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Tribals Vandalise Church In Chhattisgarh Over Conversion, SP Injured

By LokMarg 2nd January 2023

A Superintendent of Police (SP) sustained injuries after a group of tribals attacked him when they were stopped from vandalizing a church in Bangla Para locality in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district on Monday.

The church was also vandalized in the incident. According to reports, there was a scuffle between tribals and Christians in the area for the past few days over alleged illegal conversion in the district. There was also a bloody clash between the two sides last night, after which the tribals organized a meeting to shut down the city today.

The injured Superintendent of Police (SP) Sadanand Kumar said, “A meeting was called by the tribal community in which we have advised the tribal leaders to organize the meeting in a peaceful manner. In the meantime, a few members of the community became uncontrollable and went to vandalize the church. I also reached there along with police personnel and tried to pacify the situation.”

“They seemed convinced and were stepping back but meanwhile, some people attacked me from behind in which I sustained injuries. The police administration, however, exercised restraint in the area and separated them from the spot. An investigation into the matter will be conducted and further action will be taken accordingly,” SP Kumar added.

Collector Ajit Vasant said, “A community of the district has formed a plan to stage a protest here. A few members of the community were headed to vandalize a church in the Bangla Para area. The police officials present on the spot tried to pacify the situation but the mob got out of control.”

“In the incident, Narayanpur SP sustained head injuries and his health is normal now. A few police personnel also sustained injuries in the incident. The administration showed restraint and efforts were made to convince and to separate them from the spot,” Vasant added. (ANI)

Devotees Throng Ghats, Temples Across Country On New Year

By LokMarg 1st January 2023

To give an auspicious and promising start to the first day of 2023, devotees lined up in various temples and ghats across the country to seek blessings.

The country ring in New Year with massive celebrations, gleaming fireworks, and merriment. Cities across the country welcome 2023 with enthusiasm and splendor.

The city of ghats, Varanasi welcomed the New Year with a splendid Ganga Arti. The Arti was performed in the early morning hours of the New Year 2023 on the Assi Ghat.

Devotees in large numbers thronged to the bank of the Ganga river to witness the priests performing glorious Ganga Arti with the blowing of conch shells and clanging of Puja bells.

Meanwhile, in Ujjain, devotees assembled at Mahakaleshwar Temple to get a glimpse of ‘Bhasma aarti’ on Sunday.

Devotees from various cities gathered at the spiritual city of Ujjain to watch the magnificent Bhasma aarti of Lord Shiva which was performed in the early morning hours at the Mahakaleshwar Temple.

In the national capital, devotees visited Delhi’s famous Jhandewalan temple to offer prayers on the occasion of New Year 2023.

Heading to the western peninsular region of India Maharashtra, the New Year was greeted with the devotees gathering for ‘Aarti’ at the Shri Siddhivinayak Temple.

Inching towards Northern India, the people in the agricultural state of Punjab, embraced the New Year by seeking blessings at the Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar.

People thronged to Puri beach to witness the first sunrise to give a promising start to New Year.

In Southern India, devotees offered prayers at St.Luke’s Church in Anna Nagar, Chennai.

People offered prayers at Infant Jesus Church in Coimbatore on the occasion of New Year 2023.

Meanwhile, in Odisha, devotees in large numbers visited Puri Jagannath Temple to offer prayers on the occasion of New Year 2023. (ANI)

Former Pope Benedict XVI Passes Away At 95

By LokMarg 31st December 2022

Former Pope Benedict passed away at his Vatican residence on Saturday aged 95.

“With sorrow, I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible,” Vatican News tweeted.
Pope Benedict passed away two days after Pontiff Francis asked to pray for the “very sick” former Pope, CNN said in a report.

“I want to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict who sustains the Church in his silence. He is very sick,” Pope Francis said during his general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.

“We ask the Lord to console and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church to the very end,” added Pope Francis.

In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world by making the almost unprecedented decision to stand down from his position, citing “advanced age.”

Benedict’s announcement marked the first time a Pope had stepped down in nearly 600 years, reported CNN.

The last Pope to resign before his death was Gregory XII, who in 1415 quit ending a civil war within the Catholic Church in which more than one man claimed to be Pope. (ANI)