“History books will note that by the end of November, some people came by beach side in Mumbai to wreak violence while pilgrims from all over the world came to Mayapur in India to stop violence. We can achieve this by outliving them”, addressed Bishop William E.Swing on the Inaugural Ceremony of URI Global Assembly 2008. Global Assembly 2008 was inaugurated in Mayapur with people from all faiths from all over the world lighting the candles for peace. Earlier in the evening, URI Community made an offering to Mother Earth and holy Ganges seeking blessings to build more interfaith communities across the globe.

Bhakti Purusottama Swami, Co-director of ISKCON Mayapur thanked URI for visiting Mayapur and welcomed them to have more meetings in Mayapur. He briefed about the significance of Mayapur in creating communities based on love and faith as this is the birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who taught everyone to love God and His whole Creation. He welcomed the URI community to stay closer to Nature to appreciate their stay in Mayapur. Charles Gibbs, Director of URI remembered Dr.T.D.Singh (Bhakti Swarupa Damodara Swami) for his contributions to Interfaith and who desired that URI meeting to happen one day in the holy land of Sri Mayapur.

He thanked ISKCON Mayapur for wonderful arrangements. He expressed, “Though we are here as pilgrims, we were hosted richly. Hospitality we receive here is extraordinary”. He urged everyone to take advantage of this fertile soil in Mayapur to deepen our roots for possibility of interfaith co-operation. Departed interfaith leaders (Celestial Co-operation Circle) were remembered for their contributions. A slide show was presented with melodious bhajan background by Bhakti Swarupa Damodara Swami.

Bhaktivedanta Institute distributed a booklet, “Scientist & Saint” on life and work of Dr.T.D.Singh. ISKCON Mayapur delighted URI community with wonderful Cultural performance. Krishna’s dancing with gopis by Bhakti Vedanta National School children was a colorful show while Manipuri drummers thrilled the audience by flying around playing drums and also performed a sword fight show. Young Lakshmi (4 years) charmed everyone in her exquisite Manipuri costume swaying her body to the melody of Manipuri Music. Audience jumped into the stage to take a snap with this sweet little angel of Manipur.

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