If we Christians in India or many part of the world can't get united we can do nothing for this nation. Once we are united we can do wonders. So my request is that all Christian should join together and work together for the development of our Nation.

Let us rise to the occasion. Let us united for the Nation development. Many people have come to me with a request to get admission in a Christian School. It is a fact that Hindus and Muslims are seeking admission in good Christian Schools and Colleges. What does it mean? Our Institution are better standards.

Let our people go on having establishments, more institutions to the entire country development. To achieve more communal harmony our unity is required and thereby helping other communities, this should be our goal of life, this is the true Christianity.

As a member of the Minority Commission I will be very happy if we Christians can place before our nation a life of noble ideals ready to contribute what we can do.

I am very much thankful to the 'LIGHT OF LIFE' for giving me this opportunity. I wish all the best for all who witness this programme.

John Joseph , Hon. Member Of National Council For Minorities, Government of India.

'LIGHT OF LIFE' INTERVIEW WITH MR. JOHN JOSEPH

[Mr. John Joseph who is the Hon. Member of the Minority Commission, Government of India is on a visit to Kerala. An interview with 'Light of Life' was granted during this visit of the Hon. Member. Our Advisory Board Member Prof. D. Mathews had interviewed Mr. John Joseph at the Government Guest House, Pathanamthitta on 13th April 2002. Incidentally Shri John Joseph was a student of Prof. D.Mathews at Catholicate College Pathanamthitta. Mr.Leby Philiph Mathew, Personal Secretary of Mr.John Joseph, had arranged the interview. Our Exe.Editor Thomas Thomas had coordinated the proceedings.]

Prof.D.Mathews: As an active member of the Minority Commission would you kindly provide a brief outline of performance achievement in India of the National Minority Commission?

Sri John Joseph: The duty of the minority commission is to safe guard the interest of the minorities in India.As far as I am concerned this is my second term and I am the only member who got the second term. I feel I have done something for the minorities of India out of my past experience in this field.

Prof.D.Mathews: Will you please explain the rhythm in the majority aggression and minority resistance in India?

Sri.John Joseph: It is a fact that within the last few years aggression of the majority has increased very much and oppression to the minority has become a fact. In a country like India this should not happen, because we have to live in the society without the difference of colour, cast or creed. We believe in the co existence of all and so there is no justification in aggression by the majority.

Prof D. Mathews: The Christian Mission Organizations are doing excellent service in Villages of India .How far it is accepted as a part of Nation building programme?

Sri John Joseph: Actually regarding the first part of the question I fully agree with the statement that Mission Organizations are doing great service to the poor and the downtrodden. Our people may not appreciate it fully. But I am sure the Govt., not the people in the grass root level, but the people in the Govt.level have agreed that the service rendered by the Christian Mission and Organizations are really very great.

Prof.D.Mathews: Will you please explain how much the Minority Commission has contributed to the upliftment of the converted Christians in India?

Sri John Joseph: I feel honestly that the Minority Commission have not done much for the welfare of the converted Christians. We have no facility or finance to help them directly. But we often advise those people from where they can get help and guidance. So we actually play the role of advisors.

Prof D Mathews: We have heard much about the Christian -RSS dialogue. Was it a success as you have expected?

Sri John Joseph: I feel it was a great success. I will not say that it was 100%, but it was 99% successive. If we look into the reality in 1998,99,and 2000 years all the media were full of the news about majority aggression, over the minority. There were reports of attack towards the churches, priests and nuns. I will say that now such news are ver few. So it is very clear that the Christian RSS dialogue was a great success. Even now there may be some trouble hear and there but it was not at all a well planned attack or organized attack.

Prof.D.Mathews: Now there is a lot of controversy about the dialogue between RSS and Muslims. Will you please explain the present position?

Sri John Joseph: I met almost all Spiritual and Organization leaders of Muslims, and I explained too them situations. I arranged meeting between Muslim leaders and RSS people because the Nation is in need of this and many are interested in this. The first meeting of this type may not be in Kerala because there are some leaders who are against these ideas. There are some leaders with vested interest who may not wants to have peace, because they will be out of place if there is no problem in the society. I am 100% sure such a meeting will bring very good result. I am very optimistic about the outcome. Even though I am not optimistic having a meeting in Kerala immediately. We will conduct such a meeting in Gujarat, UP and other north Indian States with immediate effect.

[On behalf of 'Light Of Life' I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. John Joseph for granting an interview with us and to Mr. Leby Philiph Mathew for arranging the same. I pray to God for the fruitfulness of all your activities for the nation and wish you all success. I also extend my sincere thanks to Prof.D.Mathews for conducting the interview and to Thomas Thomas for the coordination.
Chief Editor: Dr. Rajan Mathew Mannadi]