Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Jan 31: As part of 'Saamarasya 2016', a festival of food and culture for peace organised by Karnataka Christian Educational Society (KACES), 'Kalotsava' cultural extravaganza was held at KACES ground, Balmatta here on Saturday January 30 evening.

The event was inaugurated by Dekan Bernd Liebendoerfer of Ecumenical Pastors and Pastors Help, Germany.

Addressing the gathering, Liebendoerfer said, "It is a great honour for me to deliver the inaugural speech at this festival of peace and culture. Celebrating life in different cultures is very important. I am convinced that we should live in peace not because it is comfortable for us, but because god wants us to live in peace. God has created us to live in peace and harmony and thereby respect all other religions, cultures and languages. There are differences of opinion, culture, language and religion. Diversity is as natural as weather, be it among plants or any other creature, but diversity among human beings can create trouble. We need to overcome that.

"I am glad that this programme which will demonstrate diversity will be held here for the next two days. I come from Germany. We started to live in a society of different cultures and languages just 50 years ago, and it is now emulated by the coming of about 2% of refugees who are of different religion, culture and language. But in India you have always lived in a society of diversity and I congratulate all of you. Living in peace pleases god. I congratulate the organizers on hosting such a meaningful event."

Rev Paul Brauchle, board member, Pfarrerinnen, Germany said, "We come from Germany which is completely a different culture. I am happy to be part of this event. I congratulate and convey best wishes on behalf of my fellow members of Pfarrerinnen."

Khaleel Ibrahim, member of Red Camels, Mangaluru said, "This event has been organized to promote peace and harmony in society. But what we see today in society is murder, robbery and terrorism. No religion preaches these immoral activities. The essence of every religion is peace, harmony and tolerance. If ISIS leaders are really following Islam, they would not be engaging in such violent activities. They are doing acts which are against Islam. Islam says if you kill a person, it is equal to killing the whole humanity. We should not fight in the name of religion and culture. We should be a role model to the future generation. All religions teach us to live in peace and harmony. We need to change ourselves and strive for world peace."

Rev Dr Honey Cabral, principal, KTC and secretary, KACES in his presidential address said, "We should keep up the pace of promoting unity. Culture is the best way to convey the message of unity in society. We might belong to different religions, languages or ethnicity, but we should understand that the essence of all religions is peace and harmony."

Cultural events were held where seven teams performed on the theme of peace and harmony.

Rev Dr F Anilkumar, treasurer, KACES thanked the gathering.

Rev Immanuel R Punith, and Rev K Sagar Sundar Raj, conveners of 'Saamarasya 2016' and others were present.

The event will continue on Sunday January 31 with food festival 'Aaharotsava'.