Global convention of universal brotherhood commemorates platinum jubilee year

Held on 19 and 20, December at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, the convention drew a diverse membership of corporate communities in a celebration of shared ideals and philosophies. It underscored the founding principles of Sri Narayana Guru Society, in commemoration of 75 years since the establishment of Sri Narayana Guru Memorial Hall towards sustainable community development.

The first day’s inaugural session attended by many notable dignitaries commenced with a traditional dance performance, setting the tone for the events that followed. M. K. Rahulan, Director, Presidential Communication/Former Director of Legislator Services in Parliament and Chief Parliament Interpreter, as the President of Sri Narayana Guru Society of Sri Lanka welcomed those gathered. Guest of Honour Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India addressed the gathering weighing in on the significance of the occasion. Other speakers included Minister Viswa Sadasivan, MP, Singapore; Minister N. K. Premachandran, India; Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose, Administrator, Central Cultural Department, Govt. of India, Vice Chancellor of the National Museum Institute, India; and T. P. Sirinivasan, former Ambassador to the Permanent Mission, Vienna, Deputy Chief, and Indian Embassy, Washington. Other notable participants included M. K. Bhadrakumar, former career diplomat and R. K. Krishna Kumar, Director, Tata Sons.

Highlighting the spirit of the convention benedictory speeches were delivered by a diverse membership of religious leaders which included Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thero, Chancellor, Sri Jayawardenapura University; Swami Sarvarupananda, President, Ramakrishna Mission, Colombo; Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, former Archbishop of Colombo; Ashshaikh Fazil Mohamed Farook, All Ceylon Jammiyathal Ulama, and from Sivagiri Mattam, His Holiness Swami Prakasananda, His Holiness Swami Hrithambharananda and His Holiness Swami Satchidananda.

The convention itself focused on values, ideals and messages propounded by the Sree Narayana Guru Society such as inter-faith harmony and promotion of cultural initiatives. The four Philosophical Sessions that were conducted subsequently included speeches delivered by eminent thinkers and intellectuals from diverse fields. The speakers engaged the audience on thought provoking topics ranging from the sociological to the spiritual. “The convention serves as an essential bridge between the philosophical traditions of India and Sri Lanka, and gives us a rare opportunity to strengthen ties and rebuild human lives,” said T. S. Prakash, General Manager, Revlon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and Global Convention Organising Secretary. “The aim was to bring together representatives of fraternal communities from all over the world, learn from the founding principles of the organisation and create similar fraternal communities,” he added on the convention’s objectives.

The first session was conducted by Prof. Ashis Nandy, Fellow, CSDS, Delhi on the Praxis and Dharma in South Asia; Prof. Roby Rajan, Author, Professor of Business, Wisconsin State University, Parkside followed with the second, speaking on Transformative Pathways to Alternate Futures in South Asia; Prof. Vinay Lal, Professor, History, UCLA, addressed the gathering on justice, ideas and norms of justice and explorations from Draudabi to Bilkis Bano, and the final session by Prof. B. Rajeevan, Philosopher, Author and Critic on Unravelling the Mystique of Truth. Each philosophical address was concluded with a lively interactive session that ensued involving the audience, thus encouraging the sharing of different ideals and thoughts.

From left: His Holiness Swami Satchidananda, His Holiness Swami Hrithambharananda, His Holiness Swami Prakasananda, Swami Sarvarupananda, Most Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thero, Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, M. K. Rahulan,  Ashok Kantha, Viswa Sadasivan, N. K. Premachandran, Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose, T. P. Sirinivasan, Ashshaikh Fazil Mohamed Farook and Dr. K. K. Damodaran