Overview

Christianity in the Indian subcontinent is as old as Christianity itself, although Christians have consistently remained a small minority within the broader population. This book delves into the encounters between Christianity and the Indian people across various historical periods, highlighting the exchange of knowledge and ideas. This book examines the influence of Christianity on Indian society, focusing on the cultural, economic, and intellectual contributions of Christians across various domains—including education, healthcare, social services, economic development, the arts, architecture, languages, culture, politics, public administration, and the armed forces. The book examines key figures, organisations and institutions to trace the significant role Christians have played in the country's freedom struggle, nation-building efforts, and social development, leaving a lasting impact on the shaping of modern India. This book will be of interest to general readers and students and researchers of social science, religion, history, anthropology, sociology, and political science.

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9781041053033

Table of Contents

Reviews

‘Luminous Footprints: Christian Impact on India, is an eloquent testimony to the enormous contribution of Christians to India's development. This book is being published in the context of the increasing attacks on Indian Christians by Hindu extremists. This intolerance and violence threaten to undermine the enormous work being done, especially by the Catholic church, on India’s road to development, especially in the areas of education and health.’ —Nandita Haksar, Human rights activist and Author ‘Christians see themselves as Indians first, their religious identity taking a secondary place. The forces of Hindutva oppose them because, being based on high levels of social and gender inequality, the majority of the population of Hindus are excluded and deprived due to the caste system. Drawing on Jesus' teachings and practices, Missionaries seek to bring about equality but end up becoming a thorn in the flesh for the Hindutva forces who falsely claim to be Hindus. I would strongly recommend that this book be widely disseminated in society at large, especially among those seeking to understand the interrelationship between power, religion, and nation-building.’ —Amit Mitra, Independent Researcher ‘The book chronicles the magnificent contributions of Christian communities and individuals in promoting education, healthcare, and nation-building. It demonstrates their adaptation to the local ethos, linguistic assimilation, and contribution to inter-religious engagement in promoting peace, harmony, and development. Inspired by Christian values of love and compassion, the book presents a unique assemblage of activities and practices that reflect the actual values of fraternity enshrined in India’s Constitution.’ —R.B.Bhagat, Former Professor and Head, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai

‘Luminous Footprints: Christian Impact on India, is an eloquent testimony to the enormous contribution of Christians to India's development. This book is being published in the context of the increasing attacks on Indian Christians by Hindu extremists. This intolerance and violence threaten to undermine the enormous work being done, especially by the Catholic church, on India’s road to development, especially in the areas of education and health.’ —Nandita Haksar, Human rights activist and Author ‘Christians see themselves as Indians first, their religious identity taking a secondary place. The forces of Hindutva oppose them because, being based on high levels of social and gender inequality, the majority of the population of Hindus are excluded and deprived due to the caste system. Drawing on Jesus' teachings and practices, Missionaries seek to bring about equality but end up becoming a thorn in the flesh for the Hindutva forces who falsely claim to be Hindus. I would strongly recommend that this book be widely disseminated in society at large, especially among those seeking to understand the interrelationship between power, religion, and nation-building.’ —Amit Mitra, Independent Researcher ‘The book chronicles the magnificent contributions of Christian communities and individuals in promoting education, healthcare, and nation-building. It demonstrates their adaptation to the local ethos, linguistic assimilation, and contribution to inter-religious engagement in promoting peace, harmony, and development. Inspired by Christian values of love and compassion, the book presents a unique assemblage of activities and practices that reflect the actual values of fraternity enshrined in India’s Constitution.’ —R.B.Bhagat, Former Professor and Head, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai ‘The vital connection in the Science-Religion-Society triad to build/destroy all in our ‘Earth Home’ significantly permeates this set of purposefully selected and relevant research articles, published nearly a century ago, and hard to come by today. True! They are coloured by a ‘Colonial mindset’ and ‘Western Science’ influence; nevertheless, through narratives (focussed on flora and fauna, precious stones, omens and superstitions, figurative stories and myths), and reflections and analysis on them, they present us with the vision, wisdom and world view of a bygone era in which there was resonance and integration between humans and nature. The creative critique in the Introduction to the book enlightens us about the roots of the devastation that the triad continues to inflict today on our ecology. ‘Sacred Ecology in India’ points the way for a better tomorrow.’ Vincent Braganza, S.J., Ph. D, Scientist (Emeritus) and Ex. Chairman of Xavier Research Foundation, Ahmedabad

‘This excellent book is a balanced and perceptive account of the Christian presence and impact on India. Tracing the different forms of Christianity in India, it highlights their influence in different spheres of national life and shows the depth and degree of contribution a minority of 2.3% has made. It challenges the current attempt to popularise and act on the Hindutva based definition of India and its people. It rightly urges the country to return to the far more convincing view of India as an open minded and open hearted society, generously welcoming all its people. I recommend the book to all interested in India and in global minority politics.’ —Professor Bhikhu Parekh, House of Lords, London, UK. ‘Luminous Footprints: Christian Impact on India, is an eloquent testimony to the enormous contribution of Christians to India's development. This book is being published in the context of the increasing attacks on Indian Christians by Hindu extremists. This intolerance and violence threaten to undermine the enormous work being done, especially by the Catholic church, on India’s road to development, especially in the areas of education and health.’ —Nandita Haksar, Human rights activist and Author ‘Christians see themselves as Indians first, their religious identity taking a secondary place. The forces of Hindutva oppose them because, being based on high levels of social and gender inequality, the majority of the population of Hindus are excluded and deprived due to the caste system. Drawing on Jesus' teachings and practices, Missionaries seek to bring about equality but end up becoming a thorn in the flesh for the Hindutva forces who falsely claim to be Hindus. I would strongly recommend that this book be widely disseminated in society at large, especially among those seeking to understand the interrelationship between power, religion, and nation-building.’ —Amit Mitra, Independent Researcher ‘The book chronicles the magnificent contributions of Christian communities and individuals in promoting education, healthcare, and nation-building. It demonstrates their adaptation to the local ethos, linguistic assimilation, and contribution to inter-religious engagement in promoting peace, harmony, and development. Inspired by Christian values of love and compassion, the book presents a unique assemblage of activities and practices that reflect the actual values of fraternity enshrined in India’s Constitution.’ —R.B.Bhagat, Former Professor and Head, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai ‘This excellent book is a balanced and perceptive account of the Christian presence and impact on India. Tracing the different forms of Christianity in India, it highlights their influence in different spheres of national life and shows the depth and degree of contribution a minority of 2.3% has made. It challenges the current attempt to popularise and act on the Hindutva based definition of India and its people. It rightly urges the country to return to the far more convincing view of India as an open minded and open hearted society, generously welcoming all its people. I recommend the book to all interested in India and in global minority politics.’ —Professor Bhikhu Parekh, House of Lords, London, UK. ‘Luminous Footprints: Christian Impact on India, is an eloquent testimony to the enormous contribution of Christians to India's development. This book is being published in the context of the increasing attacks on Indian Christians by Hindu extremists. This intolerance and violence threaten to undermine the enormous work being done, especially by the Catholic church, on India’s road to development, especially in the areas of education and health.’ —Nandita Haksar, Human rights activist and Author ‘Christians see themselves as Indians first, their religious identity taking a secondary place. The forces of Hindutva oppose them because, being based on high levels of social and gender inequality, the majority of the population of Hindus are excluded and deprived due to the caste system. Drawing on Jesus' teachings and practices, Missionaries seek to bring about equality but end up becoming a thorn in the flesh for the Hindutva forces who falsely claim to be Hindus. I would strongly recommend that this book be widely disseminated in society at large, especially among those seeking to understand the interrelationship between power, religion, and nation-building.’ —Amit Mitra, Independent Researcher ‘The book chronicles the magnificent contributions of Christian communities and individuals in promoting education, healthcare, and nation-building. It demonstrates their adaptation to the local ethos, linguistic assimilation, and contribution to inter-religious engagement in promoting peace, harmony, and development. Inspired by Christian values of love and compassion, the book presents a unique assemblage of activities and practices that reflect the actual values of fraternity enshrined in India’s Constitution.’ —R.B.Bhagat, Former Professor and Head, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai

Author Information

Lancy Lobo, a Jesuit, has served as the Director of the Centre for Social Studies, Surat, later was the founder and director of the Centre for Culture and Development, Vadodara. He was an International Visiting Fellow (Georgetown University, Washington, DC). He has authored, co-authored, and co-edited 30 books and scores of mimeographs and articles. Currently, he is Research Director at the Indian Social Institute, Delhi. Denzil Fernandes, a Jesuit has served as the Executive Director of Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, and Editor of the quarterly social science journal Social Action from 2015 to 2023. From June 2024, he is serving as Professor at Indian Social Institute, Bengaluru. He was conferred the Delhi Minorities Commission Human Rights Award 2019 for his work on human, civil and minority rights in India.

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