Hearing the youth voice on various aspects of faith was the theme of a function to celebrate Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary, says Patricia Mukhim
RELIGION AS a bond for communal harmony was the theme on which the Guru Singh Sabha and the Sikh community of Shillong led by their president, Daljit Sethi pitched the tone for the celebration of Guru Nanak’s 545th birth anniversary on November 2.
What was interesting about the celebration is that while the invitees to the function were adults the speakers were young people from schools, colleges and universities. The idea was to hear what the youth have to say about religion, how they view it and whether they see religion as a catalyst for unifying individuals and communities or a negative force that divides and fragments.
A young speaker, Ralph Marbaniang of St Edmunds School, made a profound statement when he stated with great clarity that Jesus was not a Christian, Buddha was not a Buddhist, Mohammed was not a Muslim, yet today there are conflicts between different religious groups in their name. He emphasised that they were all prophets of their time and preached love, compassion, forgiveness and tolerance amongst other virtues and wondered why the followers of each one did not do the same.
Other speakers too spoke of finding the commonalities in all religions instead of stressing on differences.
Governor of Meghalaya, KK Paul who listened attentively to the young speakers in this “Evening of Brotherhood” to discuss the role that religion has on communal bonding, later stated that from the beginning of history, India has adored and idealised not soldiers and statesmen, not men of science and leaders of industry, not even poets and philosophers who influence the world by their deeds and words, but those rarer and chastened spirits, men who have stamped infinity on the life and thought of the countrymen who have added to the invisible forces of goodness in world.
While paying rich tributes to Guru Nanak, Paul said while he appreciated some of the speakers’ resentment for the noisy manner in which religious celebrations were observed but the kirtans of the Sikhs were melodious and inspirational if one paid attention to the words. Paul also pointed out to the different civilisations of the world that rose to their peak and then crumbled such as the Greek, Roman and Egyptian civilisations, but said that the Indian civilisation has survived for over five thousand years so there must be some inherent strengths which have enabled India to survive several stresses and strains. He believed that tolerance for diverse religious strains and cultures has helped India weather the storms of conquest, tragedies and calamities and helped keep the spirit of Indian philosophy alive.
What was interesting about this celebration was the participation by some members of the fourth estate, not merely as passive witnesses of the function but also adding their bit to enlighten the audience about the role of the media in communal bonding.
Manosh Das of The Times of India reminded the audience of Tagore’s poem, “Where the mind is without fear.” He said religion must allow individuals to rise to their highest potential, to be fearless and to bring out the best in them. Das also cited Swami Vivekenanda who was a great proponent of the brotherhood of man and religion as a means of helping men find inner peace so that they can spread harmony in the world around them.
It was indeed a unique function for although minister AL Hek was present at the function he was not asked to speak. Also present was legislator Paul Lyngdoh, former minister BM Lanong former minister and deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal. For a change they listened in reverential silence to the voices of the youth.