Mission Bhartiyam, in collaboration with many civil society organizations like Yuva Koshish, Ayodhya ki Awaaz, Buniyaad, UYASD, AFDWOSE, Baal Manch, Soch, Awadh Peoples forum, Basti Vikas Samiti, Save Humanity Foundation, Anjuman farg-e- Momin, ADAM, Aasra, PLEA, Jai Bharat and Darbhanga Film Society had observed “Sadbhavna Diwali” in many parts of the country.
People of diverse faiths and belief systems had lighted a diya or a candle and hoped that peace and harmony may prevail. In many parts of the country, they had gathered at sites symbolic of “communal harmony” or at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi or even in a mosque.
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| Sadbhavna Diwali celebrated at the tomb of Amir Khusro in Delhi |
In the capital, the festival of lights was celebrated as ‘festival of harmony’ at the Shrine of Amir Khursro in Nizamuddin. Amir Khusro was a 13th Century Sufi poet and is believed to be an ardent supporter of hindu-muslim unity. There was a huge participation by the youth. One of them remarked, “it is a pleasant way to spread the word of communal harmony”.
In a press statement, the organizers remarked that we see the festivals as an occasion of happiness and prosperity and so these occasions must be spread equally and frequently in the society. They should become festivals of love and harmony.
“Diwali is the festival of light that literally mean spreading light, thus light of love and harmony must be spread through this celebration as it is the love that actually works in joining each other and making society prosperous and humane,” said Ravi Nitesh of Mission Bhartiyam.
General Secretary of AFDWOSE, Maaz Khan said, “India was recognized the world-over for its unity and harmony. Today, however, increasingly people are getting suspicious of each other…Today we need people like Lord Ram who are willing to work selflessly and ready to sacrifice everything.”
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| Sadbhavna Diwali at Nizamuddin |
Shazzada Nashin of Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, Syed Khwaza Afzal Nizami blessed the orgnaisers for planning such programme and wished the countrymen a Happy Diwali.”
Shariq Naqvi of Yuva Koshish added, “For better integration and development of this country, the need of the hour is to promote harmony between Hindus and Muslims.”
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| Sadbhavna Diwali celebrated in Ayodhya |
Shadab Bashar of ‘Buniyaad, Behtar Kal Ki,’ who too participated in the programme said, “Diwali is symbolic of sacrifices that Lord Ram made. At a time when our country is heading towards communal darkness, we need new torch bearers who can better shape the destiny of this country.”
Narrating the couplet of Urdu poet Allama Iqbal, Mohamamd Reyaz of PLEA said, “Mazhab nahi seekhata aapas me bair rakhna (Religions do not teach us differences).” He added, “We should work toward promoting harmony and peace.”
Besides Delhi, Sadhvana Diwali was observed in Aligarh, Ayodhya, Lucknow, Basti, Varanasi, Buxar, Gorakhpur, Allahabad, Patna, Pune, Darbhanga, Hyderabad, Gwalior, Rajasthan and several other places.
At Varanasi, the festival of light was celebrated at a Masjid situated in Bhor Kalan Gaon. The masjid committee has permitted for this celebration. The organizer, Ajay Patel of Aasra remarked, “Festivals are celebrated to gather people and share moments of joy and happiness. We are extending this to everyone, irrespective of their faiths. We are very thankful to the Masjid committee for their support and involvement”.
In Basti, people had gathered at the Gandhi Statue. In Allahabad, it had began with a talk on peace and communal harmony in a public park to spread the word among the common masses.
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| At Varanasi |
At Ayodhya, which had seen communal tensions recently, had celebrated it with a lot of enthusiasm. It was organized by Ayodhya ki Awaaz at Saryu Kunj and Durahi kuan. Shah Alam of Ayodhya ki Awaaz, reamarked, “It was heartening to see the enthusiasm. It turned out to be a simple yet effective way to spread the word for peace and harmony.” Jughal Kishor Shastri added, “Diwali, like any other Indian festival, is a way to spread love and brotherhood. Today, we have added it with an element of communal harmony”.
They had adopted this simple move but with a bigger and stronger motive i.e. to spread the light of love, knowledge, unity, non violence, humanity and peace in our society.
Dainik Jagran, print edition 18th November 2012
Hindustan, print edition 15th November 2012
