MARGAO: The Collective Action for Dialogue and Social Harmony on the theme “Youth of India: Looking Forward” organised by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) in collaboration with the Society of Pilar and Bharitya Sarva Dharama Sansad sent a message of peace and unity to the country.
The members of the Sarva Dharma Sansad and CBCI have conveyed a message of peace, harmony, love and brotherhood to India and Indians. The gathering of religious representatives has vowed to stop the spread of hatred and divide on communal and religious lines in the country.
Vivek Muni Ji Maharaj of the International Mahavir Jain Mission, Bhikku Saghasena, Founder Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Ladakh, Paramjit Singh Chandok, Chairman Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Delhi, Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, President, Imam Council of India, Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj, President, Bharatiya Sarva Dharma Sansad, Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao as chief guest, Bishop Thedore Mascarenhas and others were present at the dialogue
In his address, Vivek Muni Ji Maharaj said that the topic taken up for dialogue is the need of entire nation and the world. “The message of religions has been of love, nonviolence, brotherhood and India won’t go ahead without the concept of unity in diversity.”
Bhikku Saghasena the Founder Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Ladakh said that the dialogue is very rightly timed and is much needed now. “My earnest desire is that Goa remains and prospers as the centre of peace and harmony for the country and the world as we have been able to achieve science breakthroughs but not brotherhood and peace in the country,” he said.
He also said that dialogue is the only way for restoration of peace in the country.
Paramjit Singh Chandok said that the Sarva Dharma Sansad would make efforts to unite the communities and stop fights that threaten the unity of the country.
Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi called for strengthening India. He informed that in India, over 70,000 deaths occur in ambulances as they don’t reach to the hospital in time due to various reasons on roads and called on to the people to have compassion for the people.
Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj said, “The prime minister’s vision of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas has been well accepted and inculcated by the Indians, but the environment fear threatens the whole motive of the slogan.
“My Sanatan Hindu Dharma says that we have to walk together. However, the environment today has fear and no one understands what is it about? Our biggest duty is to keep the environment of fear away,” he said and exhorted the people to reject violence in the name of religion.
Appreciating the works of the Church and Missionary run schools, Sushil Ji Maharaj said, “What would the state of the country be if the schools run by missionaries were not there; therefore, I congratulate them for their effort in education.”
The Sarva Dharma Sansad vowed to stand against any religious trouble to the countrymen.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao expressed his displeasure over the rising communal unrest in the country and called on the gathering to walk the talk to keep the communal harmony.
“India will not break again. We will sow the seeds for a new country of unity on the Goan soil,” said the religious representatives in conclusion.
