CC NAME: CHAVARA CULTURAL CENTRE CC
FAITHS AND TRADITIONS
REPRESENTED IN CC: Hindus, Muslims, Christians ,Dalits, Buddhist,
Jains And Jews.
LOCATION OF CC: COCHIN
KEY AREAS OF
FOCUS:
Tourism Studies,
Hotel Management Courses, Entrance Coaching, Language Academy, Interfaith
Centre, Movie Circle, Public Library, School of Music & Dance etc.
PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION:
Fr. Robbykannanchira C.M.I Jolly Pavelil
ChavaraCultural Centre C/o
Chavara Cultural Centre
MonasteryRoad Kochi
- 682011
Karikkamuri
Near S.Railway St.
Kochi - 682011
Ph: 0484-4070251 Ph:
0484 - 2377443
Email: robykannan@gmail.com
QUESTIONS:
1.
What is the current
religious/cultural/social context in the area where your CC is working?
Chavara
Cultural Centre was founded in 1971 at Cochin and it has become a very reputed
institution in the second largest city of Kerala. Cochin is the Silicon Valley of
Kerala and it is usually called the ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’. There is famous
ship building yard and harbor. Cochin has a population of 2,277,620 comprising of Hindus,
Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhist and Janis. A few Sikh people also live in
the city. So far we have only two Cooperation Circles in Cochin. It is a large
hub of education and industry. The only Jewish Synagogue in Kerala is situated in Cochin. It had a
large Jew population in the past, but most of them have gone back to Israel.
2.
Why is interfaith/intercultural bridge
building needed in the area where your CC works?
Peace among
communities is not awarded but earned. In the Indian context a problem can erupt
between two communities at any time, as the relationship usually tense. We have
witnessed problems several times in the past especially during Ayodhya and
Marad conflicts. Daily peace building is crucial and we try our utmost to bring
together all the communities whenever it is possible. We are fortunate to have
so many eminent personalities including High Court judges and people of such
calibre . (The Kerala High Court is also situated in Cochin.)
It is 44 years since we
started this centre. Today it is synonymous with knowledge, charity and
culture. ‘Service to God through service to man and nature’ is our motto. We arrange programs such as
celebrations of National Festivals, Cultural Celebrations, Interfaith Conferences,
Seminars, Symposium, Theatre Workshop and Lectures on topic of Inter Religious
Faith and contemporary relevance.
Our cultural activities are intended to enliven and encourage
traditional art forms of India, especially Kerala. Introducing children to
dramatic painting by conducting class and competitions and where by developing
their personality and talents has been experimented successfully in the centre.
(i).
Chavara School of Tourism Studies (Affiliated To Punjab Technical University)
(ii).
Chavara Institute of Management Studies (Hotel Management Courses)
(iii).
Chavara Institute of Professional Studies
(iv).
Chavara Institute of Entrance Coaching.
(v).
Chavara Computer Centre.
(vi).
Chavara Language Academy.
(vii).
Chavara Famili Welfare & Counseling Centre
(viii).
Chavara Public Library.
(ix).
Chavara School of Music & Dance.
(x).
Chavara Interfaith Centre.
(xi).
Moolyasruthi – magazine.
(xii).
Chavara Movie Circle.
4.
Between which specific
religions or cultures are bridges being built?
We bridge the gap among
Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhist, Jews and Jains. . Majority communities
are the first three mentioned above. If these three communities learn to live in peace,
Cochin will be a paradise.
5.
Please explain the method
or strategy that your CC uses to bring together people of different cultures
and faiths that would otherwise not interact or cooperate with each other.
We make use of every available
opportunity like religious festivals, educational institutes, family welfare
centre etc. Our Public Library attracts large number of people from all communities.
Our School of Music & Dance is another tool which brings together a large
interfaith community to our fold.
6.
Given the current context you described,
what does your CC hope to achieve (goals)?
Our CC intends to
build up a community where all people of God live in perennial peace. We want
to contain all forms of violence. Our aim is to inculcate interfaith values in
all sections of society, especially youth.
7.
How do you see your CC’s work improving
cooperation among people of different traditions?
Various programs
conducted by our centre provide ample opportunities for people of different
traditions to come together. They are very happy to celebrate religious
festivals of all faiths.
8.
How is the work of your CC helping to
prevent religiously inspired violence or transforming conflict? (NOTE: This
question is relevant only in areas with violence/open conflict.)
9.
What are some observations or signs you
see that relations are improving between people of different faiths/cultures in
the area where your CC works?
So many people of
different faiths express interest in joining us. We have gained great
reputation in the community and many of them are drawn to URI ideals.
10.
Please share specific short story about
your CC’s work that might teach a lesson about interfaith or inspire other CCs.
The Easter season
that just concluded became an unforgettable period in our life. We invited
people for an Easter breakfast. We expected a maximum of 200 people. To our
dismay, more than 300 people mostly from Hindu, Christian and Muslim
communities assembled in the morning. Food was being prepared by our own
students of Hotel Management. They had to use all their resources to satisfy
all the people who came to celebrate Easter with us. It was a struggle and at
the same time a moment of great jubilation, because the message of love and
resurrection reached a large number of people.
11.
How
is your CC’s work helping to achieve the mission of URI?
What we do through all our projects uphold the
mission of URI, as it promotes daily interfaith cooperation and peace building.
Hundreds of people visit our centre and library every day and we communicate
with them the URI principles through our thought and action.
12.
Within your CC, you have members from
several different faiths and cultural traditions. How would you describe
cooperation among your CC’s members? What are the challenges?
The cooperation
among our CC members is excellent. Our challenge is to explain about syncretism
etc to our Christian brothers and sisters who are fundamentalists.
13.
How is being part of URI helping your CC
to achieve its goals?
URI has a wild
canvas and we are proud to be a part of this global organization. URI inspires
us to be committed in all walks of our life. We would like to learn the
experiences of similar CC all around the globe.
14.
Aside from funding, what are some specific
ways URI can better support your CC in reaching its goals?
We have a lot of institutions under our umbrella. It would
be desirable to have tie ups with likeminded groups and organizations in
different parts of the world.
Compiled by
T.
G. Stephen and Sini.D
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