Episode – 1
Dear All,
We had a colourful
start for the 9th URI India National Assembly here at the
holy city of Varanasi, a city on the banks of the holy river Ganges. The
city has two other names viz, Kasi and Banaras. The venue is Banaras Hindu
University, a world famous educational institution, founded by Pandit Madan
Mohan Malavya. Dr. Rakesh Bhatnagar, the Vice Chancellor and a host of
other dignitaries were present for the inauguration, but for us the presence of
Victor Kazanjian, Our Executive Director and our Global Ambassador, Mussie
Hailu was more rewarding, together with more than forty delegates of Unity
Earth under the leadership of the Director Ben Bowler. Around two fifty
delegates from different parts of the world are attending the three day
conference, but we have the presence a number of students and faculty members
of the University also for various sessions.
There were a number of
panels on the first day, before all converged on the Ganga Ghats in the evening
for Ganga Arati, which is a special pooja proclaiming the sanctity of water.
Highlight of the second day will be the visit to the famous Saranath Buddhist
temple. Regional presentations will be on the third day.
We have to congratulate
Biswadeb Chakraborti, Our National coordinator and the whole North India team
under the dynamic leadership of Subhi Dhupar, for the meticulous planning and
organisation.
Episode – 2
Dear All,
We became pilgrims
today, visiting the world famous Saranath Temple Complex. In the picture you
can see the Stupa, where Sri Buddha started his mission of teaching. It was
here he founded the first Sangha of disciples, who later revolutionised the
whole world with the teaching of Ahimsa and the eight fold path.
We had a wonderful
session at the Saranath International Nyingma Institute also where a Peace Pole
was planted. Here we had representatives of a Battalion of the Indian Military,
who planted several trees. This special Battalion is entrusted with the duty of
Clean Ganga Project, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
himself. We witnessed a unique sight of the Military personnel helping the
planting of trees and a Peace Pole. Let all the military officers become peace
builders also. That is our fervent hope.
Two other attractions
of the inaugural session yesterday was the flag ceremony and the musical
performance of Pato Banton and Rootsdawtah, who were present at our Stanford
conference and at the Toronto Parliament of Religions. The Unity Earth group
will be presenting a concert on the banks of Ganges tomorrow
Episode – 3
Dear All,
As we converge at
Varanasi for the 9th India National Assembly of URI, it would
be nice to look back a bit to see how we started our journey in this great
land, which gave birth to many religions of the world. “Vasudaiva kudumbakom”
is the essence of our Vedic philosophy, which means the whole universe is one
family. “Oikumene” later adopted by the World Council of Churches, means the
same—encompassing the whole inhabited earth. So URI was very well received in
India from the very beginning.
We had the first
National Assembly at the Mar Thoma Orientation Centre, Kerala as early as 2004,
which was inaugurated by the longest living bishop in the world, Dr. Philipose
Mar Chrysostom. He is my mentor and is 102 years old now, still healthy, but
not travelling any more. The second National Assembly was again at the Mar
Thoma Shanthigiri Ashram, Alwaye in 2007, in conjunction with the second
International Holy Books conference. All the pioneers of the Interfaith
Movement in India attended this Assembly viz. Swami Agnivesh, Justice
Shamsuddin, Fr. Nambiar Parambil, Bishop Zacharias, Homi Dalla, Madam
Meher Master Moos, Swami Chaturvedi, Dr. Mohinder Singh, Vijay Bhatkar and so
on.
Hereafter, we could
hold assemblies regularly. The third was organised by Biswadebji at
Santhiniketan, West Bengal, the World famous University established by Tagore,
the first Asian to win a Nobel Prize. Then Executive Director Charles Gibbs was
the chief guest. It was the turn of Qutubji and West Zone to organise the next
Assembly at St. Pious College, Mumbai. Our new Executive Director Victor
Kazanjian was the guest of honour. Hira Paul and the team from the North
invited all to the holy city of Amritsar for the fifth one. The venue was Guru
Nanak Dev University. Sixth India Assembly was convened by South India region
again and this time it was at the Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore.
Eastern region
welcomed us to another Holy City of Puri in Orissa for the Seventh Assembly and
the eight one was at Ajmer, yet another holy city. It may be because we are all
pilgrims that we always converge at these renowned holy cities and now we are
here at Varanasi. In between, we had two Asia Assemblies also—one in Pune in
2009 and the second in Sri Lanka in 2018. The first Asia Pacific Assembly was
convened by Sally Mahe in Bali, Indonesia in 2001, which was our starting point
in the URI journey in the Asian soil, following the foot steps of Bishop Bill
Swing who travelled all over Asia with this idea of a United Religions in the
latter years of 1990s.
2020 National Assembly
will be a land mark for us again, as it will be our tenth Assembly and URI will
be celebrating its 20th year then. Over to South India again,
the seat of Adi Sankara.
Episode –4
Dear All,
The 9th India
National Assembly concluded with a series of presentations yesterday at the
Department of Ethics of Banaras Hindu University. Dr. Victor Kazanjian gave a
beautiful PPT review about the Global URI, as it is making its vibrant presence
today in about 110 countries. He shared about the vison and our mission for the
next decade. This was followed by an eloquent appeal from our global ambassador
Mussie for unity and for practicing the golden rule. He enlightened the
audience about the potential of our global partnerships also.
All the regions in
India presented their reports in the afternoon. We could listen to the
delegates from Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, too. The
concluding session was again on the banks of Ganga, with the Unity Earth envoys
presenting yet another musical feast in conjunction with the Kabira Festival,
Panto and Antoinette leading.
We have to praise all
the efforts of every one concerned for the Herculean task of cleaning the
Ganges, especially the initiatives taken by the Honourable Prime Minister.
Ganges flows through many states of India and it is to be protected by all
means, as a life giving entity. A few years ago when I visited Varanasi, I
could see dead bodies and floating cows and so much waste all over the body of
the Ganges, but today it has become clear and clean to a great extent. It is
wonderful to see the efforts of even our military to make this project
successful.
It is amazing to see
the millions of lives floating in this holy city of Kasi. There is confusion,
but a serenity is visible woven into the texture of life here. Yesterday we
visited the Kasi Viswanath temple, but you will have to be in a queue for hours
to gain an entry. What makes all these people to struggle so much to pray at
this spot? Religion and spirituality is that strong and people don’t mind the
sacrifice to any extent. Kasi has so much to teach us about the concepts of
moksha, which is the ultimate goal in life.
Episode – 5
Amazing Talents of
Youngsters—
The 9th Assembly
of URI witnessed the amazing talents of youngsters. Our Movement is safe in
their hands. Bishop Swing and our pioneers can relax now. You have sown the
seeds in a fertile field.
All the volunteers
whom Subhi deputed were just amazing. Day and night they waited for us the
delegates in the Airport, Railway Stations and bus stops. I was in close touch
with only Pawan, Mahinder and Aikesh, but there were a good lot at several
meeting points. Aikesh is the son of our veteran leader from Bundelkhand, Mr.
Shiv Vijai Singh.
Saumya Aggarwal, a
young girl originally from Nepal, won big round of applause when she
announced that her “Youth for Peace International” has bagged a project grant
of half a million Euros from the European Union. Tanya Sablok is a student of
Peace and Conflict studies at Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict
Resolution, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi . Her passion for peace
initiatives is extraordinary. Nirmalya Chakraboti from Kolkota, Manoj Ram,
President of Peace4Dalits Foundation from Nepal (one of our CCs there), Touseef
Raina, a young man from Jammu and Kashmir, who is Chairman of Global Youth
Foundation are people with superb talents and initiatives. Ahmad Shah Karimi
from Afghanistan is founder of Afghanistan Youth Empowerment and Peace
Building Organisation. Sohini is a young lady, who heads the Euphrates
Institute, India Chapter, Janessa’s find.
These are only a few
whom I encountered during different sessions in the Assembly. There are
many. The spark in the eyes of these young ones gives us hope for the future.
We have invited all of them to attend the Students’ Summit of Religions in
January in Kerala. Kehkashan Basu and others can definitely inspire them and
they can all be united for peace. These “Voices” cannot go un heard. Their plea
should not go as cry in the wilderness. URI is a wonderful platform for the
convergence of spirit full youth, who will steer the world out from darkness.
Thank You all.
Dr. Abraham Karickam
