By C.M.Paul
Darjeeling – A priest of Darjeeling diocese has successfully completed single handedly 50 episodes of weekly television program in which he show cases outstanding achievers of the Christian community.
The 50th episode broadcast last Sunday featured the first Catholic FM station in the region – Radio Salesian 90.8 FM.
The programme called ‘Divya Vani Prastuti’ (Divya Vani presentation) on Darjeeling TV “is an attempt in bringing Christ’s love to every household through their TV screens and in the regional language,” says faculty member at Dept of Mass Communication at St Joseph’s College North Point and television anchor Fr Alex Gurung.
Fr Gurung says, “to keep up with rolling times of latest technologies and rapid development of mass media, the Divya Vani centre is patched up with Darjeeling Television (DTV), one of the leading news coverage groups in the Darjeeling Hills.”
The first progamme of “Divya Vani Prastuti” was aired on 22nd December, 2015, at 7.30 pm.
Fr Gurung adds, “The TV programme ‘ Divya Vani Prastuti’ is well received by many viewers and the centre is trying its utmost to reach out to audience with relevant messages on Social, Educational, Family, Professional / Vocational aspects and Spiritual needs of many, through this telecast.”
Forty four years old Fr Gurung, bubbles with a sparkle in his eyes when he narrates how he collaborates with Darjeeling Television (DTV) and says proudly, “we telecast a weekly programme that is aired in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Every week we bring before the viewers aspects of our Church like the Bishop’s message, talks about the Family Commission, Small Christian Communities, Diocesan Social Service, packaged with interview of various people from different walks of Catholic life, documentaries, and testimonies.”
The most recent achievement of Divya Vani Pastoral Centre is the housing of Darjeeling Television, English coaching class, and accommodation of two prayer service fellowship groups, on Sundays, at Divya Vani.
Bishop Stephen Lepcha of Darjeeling says, “Fr. Alex Gurung secretary to the Media commission Darjeeling diocese launched Divya Vani prastuti [show] on weekend Saturday / Sunday in collaboration with Darjeeling television local Chanel . It covers most of the Darjeeling hill regions. It was trying to give all the good news of what the Catholic Church was / is doing and also covering the news [and] views as well . I am obviously glad that we in the diocese of Darjerling is able to communicate with others about all that we are doing in the name Jesus.”
Bishop does not hesitate to add, “We got quite many positive response from the viewers It completed already 50 episodes. Looking forward to do better.”
Inspired by the Scripture and exhorted by the Church document ‘Lumen Gentium‘, the Diocese of Darjeeling under the leadership of its first bishop late Eric Benjamin of revered memory completed and inaugurated in 1984 an audiovisual centre which was named ‘ Divya Vani ‘ which means Divine Voice in Sanskrit.
“Divya Vani is a Diocesan Pastoral Centre which provides opportunities to Christ’s faithful for various types of on-going formation in Catechetics, Liturgy, Scriptures and Spirituality. Through various educational and spiritual programmes it renders pastoral care even to people of other religions for their human and spiritual developments,” says director Divya Vani.
Fr. Pius Marcus was appointed as the first Director of Divya Vani Pastoral Centre, Darjeeling.
Later directors included Frs. Patrick Golay. Laban Lepcha and Valentine Rai, and currently Fr. Alexander Gurung is its Director.
What is unique in Divya Vani is its Chapel with a big size cut-out of Jesus depicting the Divya Grace or Divine Teacher. His Nepali attire symbolizes his oneness in the Nepali Culture, the saffron cloth depicts Indian spirituality, his raised right hand expresses encouragement and security while his left hand is symbolic of him imparting gifts to his disciples. His squatting posture shows the gesture of the Teacher and the raised platform for the Grace means his place is always higher.
The Pastoral Centre offers facilities such as accommodation, Conference and Recreation halls, a stall for religious articles and a Chapel. The Audio – Visual studio is an added asset through which the Diocesan TV Chanel ‘Divya Vani Prastuti‘ is telecast.