Dr. Kranti on Christianity in India Dr. Kranti Farias, a noted educationist, past professor at St. Xavier’s College and ex-fellow of the famed Heras Institute at the college in Mumbai, delivered two talks on the history and contribution of Christians of Goa and South Kanara. She provided an overview on how Chrisitianity made its entry into Goa and then it entered the region of South Kanara in present-day Karnataka, a neighbouring state of Goa. One of the interesting point in her talk was when she said that Goans could have a DNA of the Jews. Dr. Kranti presently explores and researches this notion, as the theory was conveyed to her by a foreign researcher. Her other interesting point was that there could be the sign of early Christianity in Goa. predating the arrival of the Portuguese. She said that the Pilar fathers discovered a cross which symbolishes the Syro-Malabar tradition of Christianity. It was St. Thomas who first sowed the seeds of Chrisitianity in India when he came to Kerala during the first century. The Church in Kerela is of the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara rites. She gave briefs on the infamous Inquisition in Goa and how the Portuguese, who came seeking “souls and spices” converted the locals. The presence of missions in Kanara helped in the spread of Christainity in Kanara, she added. The author of the book, The Christian Impact in South Kanara, jOnokingly said to the Goan audience that she is a “Goan” too, as history shows that Goans migrated to Kanara to escape the Inquisition. The audience was mostly adults, and I wished there were more youngsters were present to learn about the Christian part of the history of Goa and Kanara. The event was organized by Active Goans Adults (AGA), formerly the Goan Cultural Group, at the Seniors' Centre, Square One, Mississauga, on Sept. 26.d Wish the AGA had coordinated with the Goan Overseas Association (GOA) so that there could be a better response.
Eugene Correia
