Yuva Sadbhav, an Inter Faith Programme held in Pilar
-Fr. Elvis Fernandes, SFX
Yuva Sadbhav, a two-day Inter Faith programme for young people from different Faiths and Beliefs was held at the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, Pilar, on the 26 and 27 of March. Around sixty-three college students from ten different colleges across Goa came together to dialogue and build solidarity with one another. Yuva Sadbhav is an activity of Sadbhav – an initiative of the Society of Pilar to foster interfaith relations and communal harmony. Fr. Lawrence Fernandes, the Director of Pilar Pilgrim Centre, welcomed the youngsters.
Pravin Sabnis, a corporate trainer, conducted a session ‘rainbow diversity’. Tallulah D’Silva, Prof. Joan Rebello, Fr. Elvis Fernandes, Ambrin Beig and Asim Shaikh also facilitated the other sessions.
Yuva Sadbhav came to a close with Sadbhav Prarthana – an interfaith prayer meet for connecting spiritually with members from different faith communities. The prayer meet was led by representatives from six different religions, based on the theme ‘Mercy and Forgiveness’: Isalm, Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Christianity.
Fr. Cedric Prakash, a well-known human rights, reconciliation and peace activist, who was the special guest. Fr. Sebastiao Mascarenhas, the Superior General of the Society of Pilar applauded the college students for participating in Yuva Sadbhav and celebrating their diversity. Fr. Elvis Fernandes, the Convenor of Sadbhav thanked each and every person for their valuable contribution towards the organisation of Yuva Sadbhav.
Prof. Carina Vaz and Prof. Resham Bhambra were the comperes during the Sadbhav Prarthana.