Pakdilpur founded by Maltese Capuchins

Sanil Michael SCJ , blogging from India, writes about Pakdilpur - the oldest parish in the diocese of Jhansi founded by Maltese Capuchin fathers. He gives an account of the history and the present day realities of the surrounding areas. From Sanil Michael SCJ:

If you remember well what happened in Utter Predesh in 1994, the demolition of Babri Masjit, and the killing of Muslims and Hindus and the river of blood that was shed... And the role-played by Rani Lekshimi Bhai and the fight against British are unforgettable part of the Indian History. The fort still remains there with it all proud and beauty. And to this place where we went for our summer village program... the next day we reached the Bishop’s house and in the evening we left for Pakdilpur – where we were assigned to live by the Bishop..

Pakdilpur is the oldest parish in the diocese of Jhansi. And it was began in the early 19s and still it remains, as it was build by the Malta fathers. In the early years of 20th century there came a group of Capuchin fathers from Malta and they started this entire diocese and this mission. Actually it was place was a jungle and there was a very big forest and only there was advisees (tribal people) living in it..

..And when the Malta fathers came they bought thousand acres of land and made use of cultivation and then they brought Christian people from a different place and actually according to the Bishop these were Christian orphans from a distant place. There are 26 Christian families in the village and they do not like to make any contact with other tribes or other people outside of their village...