We’re all ready bright and early this morning for our
program, and Deepika comes out looking exceptionally pretty today.. Couldn’t
resist taking a picture of our very own fashionista..
Our day begins at Don Bosco School with a Peace March
around the neighbouring area with our team and the youth from the city. It was
really nice – we had a whole police escort and everything. It was peaceful in
every sense of the word, the pace was slow, there was hardly anyone speaking,
just walking quietly through the city, holding up banners for display which
said things like “there is no way to peace. Peace is the way” and ”When the
power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” And
really inspiring stuff like that. It was real fun to get so much attention from
all the people on the street passing by, pausing for a few moments and reading
something before smiling and driving past. At least people are taking notice..
(Smile)
There’s this whole huge program at the school when we
return from the march. Apart from the cultural program, which, by the way, had
some of the most captivating dance performances, there were talks by various
people on so many things under the sun, but mostly on our themes. So insightful
and inspiring! It’s happened like this before that each one of us has a certain
way of looking at things and that’s pretty much as far as we see it. Here so
many perceptions on the same thing were presented and it made so much sense and
really helped open your eyes to broaden your horizon of thinking. That was a
very enriching part of the program.
Also there was an inter—religious prayer service where
representatives of the Christian, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim communities were there,
with special guests from Turkey also from the Muslim community and they
presented some jewels of lessons from their respective scriptures and way of
life. It was a very powerful thing to see this peaceful co-existence and
acknowledgement of another’s belief. There should be more such prayer services.
And everywhere. Like totally.
Our girls performed their Mother Teresa themed dance
here. They’ve performed it a number of times during the trip before, but it was
just more special here. I remember Jennifer telling me once that it had always
been her dream to meet Mother Teresa, but it was never fulfilled. But being
able to perform this dance here, in the place where Mother spent so much of her
life, Jenny said it was a deeper emotion while dancing and it just felt so much
more powerful.
[FYI, Jennifer plays the part of Mother Teresa in during
the performance.]
After lunch there was a musical performance and CD launch
by The Messengers, a really awesome gospel band from Kolkata. They really
brought the place down with their music and the best part was that it was
propagating peace and harmony and all.. And in rock music. They had even composed a theme song for our
campaign. It was like the most awesome tribute..
In the evening, it starts to rain! It’s the first time
we’ve got caught in the rain anywhere since we left Kanyakumari. And it feels
divine! It gave the whole city another charm completely.. You know how they
say, a romance of sorts fills the air. Something like that, only more quaint.
To more such romance, rain, peace, positivity and light
and happy feelings.. What a great way to end the third phase of our journey.
We’re all in high spirits as we push on forward to Jamshedpur!
No comments:
Post a Comment