Durga Puja unifies all
During this time
of joy and cementing social bonds, the main objective for all of us should be to ensure that the menace of faith based division never manages to dilute our centuries old moderate outlook
If someone needs to see how religious festivals of one faith transgress social boundaries to reach out to the masses, then Bangladesh is perhaps the best example. As we celebrate the Durga Puja along with millions of brothers and sisters, the true secular nature of Bangladesh emerges in full glory. Yes, there have been malicious instances in the past by parochial sections to undermine the all-encompassing ability of a religious celebration to unite all, but fortunately, in the end, these vile efforts simply evaporated in the face of a predominantly liberal outlook of millions, who have rightly championed this country as a comfortable place for people of all faiths. Durga Puja is such an event which goes beyond one religion to touch us all with its universal flavour ofcelebration.
This is a time when we get together to uphold social bonds and state emphatically our overall desire to make society a better place.
The Goddess Durga and the event stand for a relentless fight against evil instincts the domination of good impulses over the bad. No person is perfect but by trying to overcome the pettiness, selfish instincts and common malevolence, we can make life more harmonious. The Puja Mandaps all around the country, especially around Dhaka city, will be visited by thousands, and a large number will not be Hindus, but from other faiths, eager to be part of this extravaganza.
This, per se, speaks of our inherent spirit of tolerance which has resolutely stood the test of time. A wider perspective is necessary here because Bangladesh is one of the few countries in the world which has a government declared mandatory public holiday for the religious festivals of the four major faiths and, on each occasion, the mood of festivity is for all, not for just a few.
If this is not the face of a secular country then no other can be simply by amplifying social tolerance in lofty rhetoric. During this time of joy and cementing social bonds, the main objective for all of us should be to ensure that the menace of faith based division never manages to dilute our centuries old moderate outlook.
Looking at the global scene, we find that schisms within communities resulting in horrific violence is driving men, women and children out from their homes to horrible deaths and uncertainty. This sends a strong message about the importance to solidify social ties, involving different faiths, for a life together in relative peace.
We hope Durga Puja will bring happiness and a sense of rational thinking to all.
