By Jacob Peenikaparambil

Indore, Jan 30, 2020: Tushar Gandhi, a great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30 urged a group of peace activist to use anger positively to counter hatred and promote peace.

“If the politicians are becoming hatemongers, society is responsible because they come from the same society and the people elect them,” Gandhi said while addressing the opening of the sixth National Peace Convention at Christ University Bengaluru.

“In fact, we, the citizens, are filled with hatred and divisiveness. Hence if peace has to come to the world and the nation, the citizens have to change and should have the courage to speak against hatred and divisiveness,” the president of the Mumbai-based Mahatma Gandhi Foundation told some 490 participants of the convention, organized by the Universal Solidarity Movement.

Christ University vice chancellor, V M Abraham, the chief guest, stressed the need for peace building to start with individuals and families.

Father Varghese Alengaden, the founder of National Peace Convention, advised the participants, especially the students, to emulate Greta Thunberg, the young environmental activist, to become peace makers.

The January 30-February 1 convention is being held in the backdrop of increasing conflicts in the world and within the countries, including India.

The participants
The convention is organized in collaboration with the Departments of Social Work and Sociology of Christ University and Rotary International.

The participants have come from 18 Indian states. They include professionals, Rotarians, social workers, principals, teachers and students. About 40 percent participants are students.

A number of peace activists working with different sections of society are expected to share their ideas and experiences in the coming days.

All participants, including the organizers and many speakers, have paid the registration fee, besides meeting accommodation and travel expenses.

Father Alengaden started the National Peace Movement in 2015. The first convention was organized in Indore that launched the National Peace Movement. The second convention was held in Dimapur, the third in Goa, the fourth in Kochi and the fifth in Gurgaon under the National Capital Region.