Church council greets nation on Republic Day

The apex body of the Protestant and Orthodox churches in India greeted the nation on the occasion of the 61st Republic Day.

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), in a statement, saluted the Indian citizens for "upholding the spirit of the Country's strong democratic systems, diverse faith, ideological persuasions and rich secular traditions."

"The NCCI recognizes that it is this conscientious spirit of every citizen that continues to nurture the spirit of plurality within which the Country holds together as one united Nation," it stated.

Republic Day marks the adoption of the Constitution of India and the transition of India from a British Dominion to a republic on January 26, 1950. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is the chief guest of this year's RD function.

Vowing to recommit itself in serving the nation, the NCCI representing over 13 million Christians, pledged its service for the "last, lost and least" of India.

The Council appealed to its member churches and like-minded citizens to unitedly address the "debilitating forces of mono-culture, forced impoverishment and the culture of insensitivity to the disadvantaged."

It condemned the "perpetuation of caste-based hegemony, undermining of tribal and ethnic identities and the discrimination based on religion" and called for a holistic approach for better tomorrow.

The ecumenical body also appealed to the Law and Policy makers to "keep the flag of collegiality and comradeship flying high in all matters of polity and public governance, through which the interests of the Nation could be addressed."