PANAJI
The Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol held its annual Inter-Religious Meeting on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
The event brought together people from various religious backgrounds to share thoughts, celebrate diversity, and promote harmony. The theme for the event ‘Messengers of Hope, Witnesses of Unity’ aimed at fostering peace, understanding, and unity among people of neighbouring faiths.
The event began with participants engaging themselves in an enriching group discussion which was moderated by Dr Rachna Kolambkar, Dr Pronoy Baidya, Kabir Shaikh, and Kallis Rodrigues. This discussion encouraged participants to share their views on how to face challenges and foster harmony and peace in society.
Rector of Rachol Seminary, Rev. Dr Donato Rodrigues, emphasised the urgent necessity of dialogue and mutual respect in building a peaceful society.
In a symbolic Unity Act, the Rector, the four moderators, and representatives of different faiths, Haneen Khan (Islam), Swamini Gopikananda Saraswati (Hinduism), and Dr Anthony De Sa (Christianity), joined hands to plant a sapling by adding soil and water, symbolising growth through unity.
Speaking on behalf of the Islamic community, Haneen Khan, headmistress at Crescent School, Fatorda, asserted that every heart longs for peace, mercy and hope. She highlighted the grim picture in the world where so many innocent lives are suffering due to injustice, discrimination and hatred.
“However, when we join hands in planting small seeds of love and kindness, we can become true messengers of hope and unity,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the Hindu community, Swamini Gopikananda Saraswati, attached to the Chinmaya Mission at Margao, said when there is a decline in ‘Dharma – Value System’, God himself comes or sends His messengers to restore goodness, kindness and virtues in the world.
“When humanity comes together and combats negativity around us, true peace reigns in the society. Humans need to raise their consciousness and foster true love in the world,” she said.
Dr Anthony de Sa, IAS (retd), speaking on behalf of the Catholic community, said the message of hope is expressed on the wings of love. Emphasising the Beatitudes, he said that Jesus invites each one of us to be peacemakers in the world.
“Unity is not uniformity but embracing diversity. We need to transcend all boundaries of caste, creed and colour and become witnesses of unity in the world,” he said.
Cultural performances by the Parish Youth of Sao Jose de Areal, the Parish Youth of Velim and Rachol Seminarians challenged the audience to become true, vibrant and dynamic messengers of hope and unity in the world.
All participants took a solemn pledge reaffirming their commitment to peace and unity. The event concluded with a vote of thanks and the singing of the national anthem. The event was compered by Sem. Brendon D’Costa and coordinated by Sem. Ryan Mascarenhas.
