Mumbai harmony (05 Sep 2008)
In wake of recent turbulence in Orissa and Jammu & Kashmir, I wonder if the entire country needs to learn a lesson or two about secularism from the people of Mumbai. The city’s religious harmony is witnessed in full glory on Ganesh Chaturthi, when thousands of Muslims, Christians and Sikhs come out and seek blessings from Ganesha in their neighborhood pandals. Prominent Muslims like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan take pride in worshipping Ganesha for the full duration of the festival. Even though the festival has coincided with the holy month of Ramadan this year, the huge turnout of devout Muslims seeking blessings from Lord Ganesha is indeed heartwarming.