CC NAME: ZERO LIMITS, KOLLAM, KERALA, SOUTH INDIA REGION
FAITHS AND TRADITIONS
REPRESENTED IN CC: HINDUS, MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS AND DALITS.
LOCATION OF CC: KOLLAM, KOLLAM DISTRICT, KERALA STATE.
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS: Youth
Development, Women Empowerment, Value added Education, Community Development,
Counseling, Health Awareness for Ladies, Celebration of UN related EVENTS for the awareness of public.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CONTACT
INFORMATION:
MOHAN LAL. K DEVI
RAJ. S
LADDE EDU SOLUTIONS POURNAMI
72 – VIDYA NAGAR HOUSE NO.72/B
CHEMMAMMUKKU SURABHI NAGAR
KOLLAM APSARA JN.
PATTATHANAM
POST, KOLLAM
Ph: 9446478726 Ph:
9446010728
0474-6066166
Inauguration of Zero Limits CC by Dr. Abraham Karickam, URI Asia Executive Director
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the current
religious/cultural/social context in the area where your CC is working?
As
Kollam is the District Head Quarters, there are people from other states of
India and people from Maldives and other foreign countries are residing here. That
is why we can see people with diverse religions. Here the main communities are
Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Dalits, having equal importance in the society.
Most of the people are government employees and businessmen having good educational
background. Famous colleges like Fathima Matha National College, Sree Narayana
College, S. N College for Women, Jerome College of Management Studies etc are
seen in our vicinity.
URI Regional Team having discussions with
the CC Leaders at Kollam.
2. Why is interfaith/intercultural bridge
building needed in the area where your CC works?
Since there are different
religions and people from different countries, there are chances for communal
issues. As it is the district head quarters and the people coming from other
states are considered as the initiators of anti- social activities, and the
Muslim community is considered as the supporters of anti- social activities, it
is inevitable to build up harmony among them. So, as youth, we consider it as our
duty to make people trust the ‘other’, and make the people understand the
reality of religious harmony. We do effective campaigning for the same.
(i). Career Counseling classes are conducted for Plus Two students in
association with Malayalam Manorama Daily (The largest Indian Language News
Paper).
(iv). Campaign against bullying in association with Amnesty
International.
(v). Human Rights Education among school students.
(vii). Project Triple -5: - Planting 555 trees in different parts of
Kollam district.
(viii). Vocational training for ladies from financially challenged
family.
(ix). Special summer camp for differently abled Kids
(x). Campus Initiatives for
college students to make them good professionals.
(xi). Health Educational and Interpersonal Skills Enhancement program
with Southern Railway.
(xii). Special training for teachers.
(xiii). Bike Rally – A Campaign for Save Water.
(xiv). Campaign against human trafficking.
(xv). Cancer awareness – Pediatric Cancer.
(xvi). Blood donation camp.
(xvii). Awareness workshop for unemployed youth to equip as a good
entrepreneurs.
(xviii). Awareness camp on modern life style diseases.
(xix). Celebration of days of National and International relevance.
(xx). Kids Carnivals – Confidence building program for kids.
(xxi). Marriage preparation course – Pre marital and post marital
counseling including life styles, skills like cooking etc.
(xxii). International Day of peace celebration.
(xxiii). Participation URI Zonal and National activities.
(xxiv). We celebrated UN Interfaith Harmony Week from 1st
February to 7th February with different schools.
4. Between which specific religions
or cultures are bridges being built?
Mainly
among the four communities like Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Dalits.
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.
Our
main strategy is to bring together the people of different cultures or Faiths
through campaigns awareness classes, workshops and association with socially
committed National and International organization.
6. Given the current context you described,
what does your CC hope to achieve (goals)?
Our
main hope is to create powerful youth without having any racial or religious discrimination
and have the aspiration to mould a new society of youngsters free of violence,
terror and fear.
7. How do you see your CC’s work improving
cooperation among people of different traditions?
We have a large network of youngsters who are working for the smooth running of our campaign. This is the confidence behind the starting of 10 new
CCs, which we plan for this coming year.
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.)
As
we are focusing on youth and as we are helping them to be successful persons in their career, these
educated generation can easily understand our vision to create an interfaith
society. As they are going to the success point of their life with external
support from us, they believe that there are some value added matters in
society than religious fundamentalism. As youngsters, once they are convinced
they will be the spokespersons for URI in future.
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?
People are supporting us in our activities even though they know it is meant for interfaith harmony. Many persons come forward to join in our CC. Many
organizations come forward to host our programs on interfaith harmony, justice
and peace. Many of them express their willingness to join the URI Movement.
10. Please share specific short story about your
CC’s work that might teach a lesson about interfaith or inspire other CCs.
Last month we went to Cosmic
Community Centre, Karickam for a Zonal Program in which Dr. Victor Kazanjian
was the Chief Guest. In that function we went there with two of our friends
from Muslim community. They were so impressed of this beautiful get together.
The message from URI Executive Director touched them deeply and they were excited
to know more about the work done by URI around the world. After attending that
program they told us that they will spread the vision of interfaith harmony in
their area through a series of family meetings. This incident helped us to
understand the importance of hospitality also, which is a core principle of
URI. We would like to host similar meetings in our CC in the near future, so as
to spread the message of unity , hospitality and love.
11. How
is your CC’s work helping to achieve the mission of URI?
Our
CC always will be a supportive medium for URI to bridge the gap among different
religious communities. We work among the youth in various schools and colleges and
we use this platform for spreading URI principles.
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?
Our CC members joined in it after our explanation
about URI Charter and they understand the necessity of Interfaith Harmony. They
are so happy to accept it as a true mission. We work with one spirit and our
bondage has become very strong because of URI. We began serious study of our
neighbor’s Faith after joining the URI Movement.
13.
How is
being part of URI helping your CC to achieve its goals?
As our name suggests (Zero Limit), we work
for a great goal of living without borders, which means to surpass all
boundaries of suspicion and fear. Unity is strength. “United we stand, divided
we fall”. We uphold this teaching. As URI members, we learn to stand united.
14.
Aside
from funding, what are some specific ways URI can better support your CC in
reaching its goals?
We expect to participate in important training programs organized by
URI at different levels. We also hope to benefit by youth exchange program,
youth empowerment training program and Peace Building Workshops by URI. We
would like to have tie-up with other CCs working on similar goals, especially
with those who work among youth in other continents. We are also very much
impressed by the YLP programs in several schools and hope to spread the message
of URI in all the schools that we visit.
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