CHANDIGARH, February18–Eminent scholars of various faiths as well as leading members of local intelligentsia evolved a complete unanimity on oneness of God and essential unity of humanity in a seminar on ‘Revival of Universal Brotherhood and Humanism’, organized by Chandigarh Zone of Sant Nirankari Mandal here today.
The chief guest, Mr. Rakesh Mehta, IAS (Retd.), State Election Commissioner, Delhi and Chandigarh called for spiritualizing our social life and to promote all efforts for protecting the environment. He regretted the losses suffered by humanity due to religious narrow-mindedness.
The Guest of Honor, Mr. Vipin Pubby, Resident Editor, Indian Express, Chandigarh lauded Nirankari Mission’s social welfare activities likes blood donation, eye camps and general health camps. He described these inputs as essentially humanistic.
Earlier in her inaugural address, Sant Nirankari Mandal’s Executive Member in-charge, Prachar Vibhag, Mrs. Joginder Kaur, said:” It is the standard policy of Nirankari Mission to build bridges of understanding between diverse faiths and ideologies to bring out the universal unity latent in them.”
The celebrated author of the book “Matter and Non-Matter” and the former Chairman, Punjab SC-ST Commission, Mr. Naranjan Singh IAS (Retd.) in his moderating key- note address said: “God is both scientific and secular and to be human is to be divine.” He appealed to practitioners of all major religions of the world to highlight the essential human-integrationist ingredients in their respective faiths so as to save the present-day humanity from further self-annihilation.
Reverend Christopher James Edwin, Presbyter in Charge, Church of North India, Panchkula in his presentation said: “God’s love for humanity has always been motivating the Church to reach out to the underprivileged people to extend God’s grace to them”. He elaborated the common origin and destiny of humanity and emphasized Christianity’s fundamental priority given to peace, love and unity.
Maulana Shakeel Ahmed Qasmi, Chairperson, Chandigarh Wakf Board and Nazim, Madrasa Eizahul-Uloom Mujadaddi, Manimajra said: “ Violence and killing are totally prohibited in Islam. Forgiveness is the basis of Islamic faith.” He added: “Equality of all human beings is a fundamental Koranic law.”
A leading Sikh philosopher, Mr Jaswant Singh Mann said:” The Sikh religion as enunciated in the Holy Guru Granth Sahib is essentially humanistic and all-embracing. There is no place for parochialism in Sikhism.”
President of International Brahamrishi Mission, Brahmvadini Swami Krishan Kanta Didiji Parivrajika said. “One has to develop one’s good moral nature by identifying one’s personality with the supreme self. Possessiveness is to be shunned as it deters spiritual progress.”
In his vote of thanks, Sant Nirankari Mandal’s Secretary, Mr. C.L. Gulati said: “Nirankari Mission practically works on the premise of “religion unites, never divides; it is living together in harmony”.
Sant Nirankari Mandal’s Zonal Incharge of Chandigarh region Dr. B.S. Cheema who compered the proceedings said: “Nirankari Mission honors all holy books as sources of divine inspiration and is promoting unity of God in the diversities of various belief-systems and cultures of world”.
A large number of members of local elite, belonging to various faiths and ideologies attended the seminar.