SMYM of Pala Diocese and Ramapuram Forane held a historical seminar on "The Role of Christians in the Indian Freedom Struggle" at Ramapuram Forane Church Auditorium on the 73rd Republic Day of India (26/01/2022) at 3 pm. Rintu Reji, Vice President, SMYM Pala Diocese, welcomed the audience at Parayankuzhi.
Christianity and the Freedom Struggle
Ramapuram Forane Vicar, Rev. Dr. George Varghese Njarakunnel inaugurated the seminar and spoke on "Christianity and the Freedom Struggle".
Long before the freedom fighters, Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar, a prominent personality, had propagated for an autonomous civic Indian governance. Many historians forget the fact that it was indeed patriotism and love for community that prompted Thoma Kathanar and Kariattil Mar Ousep Malpan to undertake the treacherous journey to Portugal, for the unity of the Church and the community.
It is through actions and courage and not mere words that one displays their love towards the Churhc and Community, a lesson which the youth has to learn from the lives of great personalities like Paremmakkal Achan, Accamma Cherian, George Joseph, Annie Mascarene, reminded Rev. Dr. George Varghese Njarakunnel.
Nationalism in Varthamanapusthakam
Mr. Anil Manuel Punnathanam spoke on Nationalism in Varthamanapusthakam, the first travelogue among all Indian languages. He also said that the participation of the Christian community in the national movement, which constitutes only 2% of the national population, and the efforts and sacrifices for independence are often overlooked by leaders and historians. However anyone who has studied the history of this community closely cannot forget the work the community has contributed to the national movement.
The unity of the Christians can be seen in the Varthamanapusthakam and in the rule of the Marthoma Nasranis. Our country is known as "Hendo" in Syriac. There are also a handful of expressions such as Asletha D’hendo, Metropolitha D’ecol Hendo, Taraá D’ecol Hendo, M’dav’rana D’ecol Hendo, Kolla Hendo. Our forefathers used to say "Kol Hendo" or All India.
Perhaps it was in our language that the term “All india” was first coined to refer to one region that comprised of various small princely states. The authorities of our Church and Community were known from the beginning as the Metropolitan and Gate of All India (Metropolitan Utara D’ecol Hendo), the Archdeacon / Ruler of all India (Ma’davrana D’ecol Hendo). Mr. Anil added that we can understand from the historical records that these positions have been in use since fifth or sixth centuries.
Anusha Chacko, Leo Doji and Albin Jijo then presented papers on Accamma Cherian, Barrister George Joseph and Annie Mascarene respectively.
After the Q&A section, Ramapuram Forane Vice President Nandana Martin spoke giving conclusions on the topic. This issue is relevant as long as there is doubt about the participation of the Christian people in the freedom struggle of India and our new generation is not able to justify and establish the facts. "We can never find a single Christian in history who has betrayed the community or the nation for selfish interests, despite the best efforts of foreign powers seeking to divide and rule," Nandana said.
Ramapuram Forane Diocesan Councilor Anju Saju thanked the participants. The seminar was attended by youth representatives from various Forane of Pala diocese and representatives of other Nasrani forums from the region.