Report by Michael Rodrigues
Team Mangalorean Udupi

Udupi: The Forum for Humanity, held a friendly exchange of views "Sneha Samvada", in the Ammanni Ramanna Shetty Auditorium here on June 17.

Rotary Club governor Rtn H L Ravi inaugurating the programme said, "No religion should become still waters, but it must be flowing water.  Any views entertained should be cleaned up by the free flowing water or exchange of  public view.  Our community families need to be drawn more towards education. We are not born with any religion. We get knowledge of religion when imbibed with knowledge and refinement. Then only one can stand on one's own.  We must grow as citizens of the world.  If we can spare our thoughts for others too just as it for ourselves, then we will be true followers of faith."

Lion governor Indrali Jayakar Shetty as chief guest, said, "A flower blooming for itself is not a flower. A light burning for itself is no light. So also all of us have a duty to pay back to nature for all the favours that we have received from it. All religions have said the same thing in common, the essence being peaceful living and co-existence. We need to learn others' religions too while loving our own religion".

Jaycees zonal president Sadananda Navada said, "How a man has lived during his lifetime becomes quite important. We must have the ideal that along with our individual well-being, the society also has to grow. Just as we expect that we should not be harmed by others, it is quite essential to be alert that we too take care not to do any harm to others".

N K M Shaafi Saadi, member Karnataka Waqf Board who was present on the occasion, said, "India alone is a nation of a variety of castes and creeds, it is a rare garden including all sorts of religions like flowers. We have been a paragon to the world in generosity and cosmopolitan nature. All atheists should respect other religions too. We set a good example for ourselves fighting against the British in unison, forgetting which caste or cult we belonged to. No religion perpetrates injustice. These days, terrorism and Muslim religion are being likened. To tell the truth, nowhere does Muslim religion profess terrorism. Islam religion very explicitly opposes terrorism. It does not even look down upon other religion. A true Muslim can evolve only when he becomes exemplary in himself for others, respecting other religions, their Gods and Goddesses just as his own.".

The programme was followed by thought-provoking subjects and discussion over questions raised. Abdulsalam Puttige, editor-in-chief of Vartabharati Kannada daily, delivered the valedictory speech on this occasion with a brilliant message therein to mankind for peace, harmony and co-existence, being truly expressing Unity in Diversity.

Forum president Parkala Abdul Haji presided over the function. Mohammed Ali was present on the dais.