Maharashtra guv Vidyasagar Rao lauds contribution of Christians to India's progress

Mumbai, Dec 8: Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao paid glowing tributes to the Christian community in India saying that even though the community is numerically small, its contribution to the socio-economic progress of the nation has been very high.

"We are proud of you for enriching India’s social, cultural, economic and political life. The idea of India is difficult to imagine without you," the Governor said here yesterday.

He was speaking at a function organised by the Archdiocese of Bombay at Don Bosco Ground here to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the International Eucharistic Congress held in Mumbai and that of the first ever visit by Pope Paul VI to India to address the Congress.

The 38th International Eucharistic Congress was held in Mumbai from November 28 to December 6, 1964 during which Pope Paul VI had visited India. Salvatore Pennachio, delegate of Pope Francis, Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias, members of the diplomatic community and eminent people from various walks of life were present on the occasion, a Raj Bhavan release said.

The Governor commended the Church in India for maintaining the tradition of serving the poor and the needy with dedication.

Praising the Christian educational institutions in India for imparting value-based education to several generations of people, he called upon them to take up the cause of skill development in a big way.

PTI