By Francis Sunil Rosario

Kolkata, Feb 21, 2022: A group of delegates from Kashmir spent a week in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata to build fellowship and seek support of government officials and civil society to their demands for protection and security.

Two units of Rotary Club in the city and the Commission for Interreligious dialogue of the archdiocese of Calcutta organized various programs for the stay of the group named “Kafila-e-Muhabbat” (Convoy of Love).

The group of more than 20 comprised members of panchayat and farmers’ collectives from the northernmost region of India.

Led by Nazir Ahmed Khan, they arrived February 15 in Kolkata, capital of West Bengal state, and left on February 21.

The exposure programs included cross-cultural and interfaith interaction to help foster mutual brotherhood and strengthen the national identity. They also led to strengthening people’s faith in the functioning of democratic institutions and values.

The Rotary Clubs of Kolkata’s Nabodiganta and Mahanagar jointly organized the programs.

Religious leaders in the city shared their religious perspectives and listened to the Kashmir delegates. The interfaith dialogue session aimed to give the visitors certain insights in religious and spiritual perspectives, the organizers explained.

They also clarified that the purpose of the meetings was not politically motivated but to help listen to the delegates’ problems. It was to conscientize the people of other states about the condition of people in Kashmir.

The visit was the result of the three-decades of efforts of O. P. Shah, chairman of Centre for Peace in Kolkata. He visited Kashmir in 1990 to understand the situation there and the crises people faced.

Shah made several attempts to reach out to the government officials and the panchayat leaders. He finally managed to involve others into the peace building process. He urged the Rotary Club leaders in Kolkata to take up the challenge.

Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta, who chaired an interfaith seminar on February 17, spoke on ‘Fratelli Tutti,’ the encyclical by Pope Francis. The archbishop urged all to come forward to work for harmony, fellowship and understanding between people of various faith communities. He commended the Rotary Clubs of Kolkata for welcoming the group from Kashmir.

“Such gestures should be promoted more and an atmosphere of amity created to build bridges of peace and harmony,” the prelate said.

The program also listened to Shah, Bikhu Arunjyoti of Budhism, Swami of the Vedanta Society, Maulana Ahmed Ali, Papiya Adhikary.

Other programs were a meeting with panchayat members in West Bengal on February 16, visit to Ramakrishna Mission on February 17, visit to Nakhuda Mosque and Mayor of Kolkata, visit to Eco Park.

A cultural program was organized February 20 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Barasat Church that focused national integration, harmony and cultural exchange.

On the final day, the group visited Bidhan Sabha (state legislative assembly) and held a press conference at the Press club of Kolkata.