Religious leaders speak on importance of festivals

Udupi: A harmony meet was held at Don Bosco Hall in Udupi on December 22, Saturday under the auspices of the District Minority, Catholic Sabha, Udupi and Kalianpur Deanery. An inter-religious discourse on the main festivals of the respective religion, was attended by religious heads of all the three faiths.
The topic of the inter-religious discourse was “’Importance of Festivals in Religion” Speaking on the topic, Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Puttige Mutt, urged the society to shun grand celebrations of festivals. They must be celebrated in a simple manner by devoting the day to prayers, he added.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, who spoke on Christmas, said it was a day to understand the message of peace and hope of Jesus Christ.
Mohammad Kunhi, Manager of Shanthi Prakashana who also spoke on Eid said the basic essence of all religions was one and the same
Fr Fred Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Mother of Sorrows Church,Benedicta Menezes, President of Catholic Sabha Kallianpur Deanary, Abdul Rasheed, President of District Minority Forum, Louis D’Almeida, Secretary of Catholic Sabha, and others were present on the occasion