ASANSOL

I walk the busy streets of Asansol, where the rumble of trains and the steady rhythm of coal trucks echo through the Raniganj fields. This city never stands still—factories smoke, markets overflow, and people from every corner of West Bengal come here seeking work and a better life. Amid the noise and motion, I see something deeper: a quiet longing, a spiritual hunger written on faces that rush past me every day.

Asansol is a city of contrasts. The rich build high-rises while families sleep under tarps by the roadside. Children wander railway platforms searching for scraps, while businessmen hurry through shining stations. Hindus, Muslims, and tribal communities live side by side, each carrying their own beliefs, traditions, and struggles. Yet, so few have heard the name of Chúa Giêsu, the One who sees them, knows them, and offers hope beyond circumstance.

India is vast beyond comprehension—millions of gods, thousands of languages, and a billion souls still unreached. But in this city of coal and commerce, I sense that God is doing something new. Every loaded train reminds me of a harvest ready to be carried out. Every child’s face reminds me of the Father’s heart. The work is hard and the workers are few, but I believe Asansol is ripe for the Kingdom. I pray that the Church will rise here — a flame in the darkness, bringing hope, healing, and the Good News of Jesus to every corner of our city.