In a unique and creative way, PRASHANT, the Ahmedabad-based Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace has tried to communicate the Christmas message celebrating 600 years of Ahmedabad.When Jesus was born 2000 years ago in a little town of Bethlehem (Israel), the message that he brought to the whole of mankind was ‘peace on earth and goodwill to all’. This message celebrated the diversity of his time, a profound respect for all and that every human being has a right to enjoy the gifts of peace, justice, joy, hope and freedom.
Ahmedabad was founded 600 years ago by Ahmed Shah in an environment which was permeated with similar values of tolerance, harmony, peace, goodwill and diversity. These values have largely stood the test of time inspite of efforts being made by certain sections of society to incite hatred, prejudice, intolerance, violence and divisiveness.
The crib outside the gates of PRASHANT depicts the birth of Jesus in a traditional way but in the context of the rich, cultural and pluralistic traditions of Ahmedabad city. The crib is in fact outside the THREE GATES (Teen Darwaja) and the angel which brings the good news flies down from an exquisite CHABUTARA (traditional bird feeder). The sky is dotted with little kites depicting the many dimensions of the city and the great festival of UTTARAYAN (the festival of kites) which cuts across all differences and brings people together. A running video show in the background shows various landmarks of the city and how each one of them in a unique way contributes to spreading the basic human values which Christmas brings.
Around the crib on the outside are several banners with appropriate quotations highlighting the Christmas message.
This unique creation celebrating the birth of Jesus and 600 years of Ahmedabad has been the joint effort of many including well-known sculptor Karl Antao, interior designer Daniel Reubens, creative designer Lazarus Lopez, artist Fr. Aubrey Fernandes and the Gurjarvani Communications Team.
All are welcome to see this unique presentation. It is kept open to the public all twenty four hours from Christmas Eve (December 24th 2010, 6.00 pm), to January 2nd, 2011, 11.00 pm.
Fr. Cedric Prakash
Director
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean. 
Congratulations and God bless you for your ministry of building bridges between the Church and her faithful through BBN. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteGreat. That's the way to "inculturate" Christmas. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteFrancis Parmar, SJ