Shillong, Oct 17: The 33rd All Faith-All Religion Sadbhavana Sammelan (Get Together of Harmony) of the Central Puja Committee (CPC), Meghalaya, was held at Rilbong Durga Puja Mandapam on October 15. The event was hosted by the Rilbong Durga Puja Committee (RDPC), which is celebrating the centenary of Durga Puja this year.
Leaders of different faiths and religions, traditional heads belonging to the SNBH, representatives of Durga Puja committees and invited guests attended the annual gathering, organised every year ahead of the festival season.
The all-faith prayer, a highlight of the programme, was read out by faith leaders led by Swami Hitakamananda, Secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong. The prayer was written by Padma Shri Patricia Mukhim.
RDPC president Padma Shri Manas Chaudhuri recalled the importance of the harmony gathering, stating that its first meeting was held at Rilbong in 1913. He said the initial interactive dialogue took place on the locality ground, where participants sat in a circle without a stage, podium or other formal arrangements. He emphasised that the outcome of the initiative was more important than the arrangements, as it laid the foundation for the gathering to develop and grow over the years.
Chief guest and Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar lauded the Central Puja Committee’s unique initiative and acknowledged that he had been unaware of such an event being organised in the state. He said that although he belongs to the Niamtre faith, he had cultivated the idea of religious unity since childhood and continued to practise it with full conviction.
Guest of honour Sanbor Shullai recalled his long association with the Central Puja Committee and expressed wholehearted encouragement and support for its mission of promoting harmony.
CPC Meghalaya president Naba Bhattacharjee said that religion and faith are deeply held and honourable sentiments, but no single religion represents all of humanity. He called for introspection on the need to prioritise harmony among humanity alongside religious harmony, while maintaining reverence for each other’s faiths.
The CPC’s Sarad Sanman for 2025-26 was presented by the chief guest to six recipients: Prabhat Kanti Paul, Ramshevak Singh, Lur Mangkara Bashai Rani, P.D. Chokhani, Salil Gewali and S.L. Singhania.
A major highlight of this year’s gathering was the participation of two school students, Jason Suchiang and Shina Haokip of B.K. Bajoria School, who shared their impressions and views on the harmony meet.
While appreciating the CPC’s efforts, both students highlighted the importance of involving young people in interfaith dialogues. They stressed the need to broaden the reach of such gatherings, provide a platform for the younger generation to participate, and listen to their opinions and suggestions on the way forward for promoting harmony among youth.
Also read: 50,000 safety pins, one seven-foot Durga idol: Dhubri sculptor’s tribute to women
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