Orientation Programme Held In Darjeeling for Promoting Harmony and Dialogue

DARJEELING, APR. 01, 2008, 09.30 Hrs (CBCI News):

The third orientation programme, in the series, being organized by the Dialogue Commission of the Diocese of Darjeeling took place at Pushpika Pastoral Centre, for the selected school/college teachers of Kalimpong in Darjeeling Diocese on 29 March 08.

The programme was attended by 55 participants from 16 schools and two colleges of Kalimpong.

The promotion of religious harmony calls ‘correct knowledge of one’s own as well as neighbour’s religion’ was the stress of Dr Irshad Ahmed, while Col. (retd) Parnel stressed the spontaneously prevailing harmony of the hills in comparison to the rest of India and the need to preserve the same. Fr Karl took the participants into the depths of spiritual realization and search for inner wellbeing as the criteria for a balanced approach to the world of interpersonal relationships.

The participants were formed into groups of ten members each after a short tea break to respond to the input talks, to make their observations about the ground reality in their respective institutions and to come up with suggestions to preserve and promote religious harmony in the educational institutions.

The two concrete decisions arrived at as a result of the sharing by the participants are as follows: first to initiate harmony clubs in the schools/colleges, and second, to organize an interschool fest for harmony in the town in the coming academic year.

There was a fine sense of fellowship and camaraderie that made the day memorable and intellectually stimulating.

The resource persons were members of the commission, Col. Leslie Parnel, Principal, South Point School, Kurseong, Prof. Irshad Ahmed, Head of the PG Department, Government College, Darjeeling, Fr Karl Krull SJ, Manresa Jesuit novitiate, Kalimpong and Fr George Thadathil sdb, Secretary, Commission for Dialogue, Darjeeling Diocese.

Sent by:
Saroj Lama & Benjamina Tamang
Kalimpong