By Jacob Peenikaparambil
Gurgaon, Feb. 2, 2019: The fifth National Peace Convention ended with participants recommitting to work for peace.
As many as 315 people from 18 states participated in the January 30-February1 convention held at Shofar Conference Centre, Gurgaon in Haryana state.
The participants comprised professionals from various fields, Rotarians, educationists, social activists, teachers and students. Nearly 25 percent of the participants were students from different states of India.
The chief guest of the valedictory function, Jill Carr-Harris, a peace activist from Cananda, commended Father Varghese Alengaden, the spirit behind National Peace Movement, for organizing the convention for the past five years and inspiring people of various fields to work for peace.
She appealed the participants to be inclusive in their approach and become justice makers by committing themselves to work for the empowerment of the weaker sections.
The convention took place as India observes the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi. Hence special focus of discussions and deliberations was their contribution for building peace.
The main topics for reflection and discussion were Gandhian approach to national integration, social justice and peace, Mahatma with Kasturba: Primus Inter Pares, Peace: Rotary Focus Area, and Engaging youth in peace building.
Other topics were the role of the Army in nation building; Spirituality, secularism and sustainable future; Sharing by peace builders who make a difference in society through their unique actions; and Sharing by students on Mahatma Gandhi and his contribution to peace building.
Prominent speakers included Anuradha Shankar, a police officer, Guru U. Pandita Ananda, Subba Rao, P. V. Rajgopal, Gustad Ankalesaria, Jene Peter, and Syed Ata Hasnain.
Peace meditation was guided by Paul Poovathinkal, an expert in Carnatic music.
The participants contributed towards the expenses of the convention, besides meeting the cost of their travel and accommodation.
It meet ended with the release of the Delhi Peace Declaration 2019.
1. State/regional level peace conventions will be organized and state Level committees will be formed for organizing the same.
2. In order to promote peace and harmony among the followers of different religions and groups the following steps will taken:
• Exposure visits will be arranged for students and youth to different worship centres for understanding different religions and promoting respect for them.
• Festivals of different religions will be celebrated in the schools for promoting pluralism.
• Peace clubs will be formed in the schools, educational institutions and among the youth.
• Movie on Gandhi will be shown to the students and youth to disseminate the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Peace rallies will be organized.
• Readings from different religions will be used for prayer in schools.
• The experience of the national peace convention will be shared with friends and others.
3. For promoting the values of the Indian constitution posters of the preamble will be put up at prominent places of public institutions.
4. Conflict resolution skills will be imparted to the students, teachers and the youth through appropriates sessions/training.
5. More participation of students and youth will be encouraged in the National and Regional Peace Conventions.