Pune: To achieve independence, everyone had to forget their caste, religion, and language and fight together. However, after gaining independence, if we continue to discriminate based on caste, language, and religion, then our inclusive culture will not be respected. Unity in diversity is the cultural strength of this country. The saints have destroyed the barriers of caste and have promoted spirituality through their literature. This was stated by Milind Joshi, the president of the Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad.
The Kohinoor Group and the Marathi Language Conservation Committee honored Bishop Thomas Dabre with the "Kohinoor - Marathi Ratna" award at the Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad. At the time, he was speaking as the chairman. The award included a cash prize of one lakh rupees, a Pune turban, a symbol of honor, a shawl, and a coconut. Bishop Thomas Dabre, Ved Bhavan's Vedamurti Moreshwar Ghaisas Gurujee, Pune Festival's Vice President Krishnakumar Goyal, and Marathi Language Conservation Committee's Coordinator Praveen P. Valimbe were present on the stage.
Youth singer Tanmayi Mehandale performed a rendition of Tukaram Maharaj's composition based on the Bhup raga. The committee's president and coordinator, Praveen P. Valimbe, welcomed and introduced the guests. He said that Bishop Thomas Dabre had been honored with the "Kohinoor - Marathi Ratna" award for his work as a bishop in Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Solapur, and Karnataka for the past 14 years, as well as for his Ph.D. on Sant Tukaram Maharaj.
Bipin Modi, a member of the Vishwakarma community, presented Bishop Dabre with a shawl and a bouquet on behalf of the Gujarati Vaishnav community. Various organizations also honored Bishop Thomas Dabre.
Milind Joshi further stated that all religions have a responsibility to ensure that emotions do not flare up due to religion and that the true essence of religion should be explained to everyone. He also said that religion should bring people together, not divide them.
While responding to the felicitation, Bishop Thomas Dabre said that everyone should practice all religions with a sincere approach, which will increase respect for all religions in their minds and eliminate prejudices and misunderstandings. He said that he has devoted his entire life to promoting harmony between religions. He expressed his gratitude for being appointed to the committee on Sant Tukaram Maharaj by the Maharashtra government after completing his Ph.D. on the subject. He said that cultural imperialism is spreading everywhere, and Western culture is being blindly followed. He emphasized the need to make efforts to promote Indian and Marathi culture on this side of the world.
Krishnakumar Goyal, the chairman of the Pune Festival, said that Bishop Thomas Dabre is a true gem. His work in promoting education and health for all religions is commendable.
Vedamurti Moreshwar Ghaissas Gurujee, speaking as the chief guest, said that this felicitation is not just a celebration of religion. It is a celebration of the service and spiritual harmony that Bishop Thomas Dabre has provided.
Bipin Modi, a member of the Jain community, also praised Bishop Thomas Dabre for his service and spiritual values.
Philip from Kolkata also gave his best wishes in his speech.
The event was hosted by Neelima Boravankar, and there was a large crowd in attendance. Shruti Tiwari expressed her gratitude.
