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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
“Light the World, One by One” was the theme of the annual interfaith dinner held on Saturday evening at the Grand Hotel in South Delhi.
Addressing the crowd of over 40 friends and members of The Indian Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Prudhvi Varada, a local Church leader, urged all to become better together by serving others, using resources wisely and respecting all faiths.
Quoting Mother Teresa, he said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Kamal Kumar, founder and director of the top rated Lakshya Bhartee Institute of International Hotel Management (LBIIHM) in Delhi. He shared insights into Hindu traditions of giving as well as the story of his own involvement in the Jashoda Anath Ashram in Kalahandi, Orissa, of which he is chief patron.
Dr. Kumar recounted how in 2015, Latter-day Saint Charities, the humanitarian arm of the Church, provided a large donation of furniture and household goods to the struggling orphanage. Today it supports 98 children and 26 elderly persons.
“Life is short,” Dr. Kumar said. “Let’s make it useful and meaningful not only for ourselves but for others too. Every moment is a good moment to help others.”
Old Delhi restaurateur and philanthropist Mr. Fazalur Qureshi Rehman also shared insights into the Islamic imperative to give to those in need. Quoting the Prophet Mohammad, Rehman said, “He is not a believer whose neighbor is hungry,” adding, “I don’t like to eat alone.”
Also present were Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International and his son, Kumar Dilip who is President of that organization as well as Dr. A.K. Merchant, National Trustee cum Secretary, Lotus Temple and Bahá'í Community of India. Dr. Ravi Kanth, Chairman and Managing Director of Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) also attended along with Vikram Dutt, educator, philanthropist and longtime friend of the Church. President Bradley R. Hansen of the New Delhi Mission and his wife Dana were also present.
Commenting on the evening, President Suresh Ramakrishna, head of the Church in Delhi remarked, “This has been a wonderful occasion to gather with old friends and make new ones. We value these associations and look forward to finding more ways to serve together.”
“Light the World” is a Christmas service initiative sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and more information can be found at https://www.jesusthechrist.in/