Amar, Akbar, Anthony to pray for India's win
Bangalore: While the Men In Blue prepare to bleed blue at Mohali to beat Pakistan on Wednesday, a motley group of Hindus, Christians and Muslims have come together to contribute to India's victory in its own way at CKC Garden near Mission Road in Bangalore.
This is what they will do beginning 10 pm tonight and continue for 48 hours till the match ends, hopefully with India beating Pakistan in the second semi-final game of the ongoing ICC World Cup: portraits of Lord Ganesh, Lord Jesus and the Holy Quran will be displayed and a 10X12 feet banner with pictures of each of the India team members will be put up.
The group of about 25 led by John Edward, a mineral water businessman, will chant hymns from the holy scriptures of the three religions in a dharna-like ambience, but with prayers only for India's win on their lips.
On Sunday afternoon, ten of them got together to prepare for the 48-hour prayer dharna. On Tuesday morning, they will perform Ganapati homa, after which they plan to request passers-by to join in and pray for India's win. On Wednesday' the day of the crucial match'they plan to conduct a blood-donation camp in the morning, if not a puja.
They will also watch the match on an LCD screen that will be put up to cater to as many people as possible to cheer for India together. 'We are united for India's win. Especially since it is against Pakistan we have no choice but to emerge as winners. We have to fight for the cup; nothing else matters,' says a determined Edward.
'We will all be praying together. We are all one and religion does not divide us. The prayer session will be a combined one.' Anyone and everyone are welcome to join in, he says. 'Residents have come forward offering us food. Many of them appreciate our unity and are rendering their support.'
News Posted: 28 March, 2011
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