Chikkamagaluru, Sept. 14 -- At a time when attempts to create divisions in society in the name of religion and caste continue to surface, a Muslim woman in NR Pura town has emerged as an example of communal harmony by leading a Ganesha festival committee for the past 18 years.

Jubeda, a former president of NR Pura Town Panchayat, serves as the president of the Rajivnagar Sri Vinayaka Seva Samiti. Every year, the committee installs a Ganesha idol and observes the festival for three days.

What makes Jubeda's association with the celebrations unusual is the active role she takes in organising the religious programmes. As the committee president, she oversees various rituals, including Ganesha homa and Satyanarayana puja, and takes responsi...