West Bengal, a statue of Mother Teresa to promote harmony

The sculture of the saint of Calcutta was installed in the center of a famous market, frequented by thousands of people every week.  The initiative is by the interreligious group Nepalgunge More Bebasahi Committee.  Imam: "She lives in our hearts like a Mother".

New Delhi (AsiaNews / Agencies) - To promote harmony between the religions and secular values ​​of India, a statue of Mother Teresa was installed in the center of a renowned market, the beating heart of the local economy a few kilometers from  Calcutta, in West Bengal. 

It is the initiative stems of the interreligious group Nepalgunge More Bebasahi Committee, which unveiled the work of art on August 27th, the day on which the 109th anniversary of her birth occurred.

The Nepalgunge Hatt market is located at the intersection with Bishnupur, in the district of South 24 Parganas, 15 km from the state capital.  It is frequented by thousands of people three times a week, when fresh fruit and vegetables are brought to market.  Buyers also come from Calcutta for the quality of the products.

The ceremony was attended by people of all faiths and representatives of the various religions that make up the country.  On behalf of the Christians, Msgr.  Shyamal Bose, coadjutor bishop of the diocese of Baruipur.  He told of having met the nun of Calcutta, who saw God in the faces of the poor, when he was a young seminarian.  Then he assured: "The saint will intercede for her beloved children of Bengal".

Sathya Ranjan Panja, secretary of the market committee, reports that the statue of the foundress of the Missionaries of Charity, known throughout the world as an example of charity and mercy, was placed next to that of Swami Vivekananda (photo 2), a 19th century Indian mystic and social reformer.  "People in the area - he says - felt the need to have the statue of the Mother close to that of the swami.  We thought the appropriate time was the anniversary of her birth ".

Given the thousands who frequent the market each week, Panja emphasizes: "This village is not only an important commercial area, but above all a socio-cultural nerve center for all the neighboring villages".  Sahidulla Khan, imam of the local mosque, recalled Mother Teresa's contribution to the poor of Calcutta.  "She lives in our hearts - he said - as" Maa (mother) ".

Hari Gopal Chakraborti, Hindu leader and president of Vivekananda Atma Jagatan Manch, said: "It is important to have the image of Mother Teresa at the center of the market.  It is a clear message to the population that we support the secular values ​​of our country and promote peace between religions ". 

The Hindu spiritual leader highlighted: "India is going through a difficult period, in which extremist fringes would like to seize power for personal purposes, instigating hatred between the majority in the name of religion.  We are here together to block these feelings between us in this part of the world".