Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Sunday Worship 22.09.2013


Pastor V. Nenglian dedicated the service with a special appeal to God to open up the hearts of the parishioners and the sick and bed ridden to be able to receive salvation in body and mind.Biakna Late Number 170, titled ‘Ka Hinna Nang Kon Pia Hi’ reminded the disciples of the Life and the number of blessed years gifted by God.  Two more hymns, ‘Ngaklah tak in Aw Ka en’ and ‘Toupa Nasiam sa lei Mihing te’ followed in succession.
Depending on the level of devotion and hunger for Christ, the worshippers were allowed a brief moment of communiqué with God.
‘Esau Silhpuan’ the outburst of emotion over the undeserved righteousness, is one of the most inspiring gospels in the contemporary Christian life. Even as the worshippers poured out their hearts to God with the music, the offering bowl was brought in. Upa Chinsum executed the ceremonious handing over of the offering.
Point-wise resolutions arrived at during the Tualsung Baptist Saptuam Upa Committee (TBSUC) Meeting held on 15 September, 2013 was heard from Upa Kamsuan, Secretary:-
(i)                 Election of Baptist Youth Fellowship Committee for 2014 scheduled on October 20, 2013
(ii)               Election of TBSUC for 2014 scheduled on Novermber 17, 2013
(iii)             Election of Tualsung Baptist Missions Committee and Dorcas Committee for 2014 scheduled on November 24, 2013
(iv)        Appointment of Upa G. Khamgoupau as Convenor and Upa Chinsum, Local Upa Khamchin Naulak and Local Upa Songzalian as members of the Committee for the upcoming Christmas and New Year Celebrations.
(v)        The planned closure of all department accounts pertaining to the current year by the 31st of December, 2013 and report by the 20th of January, 2014. Local Upa Thangkhosiam as Chief Auditor; and Piangrouding Ngaihte, Goukhangin, Thangson and Lam Benson as Auditors.
(vi)            The planned participation in the North-East Choral Competition to be conducted by the Tangkhul Christian Charitable Trust. Upa G. Khamkhanpau would be the Music Incharge.
(vii)          The birth of a child from Mrs and Mr Pauzakham of Moonlight Ministry have been felicitated with 5000 INR.
(viii)          Award of Penalty is basically aimed at purification and amending of the Church members, which is part of witnessing ministry amongst us mortals, not an act to condemn or discriminate. The following three cases have come up for consideration:-
(a)   Ginsuanmung, s/o M. Ginzalian of Pearsonmun, who eloped with Ms Mercy Lalremruati since September 5, 2013
(b)   V. Langsong s/o V. Thongkhothang, who eloped with Nengneithem since August 4, 2013
(c)    Chingbiaksang who eloped with Aditya Sarin, a non-believer since September 3, 2013.
Through the pastoral prayer followed by public approval as token of having witnessed and being in agreement with the same, the official award of penalty was formalized.

Praise resumed with ‘Who Am I’ through Olivia and Mung after which the Pastor puts a question mark on the significance of ‘Repentance’ in Salvation.

Biblical Repentance
                                                                                                            Luke Chapter 3
As part of the subject of Salvation (http://ebccdelhi.org/activities/latest-news/404-holy-communion-service--september-15-2013.html), the Pastor treated the issue of Repentance as a different topic altogether,  drawing from the Luke 3:1-14.
It’s common knowledge in Christian society that ‘we are baptized in Christ’s death’. But the crucial question is ‘how?’. If one feels sorry about the sin that inheres in, and manifests through him, that is not simply enough. A change in life comes only through a change at heart.
The prodigal son asked for his share of the property, ran away, spent on friends and pleasures. And when all is gone, he fed pigs. And then he resolved a resolution to be ready to become one of his father’s servants. And then he repented. That’s the Biblical Repentance which is not about reformation, but about transformation and regeneration.

The Vice of Non-Repentance
In the parable of the Matthew Chapter 21 the master told his sons to work in his vineyard. One of the sons refused but repented and eventually went to work nevertheless while the other agreed but did not go to work. In the case of Judas Iscariot, he repented having sold Jesus but he didn’t go back to Jesus. Ultimately he had to commit suicide. Similarly many of us turn from sin, but all those who turned from sin do not necessarily turn to God. That’s where the tragedy lies.
When Jesus kicks off His ministry he said ‘repent’ (Matthew 4:17). And when He sent disciples He told them to “ask people to repent” (Mark 6:24) which is the key to escape peril.
This is an issue of debate among Christian scholars. A rebirth sans repentance is not enough. Without repentance a man is likely to bring in his ego and cause so much of consternation in the Church and the Christian community.

Repentance, the Key to Salvation
We can safely say that being born again was earlier conceived of as ‘change in ownership’ while it is actually freedom from bondage. And there is bound to be no looking back. You have a new set of pre-occupations and matters over which you take delight in. The author of Psalms has appropriately outlined the reward of repentance, ‘..but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,  and who meditates on His law day and night’.  That is the message of John the Baptist as may be drawn from St Luke chapter 3 and Mark 1:4, ‘the baptism of repentance’, the ultimate pre-condition for attainment of salvation.
During the days of Herod, Antipas (4 BC to 39 AD) of Galilee, a client state of the Roman Empire which coincided with the days of Anna and Caiaphus in the Jewish society, word came to John the Baptist for repentance of all. Inspite of having performed baptism to numerous people, John was on record saying, “I baptized with water, but the One who comes after me will baptize in Holy Spirit”. Thus there is an undertone that points to the fact that the baptism of repentance the likes of which are administered by John the Baptist, should not be a new birth in the full sense of the term, only paving the way for the ultimate baptism to be given by Jesus Christ. The tradition in the contemporary Churches like EBCC might not follow the exact sequence, but the meaning is clear and unambiguous; the requirement of complete denunciation of pride and prejudice due to ancestry and other worldly virtues as a pre-condition for obtaining baptism by the Holy Spirit.

Changed Perspective and Complete Safety
After such repentance/baptism, a man who has anything- clothes, food, etc is advised to share to the one who has not, a revenue collector not to collect more than what is due, a soldier to abjure from violence and false accusation and be content with his pay.
As a consequence of complete disintegration of the mind, a person naturally turns to his/her master in every situations and circumstances. In other words, even at the moment of your loneliness and frustration you’ll not end up in a rope, because you have the Cross to turn to. Therein lies the value of repentance. For the scripture says that there would be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance (Luke 15:7).

Conclusion
One may be clear about forgiveness, but unless the Biblical Repentance is missing, one is bound to be lonely, frustrated and is liable to end up in extreme steps like jumping or hanging.

The sermon was followed by announcements about (i) test exams last conducted; (ii) discipleship training camp to be held from the 26th September, 2013 onwards; and (iii) introduction of first timers.

Then the congregation rose to the last hymn, ‘Toupa Na siamsa Lei Mihing te’ a musical entreaty to re-herd the scattered believers.


Thereafter the worshippers were blessed by Upa Damsawmthang.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

COINAGE IN INDIA


During the period of transition from the British rule, India retained the currency and coinage of the pre 1947 period. It’s not until the 15th August, 1950 that the country brought out its distinctive coins. The right and responsibility for coinage vests with the Government of India in terms of the Coinage Act, 1906 as amended from time to time. Thus the designing and minting of coins in various denominations is also the responsibility of the Government of India. Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd. (SPMCIL), a Miniratna Category-I, Schedule-‘A’ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), established on 13th January, 2006 manages four India Government Mints at Mumbai, Alipore (Kolkata), Saifabad (Hyderabad), Cherlapally (Hyderabad) and NOIDA (UP). During the year 2011-12 a total of 6282 million pieces of coins (mpcs) were produced,. The Coin production per employee per year has increased to 1.69 mpcs in 2011-12 as against 1.57 mpcs in the previous year.[1]
Evolution of Coins
Coins in circulation of Rs 5, 2, 1 and the 50 paise are the result of a process of evolution from the Frozen Series of one rupee being counted in 192 pices; to the Anna Series where rupee was considered to have consisted of 16 annas; the decimal series with one rupee being divided into 100 paises; until cost benefit considerations led to the gradual discontinuance of 1, 2 and 3 paise coins in the seventies.[2] From June 30, 2011 onwards, the coins of the denomination of 25 paise and below ceased to be a legal tender.[3] Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Sub Section 15 A of the Coinage Act, 1906, the Central Government decided to call in from circulation the coins of the denomination of 25 paise and below. As a result, a total of 263597333 coins, which includes 15998555 coins from Andhra Pradesh have been received.[4]
Coinization of Rupees Ten
On 24 July, 2007, the Government issued a notification in respect of coinization of rupees ten and thereafter coins of rupees 10 were put into circulation with effect from March 2009. Depending upon the capacity of the Mints to supply the required quantity of coins, RBI plans to gradually replace the rupees ten notes with coins in the country.[5]
Distribution of Coins
Coins are received from the Mints and issued into circulation through the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Regional Issue offices/sub-offices and a wide network of currency chests and coin depots maintained by banks and Government treasuries spread across the country. The RBI Issue Offices/sub-offices are located at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Belapur (Navi Mumbai), Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jammu, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna and Thiruvananthapuram. These offices issue coins to the public directly through their counters and also send coin remittances to the currency chests and small coin depots.[6]
The coins are issued for circulation only through RBI. The denomination-wise quantity of coins issued by the RBI to each regional branch during the year 2011-12 (April - October 2011) is given below:
Regional Branch
Denomination
(All pieces
in millions)




Office

1

2
5

1O
Total
Office
Allocation
Supply
Allocation
Supply
Allocation
Supply
Allocation
Supply
Allocation
Supply
Ahmedabad
125
46.25
250
160
60
42.25
30
30.4
465
278.9
Bangalore
150
98.25
350
157.71
60
19.25
25
17.6
585  
292.81
Belapur
50
20.38
100
21
30
5.5
50
14.7
230
61.58
Bhopal
50
14.75
80
35.25
40
6.75
30
16
200
72.75
Bhubaneswar
50
20.62
100
16.68
20
9.25
20
7.76
190
54.31
Chandigarh
100
32.51
190
70
50
5
40
15
380
122.51
Chennai
100
70.95
200
92.05
50
32.75
50
32
400
227.75
Guwahati
40
15.5
30
24.25
10
7.75
20
1.7
100
49.2
Hyderabad
150
111.79
260
174.19
50
24.85
50
26.63
510
337.46
Jaipur
75
22.5
75
75
30
0
20
6
200
103.5
Jammu
20
15
20
22.5
15
2.5
20
8
75
48
Kanpur
75
30
70
72.5
30
7.5
50
20
225
130
Kolkata
140
172.47
300
254.01
90
65.45
50
19.69
580
511.62
Lucknow
50
22.5
70
30
10
6.5
20
6
150
65
Mumbai
150
128.25
300
188.46
120
83.33
100
41.8
670
441.84
Nagpur
70
18.88
75
73.75
30
16.87
25
16
200
125.5
New Delhi
125
98.08
300
241.95
60
5.7
40
23.34
525
369.07
Patna
40
9.79
60
25.9
25
10.92
30
5.28
155
51.89
Thiruvananthpuram
40
26
70
44.15
20
14
30
8
160
92.15

1600
974.46
2900
1779.35
800
366.12
700
315.9
6000
3435.83
[7]http://164.100.47.132/Annexture/lsq15/9/au1894.htm  1894/ 2.12.2011
There are 4422 currency chest branches and 3784 small coin depots spread throughout the country. The currency chests and small coin depots distribute coins to the public, customers and other bank branches in their area of operation. Bulk users viz. retailers, trade bodies, associations, Chambers of Commerce etc. obtain coins after producing proof of their identity. [8]
Measures to improve the supply of coins
  • The various Mints in the country have been modernized and upgraded to enhance their production capacities.
  • Government has in the recent past, imported coins to augment the indigenous production.
  • Notes in denomination of Rs.5 have been reintroduced to supplement the supply of coins.
New initiatives for distribution
  • Coin Dispensing Machines have been installed at select Regional Offices of the Reserve Bank on pilot basis.
  • Dedicated Single-window counters have been opened in several of the Reserve Bank's offices for issuing coins of different denominations packed in pouches.
  • Mobile counters are being organised by the Reserve Bank in commercial and other important areas of the town where soiled notes can be exchanged for coins.
Appeal to the Public
The Bank, with active co-operation from various agencies, has been endeavoring to distribute the coins in an equitable manner to all parts of the country. Success of the mission calls for the unstinting support from the people at large and the various voluntary agencies. The Government from time to time requests members of public to avoid holding on to coins and instead, use them freely for transactions to ensure that there is a smooth circulation of coins.[9]
Non-acceptance of 50 paisa coins
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has received three complaints regarding non acceptance of 50 paisa coins. These are from general public alleging that 50 paisa coins are not being accepted. Complainants were advised that 50 paisa coins continue to be legal tender. The new series coins have been introduced with ` symbol and with new security features at the edge which shall facilitate easy recognition. Moreover, the edge security features shall help in avoiding crude counterfeiting of coins.[10] In terms of Section 6(1) (b) of Indian Coinage Act 2011, 50 paisa coins are legal tender up to rupees 10 in each transaction.[11] 
Distribution through Commercial Banks
The Monetary Policy Statement 2012-13 has inter alia stated that banks are expected to strengthen their distribution systems and procedures so as to cater to the growing needs of the common man. RBI has informed that shifting of these functions to the commercial banks will be effected in a calculated and calibrated manner; and only on finding evidence of suitable performance of cash related retail activities by the banks, would RBI consider exiting from retail function. Besides, while RBI will gradually withdraw from the retail function, it will continue to manage the distribution of banknotes and coins through the currency chests and bank branches. The manpower resources which will be freed as a result of exiting from the retail function will be redeployed more gainfully for effective supervision of the services rendered by commercial banks to the public.[12]

Melting of Coins and Supply Shortage
Chronologically, the main considerations influencing the coinage policy of Republic India over time have been:
·         The incorporation of symbols of sovereignty and indigenous motifs on independence;
·         Coinage Reforms with the introduction of the metric system;
·         The need felt from time to time to obviate the possibility of the metallic value of coins rising beyond the face value;
·         The cost-benefit of coinisation of currency notes
With the obvious reasons of rise in prices of goods, melting of coins by unscrupulous elements reportedly took place for making artificial jewellery etc. There have also been reports from local dailies of Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Jaipur regarding black marketing/melting of coins for manufacturing blades, artificial jewellery, bullets etc. RBI has sensitized their regional offices to take up such matters with civil/Police authorities in their region at various fora, including State Level Security Committee.[13] Also in response to complaints regarding trading/black marketing of coins taking place at Rajkot, Mumbai and New Delhi during the year 2012-13, RBI has taken up the complaints with police authorities at appropriate level. Since the trading of coins may be due to perceived shortage of coins, RBI has also taken the following steps to address the problem:

i)          More remittances of coins were sent to the Currency Chests (CCs) in the areas where shortage of coins was reported.

ii)          Shopkeepers and other business establishments, tollgate agencies, etc. have been attached to the nearest CCs for their requirements of coins.

iii)         The banks have been encouraged to install Coin Vending Machines (CVMs) for issue of coins by providing them capital subsidy.

iv)         The banks have been advised to organize coin melas for issue of coins to members of public.

v)         Issue Offices have been advised to keep minimum balances in their vaults and in CCs to ensure availability of coins to bank branches / members of public.

vi)         A higher indent for coins in all the denominations has been placed with the Government of India.[14]
Issue of Commemorative Coins
Apart from issuing regular coins the Government issues commemorative coins from time to time. Details of such coins issued during the recent time are:
Year 2007
1.         Golden Jubilee Celebration of Khadi & Village Industries Commission.
2.         150tfl Anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
3.         Platinum Jubilee celebration of Indian Air Force.
Year 2008
1.         150m Anniversary of First War of Independence.
2.         Birth Centenary of Shahid Bhagat Singh.
3.         Ter-centenary of Gur-ta-Gaddi of Shri Guru Granth Sahibji.
Year 2009
1.         200lh Birth Anniversary of `Louis Braille`.
2.         Birth Centenary of Saint Alphonsa.
3.         Birth Centenary of Perarinqnar Anna.
4.         Birth Centenary of Dr. Homi Bhabha.
5.         60 Years of Commonwealth Day.
Year-2010
1.         125th Javanthi of Dr. Rajendra Prasad. [15]

Year-2011
1.             100 years of Civil Aviation in India.
2.             100 years of Indian Council of Medical Research.
3.             150th Anniversary of Comptroller and Auditor Generalof India.
4.            150th birth Anniversary of Madan Mohan Malvaiya.[16]

Year-2012
1.         60 Years of Parliament of India 13.05.2012
2.         150th Birth Anniversary of Pandit Moti Lal Nahru 25.09.2012
3.         150th Year of Kuka Movement 05.10.2012
4.         150th Birth Anniversary of Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya 25.12.2012
5.         Silver Jubilee of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board 31.01.2013[17]

References

1.     http:www.org.in/currency
2.     Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  1599 dated 16.08.2011
3.     Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  337 dated 23.11.2012
4.     Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  1894 dated 02.12.2011
5.     Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  2888 dated 29.08.2012
6.     Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  4318 dated 22.08.2013
7.     Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  1991 dated 02.12.2011
8.     Reply to Lok Sabha SQ No.   450 dated 26.04.2013
9.     Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  3986 dated 05.09.2012
10.  Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  6007 dated 03.05.2013
11.  Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  2512 dated 12.03.2010
12.  Annual Report Ministry of Finance Government of India 2011-12
13.  Annual Report Ministry of Finance Government of India 2012-13





[1] Annual Report Ministry of Finance Government of India 2012-13

[2] http://www.rbi.org.in/currency/museum/c-rep.html
[3] Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No. 1599 dated 16.08.2011
[4] Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No. 2988 dated 30.03.2012
[5] Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No. 337 dated 23.11.2012
[6] http://www.rbi.org.in/currency/museum/c-rep.html
[7] Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No. 1894 dated 02.12.2011
[8] Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  2888 dated 29.08.2012
[10]  Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.   4318 dated 22.03.2013.
[11] Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  1991 dated 02.12.2011
[12] Reply to Lok Sabha SQ No. 450 dated 26.04.2013
[13] Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  3986 dated 05.09.2012
[14] Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  6007 dated 03.05.2013
[15] Reply to Lok Sabha USQ No.  2512 dated 12.03.2010
[16] Annual Report Ministry of Finance Government of India 2011-12
[17] Annual Report Ministry of Finance Government of India 2012-13