Thomas’s New Book Bridges Faiths and Cultures
New Delhi: A new book compiling nearly 150 short reflections—originally shared as YouTube video messages from 2020 to 2025—provides readers with accessible insights into celebrating humanity’s common cultural and spiritual heritage. By addressing festivals of all religions, national and international observances, memories of great personalities, and shared elements of language, literature, science, and culture, Messages for Human Solidarity promotes mutual respect, dialogue, and collective action toward peace, justice, and dignity for all amid global challenges.
Titled Messages for Human Solidarity, the book by Dr M. D. Thomas, Founder Director of the Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies (IHPS), New Delhi, was launched on March 7, 2026, during a seminar at Lecture Room-1, India International Centre Annexe, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, at 14:00 hours. This marks Dr Thomas’s 12th publication, transforming his widely shared YouTube series (@mdthomas53) into a chronological, bilingual (English and Hindi), and thematically organised print collection for easier access and dissemination.
Introducing the book, Dr Thomas emphasised that human beings are inherently social, with lives gaining meaning through societal interactions. Diversity is a natural and essential part of social life, where differences offer opportunities for mutual enrichment rather than conflict. The cultural ideal of “unity in diversity” requires conscious effort through dialogue, mutual recognition, and cooperation. In this context, “human solidarity” serves as the most meaningful response to diversity, fostering shared responsibility, collective well-being, and commitment to tackling issues like poverty, inequality, and conflict—while protecting and promoting humanity’s common heritage.
The messages begin with Vijayadashmi and culminate in World Meditation Day, conveying that the world’s cultural and spiritual treasures belong collectively to humanity, not to any single community or nation. Widely circulated via YouTube, WhatsApp, email, and social media, they represent an effort to advance unity, socio-spiritual well-being, and global human solidarity.
The programme was chaired by Dr Markandey Rai, Former Senior Advisor, UN-Habitat, and Chairman, Global Peace Foundation, India. Other distinguished speakers included Prof. Junaid Haris, Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia Central University, New Delhi; Dr A. K. Merchant, General Secretary, The Temple of Understanding, India; and Sudhir Gandotra, Humanist and Coordinator, World Humanist Forum, Asia. The dignitaries jointly launched the book.
Dr Rai highlighted the book’s broad scope—including religious solidarity, festivals across traditions, civilizational values like Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and universal teachings such as “love your neighbour.” He noted its coverage of major and lesser-known observances as sources of shared ethical inspiration, with every page reflecting human goodness. He suggested that children reading one message nightly could experience meaningful transformation, and praised its promotion of cooperation among traditions, social actors, and organisations. Referencing *Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah*, he described the book as creating space for love toward all and hatred toward none, embodying a spiritual ladder: to give, to love, and to serve.
Gandotra lauded the initiative, stressing that inner transformation is the starting point for social change. He commended Dr Thomas’s over four decades of dedication to interfaith dialogue and civil society engagement, noting that the book’s vision of solidarity is rooted in this commitment. Amid global problems like violence and conflict, he said, solutions begin with self-awareness, and the messages on festivals, ethics, and the lives of saints invite rediscovery of shared humanity and responsibility.
Prof. Haris offered an academic review, tracing the series to the first message on Vijayadashmi on October 25, 2020, as an effort to inspire societal transformation, especially among children and youth. The book compiles 137 messages transcending borders and disciplines, drawing from science, culture, spirituality, and social thought. He summarised its impact at three levels: Insaniyat (humanity), Mulk (the nation), and the world.
Dr Merchant congratulated the author and emphasised the book’s role in highlighting the unity of faith traditions and spiritual awakening amid tensions. It provides accessible resources recalling shared ethical foundations, gathering insights from science, art, philosophy, and social thought, and preserving wisdom from figures like Nelson Mandela, C. V. Raman, and Narayana Guru. Regular engagement helps overcome negativity and mental violence, building commitments to peace, compassion, and service.
Interfaith activist Yash Dhamija anchored the programme and proposed the vote of thanks. Over seventy participants from diverse communities and disciplines attended, followed by refreshments and fellowship, making the event a celebration of dialogue, inclusivity, and human solidarity.
The original video messages remain freely available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@mdthomas53 for wider access.
– global bihari bureau
