"Family life is often disrupted by harsh realities such as conflicts, poverty and migration, which have become all too commonplace throughout the world. There are, however, strong signs of renewed hope due to the witness of those who hold fervently to the enduring importance of marriage and family life for the wellbeing of each person and society as a whole." Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, stated this in a message addressed to the Hindu community on the occasion of the Feast of Deepavali, celebrated on October 30th. "Keenly aware of the global challenges daily confronting us, we wish—said the Cardinal—to offer a reflection on how we, Christians and Hindus together, can promote hope in families, thus making our society ever more humane." He, then, continues: " We know that the family is “humanity’s first school” and that parents are the “primary and principal” educators of their children. It is in the family that children, led by the noble example of their parents and elders, are formed in the values that help them develop into good and responsible human beings. Too often, however, the optimism and idealism of our youth are diminished by circumstances that affect families. It is especially important, therefore, that parents, together with the wider community, instil in their children a sense of hope by guiding them towards a better future and the pursuit of the good, even in the face of adversity." Concluding, he invites all to join "people of good will in supporting marriage and family life and inspiring families to be schools of hope."