NEW DELHI(March 19)- In commemorating the Bicentenary of the Bible Society around the world, North West India Auxiliary also celebrate and mark the occasion with many innovative campaigns to make an awareness and fund raising campaigns including ‘Bike for the Bibles?where hundreds of believers participate in a relay ride of motor bikes and cycles around the national capital region which stretches from 18th March to 28th March 2004. Volunteers from different Churches under the NWIA also distribute pamphlets in streets and red lights here to make an awareness to the general public about the Holy Bible.

The theme of these campaigns is called ‘Peace and Harmony?and also 'The Word to the World'.

On 18th March, the ‘Bike for the Bible?campaign got off with the prayer of Bishop Karam Masih at St. Michael Church in Jangpura, New Delhi ?from where Churches under NWIA’s South Zone starts riding the bikes in the direction of Delhi Bible Fellowship > Methodist Church, Khanpur > Lutheran Church > St. John’s Church, Mehrauli > Victory Church, Anderia Mode > BSI office this route was covered on the first day.

On this occasion, Dr. B.K. Pramanik, General Secretary of the Bible Society of India also visited the Bible Bhavan, New Delhi where the volunteers were encouraged and given more information and instruction on how this rally can be made successful; with reading of the Holy Bible.

On 19th March, the campaign continued and the South Zone participants continued to resume the ride. It covers two Churches in central Delhi, 10 Churches in South Delhi where more than 25 people participated.

This new strategy for a massive drive to raise funds and make awareness of the Holy Bible started in India from last year 2003, when 6 people participated for the first time as they rode bikes from Agra to Delhi covering about 400 kilometers with the theme as ‘Peace and Harmony? They raised Rs.2000/- from 18 Churches.

“This year,?Mr. Richard Khan, the General Secretary of NWIA said, “we hope to raise Rs.200,000/-(2Lakhs) which could be used for bringing out another two thousand more Bibles?

More than 200 participants have volunteered and they will cover Churches in :

Central Delhi on 20th and 21st March
West Zone(St. Martin Church) on 23rd March.
North Zone on 24th March
West Zone on 25th & 26th March
Ghaziabad on 27th March

And on 28th March from 4:45Am to 6:30Am the victorious concluding ride will be held.

When Christian Today reporter asked Amit Massey, one of the participants about the whole experience in the campaign, he said that it is good, people get curious about the whole campaign, so we had to explain to them about the rally and give away the pamphlets.


In fact, it is not only making an awareness and merely raising funds for the Bible, it is also an opportune time to make known to others that Christians are committed to Peace and Harmony which is an essential part of human life.


Peter Beita.