taskgroupsecularism


	*Task Group*

	SADWI

	SECULARISM

	YOUTH ISSUE

	RURAL DEVELOPMENT

	ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT

	HRD


		*Secularism*

	Promoting Ideals Secularism

	Dialogue Liberates People from Religious Intolerance

	Prof. N.S. Ramaswamy who was recently awarded the "Padmabhushan", while addressing the gathering, the inter-religious dialogue was the best means to liberate the people from religious intolerance and fanaticism. The meeting was organized on 27^th April 2006 by the dialogue wing of the City YMCA Bangalore called Movement for Inter Religious Understanding and Harmony (MIRUH).


	The programme started with the recitation of "Shlokas" by Prof. Ramaswamy and the welcome address by Mr. Rathnakumar, the newly appointed General Secretary of the YMCA, Fr George Koovakal, President Messengers of Peace and Harmony felicitated Prof. Ramaswamy for receiving the much coveted "Padmabhushan" Award.


		Peace for Progress - Independence Day Celebration

	YMCA Celebrated Independence Day on Saturday, the 12^th August 2006, on the Theme: "TOWARDS PEACE FOR PROGRESS" Students from different schools participated in the events and performed cultural programmes like group songs, dance, play on the theme. This programme was jointly organized by the Lions Club, Prasanth Nagar, D-324 D, Lion Vijayakumar Shetty, Lion Unni Krishna Nair D-324 D6 supported this programme. Lion T.K. Swamiappa, MJF District 304 D1 deliverer the Peace message to the children. Mr. King Das. M, Chairman of the Task Group presided over the function.

	International Peace Day Celebrations


	The YMCA Bangalore under the task group on secularism Organized an International Peace Day Celebration in association with IARF (International Association for Religious Freedom and DBM (Dharma Bharati Mission) on 23^rd September 2006 at YMCA.


	Swami Sachidananda Bharati was the founder of Dharma Bharati National Institute of Peace and value Education and a former Indian Air force Officer turned seeker of truth and actionist of peace after an encounter with death in an air crash in 1982, inaugurated the Programme by lighting the lamp and a signature on the peace canvas. Mr. King Das. M., Chairman of the Task Group on Secularism welcomed the gathering. Inter Religious Prayers were read by HINDU, CHRISTIAIN, ISLAM and SIKH representatives from the Holy Scriptures. Mr. J. Alexander, President YMCA Bangalore presided over the function. Mr. C.N.N. Raju, Secretary IARF introduced the Chief Guest.

	Lecture Series - 2005-2006

	Dharmaram Vidya Niketan, Bangalore, Center for the Study of World Religious (CSWR) along with YMCA Bangalore BIRD (Bangalore Initiative for Religious Dialogue), FIREFLIES ASHRAM, (Bangalore Forum for Science and Religion) (BFSR) organized a six months' Certificate Course which started on 13^th Sunday, August 2006 at 10.30 a.m. at CSWR Multimedia Hall.

	During the six months course relevant contemporary Inter Disciplinary and Inter Religious themes were discussed by prominent personalities in respective fields. This year's Lecture Series theme was: 'RATIONALITY, RELIGION AND PROSPERITY".

	Dr. Stanley Samartha Memorial Lecture 2006

	The 5^th Dr. Stanley Samartha Memorial Lecture 2006 on 23rd September 2006 on the Theme *"Towards an Ethical Code of Conduct for Religious Conversions* was held at St. Mark's Cathedral. Dr. Hans Ucko, Programme Executive, Inter Religious Relation and Dialogue, World Council of Churches, Geneva, Switzerland, published several books and an extensive writer of articles and paper

	This programme was jointly organized by Bangalore Initiative for the Religious Dialogue, Young Men's Christian Association and St. Mark's Cathedral.

	Consultation on Peace Education

As we are well aware, that the Peace & Communal Harmony has become one of the most urgent needs of our country, which was, till recently known for its positive attitude & openness towards the followers of all faith. Many factors have contributed to the present day development of hatred, violence & even riots in the name of religions. This has certainly poisoned the minds & hearts of our young people.

With this background YMCA Bangalore Benedictine Inter Religious Dialogue (BID) and Messengers of peace and harmony organized, two days consultation on peace education for teachers. This programme was organized at Benedictine Inter Religious Dialogue centre at Asirvanam, Kumbalgodu. Nearly 65 teachers, educators attended the two days residential workshop on December 2006. Rev. Fr. GEORGE NELLIYANY delivered the welcome address. The Inaugural address was given by Rev. Fr. Stephen OSB, Fr. George Koovakal Director MPH Delhi gave orientation to the whole Programme. The following were the resource persons who spoke on the different perspective on peace education: M/s: A.S.K Vasishtha - Hindu Perspective of peace Education, A.D. Shah - Jain Perspective of peace Education, Rev Fr. Pradeep Sequrian S.J.-Christian Perspective of peace Education, M.A. Siraj B.B.C (Journalist)-Islam Perspective of peace Education, H.S. Bhatia -Sikh Perspective of peace Education, Master Bhodi Bhushan - Buddhist Perspective of peace Education. Sri. Ivon Nagli MLA distributed the certificates. His holiness Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Shivapuri Mahaswamy delivered his peace message to all the participants. Rev. Fr. Jerome OSB, BID Secretary, proposed the vote of thanks.


	Dialogue Partner's Meet

	More than 25 participants representing the various Inter Religious dialogue centers, groups and associations and a few individuals actively involved in promoting peace and communal harmony in Bangalore met together at City YMCA on 28^th March 2007. The programme was jointly organized by the Task Group on Secularism, YMCA and the Messengers of Peace and Harmony, Delhi. The meeting started with an inter-religious prayer Mr. S.V. Rathnakumar � General Secretary, YMCA welcomed the participants. Mr. King Das, Chairman of the Task Group on Secularism gave the inaugural address while Fr. George Koovakal introduced the theme and also explained the dynamics of the meet.

Following organizations Participated in the meet: M.P.H. (Messenger of Peace and Harmony), MIRUH (Movement for Inter Religious Understanding and Harmony), PUCL (Peoples Union for Civil Liberties), Ashirvanam Inter Religious movement, Sisters Inter Religious Groups- Bridjitine, C.S.I. Inter Religious groups, SATSANGH, GURUDWARA Inter religious wing, CSWR (Centre for study of World Religions), MALA (Mapala Art Lowers Association), TAMEER, Namma Bengalooru, Malayalam writers' Forum, MPH � Youth Volunteers, YMCA College of Physical Education Volunteers.


	Hinduism � A Gandhian Perspective � A Panel Discussion


	Hinduism � A Gandhian Perspective Programme was organized by YMCA Bangalore St. Mark's Cathedral and Bangalore initiative for Religious Dialogue on 30^th January 2007 at ST. Marks Cathedral Auditorium at 5.00 p.m. Rev. Vincent Rajkumar welcomed the gathering.


		An Introduction to the book was provided by Prof. M.V. Nadkarni (Former Vice Chancellor of Gulbarga University)

	The Panelists were

	Dr. C.T. Kurien, (Eminent Economist and Professor Emeritus MIDS), Dr. N. Jayaram (Director, Inst. For Social & Economic Change), Dr. Narendra Pani (Sr. Editor, Economic Times), Dr. Ali Khawaja (Banjara Academy). The programnme was moderated by Mr. Siddartha (Director FIREFLYS) Ashram Mr. M. King Das (Chairman, Task Group on Secularism) proposed the Vote of Thanks.


	YWCA/YMCA Week of Prayer and World Fellowship 2006


	The Task Group on Secularism organized a programme on the theme "Changing Lives and Changing Communities" on 14^th November 2006 at YMCA. A report of the programme appears under " World YMCA/YWCA Week of Prayer"

Lecture on inclusive growth and Budget 2007 was organized where in the eminent economist C.T. Kurien spoke extensively on "A high growth rate without inclusive measures generates not only millionaires, but also beggars", he said while delivering a talk on the above. Achieving inclusive growth was not all that easy as the generation of huge incomes at the top-level would always have a tendency towards exclusion of people at the lower level from the development process, he cautioned. He cautioned that the country might face an economic crisis in the course of time if no steps were taken to check the high inflation, as offshoot of high growth rate. At present, there was an imbalance in economic growth.


	The programme was organized by YMCA Bangalore and BIRD and St. Mark's Cathedral on 17^th March 2007 at 5:50pm at St. Mark's Cathedral. Rev Vincent Rajkumar, Presbyter in-charge St.Mark's Cathedral welcomed the gathering. Mr. King Das. M, Chairman Task Group secularism proposed the vote of Thanks


	The Bangalore Peace Forum Initiated

Bangalore has been a peace loving city, a city that has been growing in recent times beyond all proportions, where people of different languages, cultures, religious, economic strata, political affiliations etc., daily rub shoulders, yet live in peace. Hence it is important for Bangalore to remain a peace-loving city. If the cancer of violence � whether for political, linguistic, religious or economic or a mixture of these spreads and is not nipped in to bud, Bangalore will no more be a safe city, and all its great socio-economic potential will be washed down the drain.

In this context we have set up of a Bangalore Peace Forum, to promote inter religious / inter linguistic peace and harmony in the Metropolitan City.

The Forum would be a coordination of all like-minded groups that are involved in working for harmony. The core group of 8 members meets at ASHIRWAD on 30^th March 2007; Fr Ronnie Prabhu became the Chairman of the Bangalore Peace Forum.

Mr. M. King Das was the Chairman and Mr. J. Suhas is the Related Secretary of the Task Group on Secularism.


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	Young Men's Christian Association, Nrupathhunga Road, Bangalore � 560001, Karnataka � India. Ph: +91-080-22211848/22105159 Fax: +91-080-22240431 Email: ymca_bangalore@vsnl.com