Interfaith Workshop on Interpretation of Scriptures for Social Transformation at JMM Study Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Monday, July 11, 2016
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
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Summary
Punalur is a city situated near the Tamil
Nadu-Kerala border in the Kollam District, in the Southern State of Kerala,
India. It is situated on the banks of the Kallada River, receiving its
name from two Tamil words; punal, meaning “water” and ooru,
meaning “town”, therefore “town of water”. It is about 45 km north-east
of Kollam and 75 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. It is also known as the "Lap of the
Western Ghats”. Jyothirgamaya CC is
located in this city. This CC mainly aims to spread the message of peace to
younger generation. They also promote empowerment of women and children.
Interreligious dialogues, celebrating festivals of all religious, self help
units are some among their important activities.
QUESTIONS:
1.
What is the current religious/cultural/social
context in the area where your CC is working?
Punalur
is a city which is close to Tamil Nadu and people of various communities like
Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Dalits live in this city. There is a large
group of Tamilians (people from Tamil Nadu) also in this area. It is a historic
city where we have the famous hanging bridge built by the Britishers. Lot of
tourists visits this area every day to see the hanging bridge, which is more
than two centuries old. It was renovated recently and attracts large number of
visitors, including foreigners.
Punalur Suspension Bridge or Hanging Bridge, the ONLY ONE in
Kerala and possibly first in the World was built by Albert Henry, a Scottish
Engineer, across the Kallada River in the year 1877.
The
proximity to Palaruvi waterfalls and Thenmala Ecotourism project makes this all
the more important a city in Kerala. There are a large number of schools and
colleges in this city. It is also famous for the first Paper Mill established
in Kerala State. Generally people live in a state of peace but occasionally
there are conflicts among different political parties and communities.
Thenmala Dam
2.
Why is interfaith/intercultural bridge
building needed in the area where your CC works?
There is occasional friction among the communities especially due to
the presence of large number of Sri Lankans in the forest area. So many
refugees from Sri Lanka settled here during LTTE struggle. There is also
conflict between people of Kerala and Tamil Nadu based on the water issue in
Mullaperiyar Dam. This is a century old issue in the name of water. The water
of the dam is to be given to Tamil Nadu as per original contract signed by both
states, but there is a lot of apprehension about the security of the dam, which
was built a century ago using a mix of mud and lime. So interfaith bridge
building is very essential in this area. We have to be vigilant always to avoid
a conflict at any point of time.
· District
level elocution competition conducted in connection with the International Day
of Peace for the students from classes 7-12 at PSS Hall, Punalur. The program
was inaugurated by Rev. Dr. Christy Joseph, Parish priest , St. Mary’s
Cathedral, Punalur and prizes distributed by Prof. John Kurakar, URI Global
Trustee,T.G. Stephen and Dr Samuel Nellikadu.
· BAKRID
CELEBRATION: CC visited various religious centers in Trivandrum in connection
with bakrid day celebration.
4.
Between which specific religions
or cultures are bridges being built?
Our main emphasis is fostering peace and
harmony among Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Dalits and Tribals. There is a large
concentration of tribals also in this area due to the proximity of the forest.
There is big exploitation of the poor tribals because of illiteracy. We want to
undertake programs for empowering the tribals through literacy programs.
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 conduct various
interreligious programs, camps, seminars etc. People of all religions are
invited and they take part in these with enthusiasm.
6.
Given the current context you described,
what does your CC hope to achieve (goals)?
We
hope to achieve harmony and peace among all religions in our locality and to
spread the message of interreligious harmony to the coming generation. Dalit,
Tribal and Women empowerment also include among our major goals.
7.
How do you see your CC’s work improving
cooperation among people of different traditions?
Inter
religious dialogues help to promote compassion and equality among CC members
and we conduct various competitions for students to develop and orient them. We
help different School CCs also to promote YLP Programs.
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?
We celebrate Bakrid, Holi and
Christmas. People of all religions join these celebrations, which is a visible
sign of harmony.
10.
Please share a specific short story about
your CC’s work that might teach a lesson about interfaith or inspire other CCs.
We had a friend named Bhasi, who
was very active in all activities of our group. Once we found him very gloomy
and came to know that he had cancer. This incident was very shocking for us. We
gave all support to him. Our CC gave Rs.5000 towards his treatment. We cannot
help him more because he is no longer alive. This prompted us to think of this
important disease, which is spreading fast. We have to undertake cancer
detection camps and support them, as early detection is crucial.
11.
How is your CC’s work helping to achieve the
mission of URI?
Our programs are specially
focused on youth to cultivate peace and justice in the society. URI PPP is at
the core of our basic philosophy.
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?
We
celebrate religious festivals by visiting various religious cultural centers.
This way we build a bridge among diverse religions. The cooperation is
excellent and we have no specific challenges to deal with as we have members
who have deep interfaith commitment.
13.
How is being part of URI helping your CC to
achieve its goals?
URI act
as a common platform for the people who belong to different religions to share
their various religious customs and traditions. Our CC is a visible expression
of solidarity and amity.
14.
Aside from funding, what are some specific
ways URI can better support your CC in reaching its goals?
URI can provide
us:
1.
Training in peace building
2.
Materials like CC toolkit and other study books.
3.
Empowerment of various weaker sections through
regular seminars.
4.
Seed grant for Tribal Empowerment and sustainable
development.
Prepared by
Leya Varghese and Team
CC Profile of Interfaith Students’ Movement of India (IFSMI) AKMVHS
CC NAME: Interfaith
Students’ Movement of India (IFSMI) AKMVHS (Asia, South India-Sri Lanka Region)
FAITHS AND TRADITIONS
REPRESENTED IN CC: Hindus, Christians and Muslims
LOCATION OF CC: KOLLAM DIST, KERALA.
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS: Youth
Empowerment
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
CONTACT INFORMATION:
PRIMARY CONTACT SECONDARY
CONTACT
Mr. M Abraham Sreenadh
B Santhosh
Thulayil Renjana Sruthilayam
Ayur P.O, Kollam. Karukone
P.O, Puthayam
Ph: 9446107990 Ph:
9562407687
Email: abrahammathewtr@gmail.com
Key Languages:
Malayalam
Preferred
Communication Channels: Face to face
Interview: 20/04/2016
Summary
Inter Faith Students’ Movement of India (IFSMI) is a school CC which
functions in AKMV Higher Secondary School in Kollam District. We have a YLP
project in the school. This CC is very active which promotes different social
welfare activities such as Medical Lab for the public.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the current
religious/cultural/social context in the area where your CC is working?
Our CC is situated in Thadicadu where 75% of the population
belongs to Muslim community. It is close to the famous Malamel Rock Temple which dates back to 1000 BC.
There are many colonies of scheduled castes and tribes also in the area. There
are various educational institutions that belong to various communities.
2. Why is interfaith/intercultural bridge
building needed in the area where your CC works?
Thadikkadu is a vulnerable place because of the
concentration of large Muslim community. Many political clashes occur between
the Muslim league and the Hindu political parties. Sometimes there are clashes
between the Muslims and the Marxist party. Life of the common people is
affected on several occasions because of the conflicts. So interfaith peace
building is very much essential in this area.
1.
Seed distribution to poor
Dalit families.
2.
We conduct many classes
to make aware the students the need of co-operation of different cultures.
We setup a health service lab for the daily checkup like blood sugar,
cholesterol, blood pressure and other routine tests.
1.
We conducted a medical
camp with three doctors in a village named Podiyattuvila. Around 300 people
participated. Free medicines were provided.
Students of our school collected soil from different places and tested
its quality.
1.
Students and villagers
were given practice to climb coconut trees using machines.
2.
We provide support to
make agriculture garden in Anakkulam School, Channpetta.
1. Between which specific religions
or cultures are bridges being built?
We build relationships mainly among Hindus,
Christians, Muslims and Tribals.
2. 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 provide services like soil testing, health
checkup, vegetable seed distribution etc to bring together people from various
communities. Awareness camps are also part of our regular community extension
program. Our medical lab in the school caters to the public irrespective of
religious and caste differences.
3. Given the current context you described,
what does your CC hope to achieve (goals)?
“We practice healing and reconciliation
to resolve conflict without resorting to violence”. It is our hope to realize
the above said principle of URI charter. We envisage several new programs for
the coming year such as making the campus and the surroundings drug free and
alcohol free. We intend to promote anti -tobacco campaigns also.
4. How do you see your CC’s work improving
cooperation among people of different traditions?
We find improved relationship
among communities because of our community development projects. The school has
become a nucleus for a peace building and conflict resolution. The whole community
looks forward to us for leadership during turmoil.
5. 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.)
Our
school managed by the Muslim community extends excellent leadership in
resolving problems when ever conflicts arise in the neighborhood.
6. 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?
As we
have students from all communities, it is easy for us to relate to the parents.
7. Please share a specific short story about
your CC’s work that might teach a lesson about interfaith or inspire other CCs.
Story of Ajmal
Ajmal was a student in class XI,
coming from a poor family. His mother was in bed due to blood cancer. There was
no hope to recover. Ajmal helped her in carrying out her daily routines. Ajmal
was not regular in the class due to his mother’s illness. Our students used to
go to his house to help him. One day his mother died. It was astonishing that
our members irrespective of castes gathered at his residence to console him and
help him in the funeral function. Our student members met the expenses by collecting
money from among them and teachers. The occasion was very touching. Some of
them stayed with him that day to support him.
8. How
is your CC’s work helping to achieve the mission of URI?
”We act from sound
ecological practices to protect and preserve the Earth for both present and
future generations”. All our community outreach programs are in accordance with
the principles of URI. We relentlessly work for the realization of the above
said principles. We show our strength as a very dynamic grass root level
organization which promotes interreligious harmony and peace.
9. 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 are mostly
from 11th and 12th grades. They come together often and
discuss various aspects of interfaith relationship. They become best examples
of improved interreligious relationship. They give leadership for community
outreach programs in nearby villages. The biggest challenge is to take Muslim
girls away from their homes for social work but we have come a long way due to
our trust building.
10.
How is
being part of URI helping your CC to achieve its goals?
We derive much inspiration
from the URI philosophy.YLP program has given us great strength in designing
and implementing social projects. We are grateful to URI for the seed grant.
11.
Aside
from funding, what are some specific ways URI can better support your CC in
reaching its goals?
Our
members participate in maximum programs of URI like Youth camp, zonal assembly
etc. We are really inspired by listening to the reports from different CCS. The
patronage of URI sub region is extremely important for us and the very banner
of URI helps us in promoting excellent understanding among various communities.
We learn much from all programs and campaigns of URI in different parts of the
world. Regional leaders can give us much support for workshops and seminars in
future.
Prepared
by
Leya
Varghese and team
Friday, July 1, 2016
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