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16th October 2011 |
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Pray for India Population: 1.2 Billion with 384 people per sq km. Religion: 74% Hinduism 6% Christian Prayer Points The restoration of political centrism – following the election defeat of a Hinduistic government with extremist tendencies – has returned a measure of religious freedom and has overseen economic growth and the addressing of injustices inherent to the caste system. Burgeoning numbers of indigenous NGOs, policy changes meant to uplift those in (or beneath) the lowest strata of the caste system and even legal changes all point toward a society looking to be more modern, pluralistic and humane. Political, economic and social challenges to the country place a great burden upon India’s government. Much positive progress has been made in many areas; to consolidate and build on such progress, prayer is called for. Pray for India’s leaders to tackle the serious ills of society with greater commitment and effectiveness – reduce malnutrition, which affects 40% of the population; improve the national infrastructure; deal with widespread use of child labour, bonded labour and female infanticide; tackle the rapid spread of AIDS and serious environmental degradation. Some state governments have a poor record for abuse of human rights and discrimination against Christians, Muslims and Dalits; several states have passed anti-conversion laws that, among other things, deny state benefits to low-caste people who become Christian.
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