Editorial (Nov 2024)

November’s the month that continues the autumnal transition, bringing with it a lot of cultural, historical and social observances. As the year 2024 draws towards its end, this month offers a variety of significant days that celebrate achievements, raise awareness and also honour important figures.

November 1st kicks off for us, Christians, with the All Saints Day. This year this day also coincides with Diwali, a major festival symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This is a day commemorating all the Saints of the Church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven, and for whom there is no specific Feast Day during the year. This is followed by All Souls Day, on 2nd November to commemorate all those who have passed away in their faith and are believed to be in purgatory because they died with the guilt of lesser sins on their souls. Our doctrine holds that the prayers of the faithful on earth, will help to cleanse these souls in order to fit them for the vision of our Heavenly Father in heaven.

We are all aware that on 3rd November, we joyfully celebrate the 22nd anniversary of our “Church Elevation Day “.It was on this day in the year 2002,that we finally achieved the great moment of transition from St. Sebastian Chapel to St. Sebastian Church. Undoubtedly this was possible only because of the commitment and support from the then Parish Priest, Fr. James Torres and the parishioners. It was a momentous and nostalgic moment for all of us to cherish as it was the day our dream came true.

Bringing us the awareness is the World Tsunami Day on November 5th, reminding us of those dreadful tsunamis which took place some years back. This day focuses on the importance of preparedness for natural disasters like the recent one that took place in Wayanad, Kerala in the form of series of landslides caused by heavy rains. These continuous rains led to hillsides to completely collapse destroying the entire areas below. We need to pay heed to such incidents and exercise caution and take preventive steps by avoiding deforestation, seismic sensitivity, poor building constructions, hill cuttings and global warming which have all been identified as possible causes for landslides and fatalities.
In order to honour the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Children’s Day is celebrated in India on 14th November with children’s programmes and various other events to mark the occasion. Also known as Bal Diwas, this day is dedicated to India’s first Prime Minister, famously known as Chacha Nehru, for being a strong advocate for children’s education and rights.

All of us have the freedom of speech and expression as it is guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. We observe 26th November as the Indian Constitution Day or Samvidhan Diwas because on this day in 1949,the Constituent Assembly of India, adopted this Constitution..

As we can see, this month is filled with a diverse array of significant days each contributing to cultural enrichment, social awareness and global consciousness.
Until we meet again, take care and be safe!!!

Felix Dias
Editor