Dr Jeanette Pinto –
The 19th century experienced the Industrial revolution, followed by subsequent civil revolutions in Europe, resulting in unfortunate issues that prohibited millions of people to enjoy equal access to social goods. Peoples of third world countries became targets for exploitation for their goods and resources. It is important that people have equal access to education, health care, employment and other opportunities so that all members of society are physically and psychologically safe and secure. If it is absent, then this is reason enough why we should care to create a society that is equitable.
The World Day of Social Justice was designated and recognized by the UN General Assembly on 20 February 2009. Its main goal is to raise awareness of social justice and to bring together diverse communities around the world to eradicate poverty, and various discriminations. It serves as a platform for raising awareness of social justice issues worldwide. It also helps promote fairness and equity across many aspects of society in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. Everyone deserves equal economic, political, social rights and opportunities.
Communities can take up the challenge and help their people. An example in point is the Mizo people, an ethnic group native to Mizoram, a region of great natural beauty, variety of landscapes, rich in fauna and flora. They are an indigenous people who speak various Mizo-Kuki- Chin languages. About 20% of Mizoram’s population lives below the poverty line; 87% of the people follow Christianity, while the rest follow either Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam. The Mizo folk are a gregarious, simple, carefree and peace-loving people. There is no class distinction and no discrimination on grounds of sex.
Since the days of the chieftains, they have been a society knitted together by a peculiar code of social ethics with moral values based on ‘Tlawmngaihna’. It means always being ready to assist others or selfless service for others, a rare principle, much in tune with Christianity. This ensures that no one becomes a burden for others. It also helps everyone to be hospitable, kind, and unselfish in reaching out to others.
Agriculture is their main occupation, and they practice Jhum or shifting cultivation. An arduous task of jhum operation is jungle clearing like the remnants of burning. The Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram during the month of March; it is the Spring festival celebrated with gaiety. Rice is the staple food of Mizoram. However, the Mizos love to add non-vegetarian ingredients in every dish, namely fish, chicken, pork and beef are popular meats.
It is a traditional practice that each Mizo family puts aside a handful of rice at every meal. Every home rich or poor, young or old follows this custom. They collect the rice and later offer this to their church. The church in turn sells the rice and generates income, which helps support the poor in their community. Surprisingly, this ministry started in Mizoram over a hundred years ago in 1910. The concept became so popular over the years that giving was not limited to some individuals.
Youngsters grow up with this customary giving practice called Buhfai Tham – a Christian service that anyone can do. Over time people started to also give not only rice but firewood, vegetables, and also cash, making the Church self sufficient. The Bible encourages selfless giving from our heart as the spirit prompts us, “not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor.9:7) In 1914 the money received from ‘a handful of rice’ was about Rs 80/ but by the year 2010, the amount was in lakhs of Rupees. They have no foreign funding all the money is raised within among themselves. Today they are able to support not only their church, but also about 1800 mission workers, and are able to also send missionaries overseas.
Unfortunately, inequality in India appears largely driven by rising wealth and income. Tax evasion and corruption has made the rich become richer. The most popular social Issues are poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, healthcare, Child labour, and gender violence. Most of these emanate from the rigid social institutions like Caste system. Greed and selfishness are also responsible. Christians must explore ways and means to deal with these social injustices.
What does Jesus say about social justice? In the parable of the ‘Widow and the Judge’, Jesus said, “Now will not God judge in favour of his own people who cry to him day and night for help? Will he be slow to help them? I tell you he will judge in their favour and do it quickly.” (Luke 18:7-8) Indeed, social justice is an extension of God’s love in protecting and defending those who can’t defend themselves. Lepers, orphans and widows are often mentioned in the Bible as people being less fortunate and marginalised.
God promises that those who pursue justice and extend their heart and hands to the poor, will be blessed and lack nothing. If every small community takes care of its sufficiency, like the Mizo people, there would be practically no issues or problems of injustices. This is why we should care.
Dr Jeanette Pinto, an educator for the past 5 decades, headed the Department of History was Vice Principal of St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, and retired as Principal of Sophia College, Mumbai. She is a counsellor and conductor of Personal Enrichment Programmes for students and teachers.
She set up the Human Life Committee in the Archdiocese of Bombay. As a sex educator she has given talks on Human Sexuality in India and abroad. In 2014 she received the Rachana Outstanding Woman of the Year for her Pro-life work presented by the Diocese of Mangalore. She has attended many National and International Pro-life conferences and given talks at other fora on various women’s issues.
She is author of a couple of books, her most recent ones are titled: I’m Pro-Life Are you? & Sex Talk: Parent to Child. She has also written a number of articles on a variety of themes and subjects, which have been published in research journals, The Examiner and other Catholic publications.