Kerala is a small state tucked away in the South West corner of India. It represents only 1.18% of the total area of India but 3.43% of the total population of the country is in Kerala. Kerala has a reputation of being, communally, one of the most religiously diverse states in India. According to 2011 Census of India figures, Christians makes 18.38% of Kerala’s total population.
Man is God’s gift to a land. The land is God’s gift to man. No wonder, there is a human instinct of love for the motherland. People go to the extent of saying that their nationality is their proudest boast.
This should apply to us as Keralites in a special way. We have heard tourists complimenting the natural beauty and scenic splendors of Kerala.
Credits: Shamsi Jasmine
This association has become a ‘BEACON-LIGHT’ to the community in this cosmopolitan city.
Scenic beauty and splendour apart, there is a more significant charm and attraction towards Kerala for Christians. Kerala is one of the ancient cradles of Christianity. As early as 52 A.D. St. Thomas the Apostle evangelized Kerala. It has continued the unbroken tradition down through the centuries. Persian colonists and European missionaries have further contributed to the growth of Christianity in Kerala. This admixture of the native Persian and European Christians have given it a kaleidoscope pattern of unity in diversity. Very great cultural fusion has also taken place among us.
We hear of the St. Thomas Christians, the Syro-Malabar Catholics, the Syro-Malankara Catholics, the Latin Catholics and several other denominations of Christians that spread in Kerala after the reformation. Kerala has the largest population of ancient Christian, who despite their differences in details of faith, grew up and continue to be a God oriented people. It remains a mystery, that while most of the countries which received the Christian faith long after we had received it in Kerala, had become post Christian.
Kerala received a continuing favourite treatment from the Lord preserving its Christian character, inspite of it being a minority religion in Kerala.
The Keralites who travelled from the southern tip of this country to the ‘Gateway of India’ in search of a better living and opportunities, have brought with them the rich culture and heritage which has enabled them to form this Association to look after the cultural, social, educational and spiritual needs of the Malayalees in general and the Catholic community in particular.
To go back in the history a little, it was when the Keralites were denied migration to Sri Lanka and also on account of the British colonial suppression and atrocities in the Country during the pre-independence struggle, opportunities were much less and one had to make do in their home-towns with meagre earnings. It was only with freedom in 1947 that Citizens were free to go to any nook and corner of the Country in search of better prospects and opportunities and it was at that time that many well-educated and enterprising Malayalees found their way to various cities in the country and Mumbai was no exception.
Now this association has become a ‘BEACON-LIGHT to the community in this cosmopolitan city.
The Kerala Catholic Association, Bombay is rightly proud of its completion of more than 63 glorious years of dedicated service and historic achievements not only for themselves but also for the vast community in Mumbai.
All Our Praiseworthy Units
The main motto of the KCA is well defined in the purpose and objectives as mentioned in the ‘MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION’ which is simple to promote unity, solidarity and better understanding among the Kerala Catholics of Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai and to work for their educational, Social, Cultural and spiritual progress and to further this by charitable work.
The contribution given by our Units has been tremendous and the great feelings of Oneness has made our foundation solid to promote ourselves into the coming years of progress and achievements for the betterment of the Community.
Bulletin
The founding members felt the need for a Christian publication to reflect the news and views of the Association to be distributed amongst its members to fill the communication gap. The first issue of the Bulletin was published in May, 1962. In 1963, the Bulletin had undergone drastic changes, enlarged its size and added more pages to include Articles, Matrimonial Advertisements, and made it Bi-Monthly.
In 1988, we got the registration from the Registrar of Newspapers, New Delhi. Our Bulletin is widely circulated all throughout India.
