Mumbai

'Peace is the need of the hour'

By Sharmistha Chatterjee

MUMBAI: On the occasion of Nav Roz, the Baha'i new year, Spiritual Assembly of Baha'is of Mumbai had organised a special programme at Chowpatty, on March 24. It was in keeping with the observance of their faith in communal harmony and propagation of universal peace and brotherhood.

Baha'u'llah, the founding father of the Bahai faith, had emphasised on bringing together all the various diverse faiths and today as it stands, Bahai has a strong following the world over. With an informal gathering of members of the Baha'i faith, Chowpatty Beach made a pretty picture with hundreds of colourful balloons. Students of Activity High School, dressed in costumes of various religious communities, were present to release the balloons.

Speaking on the occasion, Bharati Gandhi, member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i's, said, "The need of the hour, not just in India but the world over, is peace and all should work towards it. We have to do away with extremist forces and create an environment conducive for the generations to come."

She further emphasised, "There is an urgent need for an international law-making body today which will ensure that people all over the world come under a single umbrella". Mrs Perin Bagli, secretary of the ICSE Board, Maharashtra, stressed on the need for national peace and harmony. Upholding the Baha'i faith she said, "Today, religion is used to meet personal and sectional interests with no consideration for minority groups. And today we should try and overcome these limitations and promote peace and solidarity among the people."

The balloons, which were released by the children, had pictures of the Bahai's Lotus Temple and symbols of different religions. The purpose that underlay this act was to spread the word of peace and goodwill the world over.