Harpreet Singh speaks about Vaisakhi, a festival celebrated by the Sikh community, during the inter-religious programme at the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, Pilar.
PANAJI
Followers of seven faith traditions converged on the Pilar hillock to celebrate their respective festivals on May 3 at the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, Pilar.
‘Sneh Sangam’, which means ‘confluence of love’, a unique inter-religious programme to celebrate festivals of different religions, was conceptualised by ‘Sadbhav’, an endeavour of the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, Society of Pilar, to foster inter-religious dialogue and solidarity.
The day was marked by sharing about the festivals, prayers, celebration of cultures, and a fellowship meal which included food related to the festivals. The day began with the participants being welcomed with kokum sharbat.
Capt. Jehangir Talyerkhan, an experienced Master Mariner and a member of the Parsi community in Goa, spoke about Nowruz, which was celebrated on March 20. Shireen Sidhwa then led the Ashem Vohu and Yatha Ahu Vairyo prayers, invoking the blessing of Ahura Mazda, the supreme God of the Zoroastrians.
Altaf Shah, administrator of ‘Aashiyan’, a charitable institution supporting poor and orphaned girls, spoke about the festival of Eid-Ul-Fitr, which was celebrated on March 31. This was followed by a prayer for healing, Sadbhav and Sneha, led by Rehan Ali, a member of the Students Islamic Organisation of India.
Vedamurti Dnyaneshwar Patil, acting Principal of Swami Brahmanand Mahavidyalaya, Tapobhoomi, Kundaim-Ponda, shared about the festival of Rama Navami, which was celebrated on April 6. This was followed by a recitation of Aano Bhadra Krtavo Yantu Vishwatah, the Vedic mantra from the Rig Veda, by students from Swami Brahmanand Mahavidyalaya.
Rajesh Chheda, a member of the Jain community, born and brought up in Goa and a CA by profession, spoke on Mahavir Jayanti, celebrated on April 10. This was followed by the recitation of the Namokar Mantra by Kalpana Shah, President of Goa Jain Samaj, and Jayshree Patil.
The festival of Vaisakhi, celebrated by the Sikh community on April 13, was also part of the festivities. Harpreet Singh, who is actively involved in religious bodies across India, spoke about Vaisakhi and later recited the Mool Mantra of the Sikh faith.
This was followed by a sharing on the festival of Easter by Joseph Marcel Fernandes, former MBA professor at Christ University, Bangalore. The prayer of St Francis of Assisi, ‘Make me a channel of your peace’, was sung by Fr Peter Soares, a veteran missionary in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Kelina Chakma, a member of the Buddhist faith, spoke about Buddha Purnima, which was celebrated on May 12. Rupashi Chakma, a graduate from Delhi University, recited the Aham Avero Homi, the traditional Buddhist blessings and good wishes for the well-being and happiness of all beings.
At the outset of the programme, Fr Lawrence Fernandes, Director of the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, welcomed the gathering. Tallulah D’Silva introduced the programme and Fr Joseph Caji Barreto led a tribute to Pope Francis, an ardent advocate of universal brotherhood, harmony, and peace.
The programme ended with a cultural performance, including the song ‘Yeh Pyar ki Lehre’, sung by Fr Elvis Fernandes, Convenor of Sadbhav, accompanied by Tabla maestro Prathamesh Chari. Later, Prof. Resham Bhamra presented a poem, while Rooshad Patel spoke on the concept of happiness through the teachings of Zarathustra.
The programme was compered by Elaine Coelho and Vansh Naik. Sahil Awasthi proposed the vote of thanks.
