Pics: Justin D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Jan 10: Padmashree Harekala Hajabba on Saturday, January 9 inaugurated the inter-religious meet 'Sneha Samavesha' organized by Udupi district Muslim Okkoota held at Amruth Garden auditorium here.
On the occasion, G Rajashekar, human rights activist was conferred with 'Manava Ratna' award and Mohammed Ismail Saheb Thonse, president Salihath Group of Institutions was awarded 'Seva Ratna' for their notable contributions for the society. Both the awardees donated the award money to special school Asha Nilaya and to Padmashree Harekala Hajabba who himself runs a school for the underprivileged.
In his chief address, Dr M Chandra Poojary, retired professor Hampi University said, "Eligible persons from every community were taken into consideration when it came to honouring their achievements. We have been coexisting for ages, but we have not mixed with other communities. These sort of conferences provide a stage where people of different communities come along together. Nations where communities have hatred between them never progress. Abraham Lincoln in 1863 withdrew all the policies which supported racial discrimination and slavery. From then on, America grew to become the strongest nation.
"Harmony between communities is essential for the development of a nation. If the nation's resources were equally distributed among everyone there would not be any hierarchical discrimination. 43% of MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges in which 29% are serious crimes. While different communities are resorting to petty fights, such candidates have been elected. If criminals are drafting laws of the country the gentlefolk would end up in jail. A person should be valued for being human and not for any other reason. The weaker sections of society should come together and bring about an impact on democracy. All our economic policies draw resources from bottom to top and not top to bottom. Nationalism is all about creating harmony between communities," he said.
Fr William Martis, social worker, Bannanje Babu Amin, folk scholar, Haji Abdullah Parkala, former president Udupi district Muslim Okkoota, Sadhu Salian, businessman, Malpe Vittaldas Bannanje, former BEO, Vishu Shetty Ambalpady, social worker, Ayisha Karkala, social worker, Shashikala Kotian, headmistress, Asha Nilaya Special School Laxmibai Poojary were honoured on the occasion for their notable service to the society.
Speaking on the occasion Vinay Kumar Sorake, former MLA said, "Teachings of Brahmashree Narayana Guru and Lord Allah are the same. To preach these teachings both the communities have jointly organized this conference. I had called the meeting of all the Billava leaders and discussed this matter with them and based on the collective decision provided approval to the program. Let such programs which promote harmony come up more often."
Pramodh Madhwaraj, former MLA in his address said, "The Quran is the first to practice labour reforms, economic reforms, and social justice. Let us take the goodwill of all the religions and try to build a Ram Rajya."
Abdusalam Puttige, editor-in-chief Vartha Bharati presided over the program. In his presidential address, he said, "Indian civilization is extraordinary. India is on its way to becoming Vishwa Guru. However, we have to identify the gap between us and the position of becoming the Vishwa Guru. The difference in the distribution of resources will pull us back from attaining that title. Our nation is having rich natural resources, but more than 50% of the Indian population do not have access to clean drinking water. According to studies, India has the highest corruption rate in the Asian continent. These issues should be discussed rather than the matters related to temple, mosque, church," he said.
Mohammed Moula, chief secretary welcomed the gathering. Yaseen Malpe, president Udupi district Muslim Okkoota, Haji Abdulla Navoonda, M P Moidinabba Ashfaq, Ahmed Karkala, Kasim Barkur and others were present on the occasion.