Your cover story on so many Indians embracing another religion’s customs without giving up their own was excellent. Sadly, the divide, if any, is created for selfish interests and political gains. This is an open secret (‘Harmony in diversity’, September 18).
I will give full marks to THE WEEK for having come up with such heartening real-life stories, where the religion that one follows does not matter. What matters is one’s faith in the true sense of the term.
Thank you for spreading cheer and positivity.
Suman Anand,
Delhi.
A Hindu, a Muslim, a Christian, a Jain, or a Sikh, can find God’s kingdom here on earth. Heaven is not where we go after death. Rather, we create heaven on earth. I thank the editor and the entire team of THE WEEK for a wonderful cover package, which could bring drastic conversion in the hearts of many who do not believe in living together.
Noel Prabhu,
On email.
Throughout our nation’s history, people of different religions have stayed together harmoniously. They have celebrated each others’ festivals. Unless we unite, we will not prosper, and no foreigner will come to India and invest in our economy.
Amarnath Gujarathi,
Bengaluru.
I was thrilled after reading your cover story. I am glad that some have accepted the importance of religious concord. People who believe that only their religion is superior ought to be dealt with severely.
Frewin D’Souza,
On email.
THE WEEK deserves praise for publishing stories that promote interfaith and ethnic harmony, while the nation is at strife over senseless misconceptions over religion.
A small coterie of misguided people create disruption in the name of caste and creed, and that shakes the very conscience of society.
Sanath Kumar T.S.,
On email.
The various stories of interfaith worship in India should be an eye-opener to radicals in all religions. The ordinary person in the country is not bothered about the rhetoric of the hardliners, who are very few but hold sway.
B.C. Unnikrishnan Nair,
On email.
It was amazing to read about Hindus going to mosques and Muslims going to temples in good faith and devotion. I remember an incident long ago when my wife, who was pregnant then, got stuck in traffic during the Ganesh Chaturthi procession in Chennai. No buses were running in the city that day. This was when an old Muslim man—a rickshaw driver—helped my wife. He took her to his house and offered her a cup of tea. Later, he dropped my wife at our house and he did not take money from my wife. Yes, such humanism still prevails in our sacred land. It is only political and geographical factors that divide Hindus and Muslims.
THE WEEK needs to be complimented for publishing articles highlighting communal unity. Humanism and mankind never die.
Raghavan Rajagopal,
On email.
Your cover package was an oasis in the desert. These tiny but strong incidents of leaving everything behind and coming together not only filled our hearts with joy, but also gave us hope.
Dilip Gurjar,
On email.
Please accept my congratulations on your cover story on religious harmony in India. It enlightened me.
Nagesh S. Adiga,
Bengaluru.
It was heartening to see my favourite magazine take a bold step by publishing articles, highlighting many stories of interfaith worship from across the country. Of late, a section of our society is injecting religious poison, creating hate and disharmony and destroying the social fabric.
Hope THE WEEK will continue to play a leading role in maintaining exemplary journalism and fight decisive forces.
Joseph Pinto,
On email.
It is common in India to see people visit the shrines of another religion. I have witnessed Hindus visiting dargahs and Muslims visiting temples. In Tiptur, in Karnataka, a Muslim shrine is run by a Hindu during Muharram. It is the politicians who spread hatred between people for their selfish gains. It is time people shed hatred and lived peacefully to build a strong nation.
Jayashankar R.,
On email.
THE WEEK has done a remarkable job in bringing out a cover story highlighting the unique harmony existing among different communities, which many of us were unaware of. It is refreshing that you have dared to bring out such a cover story amidst the din of disharmony. THE WEEK truly promotes ‘journalism with a human touch’. How is it that one never hears of these instances of joint worships and harmonious co-existence in other news publications? If only the rest of the media could emulate THE WEEK, we would be a far better society.
Rajesh Malik,
On email.
The people of Kurundwad in Maharashtra are the epitome of unity in diversity—I was dumbfounded after reading the article. There are persons who want to divide India. I want them to read your cover story.
Sugumar Jose,
On email.
Role model
Serena Williams will always remain one of the greatest tennis players of all time. She is a role model for so many aspiring players. Serena has so much strength and confidence in her body, that she could even defeat some of the well-known male tennis players (‘The big picture’, September 18).
Devika Kumari,
On email.