Last year 2010, three speakers from three different religions- Christian, Hindu and Islam gave messages during the Christmas celebrations in the Government College of Teacher Education, Trivandrum. All the three, spoke profusely about peace and love. I shall cite a few messages given by the three speakers which appealed to me most.
Rev. Fr. George M. John, of the Mar Thoma Church made a reference to a seminar on the medium of instruction organized a few years ago by the Institute of English, University of Kerala. During the deliberations a speaker from the audience, Prof. Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri (the 2010 year winner of the prestigious Vallathol award and Vayalar award) affirmed “: …all said and done, the most important medium for instruction is ‘LOVE’ that flows from the teacher to the student!”
Swami Atmalokananda of the Sri Ramakrishna Mutt in Trivandrum made a reference to a statement once made by Swami Vivekananda: “If one really wants to succeed in life, one ought to possess the intelligence of Sree Sankaracharya, the love of Jesus Christ and the kindness of Sree Buddha”. The speaker also said that we ought to focus not just on bread winning education but man making education!
Jalaluddin, the Imam of Palayam mosque, enlightened the audience on the close relationship between religions. In the Holy Koran in twelve chapters there is a reference to Mother Mary-the only lady mentioned in the Koran! Referring to the history of Kerala, he drew the attention of the audience to the fact that Muslims and Hindus had always lived in harmony in God’s Own Country, Kerala. The wholehearted support the Muslim community in Ponnani gave to the Hindu king- Samudiri of Calicut to fight the foreign invaders is a case in point. The speaker also expressed the hope that during curriculum revisions in Kerala if we consciously include the values upheld by different religions our children will learn to get to know, love and respect members of all religions…
Will the members of the Curriculum Committee in Kerala take heed of these messages?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
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