How will India navigate a world on the brink of a trade war? (April 3, 2025, BBC)
Donald Trump's blanket tariffs have put the world on the brink of a possible global trade war. The European Union has vowed a united response, and China has threatened countermeasures. How will India - Asia's third largest economy - navigate these global tremors?
‘I’ve seen people stop their cars to pick up litter’: how one city cleaned up its streets (April 4, 2025, The Guardian)
This is what usually happens in India: a politician wakes up and launches a cleanliness “drive” with fanfare. They ostentatiously start sweeping a street and speak solemnly about civic duty while the media take photos. The next day it’s over and things go back to how they were before. But not in Indore in Madhya Pradesh.
Attack, Assault, Arrest, Repeat (March 11, 2025, Christianity Today) (Subscription required)
In February, a mob of 200 people interrupted a Christian worship service in Rajasthan state and beat congregants with iron rods, leaving three severely injured. “Our prayer is … that one day we can practice our faith without fear…”
Middle Class 2.0: Changing employment sector in India, and its one big challenge (February 17, 2025, The Indian Express) (Subscription required)
The top 5 IT firms (TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL and Tech Mahindra) employ more Indians today than the Railways or the armed forces. Similarly, private sector banks have more employees compared with their state-owned counterparts. But India still has a major job challenge beyond services.
How a tiny village became India's YouTube capital (February 18, 2025, BBC)
Tulsi is like any other Indian village. The small outpost in the central state of Chhattisgarh is home to one-storey houses and partially paved roads. A water storage tank peers out above the buildings, overseeing the town. Banyan trees with concrete bases serve as gathering spots. But what sets Tulsi apart is its distinction as India's "YouTube Village".
Mob attacks 50 Christians gathered for church service in India (February 21, 2025, The Baptist Paper)
“In recent years, Christians have been increasingly subjected to assaults, humiliation and the loss of their livelihoods and belongings by far-right religious nationalists who make clearly baseless accusations of forceful conversion. Meanwhile, those who carry out these attacks enjoy complete impunity…”
Indian Christians Stopped an Anticonversion Law. Until Now. (February 17, 2025, Christianity Today)
Believers in Arunachal Pradesh who faced persecution in the 1970s fear a new wave of repression is coming. Christian leaders who lived through persecution are watching as the state once again turns its gaze toward them. “We have faced persecution before, and we stood firm. This time will be no different.”
Don't let the uncouth Indian tag catch on (January 10, 2025, The Economic Times)
Goa, India's popular tourist destination, is experiencing anger against domestic tourists on social media. The region’s 'susegad' spirit is being strained by over-tourism and unruly behavior of many visitors. This situation reflects a broader issue seen in other tourist hotspots globally. Indian tourists need to be more mindful of their behavior.
Christian Leaders in India Issue Stern Appeal to Government (January 2, 2024, Morning Star News)
More than 400 Christian leaders in India ended 2024 with a strongly-worded appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put an end to a surge in violence against Christians that was especially heightened during the Christmas season. Prime minister faulted for not condemning persecution.
India is in the midst of an electric vehicle revolution – and Australia should tap in (September 19, 2024, The Conversation)
The Indian government’s financial incentives include waiving registration fees on electric vehicles. Allocated distinctive green numberplates under the national registration system, these vehicles stand out from the rest.
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Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
Blessing Asia
In October-2022 more than 500 Christian leaders from across Asia gathered in Thailand for the Asia 2022 Congress, sponsored by the Lausanne Movement and various partnering organizations. I had the opportunity to participate in the Congress virtually and was mightily blessed. From Bible exposition to K-pop worship, and through seminars and workshops, the participants were encouraged by the stories of what God is doing in countries all over Asia. Clearly, God is on the move.
A beautiful vision was portrayed in a video of the popular worship song The Blessing, featuring singers from all over Asia. Here it is:
Many of the sessions have already been posted on their website and to their YouTube channel.
One that I found particularly helpful considering all that is going on in China was a presentation titled Church and State Relationship in Asia Today. You can see the video here.
I encourage you to spend some time on their website; there are fantastic resources for understanding God’s work in Asia today.
Original link: https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/blog-entries/blessing-asia/
Image credit: Andrea Brucker, via Unsplash
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