THANK YOU

25 November 2008

Dear WISI Convenor,

Greetings!

Though this note is not meant to serve as a pat on one’s own back, it certainly intends to record the momentous success of the rally held on Saturday, 22 November 2008 – the first major initiative of WISI (Women’s Initiative for Secular India).

By some twist of destiny, it was the Archdiocesan Women’s Commission that invited secular-minded members of the civil society in Chennai to consultation on the nature of response to be issues in the wake of the Orissa communal crisis. It was heartening to note that the following organizations that responded constructively, by co-convening WISI:

AIDWA | Pengal Munnani | IWID |Women's Collective | TNVHA |Women Lawyers' Association | SWAP-ULEIC | CWF | Archdiocesan Women’s Commission | WSF | Cycle Association | Dalit Women's Forum | NFIW | CRI |CVI |LOM |

Besides, others who actively participated include: Members from DPC, Fr. Kulandai Gnani (Nam Vazhvu), CRMI, Laity Commission and Laity Council, staff and students from Stella Maris College, the AICUF, the Youth Service Team (YST) and Jesus Youth (JY) apart from several representatives of the civil society.

It is time to thank each and every one who was involved in the planning, prayer, preparation and participation for/in the rally on Saturday. The turnout was tremendous given that it was a touchy issue and on the day of the rally, it was threatening to pour heavily. All the speakers were par excellence and drove home the single point – though in a myriad ways – against communalism, to the media who represent the eyes and ears of the common people.

Though the media was there in full strength, we still await the delivery of the news that the size of media on that day seemed to promise. But regardless, the important things are that we have come together as WISI and have rightful intentions to do our bit to wipe out communalism wherever it is present.

With that, we invite you to an Evaluation Meeting to take place on 01.12.2008 at 4.30 p.m. at Pastoral Centre, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, No.25, Luz Church Road, Mylapore, Chennai 600004. In the meeting, we shall also deliberate upon finalizing the symbol to promote secularism and the ways and means to promote it in our civil society.

Looking forward to several more collaborative initiatives to strengthen secularism in India, we close. Thanking you,

Very Truly Yours,

Auxilia Peter