MERRY CHRISTMAS

WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS.

IT IS CHRISTMAS TIME IN THE CITY.

Christmas is fast approaching. The city of Kochi is decked up with a riot of colors. The shops have started selling stars, cribs, trees, decorative lights, Santa Clause etc. The is a rush for buying these things for decorating the houses, offices and institutions, churches, parks etc.

Christmas is the most colorful festival in India.  A time for joy, merriment, carols, feasting,dancing etc. because Jesus Christ, Son of God, was born in this world in human form to save mankind from eternal damnation. Actually, after our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned against God and were thrown out of Paradise, God did not abandon mankind. HE sent several Prophets to guide us. However, man continued to live in sin. Finally God sent HIS only begotten Son to save mankind so that those who believed in HIM will be rewarded with eternal happiness in Heaven and others will be damned to everlasting suffering in Hell.

Here are some photos from Kochi for your visual pleasure. 

How is your city decked up for Christmas? It will be interesting to know.

PROS AND CONS OF KOCHI METRO RAIL

The construction of Metro Rail has been going on for more than two years. It is expected that it will take another two or three years to commission the first stage. The total investment is about Rs.6500 crores.

It is said that the metro rail in Koch will ensure easy,fast mass transportation. It will propel Kochi as one of the major metro cities in India. Metro rail will also help to ease the traffic congestion in the city.

The negative points about Kochi metro rail are many. Firstly, what we need in Kochi urgently  are road over bridges to ease traffic congestion. Other cities which have gone for metro rail have first constructed many road over bridges before embarking on the construction of metro rail. Secondly, Kochi is facing numerous other problems connected with garbage disposal, drinking water, drainage facilities, good roads and mosquito menace. The huge amount being spent for constructing metro rail could bave been used for these purposes. Thirdly, it is said that the metro rail will take about ten years to pay for itself. Till then the government will have to support metro rail with tax payers money. This could also mean more taxes will be levied by the government to run the metro rail.

Till the construction is over Kochi will be facing severe traffic jams since a large portion of the middle of the road is blocked for construction. The dust pollution, the gas smell and the exhaust pollution have become unbearable. This is going to affect the public health very seriously.

 
What do you think? Does Kochi need metro rail urgently  or whether this huge amount of money could have been used for eliminating garbage problem, mosquito menace, improving drainage facilities and providing drinking water? 

UNEXPECTED BONUS ON A DULL AND DREARY EVENING

I was at the beach one evening hoping to capture interesting scenes with my camera. However,there was nothing interesting. The sky was cloudy, the sea looked dark and the people looked  dull and uninteresting. Even the birds were flying back to their nests quietly against the dark sky. I was depressed. So I bought a chocolate ice cream and sat on a bench to enjoy it wondering why everything looked so unattractive.

It is the beginning of December and there had been no rains except some brief showers early mornings. The evening sky should have been clear normally at this point of  time in the year. There should have been some dance programs or other entertaining events on the open stage at the beach. People should be laughing and talking loudly with excitement. But I could see nothing to grab my attention.

As I sat ruminating the dismal picture of the  evening, I suddenly saw  bright sunlight piercing through the cloudy sky. I took out the camera and waited patiently for the sun to  come out of the cloud into the clear space throwing   dazzling red  light for a brief moment all over the sea and sand and light up the face of the people. Yes, it slowly came out and this it what I saw. Only half of the bright sun could be seen as though hanging  from the clouds. After some time the bottom half disappeared and the top half could been see. Gradually, the sun disappeared behind the clouds in the distant horizon. I was overwhelmed by the bewitching beauty that just appeared for a brief time.

This is what happens in real life too. When we are depressed and unhappy over something suddenly an opportunity arises for us to change the situation. If we are alert we will grab it with both our hands and lift ourselves up. If we are not alert the opportunity to redeem ourselves will slip out our hands.

So let us hope for the best at all times. Something good will always happen even in the worst situations.

THE BASILICA OF BOM JESUS, GOA, INDIA

RECENTLY I WAS IN GOA FOR A HOLIDAY AND I VISITED THE BASILICA OF BOM JESUS. 

The Basilica of Bom Jesus or Borea Jezuchi Bajilika (Portuguese: Basílica do Bom Jesus) located in Goa, India, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. The church is located in Old Goa, which was the capital of Goa in the early days of Portuguese rule. 'Bom Jesus' (literally, 'Good (or Holy) Jesus') is the name used for the Ecce Homo in the countries of Portuguese colonization. The Jesuit church is India’s first minor basilica, and is considered to be one of the best examples of baroque architecture in India.

Construction work on the church began in 1594 and the church was consecrated in May 1605 by the archbishop, Dom Fr. Aleixo de Menezes. This world heritage monument has emerged as a landmark in the history of Christianity. It contains the body of St. Francis Xavier, a very close friend of St. Ignatius Loyola with whom he founded the Society of Jesus, the (Jesuits). Francis Xavier died on Sancian Island while en route to continental China on (December 2, 1552). The body of Francis Xavier was first taken to Portuguese Malacca and two years later shipped back to Goa. It is said that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried. The remains of the saint attract a huge number of devotees (Christian and non-Christian alike) from all over the world. The saint is said to have miraculous powers of healing.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is more than 400 years old and is open to the public everyday. The body of St. Francis Xavier is kept in a well-decorated silver casket and displayed every ten years during the anniversary of the saint's death. His liturgical feast is the third of December. The exposition will take take place this year on third December.

IN THE HEADER PHOTO I AM STANDING IN FRONT OF THE BASILICA OF BOM JESUS WITH AN UMBRELLA IN MY HAND. IT WAS RAINY DAY .

THE PHOTO BELOW SHOWS THE DECORATED SILVER CASKET IN WHICH THE UNCORRUPTED BODY OF ST.FRANCIS XAVIER IS KEPT ON A HIGH PEDESTAL.

THE WOODEN STATUE OF  CRUCIFIED JESUS INSIDE THE CHURCH

A VIEW FROM THE VERANDA OF BOM JESUS BASILICA

THE BELL TOWER OF BOM JESUS BASILICA

DO YOU HAVE A CHURCH OF THIS GRANDIOSE  STYLE AND HOLINESS IN YOUR PLACE. IF SO, I WOULD LIKE KNOW. BEST WISHES