Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader addresses World Interfaith Conference at Vatican City
Vatican City: The Hon’ble Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Shri U.T. Khader, delivered a thought-provoking address at the three-day World Interfaith Conference titled "Religions Together for a Better Humanity" in Vatican City.
The event commemorated the centenary of the first International Interfaith Conference initiated by Brahmashri Narayana Guru in 1924. The conference brought together spiritual leaders, scholars, and advocates of peace from across the globe to reflect on interfaith dialogue and the role of religion in fostering unity and harmony.
Khader began his address by emphasizing the universal ideals of peace and brotherhood. He said, “I stand before you not as a representative of any single religion, but as a humble voice of humanity, carrying the collective hopes, struggles, and aspirations of billions who dream of a world united in peace, love, and harmony.”
Reflecting on the legacy of Brahmashri Narayana Guru, Shri Khader highlighted the social reformer’s groundbreaking efforts in promoting equality and unity during a time of significant social discrimination. “His revolutionary teaching of ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God for Mankind’ sparked a social movement in Kerala, advocating for social equality, harmony, and peaceful coexistence. He also underscored the transformative power of education in uplifting communities,” he remarked.
The Speaker acknowledged India’s spiritual heritage, drawing inspiration from visionaries such as Narayana Guru and Swami Vivekananda. “India, the land of great spiritual visionaries, has always been a beacon of human dignity and universal brotherhood. Their teachings continue to inspire us to strive for a world of unity, peace, and harmony,” he added.
Khader expressed his gratitude to Swami Sachidananda, President of Shri Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust, Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and Cardinal-designate Monsignor George Koovakad for organizing the event. He also described meeting His Holiness Pope Francis as a deeply moving experience, calling the Pope a “remarkable ambassador of the 21st century, fostering interfaith dialogue and championing peace and justice.”
During his speech, Shri Khader stressed the urgent need to revisit and apply Narayana Guru’s teachings in today’s divided world. “While technology has brought us closer, paradoxically, it has also driven hearts further apart. The cries of the marginalized, the scars of conflict, and the silent suffering of our planet demand our urgent attention,” he stated.
Quoting the ancient Indian mantra “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family), he underlined its relevance in modern times. “In a fragmented world, where the loudest voices often speak of hate, we must rise as torchbearers of unity. Harmony does not demand that we erase our differences; it asks only that we embrace them,” he said.
Khader also called for actionable compassion. “The world does not need more ideologies—it needs compassion in action. True faith is not proven by verbal preaching, but by the hands we extend to lift the fallen and the courage we summon to stand against injustice,” he emphasized.
In his concluding remarks, Khader urged religious leaders to reject hatred and focus on fostering understanding. “Let us use our pulpits and platforms not to incite fear but to inspire hope. Let us invest in interfaith education, teaching our children the beauty of their own faiths and others’. As Shri Narayana Guru taught us—One God, One Religion, One God for Mankind,” he said.
The conference, held at one of the world’s most sacred sites, marked a step towards bridging divides between faiths. Khader concluded with a powerful message: “Let this gathering in Vatican City be remembered as the dawn of a new era, where humanity transcends all differences and embraces all philosophies and beliefs. May peace prevail on Earth!”
The event was attended by leaders and delegates from various countries, in a show of global effort to promote unity and understanding among diverse communities.
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Three company directors held in Rs 100-crore investment fraud in Kochi
Kochi (Kerala) (PTI): Police on Sunday arrested three directors of a firm accused of cheating hundreds of investors of over Rs 100 crore through a fake investment scheme linked to agricultural tourism here, officials said.
The accused were identified as Muraleedharan, Ashik Murali and Akhil Murali, all natives of Thrissur.
The arrests were made by the Kalamassery police in connection with a fraud involving ATCOS (Agri Tourism Cooperative Society), a firm headquartered at Pathadipalam here.
Police said the company had promised high returns by collecting investments from the public in the agricultural tourism sector, but allegedly cheated hundreds of people and fled with the money.
ATCOS was registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act and operated 13 branches across various districts in Kerala, besides a branch in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, officials said.
When investors failed to receive their promised returns or the invested amount, complaints were filed with the police.
Officials said around 54 cases have been registered against the firm in 32 police stations across the state, including 29 cases at the Kalamassery police station alone.
Following instructions from Kochi City Police Commissioner K S Mahesh Kumar, a special investigation team was formed under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Shehensha and Thrikkakara ACP Manoj Kumar.
The team traced the accused to an apartment in Amala Nagar in Thrissur, where they had been hiding after secretly renting the flat, officials said.
The bank accounts of the accused have been frozen, and steps have been initiated to trace their assets, officials said.
Police also conducted a raid at the company’s office at Pathadipalam and seized several documents related to the case.
The accused were produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kalamassery, which remanded them to judicial custody and sent them to Kakkanad jail.
Police said they would seek the custody of the accused for further interrogation as the investigation continues.
