Odisha: religious leaders unite for the 75th anniversary of the Divine Life Society
In Cuttack’s Indoor stadium, a large interfaith gathering brought together representatives of the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, and Christian traditions to join in a call for “universal brotherhood”. For Archbishop John Barwa, “when faith communities stand together for truth, compassion, and the protection of human dignity, they become a transformative force for good.”
Cuttack (AsiaNews) – The Indian state of Odisha (Orissa) recently celebrated Amruta Mahotsav, the 75th anniversary, of the Divine Life Society of Cuttack, an important spiritual centre, part of the international Hindu organisation founded by Swami Sivananda Saraswati.
On Monday, the initiatives culminated in an interfaith meeting held at a local stadium, focusing on the theme: “A Call to Universal Fraternity: A Moral Vision for Our Time”.
Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar was among the spiritual leaders invited to speak, expressing the Christian voice for dialogue on peace, unity, and human dignity.
The event brought together distinguished representatives from the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, and Christian traditions, along with scholars and public leaders, reflecting India's rich spiritual diversity.
Despite differences, the central message remained one: the urgent need to re-establish brotherhood, compassion, and moral responsibility in today's fragmented world.
In his address, Archbishop Barwa stressed that the Christian faith begins with a profound truth about the human person: All are created by a single, loving God.
He reminded the assembly that, before nationality, religion, or social identity, humanity shares a common origin and a common destiny.
Drawing on Holy Scripture, the archbishop highlighted the biblical teaching that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and, therefore, possesses an intrinsic dignity that must never be violated.
"This conviction," he noted, "forms the foundation of Christian social teaching and the Church's commitment to justice, peace, and reconciliation."
The prelate also reflected on Jesus's words, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9), explaining that peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, love, and mutual respect.
He urged believers of all faiths to become builders of bridges rather than walls, especially in times marked by division, mistrust, and violence.
Archbishop Barwa also reiterated that religious traditions must not remain confined to ritual spaces, but must actively contribute to shaping society.
“When faith communities stand together for truth, compassion, and the protection of human dignity, they become a transformative force for good.”
He also recognised the importance of interreligious gatherings like this one, calling them signs of hope in a world that often emphasises differences rather than shared values.
Participants described the event as spiritually uplifting and deeply moving. The presence of leaders from multiple traditions, gathered in mutual respect, created a visible sign of unity in diversity.
The Amruta Mahotsav became more than a jubilee celebration: it established itself as a testimony that faith, when lived authentically, can inspire moral renewal and shed light on the challenges of our time.
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