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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 28, 2026 | The Indian Eye 28

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan organizes an

ennobling multifaith panel discussion

NEERAJ DHAR
New York, NY
any Paths…. One Desti-
nation’. This core civiliza-
Mtional message from India,
was an apt title for an illuminating
program organized by the Bharatiya
Vidya Bhavan here on August 12.
All the four featured speakers
belonging to diverse faith traditions
converged on the one truth that we
are all seeking connection with - the
divinity within.
The elite, invited audience pack-
ing the Bhavan’s elliptical hall on the
17th floor of a midtown Manhattan
building listened with rapt attention to
the unifying message of Haji Salman
Chishty, Jonathan Granoff, Yakub
Mathew, and Chef Vikas Khanna,
who offered different perspectives on
peace within and without and the role Yakub Mathew, a banker, about the
human connection can play. power money has over us. Yakub re-
Yakub Mathew, banker and au- plied, “Once I posed the same ques-
thor of ‘Seeking the Infinite’, a multi- tion to Mother Teresa who used to
faith bestseller based on the ‘Mahima’ come to our house in Delhi. She said,
of the Maha Kumbh, arranged the pro- ‘It’s a means, not an end. The power
gram and initiated the panel discussion. of money is to give it away, to touch
Syed Salman Chishty, Gaddi as many lives who can’t thank you.’”
Nashin of the Ajmer Sharif shrine in Yakub added, “All I can say is money
Rajasthan, said that at the dargah of gives you dignity, money gives you the
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, people means to touch lives. Money is im-
of diverse faiths are welcomed every portant. So, make money, celebrate
day. He shared two simple actionable your life and share your abundance
concepts from Sufi teaching: Shukr with those who cannot thank you .”
and Sabr: “Wake up with Shukr (grat- In his speech, Dr Mehta spoke
itude) as every day is a grace, and go glowingly about the Bhavan, a venera-
to bed with Sabr (patience) that all ble institution in the city that has been
will be well.” When asked by Parveen promoting art, culture and heritage of
Chopra., Founder of A Lotus In The India since 1981.
Mud spiritual magazine, about aids The evening program opened
to spiritual growth, he recommended with popular Indian spiritual numbers
a few minutes of silence and breath- many waves on the ocean, but when Muslim lady harbored him in Ghatko- performed by the multitalented Kunal
ing practices that enable us to be con- they bow down, they all become the par during the 1992 Mumbai riots. Lamba and closed with a soul-stirring
scious of the reality of who we are. ocean. So may we have the courage In the question-answer session, rendition of “Amazing Grace” by an
Jonathan Granoff, an interna- and humility to bow down into the Barbara Winston, founder of Peace admirable vocalist, Kristin Hoffman.
tional lawyer, president of the Global ocean of God.” Innovation Initiative, asked Salman Those gracing the event included
Security Institute of the United Na- Vikas Khanna, Michelin-star Chisthy, “What do we do with evil?” the Very Reverend Winnie Varghese,
tions, and a nuclear disarmament chef, came wearing the kitchen apron He replied, “We respond with patience Lama Aria Drolma, Prince Dimitri of
warrior nominated for the Nobel and had to rush back to serve dinner at as Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘An eye for Yugoslavia, Bhavan’s Vice-Chairman
Peace Prize in 2014, said that the his Bungalow restaurant. Yet, with his an eye would leave the world blind’. Kenny Desai and Executive Director
only thing that can fulfill our human brief remarks, he touched the hearts But, yes, we have to defend ourselves. Minesh Patel.
birth is to know yourself and to know of all. The boy from Amritsar who We have to protect our family and After food for the soul, food for
the Creator. There are many paths grew up revering the langar tradition community. We have to be resilient.” the belly was served courtesy Vikas
to achieve that, which involve work- at the Golden Temple, said serving Dr Navin C. Mehta, eminent Khanna and Jimmy Rizvi, described
ing on yourself by scrubbing and food is his worship. He said his belief otolaryngologist and Chairman of as his dervish by Salman Chishty.
cleaning, he said, adding, “There are in pluralism was strengthened when a the Bharatiaya Vidya Bhavan, asked Continued on next page... >>

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