MORE than 2200 people belonging to 384 families of 20 villages returned home on March 20 at a function organised at Sutarpada village under Kapvada teshil of Valsad district. These people belong to Varali and Konkana Vanvasi communities and had sometime back embraced Christianity. More than 300 other people belonging to seven other villages were also present on the occasion to welcome these people.
In the beginning, all the people offered ahutis in the yajna which was conducted by a team of Arya Samaj Purohits. The function was organised by Dharma Prasar Samiti. Addressing the gathering after the poornahuti of the yajna, VHP central secretary Shri Mohan Joshi reminded them of the glorious history of their ancestors. He said they fought for the protection of Hinduism from foreign invaders and made many sacrifices.
Swami Omkaranand Maharaj said Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world and we should protect it even by sacrificing our lives. He said Hinduism teaches both peace and love to the mankind. Gujarat state president of VHP Shri Dilipbhai Trivedi, Prant Dharma Prasar Pramukh Shri Dharmendrabhai Patel, joint secretary Shri Lalit Suvakia, state secretary Shri Neeral Patel, etc. were also present on the occasion.
(FOC)
