It has become a regular affair, almost every six months, to St.Bartholomeo, to take centre stage in this Barkur.com.
But friends, I've not read or heard of this Chirst's associate, compared to others say, St.Peter, St.Thomas or St.Francis X'avier either in the Church or in letters, since my childhood.To that extent, I found nothing except couple of messages in this site pages, sorry, if I failed in my search!

What inspired me is the way Philiphs put - "we have responsibility to show the world that, ( also coming generation ) Catholic religion is not new to India but was there 2000 years back" - really a proud heavenly feeling that one of the Apostles visited our native.

Then, is it a right conclusion, if state, today our population would have increased if we or our forefathers used force, influence or other appeasing means to convert people.Hence it is a need of the community as a whole, to show, right thinking people, to know this fact if so and treat us at par with others as Indians
as we truely are.

Anyway, our craze for imitating Europeans is also to be blamed to an extent. But read my elderly uncle's observation - "Baba, pant/shirt culture now followed by 75% of Indian populace, so is English language".

I don't know if you are familiar with "noodling", but it is the term for the way Oklahoma guys catch their fish.

These guys wade out into the river and feel for holes or logs on the river floor. When they find a catfish hole, they stick their hands in there wiggle their fingers, the cats latch on and the "fishermen" pull out these monsters.

Many people lose their lives each year because of this. Some fish are so big they literally pull them under. Snapping turtles and snakes claim their fair share of rednecks too.

Here are some pictures of what they come out with. Think about these monsters the next time you order a catfish dinner!

My dear Barkur.com visitors:

"There is no carpenter without tools." "There is no newspaper without news." "There cannot be banks without money."
"We need two hands to clap"; thus even to discuss on this Sandesh column, we need more than one person. Well the message is that more and more visitors have to involve in the healthy discussions (without undermining ideas/opinions) but with ideas to tackle 'issues' rather than 'persons'.

I don't think anybody wants to read that I had just two fish hooks when I was 8 year old. Once, I caught a small fish. A crow came flying from nowhere and swallowed this fish and flew away real swiftly. It swallowed my fish along with hook and flew along with my fishing rod designed out of bamboo shoot!. The crow could not fly too far, but fell in the river about 200 yards away. I had to swim to subdue this crow, and unhook and save my precious fish hook. Can you guess, whether I had meat or fish that day? (Folks: Give us better stories than this!)

Did you know that Refrigerator was patented on 6th May, 1851?

Coca-Cola was introduced on 8th May, 1886?

Rubberband was patented on 17th May, 1845?

Toothpaste tube was invented on 22nd May, 1892? and Ice Cream Freezer was patented on 30th May, 1848?

Did you know that 'disposable' and 'biodegradable' dinner plates were abundant and dirt cheap in Barkur?

First of all, let us have a fairly clear idea of this Apostle, St.Bartholomeo, his life - if convenient the Host Kishoo Barkur can give a link to few related articles appeared in this site, to refresh one's memories or may request some expert priest or laymen to tabulate all related facts.

In India, it is time for historical renaissance and Barkur too got exposed by excavations, which may focus on 12 Th Century A.D. or afterwards events.

Here, when it comes to St.Bartholomeo, the legend or stories and certain beliefs start playing a role. Unfortunately, Christian Clergy not taken any interest in it, hence, I strongly doubt, Philip’s suggestions can be taken seriously by any individual but should be addressed by the Parish Council.

Moreover it is Barkurians responsibility and this place has all possibilities to be a HOLY PLACE to all religions.

After all it a good subject, but who'll bell the cat...?