Bengaluru: Last week, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, the Indian Social Institute (ISI) in Bengaluru hosted a event featuring the release of The Kingdom of God in India, authored by Acharyasri Dr. Sachidananda Bharathi. The ceremony was complemented by a national seminar titled “Promoting a Culture of Reconciliation and Peace in India,” led by Rev. Dr. Denzil Fernandes, S.J., who oversees the ISI’s unit dedicated to reconciliation and peace.
The seminar was inaugurated by Rev. Joseph Susainathan, Auxiliary Bishop of the Bangalore Archdiocese, who also participated in the book release. Acharyasri, who serves as the Convener of the National Council for Reconciliation & Peace (NCRP), was honored as the Guest of Honor.
In his address, Dr. Denzil Fernandes shared insights into Acharyasri’s remarkable journey from being an Indian Air Force Squadron Leader to a devout follower of Christ after surviving a near-fatal air accident in 1982. He recounted how subsequent visions of Lord Jesus Christ transformed Acharyasri from an atheist into a passionate disciple within India’s diverse religious landscape.
Rev. Dr. Fernandes emphasized that the book represents the culmination of Acharyasri’s four-decade spiritual quest amidst the socio-cultural fabric of independent India. He also presented excerpts from a review by Rev. Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Chairman of the CBCI Commission for Ecumenism and Dialogue, highlighting the book’s historical importance.
The seminar addressed broader themes related to India’s ongoing struggle for economic, social, and moral freedoms—issues famously articulated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. Gandhi noted that while political freedom had been achieved, true liberation requires addressing deeper societal injustices that persist even after 77 years of independence.
The discussions also introduced the Greater India Movement (GIM), initiated by Dharma Rajya Vedi (DRV) in September 2023 as an interreligious mission aimed at achieving these remaining freedoms through collective moral and spiritual efforts. The movement seeks to foster collaboration among various faiths to tackle issues such as poverty, discrimination, and corruption.
Acharyasri’s book outlines this vision and serves as a call to action for a renewed commitment to social justice and reconciliation in India.
Copies of The Kingdom of God in India is available through Fr. Denzil Fernandes (mobile: 83750 63768) at ISI Bangalore, inviting readers to engage with its profound insights on faith and societal healing.