Two Books By Subash Celestine Rozario of Bangladesh

Shomobye Reendan Shomity: Shebakaje Anondo O Bedona
(Cooperative Credit Society: Joy and Sorrow of Community Services)
-- a book by Subash Celestine Rozario

Shomobye Reendan Shomity: Shebakaje Anondo O Bedona (Cooperative Credit Society: Joy and Sorrow of Community Services) is the first Bengali-language book of Subash Celestine Rozario, published by himself in 2016. Originally, from Bangladesh, now settled in Maryland, USA, Mr. Rozario has an extensive working knowledge and experience in Dhaka as a teacher of St. Gregory's High School and an executive of the Caritas Bangladesh and Christian Cooperative Credit Union Ltd., Dhaka. 

This 144-page book provides some background information on cooperative movement in Europe and then Bangladesh, highlighting Christian cooperative credit union movement with its structures, functions, laws, advantages, services, and persons involved in it. He gives some important information on the role of American Holy Cross priest, Father Charles J. Young, CSC, played in raising the consciousness of some Christians in Dhaka for the need of a cooperative credit union and their role in it. As a result, the Christian Cooperative Credit Union, Ltd., Dhaka, came into being in 1955 and in next decades saved hundreds of local Catholics and Protestants from falling into the grip of non-Christian money-lenders charging exorbitant rates of interest on loans. Following its example, some other Christian cooperative credit unions came into being in different Catholic parishes of the Bhawal and Atharogram of Dhaka as well as some parishes in Mymensingh and Dinajpur dioceses.  

This book also speaks of the formation and activities of the Cooperative Credit Union League of Bangladesh Ltd. (CCULB) and the Metropolitan Christian Cooperative Housing Society Ltd. 

Mr. Rozario's personal involvement and witness to many events make this book more authentic. He emphasized the importance of following cooperative principles and rules strictly and having honest, enthusiastic, and self-sacrificing leadership in different types of cooperatives. 

This writer was also forthright in mentioning some weaknesses of leadership in some of these organizations that brought shame as well as raised the question of transparency and financial accountability in some of the straying executives and leaders.

Shonar Khanchar Dingulo: St. Gregory High School and Caritas Bangladesh (Enchanting Days)
 -- a book by Subash Celestine Rozario

Shonar Khanchar Dingulo: St. Gregory High School and Caritas Bangladesh is the second book of Subash Celestine Rozario published in August 2018. 

In this book, he mentions his active participation as a teacher for 16 years in St. Gregory's High School in Dhaka, 11 years as an executive in Caritas Bangladesh and five years as the head of CORR -- The Jute Works. 

In addition, he provides a historical background of the city of Dhaka as well as of St. Gregory's High School, Caritas Bangladesh, and CORR -- The Jute Works. He also gives detailed accounts of activities of these institutions and organizations. His eye-witness accounts are fascinating to read. 

Subash Celestine Rozario,
the author of the above-mentioned books

'Amar Praner Psalmgeet': A Bengali-Language Musical Notation Book and A CD on the Psalms of the Bible

Amar Praner Psalmgeet -- the first volume of the
Bengali-language musical notation book on the Psalms 

Amar Praner Psalmgeet -- the first CD
of Bengali-language songs on some selected Psalms

Dr. Bartholomeo Prottyush Shaha's Amar Praner Psalmgeet (My beloved psalms) is the first volume, covering 50 of the total of 150 Biblical psalms. The author of this Bengali-language book wrote the lyrics, based on the original psalms, and also produced their musical notations.

These psalms, popular among Bengali-speaking Catholics in Bangladesh and abroad, are used in the Holy Mass and other worship services. 

Dr. Bartholomeo Prottyush Shaha playing on the harmonium in Bangladesh

Dr. Shaha, hailing from Chittagong of Bangladesh, has been writing lyrics and music notations of various music genre since 1965. Many of his musical creations found a place in the Geetaboli, a Catholic book of songs, published by the Pratibeshi Prakashoni in Dhaka, Bangladesh. So far he has three musical notation books to his credit. 

He was involved with the YMCAs of Hong Kong and Geneva (Switzerland) holding executive positions. 

'Probondoshomogro': A Book of Essays and Articles by Father Benjamin Costa, C.S.C.

The book cover of Probondoshomogro, written by Father Benjamin Costa, C.S.C., 
the then Acting Vice-Chancellor of  Notre Dame University Bangladesh

This 400-page Bengali-language book, by Father Benjamin Costa, C.S.C. – former professor and Acting Vice-Chancellor of Notre Dame University Bangladesh, was published in early 2017 by Lekhaprokash of Dhaka.

It contains a collection of 58 write-ups, previously published in different newspapers, magazines, and journals in Bangladesh.

The main thread of his writings is God is love and we need to put that love into practice in our daily lives irrespective of our professions and religions.

The varied topics he covered in his book are:

• God, and being holy like God
• Jesus Christ (Christmas, Easter, Jesus as the ideal teacher)
• Kingdom of God: social perspectives
• Catholic Church and other Christian Churches
• Role of Churches in spreading Christ’s teachings
• Unity of Christian Churches
• Spirituality, and personal and collective spirituality
• The spirituality of religion teachers
• Spiritual formation of social-development workers
• Father Basil Moreau’s vision and present-day Congregation of Holy Cross
• The Congregation of Holy Cross in Bangladesh: its past and present situation
• Holy Cross Novitiate in Bangladesh
• History of the formation of priest-candidates of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Bangladesh
• Moral and spiritual formation of children and adolescents
• Family being the seed-beds of religious vocations
• Role of family in building a corruption-free society
• Role of youth organizations in the formation of values
• Role of the youth in the present realities of life
• Characteristics of a successful youth leader
• Teaching and teachers, and the role of teachers in changing societies
• The necessity of self-giving and self-dedication in the teaching profession
• How to curb students' increasing cheating or cribbing tendencies in academic tests and examinations
• Human rights, including those of minority communities, in the light of the Bangladesh Constitution
• Human rights, labour rights, and family rights
• Justice for peace and harmony in society
• Women’s rights in Christianity and present situation
• Basic and indivisible inheritance of all peoples
• The need for prayers for world peace and welfare of peoples
• Inter-religious communion and harmony
• Peaceful coexistence and cooperation among followers of different faiths
• Religious directions on religious fraternity and harmony
• Poet Nazrul Islam and inter-religious harmony
• Medical care is a liberating service
• Non-violence and world peace
• Globalization of religious beliefs
• Role of religion in countering terrorism
• Role of families in countering terrorism 

This book will enlighten both Christian and non-Christian readers, who can learn something valuable from it for the benefit of themselves and others.

'Angshik Holeo Shotto' Is A Book of Reminiscence

The cover of the book, Angshik Holeo Shotto

David Swapan Rozario's book, Angshik Holeo Shotto (It's true, though partially), is a 228-page Bengali-language book, published in January this year. This book reminisces his childhood and adolescent experiences at Rangamatia Village of Gazipur

District, Bangladesh; his work life at the Bangladesh Biman Airlines offices in Dhaka and certain other countries; some observations on Catholic religious teachings, Christmas season, and some personalities; and his and his wife's travels to different cities of India, Thailand, Singapore, Italy, Canada, and the USA.

The 37 topics, written in the popular style, make interesting reading. 

The book was published from Hartford, Connecticut, USA.

The NSCTC Launches Its New Catalogue of Catholic Books, Posters, CDs and DVDs

Some of the Catholic books of the NSCTC

The main building of the National Social Catechetical Training Centre (NSCTC)  at Jessore, Bangladesh

Photo courtesy: NSCTC

The National Social Catechetical Training Centre (NSCTC) of Jessore, Bangladesh, recently published its latest Bengali-language catalogue of its books, posters, CDs and DVDs. This particular catalogue is now online at Jerome D’Costa Documents website. 

Interested Bengali-speaking readers, living abroad, will now be able to place their orders through the email and telephone numbers mentioned in the catalogue. 

The catalogued items are divided into following categories: the Bible, biography, catechism, Catholic dictionary, Catholic terminology, Christian life, Christian martyrs, Church Fathers, Church history, healing, holy sacraments, inter-Church and inter-religious issues, liturgy, meditations, pastoral work, plays and songs, social teachings of the Church, and spirituality. The centre also publishes the subscription-based bimonthly magazine 'Mongolbarta' (Good News) in Bengali.

Father Sergio Targa is the director of this centre and Father Silvano Garello, S.X., based in Dhaka, is the editor and one of the writers and translators of books. The National Social Catechetical TrainingCentre has to date published more than 230 books.

Two Books on Civil Laws Affecting the Christian Community in Bangladesh

On my visit to Bangladesh in January 2012, I came across two books on civil laws that directly affect the Christian community in Bangladesh. These two books deal with laws that were not available in print to the public until their recent publication. The British, when ruling the greater India (present India, Bangladesh and Pakistan), had codified these laws.

I present below some details on these books.

 

1. Ain Shohaika (a helpful guide to laws) by James Hilton (Dhaka: Shalom Foundation, Road 17, House 12, Nikunja-2, Khilkhet, Dhaka-1217, Bangladesh; 2011; Price Tk. 200=US $ 2.50).

Since the printed version of the laws, affecting the Christian community, are not available, Christians, in general, were ignorant of their rights and responsibilities codified in the civil laws regarding their marriage, divorce, and succession. The author of this book says that in law, ignorance is not bliss, it is neither an excuse. That’s why James Hilton’s book has filled a long-time want for the first time. In the future, these laws need to be extensively analysed and interpreted by competent persons for a better understanding of them by the Christians as well as lawyers. 

The Content of the Book: The first part of the book, written in Bengali, gives a synopsis of the specific laws affecting Christians (Christian Marriage Act of 1872, Christian Divorce Act of 1869, Christian Succession Act of 1925, and The Evidence Act of 1872, The Foreigners Act of 1946). It also briefly gives some additional information on other relevant laws -- enacted in Pakistan and Bangladesh periods -- (e.g. the effect of conversion on marriage; Muslim Family Laws; Muslim Women and Divorce; Hindu Family Laws; Garo Family Laws; The First Information Report (F.I.R.); Granting Bail; Defamation; Crimes Related to Religions; Bangladesh Penal Code; Laws Relating to Sale and Purchase of Land; General Diary (G.D.); Muslim Family Laws, Domestic Court and Abuse of Women; Trial of Complaint; State Acquisition and Tenancy Act; Pre-emption; and Enemy Property. 

The second part of the book provides the original codified laws in English (Christian Marriage Act of 1872; The Divorce Act of 1869; and The Succession Act of 1925).

James Hilton, the author of this book, belonging to the Baptist Church, has an M.A. in History and Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Dhaka. He was a long-time government civil servant both in Pakistan and Bangladesh periods. He served as a Deputy Magistrate and Collector, and later as a Magistrate in different districts and sub-divisions and rose to the status of a Joint Secretary in the Secretariat in Dhaka before his retirement in 1991. He was then the Executive Director of World Vision of Bangladesh for six years and a Regional Consultant for Asia-Pacific Region of World Vision International for one-and-a-half years. Later he has been volunteering his services for several Christian religious and social service organizations in Dhaka.

  

 

2. Christan Uttoradhikar Ain (Christian succession laws) by Advocate Paul D’Costa (Dhaka: Heaven & Holy Prakashan, 165-A First Rajabazar, Tejgaon, Dhaka-1215; 2011; Price: Tk. 270=U.S. $ 3.35). 

This 183-page book in Bengali has been written based on the Succession Act of 1925. It also provides analysis and interpretation of the laws. 

The Content of the Book: This book includes the Succession Act of 1925, Intestate Succession, Rules in Cases of Intestate Other Than Parsis, Distribution Where There Are Lineal Descendants, Distribution Where There Are No Lineal Descendants, Christian Succession Act in Bangladesh, Relations Among Christian Successors, Wife’s Portion in the Succession Act, Children's Share in the Succession Act, General Questions on This Act, Garo Succession Laws, Deficiency of the Succession Act and Reflections on It, and Interview of Other Christian Lawyers and Experts on the Christian Succession Act.

This book is an important addition in the published law books in Bangladesh and Christians now have an easy access to these laws.

Paul D’Costa, a Roman Catholic, has an M.A. and Bachelor of Laws degrees from Dhaka. He has been writing for various journals and publications. He has written two other books, Doinondin Jiboney Ain Shohaika (Helpful guide to laws in daily life) and Unnoyon Protiti (An insight into development). He is a practicing lawyer and a notary public. He is also involved as a legal adviser to some Christian organizations in Dhaka.

Two Bengali Books on Archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC, Published So Far

The Catholic Church declared Archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC (1920-1977), of the Archdiocese of Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Servant of God – the first step in his canonization process. He was the first Bangali (Bengalee) principal of Notre Dame College, Dhaka and the first Bangali bishop and archbishop in Bangladesh. Catholics and non-Catholics alike appreciated his virtuousness and exemplary life. 

Until now, two books in Bengali on the life of Archbishop Ganguly have been published in Bangladesh. We present below some information on these two books.

      1. Bangladesh Mondolir Gourab Archbishop Ganguly (Archbishop Ganguly: The Pride of the Bangladesh Church) by Bernard Swapon Gomes (Dhaka: Archbishop T. A. Ganguly Memorial Trust, Archbishop’s House, 1988). 

This 36-page booklet gives a portrait of the archbishop’s childhood; his studies at Bandura Holy Cross primary and high schools; his time at the Little Flower preparatory seminary at Bandura of Dhaka District; his philosophy and theology studies at St. Albert’s Major Seminary in Ranchi of Bihar State in India; his higher studies (M.A. and Ph.D.) at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; his teaching and principalship at Notre Dame College of Dhaka; his elevation to the position of the auxiliary bishop and later to the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka; his death and crowded burial; and, finally, his contributions and  qualities that endeared him to people of all creeds.  

     2. Dibaloker Ujjal Nokkhotra Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC (Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC: The Bright Day Star) by Father Adam S. Pereira, CSC (Dhaka:  The Congregation of Holy Cross – Bangladesh, Moreau House, Bonosree, Rampura, 2011). 

 

This latest 165-page biography portrays the complete life of Archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC: his birth and childhood, studies and seminary life, priesthood, and entrance to the Congregation of Holy Cross, his ministry as a priest, his life as a bishop and archbishop, his untimely death, and the Church announcement of him being the Servant of God. 

This book has some additional information and photos on his life that is not available in the first booklet mentioned above.

These two books are a must for those interested in the life of the Servant of God Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC.

Two Books on the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh

(L-R:) The Chittagong Hill Tracts: Life and Nature at Risk
and Bangladesher Khudra Jatishattar Sangskriti --
two books on the ethnic groups of Bangladesh

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I came across two profusely illustrated books that speak of the situation of the small ethnic groups of the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. These groups, in face of dominant and encroaching Bangali (Bengalee) community, are struggling for their land, economic development, culture, and language.

The book on the left, The Chittagong Hill Tracts: Life and Nature at Risk, edited by Philip Gain, deals with life, administration, state hegemony, women's survival and resistance, and, finally, culture, identity, and development. Raja Devasish Roy, Amena Mohsin, Meghna Guhathakurta, Prashanta Tripura and Philip Gain are authors of chapters.

The book on the right, Bangladesher Khudra Jatishattar Sangskriti (Culture of Small Ethnic Communities of Bangladesh), in Bengali, is edited by Philip Gain and Partha Shankar Shaha, speaks of ethnic groups' culture, cultural rights, linguistic challenges, political struggles, and attempts for cultural links and unity between these groups and the majority Bengalee population.

Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) is the publisher of these books.