The first Bible adapted to India is selling "divinely"

New Delhi, July 11, 2008. - A virgin Mary in sari with the mark of "bindi" on the forehead, a St. Joseph in a turban and a baby Jesus wrapped in Indian costumes are some suggestive pictures of the first Bible adapted to the public India, in an attempt to get closer "to the culture of the people."
The adapted version of the book, edited by Paulina Society of India, has caused a furor in the country where "you are selling divinely," said Efe's father Stephen, who runs the bookstore Pauline Delhi.
In fact, the first edition of this "Indian Bible" is nearly exhausted, having sold 13,000 copies in just two weeks since its launch.
"Our purpose was to present a Bible reference, but adapted to the Indian reality. The Bible is always the Bible, but needed to adapt to our context, "he told Efe by telephone spokesman for the Archdiocese of Bombay, Anthony Charanghat.
"Any communication works best when using the language of the people," he added.
The edition, in English, consists of 2,288 pages of fine paper in gold thread with a simple language, peppered notes footnotes and words of the Hindu tradition, though their leaders deny any attempt to proselytize.
"The authors have tried to keep the book in simple language devoid of jargon. They wanted to adapt it and so have included the Sanskrit terms like "Atma" (spirit), "bhakti" (devotion), "janam '(birth) or" bhagwan "(God)," said Father Stephen.
The work, which the father sold today were a teacher Teresa, costs 250 rupees (5.8 dollars), the usual price of English novels in bookstores delhíes.
The highlight of the Bible india are his illustrations, fifteen images with classical types of India: women adorned with rich traditional jewelry, turbaned farmers or covered by the short called "dhoti" and old praying that seek to bring the reader to his reality.
"Christ is born in a portal, but here is best understood if we put in a hut surrounded by skyscrapers, because so many people born in India today. They are symbolic designs, "said archdiocese spokesman.
Religious leaders took their idea of several holy books existing in Africa and the Philippines, but focused on giving their own touch version has been a labor of seventeen years, according to Father Stephen and bookseller.
In its composition have been implicated theologians, writers, scholars and artists ready to bring the public the traditional language of India, a country where 38 percent of the population can neither read nor write.
Although its purpose is to also reach non-Christian readers, the Bible society of Paul's main objective is to Catholics, more than 17 million people (in a population of nearly 1,200 million) concentrated mainly in the south and Northeast.
"This Bible is made ​​in India for India. I am sure that will bring us closer to millions of our people, not just Christians, "he said in a statement the Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Oswald Thanks.
According to Christian tradition of India, missionary activity began with the Apostle Thomas in 52, and centuries later rebounded with the arrival of Portuguese sailors, who settled in the southwestern shores.
In many cases, voluntary or forced-converts-kept their previous traditions: painted Christ as an Indian saint, they welcomed the priests with Hindu ceremonies or festivities held previous beliefs, such as Diwali and Hindu New Year.
The new Bible "desi" ("native"), which will be released again in October, now takes its language and illustrations that important syncretic tradition of the Indian subcontinent.

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