Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Jul 04: India, The Seven Union Territories
India
Republic of India
Asia
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Geography
Area: 3,166,000 sq kmA further 121,000 sq km of Kashmir, a contested area, is administered by Pakistan and China. Geographically and politically, India dominates South Asia and the Indian Ocean. There are 28 Union States and 7 Union Territories.
Population: 1,214,464,312 Annual Growth: 1.44%
Capital: Delhi
Urbanites: 30.1%
HDI Rank: 134 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 2,533 (88% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Constitutionally there are 22 official languages. The official language is Hindi (spoken by 40% of the population). English is a subsidiary official language Languages: 456 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Hinduism| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 71,011,000 | 5.84 | 3.7 |
| Evangelicals | 26,290,283 | 2.2 | 3.9 |
| Hinduism | 902,711,323 | 74.33 |
Challenge for Prayer
Hinduism is the world’s third-largest religious system. Hinduism, most broadly understood, is a civilizational dynamic incorporating every aspect of life, embracing those who live in or identify with India and its culture. As a religion, it is a pluralistic network of religious beliefs and systems ranging from the philosophical (self-realization), to Vedic-influenced rituals, to popular expression (idols), to village Hinduism (animism, occultism). It absorbs elements of any religion it encounters and is widely regarded as an inclusive religion, one of tolerance and peace. Its global influence is significant through movements such as yoga, Hare Krishna/ISKCON, New Age, Art of Living and others. Many concepts of Hinduism have become part of 21st Century postmodern culture – yoga, gurus, karma, dharma, reincarnation and transcendental meditation. How can we pray?a) Hinduism has strong cultural appeal, yet in their search for fulfilment and purpose, Hindus still long for true communion with the Creator. Pray that Christians (considered as “Western”) may demonstrate, in authentic Indian cultural expressions, true spirituality and the transformation Christ brings.
b) The Hindu caste system remains a major issue. It has been only partly addressed through constitutional equality, the legal ban on discrimination and affirmative action favouring the underprivileged in education and government jobs. The rising demands by Dalits for their constitutional rights and for a share in the land and wealth of the country, and by tribals for protection of their ancestral lands and ways, are often met by obstruction, intimidation and repression. Pray that:
i The government may wisely handle the realities of casteism and the impoverishment of a large percentage of the population. This includes dealing firmly with violence against Dalit and tribal communities and applying affirmative action to all Dalits, irrespective of their religion.
ii The Christian response may be both biblical and Christlike, ministering to all oppressed people while rooting out casteism within its own ranks. About 80% of all Christians are of Dalit or tribal communities, and the average Hindu associates Christianity with the underclasses of their society.
iii The churches. Pray that in their outreach they may be sensitive to the caste networks and facilitate people movements to Christ, and that in their fellowship they may work toward elimination of the dividing walls of society. Many churches are themselves guilty of caste-based discrimination.
c) Hindutva extremism casts a baleful shadow over India. Militant Hindus of the RSS, Bajrang Dal, Durga Bahini, Shiv Sena, VHP and Sangh Parivar have infiltrated their members into every influential part of society, gaining a notable measure of political power and patronage. They are attempting to promote revisionist histories, to institutionalize discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities and to control the media. The Hindutva ideology of “India is Hindu only” is used to justify intimidation and violence against Muslims and Christians, stigmatizing them as “foreign” faiths. Pray that:
i Communal violence might end, and its instigators repent and find Christ.
ii Christians and Christian leaders might be united and courageous in the face of widespread and localized persecution. Attacks number over 1,000 a year. They are sporadic and concentrated in BJP-ruled states.
iii The “re-conversion” programme of Hindu extremists might not succeed and that threatened Christians may stand firm in Christ whatever the cost.
iv Christians may show the love and forgiveness of Christ to their persecutors.
For an additional 14 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of India.The Seven Union Territories
India
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Challenge for Prayer
Andaman and Nicobar Islands have 436,118 inhabitants on 38 islands in the Bay of Bengal. Over 20% of the population are Christian; over 90% of the indigenous Nicobarese are Christian. The unreached include the four isolated negrito peoples of the Andamans - only 450 people, but all mission work is forbidden among them. GFA, The Bible Society and others now seek to reach these and other communities. In both sets of islands, there are just over 300 people groups - nearly all are in need of outreach. Hindus comprise 69% and Muslims 8% of the population. The coasts and lower-lying islands were devastated by the 2004 tsunami.For an additional Challenge for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
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