The Festival of Lights, Diwali, brought a spark of joy and unity among stakeholders of Samvaad Program as they gathered for a special celebration at Suchetna Bareilly Dioceses of Social Services. In a significant move to sustain Caritas India’s Samvaad Peace Building and Reconciliation Program, a dedicated forum was recently established to carry forward the Samvaad peace initiatives. This forum, composed of like-minded individuals committed to peace, aims to take ownership of these initiatives and continue promoting harmony within their communities.

As part of this commitment, forum members came together to celebrate Diwali, a festival symbolizing light, unity, and joy. The Diwali gathering provided a meaningful opportunity for these peace champions to meet, exchange greetings, and reflect on the shared vision of harmony that they are working to uphold. Through conversations and festive exchanges, forum members strengthened bonds and renewed their dedication to advancing peace initiatives in their own communities.

Caritas India partners have worked tirelessly to instill a sense of responsibility within these communities, not only promoting peace and harmony but also empowering local leaders to take ownership of these initiatives. By preparing community members to lead efforts at the grassroots level, Caritas has paved the way for lasting change and self-sustaining peace efforts.

This forum marks a pivotal moment for the Samvaad Program, as it transitions into a model where communities are equipped to lead the mission of peace independently. The Diwali celebration showcased both the unity and the commitment of these community leaders, setting a hopeful tone for the future of peace and reconciliation.

The Shanti Sadbhavna Vikas Manch, part of Suchetna-BDSSC, brought warmth and joy to Saidpur area with a beautiful Deepawali celebration at Pahel Gramin Vikas Samiti. The gathering began with a warm welcome from Shri Mahesh Pal, a forum member and the director of Pahel NGO, who expressed his gratitude for everyone’s presence.

In a touching display of unity, each member lit a candle and placed it on a rangoli shaped like the map of India, symbolizing our shared identity and togetherness, beyond any differences of faith. Members then shared their personal reflections on Deepawali and its message of light, noting how every religion reveres light as a symbol of hope and understanding.

From the key stakeholders and forum member Shri Sanjeev J Nath spoke thoughtfully about the need to overcome the darkness within us, reminding everyone how the forum has been a bridge, bringing people from different faiths closer together. Through these meetings, they’ve come to truly understand one another. Shri Arif, a journalist and dedicated social worker, reflected on his experiences and emphasized how essential this forum is for promoting peace and harmony in society.

Advocate Smt. Parmeshwari expressed deep appreciation for the ongoing efforts of Suchetna and Caritas India, acknowledging their work in promoting peace and raising awareness on social issues. Shri Danish Raja spoke from the heart, underscoring the importance of kindness and compassion, regardless of religious differences, encouraging everyone to reach out and support one another.

The group then discussed their plans to keep the forum’s work active, agreeing to stay connected through an online group. As the celebrations wrapped up, each member received a small Deepawali gift and refreshments, which they accepted with smiles and shared laughter. The event was a heartfelt reminder of how peace and friendship can light up lives as brightly as any festival.