the goan I network
PANAJI
Rector of Rachol Seminary Dr Aleixo Menezes on Wednesday highlighted the values of non-violence, peace and unity that Mahatma Gandhi ardently promoted through his writings and life.
He was addressing an Inter-Religious Meeting at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi. The inter-faith discussion was conducted on the theme ‘Upholding Dignity, Strengthening Unity’ and about 450 people of different faiths were present at the event.
In a symbolic act to signify religious harmony, representatives of various faiths filled a big fish tank with different fish symbolising ‘unity in diversity’ of the nation just as fish in the ocean.
Based on the theme, the speakers from four different religious communities shared their wisdom.
A M H Mubarak Ali, representing the Islamic community, focused of God’s gift to humanity and the human person’s attitude of ‘taking tomorrow for granted because we think tomorrow will always come’.
Speaking of behalf of the Hindu community, Sulekha Sawant Dessai said people need to see the representation of the whole world as one family created by God and the need to respect parents, teachers, guests and nature.
Representing the Sikh community, Gursharan Singh Chawla said in the quest to uphold dignity and strengthen unity, people need three priorities in life, committed life of prayer, sincere respect for parents and undiscriminating compassion towards every human person.
Charlotte Fernandes, representing the Catholic community, said awareness of human goodness, alertness towards the forces of dissension prevalent in society and collaborative spirit towards every person of goodwill would undoubtedly go a long way in promoting religious harmony.
A skit on peace and unity by the Rachol seminarians, an inter-cultural dance by Carmel College (Nuvem) and a video presentation by parish youth of Fatorda helped the audience understand and assimilate the urgency of fostering human dignity and religious harmony in the nation.
Later, all participants through a solemn oath pledged to ‘Uphold Dignity and Strengthen Unity’ in the country. Seminarian Snyter Pereira later proposed the vote of thanks, while Seminarian Tyson Da Costa compered the programme.
