Mangaluru: The All India Catholic Union (AICU), marked its centenary with an inter-religious harmony meet ‘My Religion & Brotherhood’, organized at the C M Hall St Joseph’s Seminary Jeppu here on January 9, 2020.
Fr Cyril Lobo and team kicked off the programme with an invocation which was followed by a welcome by National President of All India Catholic Union Lancy D’Cunha. Subsequently, the Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional lamp. Other dignitaries on the dais joined in.
President of Vishwa Hindu Parishath Prof M B Puranik addressing the gathering, said, “We start our programs with Om which is a very sacred sound and a spiritual symbol in Hindu religion. In Hinduism Om signifies the essence of the ultimate reality. Om is one of the most important spiritual symbols which refers to Atma. We need to understand others and respect other religions. We say Asatoma Sadgamaya Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya Mrtyorma Amrtham Gamaya which means, “Lead me from untruth to truth and darkness to light”. Sanathan Dharma teaches that we all are God’s creation and everyone has the right to live on this earth. Sanathan Dharma teaches to love everyone and not to hate anyone.”
President of Gurudwara Committee Sardar Mahipal Singh Lohia spoke on Sikhism and the Head of the St Joseph Seminary Dr. Joseph Martis spoke on Christianity. He said, “Love of God and love of your neighbor are the important messages of Christianity. We are children of God and we need to live in harmony and peace. When we love one another peace prevails. We need to keep our differences aside and lead a peaceful life in society. We pray for the people of Dakshina Kannada to live in peace and harmony”.
Centre In-charge Brahmarkumaris Mangaluru, Brahmakumari Vishweshwari addressing the gathering said, “The Brahma Kumaris teach the form of meditation which focuses on the souls as opposed to bodies. We believe that all souls are intrinsically good and that God is that source of all goodness. We teach to transcend self-realization. who you are? You have to discover you in you. You need to discover what good you have done on this earth. God is everything and self-realization needs God’s realization that leads to transformation”.
Multilinguistic Poet Mohammed Baddur said, “Islam teaches that God is merciful, all-powerful, and unique and has guided mankind through prophets, revealed scriptures and natural signs. Islam teaches that there is only one God and we all are his creation. Being educated and spoiling the society are not called educated but those who are not educated are helping the society, they are truly educated people. If we love our wealth, power or women, we will lose everything. Sometimes we lose our humanity and keep our parents in old age homes. This is a very good programme and I congratulate the organizers for inviting us here for such a programme.”
Addressing the gathering Headmaster of Jain High School Moodbidri Muniraja Renjala said, “Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches the way to liberation and bliss is to live lives of harmlessness and renunciation. The essence of Jainism is the concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of the universe itself. Jainism is a religion of self-help. We should know what is Dharma, we need to understand our religion properly and to respect other religions. If we understand these three things there will be no misunderstanding between anyone. Jainism teaches us to live and let others live. Even all the other religions teach us the same.”
Bishop Dr. Peter Saldanha delivered the presidential address. President of CSCC Paul Rolpy D’Costa delivered the vote of thanks. Stany Alvares compered the programme.
