Mangaluru: Laudato Si Samithi of the Mangaluru Diocese had organised a seminar under the title “Dharma Mattu Dharitri” (Religion and Region) here on Wednesday, March 13, in which representatives from different religions participated.
The programme was organised at Milagres Senate Hall.
Convenor of Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru, Swami Ekagamyananda said, “In the name of ‘urbanisation’, nature is under a constant threat, because of which we are passing on a totally polluted nature to our coming generation. This shouldn’t happen.”
“We must protect and keep the nature in a good state”, he added.
Chokkabettu MJM Maulana U K Abdul Haziz Darimi said, “We must be like a tree. No matter how tall it grows, it stays attached to its roots below. Similarly, we humans must not forget the roots no matter how tall we grow in society.”
“We all must keep aside our materialistic needs and help maintain fresh air and water or else, in the coming days there is no doubt the situation will turn worse”, he added.
Headmaster of Jain High School, Moodabidri, Muniraj Renjal said, “Even though we have several religions and languages, we must not forget that we all live on one land.”
“Jainism believes that all the five elements of nature (air, water, soil, fire, trees) have life in them and if these five are disturbed, it is believed to be against the religion”, he added.
Principal, Padavu College, Rev. Fr. Alwyn Serrao said, “Protecting nature itself is a religion. We need to contribute whatever is possible towards nature.”
Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldhana presided over the programme.
Chief priest of St. Sebastian Church, Pemannur, Rev Fr. J B Saldhana coordinated the seminar.
Artist and speed painter Shabari Ganiga painted a thematic picture based on the theme ‘Dharma and Bhoomi’ (Religion and Earth).
Laudato Si Samithi Convenor of Mangaluru Diocese Rev. Fr. Richard D’Souza compered the programme.
