Sr. Dr. Joan Chunkapura, MMS, India.
E-mail:
ktm_tradaktm@sancharnet.in
Abstract
Mission Among the Marginalised
The great religions of Asia have problem in accepting Jesus as all manifestations of the DIVINE. But it is difficult for them to see him as the only manifestation of the devine. According to Ashis K. Biswas “Mother Teresa atleast at her core, is a reminder of all that is good in religion. Perhaps a sign that India too can practice a normal human charity”. Indeed India is often described as a sacred landscape because it has been remarkably hospitable to all the World religions including Judaism and it a corner of the world where there is intermingling and synthesis on cultures.
Mission among the marginalised is the need of the hour due to globalised market oriented world where women and children have become products that could be bought and sold every day within and across the nations. They are forced and lured into labour, illegal activities, prostitution and pornography. This globalised phenomenon has failed to receive adequate attention though we are having mission all over the World as Christians. It is our duty that the world notices these groups of HIV/AIDS victims, Drug and alcohol abuses and women and children who are exploited. Society at large has tolerated this phenomenon but let us focus our thoughts on these issues and concerns about the marginalised victims.
India has the second largest population in the world and has a large number of young people with 36% consisting of children below 15 years. According to the senses of 1991 India has a child population of more than 202 million. Though human rights are inscribed in the hearts of people according to Mary Rubinson, former United Nations High Commissioner for human rights, it is high time that leaders in churches and ministries focus more on Human rights and healing and wholeness of marginalised groups.
In the present study I would like to concentrate on child labour and children’s rights, the causes of child abuse, the children of the alcoholics and drug addicts and the problem related to family of the addicts, wives of the marginalised groups, widows and orphans of the HIV affected patients and their family problems. This will highlight the need of involvement of the churches with the socially marginalised, austersized and abused population.
The details will be presented if paper presentation is allowed in a parallel session grouped under Social sciences and Mission.
Sr. Dr. Joan Chunkapura, MMS
Director
TRADA
Manganam P.O.
Kottayam-686 018, Kerala, India
BIO-DATE OF THE PARTICIPANT
The participant, Sr. Dr. Joan Chunkapura MMS has done her Doctors in Psychology from the University of Delhi. She is pioneer in the country to start treatment for addicts. Started 5 counselling centres and at present Director of a Drug & Alcohol De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre, TRADA and Joint Director of Rehabilitation Centre for the Mentally challenged. Authored and co-authored 14 books both in English and Malayalam in various areas of counselling children, addiction, HIV/AIDS and family etc. Also Principal of the Training Institute - TRADA National Institute of Social Sciences offering Counselling training programmes certified by Mahatma Gandhi University and P.G. Diploma given by Christian Medical Association of India. Major consultant in CMAI on Addiction concerns and churches response and convenor of Training committee of Addiction Counselling and Human Resource Development.