In a first of its kind, “Sadbhav Sammelan”, a unique two-day International Interfaith Conference, was held on 17 & 18 February 2023, at the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, Pilar, Goa. It was organised by ‘Sadbhav’ – an endeavour of the Society of Pilar, for fostering Inter-Religious dialogue, harmony, solidarity and fellowship - in collaboration with Fr. Agnel College of Arts and Commerce, Pilar, Nirmala Institute of Education, Panjim, Carmel College of Arts, Science & Commerce for Women, Nuvem, Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim, and St Andrew’s Centre for Philosophy and Performing Arts, Mumbai. More than Ninety people, consisting of students, educators, peace activists and faith leaders participated in the conference to promote the idea of peaceful coexistence and harmonious by engaging paper presentations, workshops, art, poetry, music, and performances.
Along with the participants from Goa and a few other States of India, two international participants, Geniale Awoussa from Togo, and Regina Lomarda from the Philippines took part in the conference.
Folklore researcher and environmentalist, Rajendra Kerkar, delivering a keynote address, said that “we can find numerous and inspiring examples of communal harmony in Goa”. He also mentioned that the Society of Pilar is taking keen interest in encouraging communal harmony. He called upon the participants of the conference to guard and pass down this great heritage to the coming generation.
Fr. Elvis Fernandes, convenor of ‘Sadbhav’ in his welcome address said that “Goa is blessed with Inter-religious harmony and stands out as a beacon to the rest of India”.
The conference began with a prayer dance, in Kathak style, by Bhagyashree Premnath Chari rendering ‘Sarva–jiva–sukham; sarva–dharma sakhyam’, a composition of Fr. Charles Vas. This was followed by lighting of the lamp, welcome address by Prof. Savio Falleiro, principal of Fr. Agnel College of Arts and Commerce, Pilar, Goa.
On the first day of the conference, research papers were presented by Prof Kishu Daswani (Government Law College, Mumbai), Asst. Prof Shefali Kale (St Xavier’s College, Mapusa), Jude Fernandes (Nirmala Institute of Education, Panjim), Asst. Prof. Roman Rodrigues (Rosary College of Arts and Commerce, Navelim), Dr. Francis Carvalho (Pilar Theological College), Manjiri Vaidya (Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College, Mumbai), Fr. Anand Mathew (Vishwa Jyoti Communications, Varanasi) and Michelle Colaco (Carmel College, Nuvem). The paper presentations were chaired by Dr. Agnelo Pinheiro and Tallulah D’Silva. These papers shared interesting perspectives on religion and interfaith harmony and enabled a fruitful discussion among the participants. The day ended with the screening of a short Konkani film, titled ‘Jaticho Khell by the students of Government College, Sanquelim and also the staging of a national award-winning Hindi play ‘Amaanat’, performed by Prerna Kala Manch, Varanasi, based on a short story ‘Mandir-Masjid’ written by Munshi Premchand. The play was directed by Motilal Gupta and Anand Mathew from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Day two saw a more hands-on affair with two parallel workshops on ‘Mapping Diversity in India’ by Irfan Engineer (Centre for Study of Society and Secularism) and ‘Poetry: A Creative and Meditative Exercise’ by Dr. Omkar Bhatkar. Added to this, three guest lectures on the theme, Gandhi and Religion; Dialogue: Religion and Beyond; The Search for God through the works of Florence Nightingale were delivered by Dr. Subodh Kerkar, Dr. Ivon Almeida and Dr. Omkar Bhatkar respectively.
The paintings of Dr. Smitha Bhandare Kamat, educationist, Cartoonist and writer, on the theme of harmony, peace, equality, were on display in the conference hall on both the days of the conference.
The conference came to a close with a melange of poems, skits, music, songs and a Hindi play, titled, Duniya ka Mela, by Prerna Kala Manch, Varanasi, inspiring the participants to imbibe the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole world is one family). This was followed by presenting of the mementos and sharing of insights by Fr Magi Murzello, Rector of St Andrews Centre for Philosophy and Performing Arts. The day ended with a vote of Thanks by Fr. Elvis Fernandes, convenor of ‘Sadbhav’. The entire programme was seamlessly woven by Asst. Prof. Alisha Souza and George Irene who compered the programme.
An exciting part of the conference was the staging of dramas on both the days of the conference, on themes of harmony, peace and unity in diversity, by Prerna Kala Manch, from Varanasi, U.P. The same theatre group also staged one of their dramas in Fr. Agnel High School hall on 17 February (morning) where over 400 students were present and engaged in meaningful interaction after the play. The same drama was also staged for the general public on 19th February, Sunday at 10.30 a.m., in the Pilar Seminary Annexe Hall, Pilar Goa. There were over 100 people with an enlightening interaction after the drama. On the following day the same drama was staged at Fr. Agnel Hall, Verna for over 600 students followed by interaction. On the occasion of Mahashivratri, Prerna Kala Manch, performed a Hindi street play titled ‘Gadda’ (pothole) at Milroc Colina, Pilar. Over 100 people were present to watch the play.
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