Raksha Sainyam

Raksha Sainyam (രക്ഷാൈസനൃം)is the Malayalam term used for the Salvation Army in Kerala, India. Ratchannai Senai (Tamil) and Mukthi Fouj (Hindi) are other names for the same organization.

A Christian Charity and Social Services organization. It's also a Church with Territorial Head Quarters at Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram. However, as a denomination it is not as wide spread.

History

Salvation Army work commenced in the old Travancore State on 18 March 1894 by Captain Yesudasan Sanjivi, who was a Namboothiri (high-caste Brahmin) before his conversion. When the founder of the Salvation Army, General William Booth, visited Nager Coil, he was impressed by the enthusiasm of Captain Yesudasan (later Colonel) and the General appointed him on the spot to start the Army's work in Kerala state. He was called Namboori Ayyah by the members of the Church.

His son, Colonel Donald A. Sanjivi, became the first territorial commander from Kerala. The work was spread to other parts of the state through the dedication of pioneer officers,COMMANDANT THAYILATH ABRAHAM, BRIG.K.V.SAMUEL,KALLEEKAL,PANDALAM ONE OF CO-FOUNDERS OF LEPROSY MOVEMENT AND LITERACY MISSION IN KERALA,BRIG.SANTHOSHAM VARGHESE PARAKATTU AND Commissioner P. E. George,PAVURETH MAVELIKARA BECAME THE FIRST INDIAN AND MALAYALI EVER TO BECOME A COMMISSIONER AS THE BRITISH HAD NEVER AGREED TO THIS EARLIER.. The India South Western Territory came into being on 1 October 1970 when the Southern India Territory divided into two. The territory has its headquarters at Thiruvananthapuram and comprises the entire Malayalam-speaking area known as Kerala State.