The Current Crises of Our Times and  Our Response at Visthar 

The event began with an opening address from Rev. Dr David Selvraj, Co-Founder Visthar, who welcomed everyone and outlined the goals and focus of the day’s discussions. He set the context for a thoughtful and engaged exploration of global challenges.

Following the introduction, Dr Amitha Santiago, Director, Visthar Academy of Culture and Contemporary Studies presented a thought-provoking reading inspired by Judith Butler’s Frames of War: When Is Life Grievable? The text urged participants to reconsider  how conflict, pain, and human worth are portrayed in mainstream  narratives and set the stage for examining the assumptions behind global political discourse. 

The main session was led by Dr Asim Siddiqui, under the title “The Current Crises of Our Times and Our Response at Visthar.” He opened with a music video, Hasdeo Chhattisgarh Ki Kahani by Mahi G, telling the story of Adivasi communities facing industrial encroachment and environmental degradation. This served as a compelling entry into discussions on systemic crises and resistance. 

After a short tea break, the second session commenced at 11:45 AM with Rev. Dr Mohan Chandra Prasad. He examined how scripture and the global church have historically been co-opted by political  powers to legitimize authority and sow division. He explored religious narratives around the Israel-Palestine conflict and how theology has been used to support Zionist agendas. 

During the discussion, journalist Suresh expressed disappointment that churches often remain silent on  critical issues like the genocide in Gaza. Akhila Vidyasandra, an advocate, emphasized love over violence  in activism, shared her work on corruption and education, and stressed that real change  must begin at the grassroots. She noted the lack of a gender perspective in Dr Siddiqui’s talk  and called for gender liberation to be central. 

Dr Dheena Bandhu Manchala spoke of a deeper moral crisis — idolization of money, hatred, and power — and stressed the importance of moral responsibility. He emphasized the need to engage youth,  and Gen Z participants responded, expressing a desire to act, noting they were raised to be silent  in the face of injustice. They called for intergenerational collaboration and the use of digital  tools to address the poly crises. 

The workshop was powerful and meaningful, highlighting that the crises we face — climate change, inequality, isolation — are deeply interconnected. Real change must come from communities, built on  justice and care. The ideas shared offered hope that transformation is possible when we act together with courage, compassion, and commitment.