Raastriyavaadi Chraisthara Vedike Spreads Joy and Harmony during Diwali at RK Math
Raastriyavaadi Chraisthara Vedike (RKV) Spreads Joy, Peace, Love and Harmony during Diwali at Ramakrishna Mission (Math)-Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Diwali festival is the festival of the whole country. It is celebrated in every nook and Corner of our country. Thus this festival also creates a sense of oneness among the people. It becomes the symbol of unity. India has been celebrating this festival for thousands of years and continues to celebrate it even today which is both historical and religious. Also now that we know the significance of Diwali the festival of lights let us remember to remove the darkness or bad things around us that hinders our life and bring about the triumph of goodness around us. Let us never forget the essence of this festival. Keeping the tradition, culture and meaning of Diwali, members of Raastriyavaadi Chraisthara Vedike – Mangaluru hosted a Diwali Greeting programme to spread the Love, Joy, Peace and Harmony during the festive season, at the Ramakrishna Math on Wednesday 18 October 2017.
Among the Christians who joined in this festive “Diwali” programme to highlight the significance of Peace and Harmony were Sr Michelle- Director, Sahodaya Bethany Seva Mandir-Mangaluru; Sr Veena- Headmistress, St Joseph Higher Primary School, Mangaluru; Sr Cleopha- Administrator, Bethany Convent-Mangaluru; Prof. Fatima D’Silva- Principal- Nitte Usha Institute of Nursing Sciences-Derlakatte; Jessie Pinto-President, KORWA, Mangaluru; Ln Flora Hislop- President, Lions Club of Valencia; Nancy D’Souza- Former Principal/HOD of Political Science, Besant women’s College-Mangaluru; Sr Maria and Stella- Sisters of Bethany Convent, among others.
The chief guest for the programme was Capt Ganesh Karnik- Member of Legislative Council at the Karnataka Government/Chief Whip of the opposition party in Karnataka Legislative, with the guest of honour Swami Ekagamyanandaji, among others on the dais. Following the welcome address by Franklin Monteiro- Founder President of RKV, the programme was inaugurated by lighting of the traditional Deepa and also showering flower petals to the portrait of Swami Vivekananda. Sr Michelle addressing the gathering gave a brief introduction of Diwali and its significance, which was followed by another speech by Fatima D’Silva, where she said that she was really enlightened by the joy and harmony that Diwali has brought on this auspicious day.
Addressing the gathering Capt. Ganesh Karnik said, “While we celebrate Diwali we need to develop peace and harmony among all communities. We need to stay away from communal fights and riots, which is presently seen at a few places. Let us during Diwali look for peace, love and harmony, and live in unity and harmony. Diwali, traditionally celebrated as a festival of illumination from darkness of ignorance, rage, envy and enmity towards wisdom, love, respect and brotherhood, let us hope that this Diwali will bring in peace and harmony, which is greatly hoped by the people in the district. In the recent past, we have witnessed political turmoil among rival political parties violating all norms of democracy. So, we may only hope for the end of violence and unrest and illumination of the lamp of peace and harmony. I hope this Diwali will enable them to accept people’s verdict peacefully. As political clashes and violence have been increasing in the state, as inhabitants let us pray that Diwali might usher in a new bright morning in political arena also.”
Swami Ekagamyanandaji said “India is a glorious country with rich spiritual, intellectual, cultural, scientific heritage. Swami Vivekananda had believed that India has a special place in the awakening of the world. The country has everything it needs but just has to learn civic cleanliness. We should know that ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness – that cleanliness is composed of physical and spiritual thing. In India cleanliness comes with culture and it is based on personal purity. Most of the Indians take bath at least once in a day, they clean their homes, but not their streets. However, the ‘mother earth’ concept of India is not poetical, but true. Of all the saints, sages and inspired teachers of Vedanta, no one expressed the idea of religious universality and harmony more plainly than Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa who spent time understanding other religions in the true spirit of his own all-embracing one.”
“The image and teachings of Jesus Christ attracted Sri Ramakrishna in particular and a strong spiritual connection between Christ and the monastic order of Sri Ramakrishna exists. A few days after Sri Ramakrishna’s death (1886) nine of his young disciples were preparing to take their vows of renunciation when their leader — the future Swami Vivekananda— told his brothers the story of Jesus Christ. He asked them to be like Christ, to pledge themselves to help in the redemption of the world and to deny themselves like Jesus had done, for a greater good. The monks, accustomed to following only the Hindu calendar, later found out that that same evening had been 24th December, Christmas Eve— a very auspicious occasion for their vows. Thus it is, that since early times, Christ has been greatly honoured and revered by the Ramakrishna Mission with Christmas observed joyfully in all the Mission centres and schools and many monks quoting Christ’s words to explain and illustrate spiritual truths, seeing an essential oneness between his messages and that of Hindu acharyas” added Swami Ekagamyanandaji. The Swami also had great praise for the Christian Community who had always kept Mangaluru clean, even before Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan was started by Ramakrishna Mission.
In conclusion, India is a land of rich culture and everyone should work hard towards building India and protecting its culture. Mothers should nurture young minds by filling them with moral values and love. When we work towards educating children, then our festivals find meaning. We are working hard towards destroying humanity by remaining adamant on our views. Patience is most rewarded; when it is lost, society tends towards destruction. We should all work in unity to maintain peace and harmony – in the eyes of God we are all equal and we should never incite communal riots and hatred among different faiths. Today this programme highlighting harmony during Diwali has brought us altogether irrespective of religions. So during this Diwali season let us spread the message to love another and maintain peace throughout. Let the light of Diwali shine upon us and take away the darkness and give us peace and prosperity.
