<p>However, such brutal attacks and fear of working in alien lands do not dampen the spirit of Malayali missionaries, especially nuns, from undertaking missionary work. The dedication of Malayali nuns to their cause has often been a subject of discussion. <br /><br />What inspires these people to risk their lives to help others and spread their faith?<br /><br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, Dr Daniel Babu Paul, former chief secretary of Kerala and a well known writer and scholar, said missionary work is a part of the history of Christians in Kerala. Almost half of the Christian population in the state are Syrian Christians, who had given prominence to gaining and spreading education. <br /><br />Dedicated a son or daughter<br /><br />Syrian Christian women have enjoyed equal status with men since early times, he said. To cite a few examples; the first woman high court judge in the country, the first woman IAS officer, the first woman civil surgeon all came from Syrian Christians. In old days when there were big families with many children, even rich families would dedicate a son or a daughter to missionary work, said Paul. “Such families gained social respect. Emulating their example, other Christian groups also took an active interest in spreading education and doing social service, thereby contributing to missionary work,” said Dr Paul.<br /><br />Another important force which inspired Keralites to take up missionary work is indigenous congregations, noted Dr Paul. For example, Congregation of Carmelites of Mary (CMI) based at Mannanam in Kerala is the first indigenous religious congregation in the Catholic Church of India. Another example is the Angamaly (near Kochi) based Vincentian Congregation. Members of these congregations are engaged in service in different parts of the country and abroad. The activities of congregations have attracted many youth to it, said Dr Paul. Such examples are not common in other states, he added. <br /><br />Will the frequent attacks on missionaries discourage Keralite youth from taking up social work in alien lands in future? Dr Paul is of the opinion that it would in fact have a reverse effect. The martyrdom of those people sets an example for the youth to follow.</p>.<p><a href="../content/209159/murder-most-foul.html">Murder most foul</a> </p>.<p><a href="../content/209156/she-wailed-none-came-her.html">‘She wailed but none came to her rescue’ </a> </p>.<p><a href="../content/209155/why-shibu-soren-kept-silent.html">Why Shibu Soren kept silent?</a> </p>
<p>However, such brutal attacks and fear of working in alien lands do not dampen the spirit of Malayali missionaries, especially nuns, from undertaking missionary work. The dedication of Malayali nuns to their cause has often been a subject of discussion. <br /><br />What inspires these people to risk their lives to help others and spread their faith?<br /><br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, Dr Daniel Babu Paul, former chief secretary of Kerala and a well known writer and scholar, said missionary work is a part of the history of Christians in Kerala. Almost half of the Christian population in the state are Syrian Christians, who had given prominence to gaining and spreading education. <br /><br />Dedicated a son or daughter<br /><br />Syrian Christian women have enjoyed equal status with men since early times, he said. To cite a few examples; the first woman high court judge in the country, the first woman IAS officer, the first woman civil surgeon all came from Syrian Christians. In old days when there were big families with many children, even rich families would dedicate a son or a daughter to missionary work, said Paul. “Such families gained social respect. Emulating their example, other Christian groups also took an active interest in spreading education and doing social service, thereby contributing to missionary work,” said Dr Paul.<br /><br />Another important force which inspired Keralites to take up missionary work is indigenous congregations, noted Dr Paul. For example, Congregation of Carmelites of Mary (CMI) based at Mannanam in Kerala is the first indigenous religious congregation in the Catholic Church of India. Another example is the Angamaly (near Kochi) based Vincentian Congregation. Members of these congregations are engaged in service in different parts of the country and abroad. The activities of congregations have attracted many youth to it, said Dr Paul. Such examples are not common in other states, he added. <br /><br />Will the frequent attacks on missionaries discourage Keralite youth from taking up social work in alien lands in future? Dr Paul is of the opinion that it would in fact have a reverse effect. The martyrdom of those people sets an example for the youth to follow.</p>.<p><a href="../content/209159/murder-most-foul.html">Murder most foul</a> </p>.<p><a href="../content/209156/she-wailed-none-came-her.html">‘She wailed but none came to her rescue’ </a> </p>.<p><a href="../content/209155/why-shibu-soren-kept-silent.html">Why Shibu Soren kept silent?</a> </p>
