 6:05 pm

    Oh yea uncle, I was not worrying until that money plant in your garden generously dropped $s when shaking..somebody has uprooted it… put it back..hehe

  8. Jinumon on January 19th, 2010 3:54 am

    nice man you had a lot of fun

  9. Luke on January 19th, 2010 8:18 am

    It was nice meeting you there brother. You have a good blog.

  10. Will on January 19th, 2010 9:25 am

    Ah. Yes I see it’s in June – I should really click on these links and take a closer look before commenting.

    Well if you come along I’d be happy to show you around if you ever get a chance to come to the Southern bit of Britain. As for Edinburgh – I’ve only been there once during the “Summer” and it was extremely chilly so bring some thick clothes if you come.

    On the subject of Calcutta I recently read an article by one Indian fellow in the British newspaper The Guardian. The article basically criticised some British media for trivialising Indian culture. Anyway it finnished by talking about the Kolkata book fair and I thought it was quite interesting and funny what he said – it finnished:

    “Indians are also guilty of stereotyping their own country. A few years ago, the chief executive of a big retailer was describing at length his difficulties in breaking into Kolkata. “The thing with you Bengalis is that the women wear saris, but they argue over Marx!” And there was a sigh, as if to ask: “Why won’t you be one thing or another?”

    Yet it is precisely when other people aren’t one thing or another that they have most to teach you. To visit the Kolkata book fair is to be reminded that a literary culture can be more than a ­festival circuit, and that intellectual ­debate need not be an elite affair. In Bengal soon after local-boy economist Amartya Sen won the Nobel prize in 1998, I passed a petrol station defaced by a blob of spray paint that read: ­”Calcutta is proud of its son Amartya Sen.” That’s Kolkata for you: even the graffiti artists have postgraduate degrees.”

  11. Sam on January 20th, 2010 8:10 am

    @ Will haha…liked this ..^^..”That’s Kolkata for you: even the graffiti artists have postgraduate degrees.”

    Yep, I hope to attend ED 2010. Wanted to visit Europe at least once in life…specially for us Indians…we have a strong British connection ;-) I am also very interested in seeing and studying the works of Christian missionaries there…although I know much of it is losing its significance…

    @Jinu It was a lot of fun da especially when you are with a lot of young and innocent hearts… ;-)

    @Luke – Hey bro, did you reach safely?

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