From Here and There

The proportion of Christians in Goa has declined from 38 per cent in 1960 to 26.28 per cent in 2001. The State’s Economic Survey reveals that the proportion of Hindus has gone up due to huge influx from other states, to 65.79 per cent and that of Muslims has risen to 6.84 per cent. Christians have been migrating out to EU countries and Australia and New Zealand. The total population of the state currently stands at 1.34 million.

(Source: Deccan Herald, Bangalore April 16, 2006)

Only 11 Muslim names figure among the 422 candidates selected for the top civil services this year. Of these, 8 have found a berth through Other Backward Classes quota.

The Karnataka Public Service Commission has selected 153 candidates for the appointment as gazetted probationers in the State. The six Muslim candidates in the list are: 1-Naziya Aman H.S. from Shikaripur, Shimoga dt; 2-Ajeej Desai, Hukkeri, Belgaum; 3-Sajidahmed Mulla, Sankeswar, Belgaum; 4-Shakeel Ahmed C.W., Bangalore;5- Ashaaadu Rahman Sharief, Mysore; 6-Imamsab Mayageri, Ron, Gadag dt.. The list was announced on April 15.

Harcharan Singh of Nankana Sahib became the first Sikh in Pakistan to be commissioned into the army. Wearing a blue turban and sporting a traditional beard, Harcharan Singh marched to the military tunes at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul and was formally commissioned into the army at a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on April 15.


“I am proud to be a Pakistani and to join the Pakistan Army,” state run APP quoted Singh as saying. He had earlier joined the National College of Arts, but opted to serve as an officer in the Pakistani Army later. The Pakistani armed forces have some Christian officers, but Singh is the first Sikh. Pakistan has a small community of Sikhs with a few dozen families living in Punjab and the North West Frontier Province.