THE APU TIMES

That led me to wonder: Am I, or rightly we, following any particular religion? The obvious answer seemed ‘YES’ but it was not an easy question. We all were enjoying a gathering in the name of ‘Christmas’ which was not our festival at all (except for a Christian lad).

How can it be explained then? It’s true I am Hindu, but it’s equally true that I am not conservative Hindu. I believe in the inclusiveness of the religion not its exclusiveness. So, I do not scratch my head thinking what religions my friends follow, and I can reasonably expect this to be true for other friends as well else we won’t be there together on that night.

OR it could be the globalizing effect of Christianity and western culture where we search for every possible meaning of ‘modernism’. We may like it or not, admit it or not, but we are certainly influenced by it. ‘Christmas’ is no longer only Christian’s festival and what’s wrong in celebrating it if it fosters friendship and harmony?

OR, it could be the influence of the multicultural environment of APU. Students come from various backgrounds but after all, they are students and more importantly, friends and complement each other. Religion may weigh high in politics or nationality, but it is light in friendship.

OR, it could also be that Christmas was only the tusk to show. Our main motive was solely to enjoy and welcome the upcoming vacation and ended up in gathering at a place. If it was not at some Hindu’s place, it could have been in a Muslim’s or Buddhist’s place. If it was not gathering it would have been something else.

OR, do I care of my religion at all? I am a Hindu because my ancestors are Hindu. It is because they follow Hindu religion closely while I just follow what they say me to do. I might be reasonably convicted of indifference to my religion though I can be only Hindu if I am any.

Whatever the explanations might be, I feel good that the gathering was multi-religious and multicultural. I certainly realized that religion is not a force to be fought for or fought about, but simply a great power that binds people following different faiths together.

In the end, I would like to thank my friends again for joining the gathering and making it a memorable one. BY THE WAY, how was your CHRISTMAS PARTY?